A great video of a good mom training her child on how to read an editorial slush pile:
A Writer’s Digest Accolade
Last week at the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference Bob Hostetler came up to me and said, “Congratulations!” I looked at him blankly and said, “For what?” His smile lit up, “For being named as one of the top websites by ‘Writer’s Digest!’” Bob later showed me the May-June 2017 issue he had with him and there we were on page 39 (see below). Thank you Writer’s Digest for including us. (For …
How Do I Grow My Market?
I work with a ministry that self-publishes its own books. These are posted on our website, displayed at ministry-related conferences, and mentioned to donors via print and email. How can we expand our market? It depends. (For those of you following this blog regularly, I hope that made you smile.) It depends on a number of factors. In this case the question is more specific to non-fiction authors, …
Dark Friday
Contemplate the sacrifice. Contemplate the mystery. While you contemplate, listen to this instrumental piece called “Gethsemane” from Jeff Johnson’s album “No Shadow of Turning.” A new version of the piece can be found on Jeff’s album “Thin Places” You can listen to it at this link. Then please listen to this classical song “Go to Dark …
At What Point Would an Agent be Interested in an Indie Author?
I am an indie author. I’ve written several novels, some of which have sold well and all of which have *at least* 4.7 stars. Is there a point at which an agent would want to talk to someone like me? When/why might I consider getting an agent? Thanks to Heather for the question! A number of factors play a role in answering this question. (Are you getting tired of my “it depends” answer to all your …
Fun Fridays – April 7, 2017
[Due to our servers going down a week ago Thursday, we are repeating last week’s Fun Friday so you can get it in your inbox. Enjoy!] Literally the most fun you’ll have all day. A meme to start. A video to bring it all home.
Where Do You Find New Clients?
“As an agent, what percentage of your new clients come from meetings at conferences vs. general email or postal proposals? Can you address the importance of conferences?” Thanks to Scott for the question. It is a good one. Another way to frame it is “Where do you find new clients? Blind submissions or conferences?” The answer, as always, is “It depends.” Meeting someone at a conference is a …
Silly Saturday – April 1, 2017
Big Announcement! An audio coloring book! Watch the video and be amazed.
When Proposing a Series of Novels
“Are today’s publishers more interested in an individual novel or a trilogy? Also, when submitting a proposal for the completed first novel in a planned trilogy, is it better to focus on the first novel or give an overview of the complete trilogy? Is there an upper limit to how many books should be in a series?” These are some excellent questions submitted by both Peter and …