Writing about writing. Mostly.
Burnout can hit the most motivated writers and Type A high-achievers by Ruth Harris We’re writers and we don’t need no lousy bosses to crack the whip. We can do it to ourselves–create the frazzle, the frustration, the deadlines, the endless to-do lists, negative feedback, and the conviction that we’re not doing enough fast enough. […]
An author blog can be fun if you ignore the rules intended for business blogs. by Anne R. Allen The most common question I get from authors who are thinking about starting a blog is: “What should an author blog about?” My answer isn’t the same as what you’ll hear from the major blogging gurus. […]
Are literary fiction writers getting bad advice about publishing? by Mike Sahno I’ll go out on a limb right off the bat and say that most writers get at least some bad advice somewhere along the way. Literary fiction writers are no exception. Now, I’m an indie author who formed his own company to publish […]
by Anne R. Allen No matter how great a book’s cover and blurb, one thing can stop me from buying yet another ebook for my Kindle: an author bio on the buy page that screams “amateur.” I spent some time as an editor, so when I pick up a book for relaxation, I want to […]
Stress or burnout? Writers can suffer from both. by Ruth Harris Look at your to-do list. WiP needs edits and revisions Editor/cover designer to hire Promo forms to fill out First draft to finish Get that new book/new series ready to launch The next-to-final draft need polishing Backlist covers need a refresh A box set […]
Make a Living Writing Fiction: Follow these Ten Steps By Elizabeth S. Craig I’ve been asked by everyone from writers with day jobs to high school students if it’s possible to make a living as a writer. The answer is easy—it’s definitely possible. The next question is trickier to answer—how does one go about making […]
Beta Readers aren’t editors or proofreaders, just thoughtful readers. by Anne R. Allen Most writers can benefit from the help of Beta Readers, whether we’re beginners or long-time professionals. So what’s a Beta Reader? The term first came from fan fiction, and it means a person who reads your Work-In-Progress (“WIP”) when you, the writer […]
Author blogs: Are you blogging for the right reasons? 5 Bad Reasons for Author Blogs 1) Getting Rich Quick Nothing infuriates me more than those books and blogs promising writers they can make a gazillion dollars of “passive income” with a blog in the next month if they take this overpriced course or buy that […]
How to get out of your own way and build resilience. By Ruth Harris Writers, they’re out there and they’re waiting for you. Inhibitions Hang ups Glitches Gotchas Snares and snags Roadblocks No go zones Flops and fizzles The reasons (excuses?) for not writing/not beginning (or finishing) your book/not allowing enough time and energy for […]
Book length memoir is a hard sell, but short essays can be a goldmine. Memoir is the most popular genre at any writers’ conference, and the most common genre in any agent’s slush pile. Unfortunately, it’s the hardest to write well—and the least likely to be successful if you’re an unknown newbie writer. That’s because […]
Anthologies like “Equality” can also be a great way for established authors to expand their readership. by Anne R. Allen Anthologies have long been one of the best ways for new writers to get publishing credits and start building an audience. They’re also an excellent way for authors at any stage of their careers to […]
Looking into my Crystal Ball by Fuse Literary Agency Co-Founder Laurie McLean Wow. 2016 sucked. In so many ways. I was never happier to kick a year to the curb than 2016. From David Bowie in January to Carrie Fisher in December, it seemed that each week brought a fresh tragedy to our lives. […]
First chapters are the hardest. So write them last. by Anne R. Allen Happy New Year! And many thanks to Frances Caballo, who this week named this one of the Best 15 Blogs for Indie Authors to Follow. I hope you had lots of fun over the holidays. Now it’s resolution time. Time to get […]
Anne R Allen’s Blog With Ruth Harris