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.

When are Adverbs Wrong? (See what I did there?)

One of the things writers often get told is to avoid adverbs. But, as with most writing-related advice, it’s advice that should be followed in moderation.

But, the answer is pretty simple — and goes back to another piece of common writing advice.

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?

Writing For Different Audiences

Jane Yolen has written everything from picture books for toddlers to adult fantasy to mainstream. Other authors might not be … More

Out Of Control Characters

Some authors tightly control their characters, requiring them to follow an outline. But other authors say there are things their characters won’t do. What do authors do when their characters go off script?

Do you try to regain control (and how?) or go where the characters take you?

Alternate Morality

What makes a character ‘morally grey’, why do we like them, has the line moved, and how to handle conflicting moral systems. A #Balticon57 panel

Legends and Myths in Urban Fantasy

Most urban fantasy draws upon folklore and legends. How do these old mystical beliefs inform modern fantasy? What place does … More

There’s A Reason You’re Afraid of the Dark (A RavenCon 2023 panel)

Faerie tales used to terrify and in so doing, teach valuable lessons in how not to die. One could argue that they are the original horror stories. Everything in Grimms’ Fairy Tales is particularly… grim. Over the years though, many of these nightmarish creatures became cute and cuddly (or sexy—looking at you, Shape of Water). Have these myths become permanently nerfed or is there hope they can maintain their dark allure?