Writing prompts are like diving boards: a springy platform meant to launch you into a new space. They can be a word, a sentence, an image or an idea and they are a great way to get you writing, even if you don’t have a book you’re working on. But writing prompts can do more […]
You may have heard the term ‘beta readers’, but what exactly are they and why are they so important? If you, the author, are the ‘alpha’, then beta readers are the next set of eyes on your manuscript. This can be scary. What if they don’t like it? The truth is, early drafts are clunky. […]
There’s no right way to write but there are, generally speaking, two main ways to approach writing: as a plotter or as a pantser (as in ‘by the seat of your pants’). More recently, George R. R. Martin alternately named them architects and gardeners. According to Martin, “Architects plan everything ahead of time, like an architect building a house. They know how many […]
At first glance, writing seems like a solitary act. Just mention the word “writer” and most people will envision a lone artist, sitting at their desk, toiling over a manuscript for months on end. And although most writers do spend a lot of time on their own, the truth is that writing is rooted in […]
Paper books are efficient and elegant. They’re easy to store, simply constructed, and use space well. The format of bound pages wrapped in a protective cover has been working since somewhere around the second century! Anything that’s been around that long must have some enduring benefits. Now, with the arrival of eBooks and online bookstores, […]
As savvy writers know, getting a positive review from a respected source like Kirkus can do wonders for a book’s sales and credibility. In today’s blog post we interview expert Karen Schechner, Vice President of Kirkus Indie at Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus Indie curates self-published titles to help consumers and industry influencers (publishers, agents, film producers, librarians, booksellers) discover […]
More than one famous author has said that of all the kinds of books out there, kids books may be the most important. Not only do kids books introduce children to the magic of reading, many studies have demonstrated that children who read more are smarter, have more empathy, and have better outcomes later in life. With so […]
Not so long ago nearly all book publishing was managed by traditional publishing houses. There were numerous benefits to this model, the most important being a focus on quality. Often, this came from a deep love of literature and a passion to create books that could have a positive impact on the world. Over time, […]
