Sure, every author wants to receive glowing book reviews. But do book reviews help sales? That's the million dollar question. As an Indie author, I've had my mind blown. In the old days, when I was published in paperback by Bantam and Avon, I had no trouble getting reviews -- GREAT reviews -- from trade […]
So you're writing a novel? Good for you! But be forewarned: no TRUE writer escapes the Seven Stages of Fiction Frenzy... 1. Eureka! An Idea! Nothing is better than that first spark of inspiration. You feel alive. Your Muse is finally cooperating. You’re buoyed with hope and visions of obscenely large paychecks. You balk against […]
What considerations should go into choosing a book excerpt for a blog tour or a post on social media? First and foremost, you must understand that an excerpt is a sales tool. If you keep that in mind, you’re already leagues ahead of most touring authors. If you’ve been following this blog, then you know […]
Want to keep your Cozy Mystery reader turning pages? Then read on! Today's guest columnist is Nancy J. Cohen, sleuth writer extraordinaire. Nancy is the author of the writer's guidebook, Writing the Cozy Mystery, and she comes bearing gifts! Readers who comment on today's post will receive an ecopy of her mystery novel, Hanging By […]
One of my favorite literary mottoes comes from Alexander Dumas’s The Three Musketeers: “All for One, and One for All!” I’ve often thought that any kind of critique – whether it be of a fiction manuscript or a friend’s hair cut – should be delivered from this rousing spirit of good will and helpfulness. Unfortunately, […]
If you're writing commercial fiction, you can jumpstart your career by judging writing contests. Many aspiring authors already know the benefits of entering writing contests. These days, even the larger regional contests have celebrity judges. Why would these professional book editors and literary agents take time from their busy careers to judge writing contests? Because […]
As a book writing coach, I often get “True Confessions” emails from my students. These messages – which are full of angst and guilt – start with, “I haven’t forgotten about my writing assignment…” then spew forth every conceivable excuse for ignoring that student’s HEART-FELT WRITING DREAM. (Sometimes I think my novel-writing students confuse me […]
Recently, I overcame a bout of writer’s block by challenging myself. Since April is Poetry Month, I entered a poetry contest. Entering that contest while I was doubting my fiction-writing skills wasn’t an easy choice. I had to overcome my Internal Critic, who was viciously echoing the voice of my high school English teacher. When I […]
Sometimes your first book shouldn't be published. Long before I was writing novels that sell, my first published mentor took me under her wing. After reading my manuscript for the first time, she sat me down in a public restaurant to teach me how to start a novel. Patting my hand in a motherly fashion, […]
The holiday season can be stressful. If you’re as busy as I am, you may be wondering: how the heck am I supposed to gift shop, decorate, bake, party-plan, travel-plan, attend the obligatory parties, stop by the parties I’d RATHER be attending . . . Oh yeah! And did I mention WRITE? According to my […]