The 5 Components of a Query Letter

I know, I talk a lot about queries and the querying process. You may have even heard me say most of this before, but I’ve decided to break it out again in a clean format. Because?

Query letters are hard.

Also? I made a nifty infographic!

Writer’s Fears: What Am I Doing?

The kickoff of this year’s National Novel Writing Month — NaNoWriMo 2023 – marks the end of my 10th year … More

Publishing: The Odds Are Slim

It’s a hard knock life out here — in the query trenches and in publishing in general. But, if you don’t try, you’ll never have a chance at success.

Why Context Is Important When Writing

Have you ever had a conversation with someone, known what decisions had been made, and then found out the other person had a vastly different takeaway? Whether you’re writing or speaking, the problem is usually a difference in context.

Don’t Self-Publish That Book 6 Minutes After You Finish Drafting It!

Recently, I was celebrating the anniversary of the time I finished rough drafting my first full manuscript, and a friend told me that I’d lost 8 years of royalties and should really finish it! He was trying to be encouraging and supportive, but instead, all I really have is a pile of justifications.

Now, I’m not saying you should wait as long as I have before putting your book out into the world, but there are a few reasons why you might wait before publishing.

Here are the 10 reasons I haven’t published yet. Tell me about YOUR publishing journey. How is it going?

How To Make Sure That Literary Agent or Publisher Is Legit!

Publishing, as an industry, is a labor of love for most of us. You just have to be wary of the agent or publisher who’s in over their head, and the scammers looking to use you for a quick buck.

Do you have any warnings I’ve missed?
Any horror stories to add to my list of things to watch out for?

Amazon’s Algorithms and Branding

Marketing is a huge part of being published — even for traditionally published authors. So, what are things to avoid, and what are things to lean into?

Here are 4 takeaways from various #Imaginarium2023 panels.

Publishing As Collaboration

If you want to be a published author, a little professionalism goes a long way.

Bookshelves are packed with volumes about how to properly submit your manuscripts, but how does professionalism function in real-world publishing relationships? Moreover, what defines professionalism from culture to culture? Agents and editors share their best examples of what works best, and how to get back on track if your interactions go off the rails.

Problematic Publishing: Red Flags To Watch Out For

Most publishers are in it for the love of books. Yes, even the acquiring editors, the marketing team, and the contract specialists.

But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some problematic publishing companies out there. Whether you go with traditional publishing or small press, you need to be careful.