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September 4, 2016 By Anne R. Allen 47 Comments

Critique Groups: 6 Ways they May Hurt Your Writing…and 6 Ways they Can Help

Critique Groups: 6 Ways they May Hurt Your Writing…and 6 Ways they Can Help

Critique groups have their pros and cons. by Anne R. Allen I often advise new writers to join critique groups. Groups are usually free and they’re a great way to learn the basics of the writing craft. They can get writers out of their “writing garrets” and help newbies navigate the treacherous waters of the […]

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Filed Under: The Writing Life, Writing Craft Tagged With: critique group pitfalls, critique groups, critique groups and criticism, critiquecircle.com, Dr. John Yeoman, Kris Rusch, the Dunning-Kruger Effect

September 6, 2015 By Anne R. Allen 57 Comments

Beware Groupthink: 10 Red Flags to Watch For When Choosing a Critique Group

Beware Groupthink: 10 Red Flags to Watch For When Choosing a Critique Group

by Anne R. Allen Joining a good critique group can be the easiest (and cheapest) way for new writers to learn the nuts and bolts of writing and keep those cringe-making first drafts from gumming up slush piles or becoming part of the infamous “tsunami of self-published crap.” Whether online or in-person, critique groups can […]

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Filed Under: The Writing Life, Writers Dealing with Reviews and Rejection, Writing Craft Tagged With: criticism, critique groups, critiquecircle.com, Dealing with criticism, Ghostwriters in the Sky, Groupthink, the Dunning-Kruger Effect, trigger warnings

January 19, 2014 By Anne R. Allen 88 Comments

Six Pieces of Bad Advice New Writers Need to Ignore

Six Pieces of Bad Advice New Writers Need to Ignore

by Anne R. Allen   A couple of weeks ago, when I wrote a post about writing as a hobby as opposed to a profession (hint: they’re both good choices), I got a couple of comments from new writers who were discouraged to read how much work and dedication it takes to become a professional writer. They […]

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Filed Under: Self-Publishing, Social Media and Marketing For Writers, The Publishing Business, The Writing Life, Writing Craft Tagged With: Amazon reviews, Anne R. Allen, critiquecircle.com, how not to publish, How to get a book published, Ltd. SheWrites, querying agents, Sherwood, short fiction, short stories, WANAtribe, Writing myths

January 13, 2013 By Anne R. Allen 54 Comments

The Number One Mistake New Writers Make

The Number One Mistake New Writers Make

by Anne R. Allen   Most complaints about authors by agents and editors as well as reviewers can be boiled down to the same offense. It’s the major reason so many reviewers won’t read self-published books by unknowns. What is that mistake? Rushing to publish too early. Nobody wants to read a rough draft. Your […]

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Filed Under: The Writing Life, Writing Craft Tagged With: 99 cent book bubble, critiquecircle.com, Editing, Kathryn Rusch, Kristen Lamb, Malcolm Gladwell, NaNoWriMo, publishing business, self publishing

December 11, 2011 By Anne R. Allen 104 Comments

HOW NOT TO BLOG: Beginning Blogging for Authors Part II

HOW NOT TO BLOG: Beginning Blogging for Authors Part II

  by Anne R. Allen   This is a continuation of last week’s post “HOW TO BLOG.” It’s aimed at authors who are trying to build platform. If you’re only blogging for yourself and your cat, skip this—you and Pufferball can go watch that Hallie Berry DVD again.  I’ll also repeat what I said last week: This […]

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Filed Under: Blogging for Authors, Social Media and Marketing For Writers Tagged With: agent Meredith Barnes, Anne R. Allen, blogging tips, critiquecircle.com, how not to blog, how to blog, Jane Friedman, Joanne Tombrakos, Nathan Bransford, Roberta Trahan, SEO

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writers digest 101 best websites for writers award

Anne R. AllenAnne R. Allen writes funny mysteries and how-to-books for writers. She also writes poetry and short stories on occasion. She’s a contributor to Writer’s Digest and the Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market.

Her bestselling Camilla Randall Mystery Series features perennially down-on-her-luck former socialite Camilla Randall—who is a magnet for murder, mayhem and Mr. Wrong, but always solves the mystery in her quirky, but oh-so-polite way.

Ruth Harris NYT best selling authorRuth is a million-copy New York Times bestselling author, Romantic Times award winner, former Big 5 editor, publisher, and news junkie.

Her emotional, entertaining women’s fiction and critically praised novels have sold millions of copies in hard cover, paperback and ebook editions, been translated into 19 languages, sold in 30 countries, and were prominent selections of leading book clubs including the Literary Guild and the Book Of The Month Club.

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