Writing and Publishing News

How is the economy affecting your writing habits and goals?
Are you among those who have quit writing because you can no longer afford to stay home and do it? Have you shifted your writing work into high gear in order to earn more from your craft? Have you decided to finish a book you’ve [...]

This is a question I get a LOT. And I always answer it the same way: “It depends on you and it depends on your project.”
It’s true! Some promotional tactics or activities are more conducive to some book types and not others. I’m sure that those of you who have been promoting your books [...]

I promised you that I’d post a blog entry after the Santa Barbara Author and Book Festival. Here I am. The festival was yesterday. The weather was lovely. The people of Santa Barbara were charming and the SPAWN members who joined us in our large booth were delightful. It was a wonderful day, but it [...]

I love it when a client or student repeats back to me one of my mantras—when they become aware of a hard truth related to the business of publishing.
This morning, I received an email from a student in my current book proposal course. She said, “I’m starting to think what a good idea it [...]

I love book festivals. I like planning for the event and organizing my stuff. I like starting fresh with a table or booth and bringing it to life with my books and brochures. I enjoy seeing some of my friends and colleagues who travel the book festival “circuit.” I like greeting visitors and talking to [...]

At SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) we heard from a member this week, who is trying to get out of her publishing contract and start fresh with her book. Why? Her POD “self-publishing” company put such a high price tag on her book that she is having trouble selling it and she has [...]

Every time I check my web traffic, I am amazed to discover how many people frequent this blog. I get around 25,000 hits every month. That’s not huge, I guess, in the scheme of things, but it pleases me. It means that at least some authors and freelance writers are “hearing” bits and pieces of [...]

I used to present a program in local schools called, “Write for Life.” I wanted to instill in students the importance of learning how to express oneself through writing. I would ask students if they could think of any profession, job or lifestyle that didn’t involve writing. It didn’t matter what they came up with, [...]

I wonder sometimes if writers read what they write. Not according to some of the manuscripts and query letters I receive for evaluation or editing. The author usually tells me that he or she has done a complete edit. They’ll say, “I’ve gone over it ten times, so it should be in good shape.” Or, [...]

I don’t talk too much about my ebook, The Author’s Repair Kit. And I should, because it is designed to help you revive that book of yours that is struggling in the marketplace. It helps you to diagnose the problems with a book that isn’t doing well and to repair the damage. For example:
• Maybe you’re [...]