Marketing. For many authors it’s a dirty word. When I go to RMFW events and I talked to aspiring authors I get the distinct impression that the real reason why so many people pitch to agents and chase a traditional contract is because they just don’t want to do the marketing. I have spoken with…
A year ago I signed with a small press to publish my debut. I loved the acquiring editor and her “take” on my book. I felt comfortable with the owner, liked the fact that they’d do an actual print run (not just POD and E-book), that the press was run by women, and that I was…
Like most creative writers, I have a lot going on in my life that isn’t related to the story I’m penning. First, there’s the repetitive work at my day job, then household chores like dirty dishes, shopping, cooking, paying bills, and finally, the shameless attempt to stay in touch with friends and relatives. When I…
Back in 1999, when author Stephen King was severely injured in a pedestrian/vehicle accident, a young man at the library where I work commented, “Maybe now he’ll have to stay at his desk and write books faster”. Not only did I find his comment incredibly insensitive, I also found it naïve. Just because King didn’t…
It’s a cocky thing to say, but I’ll say it: I rarely get stuck when I’m writing. (Notice I didn’t say ‘never.’) If I feel slightly stuck, here’s what I do: I start writing down everything my character is feeling in the moment, in the “now” of that character’s situation. If the character isn’t feeling…