In this day and age, pen names may be more trouble than they're worth.
https://authorkristenlamb.com/2016/08/the-problem-with-pen-names/
Friday, August 31, 2018
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Self Editing
Make sure your manuscript is in the best shape possible before you send it out.
https://www.writermag.com/2016/09/22/self-editing/
https://www.writermag.com/2016/09/22/self-editing/
Labels:
revisions
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Tighten Your Writing
Here are some common examples of overwriting that can be fixed to tighten your writing.
http://theeditorsblog.net/2013/01/22/cut-the-flab-make-every-word-count/
http://theeditorsblog.net/2013/01/22/cut-the-flab-make-every-word-count/
Labels:
word_choice
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Synopses
One way to approach writing the dreaded synopsis is to write a pitch first.
http://annerallen.com/2018/07/novel-synopsis-hacks/
http://annerallen.com/2018/07/novel-synopsis-hacks/
Labels:
synopsis
Monday, August 27, 2018
Advice for Middle Grade Authors
Kids tell what works for them and what doesn't when reading a middle grade book.
https://www.alistandish.com/single-post/2018/02/26/Are-Middle-Grade-Authors-Getting-It-Wrong
https://www.alistandish.com/single-post/2018/02/26/Are-Middle-Grade-Authors-Getting-It-Wrong
Labels:
middle_grade
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Researching Agents and Publishers
It's important to do your research before submitting, both to make sure your manuscript is a good match and to avoid scams.
http://pitchwars.org/how-to-research-literary-agents-and-publishers-before-sending-materials/
http://pitchwars.org/how-to-research-literary-agents-and-publishers-before-sending-materials/
Labels:
getting_published
Saturday, August 25, 2018
School Assemblies
A school visit presentation to hundreds of children presents unique challenges.
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2018/06/promoting-your-book-and-yourself-at-a-school-assembly/
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2018/06/promoting-your-book-and-yourself-at-a-school-assembly/
Labels:
school-visits
Friday, August 24, 2018
Openings
Here are twelve ways to make sure your readers will want to turn that first page.
https://insights.bookbub.com/start-novel-bang-hook-readers/
https://insights.bookbub.com/start-novel-bang-hook-readers/
Labels:
openings
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Character Physical Features
One Stop for Writers offers this thesaurus to describe your character's physical features.
https://onestopforwriters.com/physical_features
https://onestopforwriters.com/physical_features
Labels:
characters,
description
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Age of YA Protagonist
What's an acceptable age for the main character of your young adult book?
http://bookendsliterary.com/2018/06/27/askagent-is-it-okay-to-make-your-ya-protagonist-14-years-old/
http://bookendsliterary.com/2018/06/27/askagent-is-it-okay-to-make-your-ya-protagonist-14-years-old/
Labels:
characters
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Plotting
Yes, plot means conflict, but also needs to include a call to action.
http://middlegrademinded.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-things-i-wish-id-know-about.html
http://middlegrademinded.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-things-i-wish-id-know-about.html
Labels:
plot
Monday, August 20, 2018
No Agent Needed Publishers
Here's a list of some of the US publishers who accept children's book submissions without needing an agent.
https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2014/05/17-us-childrens-book-publishers.html
https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2014/05/17-us-childrens-book-publishers.html
Labels:
publishers
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Polishing Your Manuscript
Five steps to make your manuscript glisten.
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2018/06/wax-on-wax-off-5-key-areas-to-polish-before-submitting-a-manuscript/
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2018/06/wax-on-wax-off-5-key-areas-to-polish-before-submitting-a-manuscript/
Labels:
revisions
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Book Readings
Here are some things to consider when you're "performing" your book in public.
Labels:
marketing
Friday, August 17, 2018
Picture Book 101s
This is a great introduction to writing picture books.
https://medium.com/@michaelhingston/picture-books-101-from-alison-hughes-9b9eec235b19
https://medium.com/@michaelhingston/picture-books-101-from-alison-hughes-9b9eec235b19
Labels:
picture_books
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Deep Point of View
Emotional layering is the key to writing in deep point of view.
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2018/06/emotional-layers-the-gateway-to-deep-point-of-view/
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2018/06/emotional-layers-the-gateway-to-deep-point-of-view/
Labels:
point_of_view
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Revision Steps
Sometimes the first step in revising is to create a second rough draft.
https://jamigold.com/2018/06/breaking-down-the-steps-of-revision-to-improve-our-storytelling/
https://jamigold.com/2018/06/breaking-down-the-steps-of-revision-to-improve-our-storytelling/
Labels:
revisions
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Book Launch Timeline
What to do and when before your book comes out.
https://insights.bookbub.com/book-launch-checklist-marketing-timeline-traditionally-published-authors/
https://insights.bookbub.com/book-launch-checklist-marketing-timeline-traditionally-published-authors/
Labels:
launch
Monday, August 13, 2018
Publishing Credits
What publishing credits should you list in an agent query and what if you don't have any?
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2018/06/how-to-list-your-publishing-credits-in-a-query-letter
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2018/06/how-to-list-your-publishing-credits-in-a-query-letter
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Plot Basics
No matter what structure you use for your novel, there are certain basics you need to cover in your plot.
http://middlegrademinded.blogspot.com/2014/07/basics-of-plot-structure.html
http://middlegrademinded.blogspot.com/2014/07/basics-of-plot-structure.html
Labels:
plot
Saturday, August 11, 2018
A Career in Writing
If you want to be a professional writer, here are some steps to follow.
https://rachellegardner.com/7-keys-to-planning-your-career-path/
https://rachellegardner.com/7-keys-to-planning-your-career-path/
Labels:
business
Friday, August 10, 2018
Writer's Conferences
From getting feedback to meeting other writers, there are many reasons to attend a writer's conference.
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2018/06/every-writer-should-attend-at-least-one-writers-conference/
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2018/06/every-writer-should-attend-at-least-one-writers-conference/
Labels:
conferences
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Scenes
What are the elements of a scene that will draw in your readers?
http://thewriteediting.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-making-of-scene.html
http://thewriteediting.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-making-of-scene.html
Labels:
scenes
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Editing a Novel
Breaking your novel into chunks will make the editing process less overwhelming.
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2018/05/how-to-edit-novel-without-feeling.html
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2018/05/how-to-edit-novel-without-feeling.html
Labels:
revisions
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Alien Character Names
If you're writing science fiction or fantasy, these patterns might help you choose the perfect character names.
http://ralph.nuoj.com/alien.php
http://ralph.nuoj.com/alien.php
Labels:
names
Monday, August 6, 2018
Cover Reveal
What's the best way to reveal the cover of your soon to be published book?
http://authornews.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-art-of-the-cover-reveal/
http://authornews.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-art-of-the-cover-reveal/
Labels:
marketing
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Query or Contest
Should you try to get representation through queries or contests?
https://subitclub.com/2018/07/03/query-or-contest-whats-best-for-you/
https://subitclub.com/2018/07/03/query-or-contest-whats-best-for-you/
Labels:
agents
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Critique Groups
Critique groups do more than just provide feedback on manuscripts.
http://www.emroyal.com/2018/06/19/critique-groups-8-good-reasons-to-love/
http://www.emroyal.com/2018/06/19/critique-groups-8-good-reasons-to-love/
Labels:
critique_groups
Friday, August 3, 2018
Interviewing Experts
Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, you may need to find and interview experts in a field.
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2018/06/conducting-interviews-for-research-identifying-and-contacting-expert-sources/
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2018/06/conducting-interviews-for-research-identifying-and-contacting-expert-sources/
Labels:
experts
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Pronoun Problems
Make sure it's clear to whom you are referring when you use pronouns.
https://www.indiesunlimited.com/2018/06/22/solving-pronoun-problems-can-benefit-your-writing-in-general/
https://www.indiesunlimited.com/2018/06/22/solving-pronoun-problems-can-benefit-your-writing-in-general/
Labels:
word_choice
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Pitch Sessions
Be prepared for your pitch session by practicing the answers to these questions.
https://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2018/06/questions-to-be-prepared-for-in-pitch.html
https://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2018/06/questions-to-be-prepared-for-in-pitch.html
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