A visual demonstration of what a multi-tasking agent seems to do every day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24saP-TcHQk
And then someone comes along and yanks all support.
Blog
Why Your Agent May Slow You Down
Your agent may slow you down.
And this is good!
And, why is that?
I've been a writer myself, so I understand the frustration you must be feeling as you read my words. Who wants to slow down? Believe me, when I was waiting for my first book to be published, I only half-joked that it would be released posthumously. So I understand that writers don't want to wait another ten minutes to see …
Get Focused
Listen.
Do you hear it?
Voices… all around you…thoughts and opinions on the state of publishing, on what sells and what doesn’t, on good ideas and bad…words zipping back and forth in the ether. Write this. Write that. This is how you market. This is the key to platform. Buzz words. Marketing. Blogging. Craft. Deep POV. Are you Pinning? Tweeting? Linked-in? Google plussed? Skilled in …
News You Can Use – March 12, 2013
Plagiarism and the Link - How one author got sued when his publisher forgot to include the proper hyperlinks in his article. Read this article before write another thing.
Legal Issues for Authors - Particularly Those Who Self-Publish - An interview with Paul Rapp and attorney who specializes in intellectual property law. (Click here for his many articles on various topics in this area.)
How …
Fun Fridays – March 8, 2013
The "feel good" story of the month.
I want to go to this place for lunch!
Florida Christian Writers Conference Report
This past week I was privileged to be on faculty at the Florida Christian Writers Conference. This conference is now being run by the lovely Eva Marie Everson and the wonderful Mark Hancock. I like to joke with Mark that he is my long lost relative. If our hosts had not agreed to take over, last year's conference would have been the final Florida conference after 25 consecutive years. Instead, we …
News You Can Use – March 5, 2013
Happy National Grammar Day! - Yesterday was the day. But in honor of it click here and read some silly grammar jokes. Mark your calendar for next year.
Malcolm Gladwell on Literary Genius - Best-selling author looks at the nature of artistic genius and when it blooms. Be on the lookout this Fall for his new book called David and Goliath.
7 Tips for Writing Great Copy - read this when …
Fun Fridays – March 1, 2013
I want to feel like this when I wake up!
or
This is an illustration of what it is like to get that phone call offering you your first book contract.
A Great Hook!
I'm at the Florida Christian Writers Conference today, so while I'm away, you can have fun!
When reviewing proposals, I have noticed one particular element can present a challenge. That element is the hook.
What does the hook do?
Just as its name suggests, the hook lures the editor to keep reading. Challenge is, the hook must be succinct. One sentence is ideal. For example:
Get Thee to a Writers Conference
Guest blog by James Scott Bell
James Scott Bell is a bestselling thriller writer and long time friend. His most recent release is Don’t Leave Me. He is also the author of the #1 writing books, Plot & Structure and The Art of War for Writers. If you do not have them buy them today (He has five other must-have books on writing too.
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I am asked all the time by ambitious, …