How should you write a sentence? Well, most guides will start off with 10,000 ways NOT to write a sentence. You know, the finger-wagging schoolmarm that lectures you about avoiding fragments and comma splices and run-ons. Ugh. That’s so negative. I prefer to focus on all the beautiful ways that you CAN write a sentence […]
Writers hate the term genre. Readers love it. This is because genre creates expectations. Will these characters be able to fly, shapeshift, fall in love? Whether you choose to follow these expectations or not is up to you! But it is nice to be able to explain your story to agents, publishers, and readers using […]
These 30 writing conferences across the United States offer countless opportunities to hone your craft, network with industry professionals, and have a blast with fellow writers! Conferences can even become an integral part of the pitching process as they offer face to face time with agents. That’s just about impossible to replicate unless you live […]
Whether you’re a planner or a pantser, just hear me out. For the writer, an outline is a tool. A good outline helps you do two things. See the big picture Organize the little details A good outline will remind you that your characters are supposed to have a major battle on a cruise ship. […]
Every writer dreams of hearing the words I love your book. When looking for an agent to represent your fledgling novel, it’s key to find someone that shares your vision and passion. Here is an alphabetical list of 22 literary and genre agents on the hunt for their next bestseller. Will it be you? You’ll […]
If you want to write for kids, then you’re in luck! Every year, children’s books produce almost two billion dollars of revenue, and the market is only getting bigger each year. But with great size comes great competition. You’ll need an excellent agent to get your book published. Right now, agents from New York to […]
The difference between a bestselling book and a book that sells a handful of copies can be summed up in one word: publicity. Listen, you definitely need a better strategy than standing on a street corner, yelling and waving your book. Thankfully, the 25 publicists on this list can provide you with a wealth of […]
I’ve seen a lot of fantastic books fail because of bad cover design. No matter how good your book is, people simply won’t buy it if the cover art doesn’t grab their eye. It’s unfair, but in a crowded marketplace you have to stand out, and the best way to do that is with a […]
As a children’s book editor, I’ve helped hundreds of authors write, edit and publish their children’s book. Anyone can sit down and dash out a children’s book, and with a little help and guidance, yours can be good enough to earn the attention of thousands of children. And nothing beats the feeling of holding your […]
As the year draws to a close, it’s time for writers to do some self-examination. You probably already have a sense whether this was a banner year for you or a real stinker, but you need to think about WHY. What made this a horrible year for writing or your most successful year ever? And […]
