Book Proposals
When You Hear Little (or Nothing) from Submissions
We live in a “hurry up” culture. If someone doesn’t answer their email or text you back right away,…
November 25, 2020-
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Romancing Your StoryWhat Do Your Characters Want and Why?
What drives your character? What is his or her motivation for pursuing their goals, whether it’s defusing an atomic…
November 23, 2020 -
Guest Posts10 Tips to Ruin Your Book and Lose Your Readership
Writing your book should be something that the author finds interesting. However, in the long run, you aren’t writing the…
November 21, 2020 -
History in the MakingA Parade of Events
Thanksgiving morning! Heroine’s day begins in the kitchen helping Mother stuff Tom Turkey. Task done, they lug the heavy…
November 20, 2020 -
Platform and BrandingAuthor Brand Crash Course
Personal brand is a big factor for writers today. Do you have one? If so, what is it? And…
November 18, 2020 -
Mystery/Thriller/SuspenseExcuse me, Mr. Bad Guy. Why?
There’s nothing better than a creepy villain. A deranged killer on the loose terrorizing your hero and heroine. A…
November 17, 2020 -
Mastering Middle GradeTalking New Traditional Children’s Books with Chicken Scratch Books’ Kiri Jorgensen
As a writer, a teacher, and a SCBWI regional advisor, Kiri Jorgensen has observed an evolution in children’s publishing…
November 16, 2020 -
Writers ChatWriters Chat Recap for November, Part 1
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all…
November 15, 2020 -
Courting the MuseHow Academic Articles Can Help You Craft Your Frame Stories
Pilgrims travel to a martyr’s shrine, swapping stories on their journey to pass the time. The freshly installed tenant…
November 13, 2020 -
Writer EncouragementEarthlings Are Watching
You need to write, but you don’t feel like it. You have nothing to say, nowhere to start. You…
November 11, 2020 -
Proofed and PolishedCommon Mistakes I See When Proofreading: Vocabulary, Part 2
To Hyphenate or Not to Hyphenate… How do you feel about hyphens? Do you use them a lot? Never?…
November 10, 2020 -
The Intentional WriterDo You Understand Copyrights?
As writers, we are concerned about protecting our work from theft or misuse. That is why we should have…
November 8, 2020 -
Fantasy-Sci-FiWriting bigger speculative fiction stories
In his 2017 best seller, You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Story, Houston Howard admonishes writers to create larger stories…
November 7, 2020 -
A Lighter Look at the Writer's LifeJournaling, Journaling Through the Year
Happy Journalversary to me! Yes, I made up a word, but, as I write this post, it’s a very…
November 6, 2020 -
Embrace the WaitSurvival Tips for the Waiting Part of Writing Tip #21 – In All Things Give Thanks
When my kids were young we used to play a mandatory game. Whenever one of them was grumpy or…
November 5, 2020 -
ScreenwritingAlmost There!
By the time you read this, Halloween will be over; which means the year is almost over—more specifically 2020…
November 4, 2020 -
Devotions for WritersThe Dastardly D of Distraction
The squirrel ran across the patio steps. The phone rang. The dishwasher beeped. How can you focus on words…
November 3, 2020 -
BestsellersInterview with Award-Winning Author Becky Spencer
Can you share a little about your recent book? A Bruised Reed: Memoirs of African Orphans and Their Rescuers…
November 1, 2020 -
Writers Chat
Writers Chat Recap for October, Part 2
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all…
October 30, 2020 -
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)Break Through the Fog
Recently I heard an update about the long-term effects of those who have survived Covid-19. Not only can the…
October 29, 2020 -
Writing for YADo’s and Don’ts When Forming Your Launch Team
Congratulations, your book baby is now ready for release! What comes next? It’s time to celebrate your book release…
October 27, 2020 -
Novelists UnwindNovelists Unwind Interviews Amanda Cox & Joanna Davidson Politano
Amanda Cox recently released her debut novel. The Edge of Belonging, which takes place in both the 1990s and…
October 26, 2020 -
Romancing Your Story
The Romance Promise
Every book written begins with a promise. No matter if it is fiction or nonfiction, there is a promise…
October 23, 2020 -
Kids LitWriting Books that Matter
I was in the window seat, thumbing through my recent issue of “Writer’s Digest,” just waiting for the plane…
October 21, 2020 -
History in the Making
Using Your Research for More than Your Novel
Writing a novel is hard work and takes time. Writing a Historical Fiction novel may require more time and…
October 20, 2020