Different writers have different ways of maintaining an income while they are writing their latest book. Some write part-time and have a day job to help pay the bills, others have invested in things like Crypto Engine and are able to survive off a passive income, and others are able to be paid by … [Read more...]
The blog for writers
The Book Deal
The bears and bulls of publishing: An insider steps up
EBook buyers read more books. And why wouldn't they be? They can look on this article about ebooks and find places to get them for free! They're the future! We're in the midst of a fantastic transition. Words from another outsider advocating the overthrow of legacy publishing? Nope. Not at … [Read more...]
Ask the editor: Is it OK to cross genres?
Q: Is it ok to write a book that crosses genre lines, like a mystery with time travel, or a romance with extraterrestrials? A: The short answer is "Yes, absolutely!" That's the truth, despite the fear that agents and publishers will avoid a book that falls into more than one genre. But … [Read more...]
Grand finales: Tips for writing great endings
Writing a great ending for your book is just as important as a dynamite opening that rivets our attention and compels us to keep turning those pages. A well-written book requires some kind of symphonic climax that resonates in our heads and hearts like the famous 40-second E major chord at the … [Read more...]
Guts Ball: Editing Hunter Thompson, part two
The deadline for Fear & Loathing on the Campaign Trail was nearly upon us and we had reserved press time at a cheap printer in Reno to rush out the book in time for Nixon's second inauguration. (Look here for part one of this series.) Ruby red grapefruit and a Nagra tape recorder I was … [Read more...]