Kids Lit
Pitch Opportunities
Last month we put together pitches – the 30-second “What is your book about?” Unless you happen to end up next…
June 8, 2024-
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Writing for YANaming the Book Baby: How to Create a Compelling Title
My books rarely keep their working titles. This may be because the title wasn’t that great to start with,…
May 27, 2024 -
Romancing Your StoryTo Thine Own Self Be True
Plotter or Pantser? Or Plottser? Outline or just start writing? Index cards or story map? The Hero’s Journey or…
May 23, 2024 -
History in the MakingThe Coffee Bean Grinder
Ahhh! Breathe it in—the aroma of fresh ground coffee beans. What a delightful detail to enhance the scene in…
May 21, 2024 -
Magazine, Freelance, and CopywritingTouring Tales: Author’s Guide to Navigating Book Tours
Book tours can be a fun and exciting part of the publishing experience. It’s not only a chance to…
May 14, 2024 -
Kids LitWind Up and. . .Pitch!
“So, tell me about your book.” What a great invitation – whether it is from family or friends or…
May 8, 2024 -
Writing for YA
Interview with Contemporary YA Author Michelle Dykman
Young adult author Michelle Dykman isn’t afraid to tackle tough subject in her young adult novels. Her three book…
April 27, 2024 -
Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting
The Craft of Realism: Writing Authentic Medical Emergency Scenes in Fiction
Medical scenes can be a great way to explore the natural drama of life. These types of events frequently…
April 14, 2024 -
Kids Lit
Advice for Just Starting Out
Has this happened to you? You are introduced to someone new as a children’s author. Response: “I have an…
April 8, 2024 -
Writing for YA
Planning a Novel Series: Interview with YA Fantasy Author V. Romas Burton
V. Romas Burton is the author of two fantasy series, Heartmaker and The Legacy Chapters. Her latest release, Justified,…
March 27, 2024 -
Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting
From Consumption to Contribution: Libraries as Centers of the Circular Economy
There’s little doubt that excessive consumption is harming communities and the environment. For one, the manufacturing processes produce vast…
March 14, 2024 -
Kids Lit
Even A Chewable Board book Must Be Accurate
Research for 181 words? Research and back matter have never been more important. Reviewers and consumers have access to…
March 8, 2024 -
Writing for YA
Interview With YA Author Tabitha Caplinger
Tabitha Caplinger is the author of The Chronicle of the Three Trilogy, The Wolf Queen and, most recently, The…
February 28, 2024 -
Romancing Your Story, Writing RomanceA Rose By Any Other Name (Authenticating Details)
Once upon a time, when I was new to fiction writing, I brought a chapter to my weekly workshop/critique…
February 23, 2024 -
History in the Making
Just Toast, Please Perfecting Breakfast Toast
Otto Frederick Rohwedder (1980-1960) and Charles Perkins Strite (1978-1956)—not exactly celebrities. Though, perhaps they should be. Their combined ingenuity…
February 20, 2024 -
Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting
Guarding Your Words: A Writer’s Guide to Intellectual Property Protection
As a writer, it’s always important to recognize your value. This isn’t just about appreciating your level of talent.…
February 14, 2024 -
Kids Lit
Reading or Reading Aloud?
Libraries buy quality books for all ages in the children’s department and hope to match the book with the…
February 8, 2024 -
Writing for YA
Tell Me Again, Why Do We do This Writing Thing?
My thoughts are still marinating on the past year. I’m ticking off half-done accomplishments and not-so-successful projects. This type…
January 27, 2024 -
Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting
DIY Writing Sanctuaries: Converting Spaces into Inspiring Author Retreats
As a writer, you know that writing is both an art and a discipline. The best writers simply write…
January 26, 2024 -
Kids Lit
A Season for Something Else
One a scale of 1-10, parts of the year 2023 were a minus 6. We saw family, we traveled,…
January 6, 2024 -
Uncategorized, Writing for YA
Interruption of Plans or Ordained Opportunity
It’s the end of December, and for me, that means it’s time to pull out a fresh, ginormous, old-fashioned…
December 27, 2023 -
Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting
The Write Image: Crafting Your Author Brand Through Image and Packaging
As a writer, you probably didn’t give much thought to branding and marketing when you wrote your first book…
December 14, 2023 -
Kids Lit
Bring Back the BackList!
The press, the marketers, and the bookstores all clamoring for autographs and first-day Amazon rankings! Then “NEW” is over.…
December 8, 2023 -
Writing for YA
How to Avoid Writing a Contrived Plot
I’ve been working on a story, and was a bit concerned my ending felt contrived. In my critique group,…
November 27, 2023 -
Writing Romance
REALISTICALLY RELATABLE
Making your hero and heroine relatable is key to creating characters your readers will care about, will laugh with,…
November 23, 2023
