By Bex Hall I’m not really certain why it took me so long to realize this, but I admit, somewhat ashamedly, that I have literally been sitting on a gold mine and didn’t have a clue. For about eight months now I’ve been reaching out and networking with writers from afar. Participating in discussion lists … Read more
By Elisabeth Keely Wilson Ostensibly, it was your basic itch just begging to be scratched. You know—the kind of itch that can’t quite be reached, so it keeps twitching and itching, demanding your attention. Finally, in order to appease the little beast, you have to twist and turn your body into various odd positions, until … Read more
A terrific essay on authorial control by Cherie Priest, posted on her blog and reprinted with permission at SFWA. I was especially delighted by what she has to say about libraries and used books, since recently I’ve seen an awful lot of doom, gloom, and anger from some writers about not getting a second royalty … Read more
By Lauri Kubuitsile 5:30 p.m.: Okay, I’ve made a decision. I’m going to live in the moment tonight, &agrav; la Oprah. I’m not going to be my normal spastic self, planning every minute of my future, coming up with fantastic scenarios that keep me obsessed for hours. I am not going to spend the whole … Read more
By Melanie Bowden Many writers are so afraid of rejection that they jump at whatever fee an editor offers. Don’t do it! Writers are notorious for not getting paid what they deserve, especially when they are first starting out. We need to think more like my therapist who advises, “Honor the work you do.” His … Read more
By Mary Emma Allen “What promotional materials do you have to make your book stand out and help us sell it?” a bookstore events coordinator asked. There are a variety of materials you can use to let others know about your book and help make it noticeable in bookstores. With today’s computer printing programs, you … Read more
By Mary Emma Allen Do you recede into the background when people meet you or do you present a memorable appearance? We’re told it takes 30 seconds to make a first impression. How do you want to be perceived as an author? This often is something we writers don’t think about. As writers who strive … Read more
By Mary Emma Allen Many writers are reluctant to “toot their own horn” or promote themselves. Writers often are shy people who’d rather write than market their work. However, in today’s writing and publishing world, you can’t hide in the closet, as one writer said at a workshop. An excellent way of obtaining free publicity … Read more
By Lisa Abbate For so many writers—fiction or nonfiction—the completion and publishing of a book is the fulfillment of a great dream. Completing a book is no small feat, and neither is getting it published. Some aspiring authors choose to seek out an agent and traditional publisher, while others opt to self-publish. Technology and competition … Read more
A rather silly and inaccurate article from WSJ proclaiming The Death of the Slush Pile. An excellent post on agent Janet Reid’s blog, Slush Works. A discussion on the AW forums, that references both essays. This stuff comes up every now and then. Every week it seems like some new Website goes up, announcing that they’ll … Read more
