I’ve been planning to write this post for over a year. Except I really thought it would be the “When Your Book DOES Sell” version. But yeah… that didn’t happen. The book my agent signed me for didn’t sell. I found out five months ago. It’s taken me that long to be ready to write this…. Read more »
Utopia : a place (as a region, island, country, or locality) that is imaginary and indefinitely remote : a place, state, or condition of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions [Merriam Webster] “I went to Utopia.” Every time I say that to someone, I feel a little crazy. But I really did! It’s… Read more »
Hey there Word Nerds! Today’s episode is especially awesome because I’m interviewing Joanna Penn, author and creative entrepreneur. She is the mastermind behind The Creative Penn, one of the top 10 sites for writers and has penned several nonfiction books helping writers build their platforms. She also writes thrillers under the pen name J.F. Penn and is a self-publishing superstar. I am… Read more »
Many writing conferences have pitch sessions. They can be a fantastic way to get your work in front of editors and agents. Even if you don’t end up finding an agent at a conference, pitch sessions are a great way to practice the fine art of talking about your book in a succinct and effective… Read more »
Gabriela’s was not the first street team I’ve been a part of, but it was the most unusual. I mean that in the best possible sense. In the past, I’d receive an advanced reader copy (ARC) and the request to post an honest review by the launch date. There might be a Facebook promotional event,… Read more »
Hey there Word Nerds! Today I’m talking to Julie Zickefoose, an artist and author of three books, the latest being Baby Birds: An Artist Looks into the Nest. In the interview, we discuss how to turn your passion for a subject into a book (or something more), and how to keep up the motivation to pursue that… Read more »
The query letter is arguably the most important part of the manuscript submission process. It can either make an agent/editor quiver with excitement at the thought of opening your manuscript, or it can make your email a lovely little addition to their trash folder. So here are a few do-s and don’t-s for crafting a… Read more »
In the three years since I started writing, I’ve written six novels, signed book contracts for two of them and published my first one this month. I’m contracted for two more books to be written in the next six months. I have no degrees in writing. I took one literature class in college (which is… Read more »
Hey there Word Nerds! Thanks for joining me for today’s awesome DIY MFA Radio interview with author Ryan North. When one of my contacts over at Penguin told me Romeo and/or Juliet and asked if I wanted to bring the author on the show, my immediate reaction: “Shakespeare meets choose-your-own adventure? Yes please!” The fact… Read more »
Social media is always in flux, and there is always another new kid on the block.The newest network of the moment is Litsy. It’s quickly gaining a lot of attention, and it’s specifically geared toward readers. Meet Litsy Litsy was created by Todd Lawton and Jeff LeBlanc, the co-founders of bookish tees and gear shop… Read more »
