Hey everyone! I'm on my phone today. I was having problems with a few of my Microsoft programs on my laptop, so the Windows Support agent suggested I reinstall Windows 10. So I followed his instructions and downloaded Windows to my computer, and it took six hours. This was back in November. So on another … Continue reading Blogus Interruptus
Can you help me make sure my first chapter is ready to query or self-publish? Hi everyone! This week we are going to take a look at an anonymous fellow author's first chapter. I am looking at this as an agent who is seeing this in their slush pile, and as an editor, polishing it … Continue reading Literary Q&A: First Chapter Final Editing (Series #9)
When I grew up I wanted to be Barbra Streisand--specifically as Fanny Brice--but that was never going to happen. Because I wasn't born Barbra Streisand. And you weren't born Stephen King. Which is a good thing, because he's not the best writer. He's ONE of the best writers, along with other household names--Dean Koontz, Nora … Continue reading Literary Q&A: I Just Published a Book, Now What? #Authorgoals (Series #8)
This week should be shorter, I have our weekly question, plus an announcement. I am almost done with my book, where should I publish it? This question has a roundabout answer. First of all, if you haven't finished your book, you are looking too far ahead, in my opinion. Not only do you have time … Continue reading Literary Q&A: Where Should I Publish My Unfinished Manuscript? (Series #6)
Question: I'm editing my book, but what do I do with tags? This week an author friend of mine expressed some confusion on the topic of tags in his novel. I asked, Is your issue with tag punctuation, the difference between action tags and dialogue tags, acceptable dialogue tags, or something else? I could go … Continue reading Literary Q&A: What Good Writers Know About Tags (Series #4)
Hello all! First, I have two promos to share with you. They are both on Bookfunnel. Click on the photos to jump to the sale. Today's post is a casting net. I need your input again authors. I'd like to do another question/answer series for the blog through October. First, I want to know all … Continue reading Journey to a Bestseller: Tell Me Everything YOU Need to be a Successful Writer (Series #46)
Hi everyone. Have you written your first draft, finally gotten it complete, only to realize you have 200,000 words? You are not alone. There are many reasons to "cut" or "trim" your writing. It makes things clearer, stronger, more concise, and streamlines the information that the reader needs to know. And of course, word counts--everyone … Continue reading Journey to a Bestseller: Cutting your Novel Down to Size (Series #45)
I'm not sure if my clients realize it, but as an editor for a publishing house, I get paid when my authors get paid. Like an agent, I don't get paid until my authors do--then I receive a small percentage of the book's sales. So, as nice as I am, it behooves me to help … Continue reading Ten-Step Marketing for Clients–How to Get Started
Last week I told you about some FREE book giveaways I'm currently in. This week, I have two more! If you love dystopian novels, have I got a deal for you! These books are on BookFunnel.com, so some of them require your email before you download the book or sample. If you aren't familiar with BookFunnel … Continue reading Journey to a Bestseller: FREE Dystopian Reads, The Secret to AMS Ads, and Editing-for-Sale (Series #36)
Hey everyone! I took a week off for the holidays. Actually, I was writing my newsletter and I forgot. Shhh. So, in the life of our WIP which I am going to start calling by its title: The Clockwork Pen, I now have my first draft. I wrote the whole thing and went back to … Continue reading Journey to a Bestseller: After Typing “The End”~What’s Next? (Series #26)
