A successfully self-published book can propel you down the road to a book contract at a commercial publishing house. That's the truth of the matter, despite the worries I hear from writers that self-publishing could doom their hopes of ever landing a real book deal. Don't listen to those … [Read more...]
The blog for writers
The Book Deal
The writer’s toolkit: A voice journal for character development
"A voice journal will keep your characters from becoming little versions of you." That advice comes from James Scott Bell, author of The Art of War for Writers, a new book of strategies and exercises for fiction authors. "You'll find yourself excited about your characters. You'll think about them … [Read more...]
Ask the editor: Tips for blending in the backstory
Q: There's some background information I need to include so my narrative makes more sense. How can I do that without breaking the flow of the story? A: Many writers struggle with blending in historical context and a who's who of key characters from the past whose influence has led up to their … [Read more...]
YA is red hot: Tips from 3 top agents
Psst! Wanna write a scorcher for the booming YA market? OK, here's the secret: The first thing you need to do is create an authentic, quirky, true-to-life voice. The story and characterizations in Young Adult fiction are crucial too, of course, but the most important element is that … [Read more...]
Hooks that snag great book deals
I can't help smiling when I read a good hook. When it happens, it's a rush, a little like falling in love. The hook -- those critical initial sentences of a query letter from an author, or the opening of the book proposal itself -- are the first and most important words that agents and acquiring … [Read more...]
Writing a memoir: 7 tips for defeating your inner critic
"Writing a memoir is an act of courage. Be brave. It means exposing who you really are, which is hard to do, even to yourself." That advice comes from a conversation I had recently with Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D., President of the National Association of Memoir Writers. She's the author of a new … [Read more...]
Ask the editor: Help with transitions and bridges
Q: Someone in my writers group complained that my plot is hard to follow. Can you help? A: You might need to work on the transitions -- the glue that makes a seamless narrative. You might need to add a few words of clarification or entire new passages to bridge the gaps. Your reader could be … [Read more...]
Publishers desperately seeking insanely great debut novelists
"Everybody's looking for the next big thing -- a work of great literary fiction from an unknown writer who's never been published." That's according to Jay Schaefer, an editor-at-large at Workman Publishers in New York City and its subsidiary, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, North … [Read more...]
Lighting up your reader’s brain: Can neuroscience teach you to be a better writer?
What if a reader's neocortex actually lit up because he recognized your cab driver's distinctive Hoboken snarl? Or her hypothalamus sent off sparks because she could practically taste the creamy hot chocolate with handmade vanilla marshmallows that your heroine sipped at the Bittersweet Café? … [Read more...]
9 tips for successful author readings
Readers are fans. They love author appearances! What's more, a successful author reading can spark sales and help build a following for a new book. Publishers know this, but unfortunately, the days of big budgets for glamorous book tours and star-spangled author events are now largely behind … [Read more...]
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