Writing and Publishing News

I finished my busy week of obligations for the Ojai Wordfest last night. I spoke on the 25 Reasons Why You SHOULD Write That Book at a lovely breakfast in a beautiful private home yesterday morning with a dozen or so attendees. Most of them bought copies of my books. Two hours later, I came [...]

Have you received your FREE copy of 50 Reasons Why You Should Write That Book, yet? You can download it from my site: http://www.patriciafry.com This is a unique ebooklet that every hopeful author should read and heed before engaging in the hugely complex and competitive field of publishing. This is also the topic of my [...]

I had a great day at the local library yesterday talking to a group of 20 hopeful authors about publishing. I couldn’t believe how fast the 90 minutes went by. I didn’t even take my planned break. My focus was the importance of approaching publishing as the seriously competitive business that it is. And this [...]

The Ojai Wordfest continues. This is a week-long event featuring 100 presentations and activities for readers, authors, writers and even children. I presented my speech number two yesterday surrounded by a dozen lovely hopeful authors and freelance writers on an outside deck under a canopy of oaks. I must say I was concerned about the [...]

I spoke yesterday at our famous outdoor bookstore in Ojai as part of the week-long Ojai Wordfest. Bart’s Books has been in existence for about 60 years. Used books are shelved in little alcoves surrounding a couple of large patio areas where you can sit and read or attend a book event. Some books are [...]

I hear people complain that their blog isn’t getting enough traffic—that no one is reading their posts. I assume they are basing this conclusion on the fact that they aren’t getting a lot of comments at their blog site. If you are disappointed because you don’t get constant feedback with regard to your blog, perhaps [...]

This morning I’d like to talk to authors about the order of things. What is your first step when you decide to write a book? Some of you pick up your journal, after many years of pouring your heart into it, and decide to create a book from your writings. Others sit down and write [...]

This weekend, after having finished editing a 400-page manuscript, I am preparing for a series of five presentations next week at the Ojai Wordfest. Busy, busy. I’ve mentioned the Wordfest before. This is the second year they’ve held it here in Ojai and it is an interesting concept which pretty much involves the whole town. [...]

Do you ever wonder why you need to go over a manuscript so many times before it is right? I think it is because, as humans, we’re only capable of holding so much in our minds at any one time. Especially when you’re not trained to do so, you have difficulty noticing all of the [...]

So you have an idea and you want to write about it. Most of us immediately think, “book” when the light bulb goes off above our heads. “Gosh, that would make a great book!” or “I’d like to write a book on that topic or concept.” Sometimes, however, your idea isn’t worthy of an entire [...]