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News You Can Use – March 5, 2013

By Steve Laubeon 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 creating your “back cover copy” for your next book proposal. Excellent article.

Is Traditional Publishing in a Golden Age? – Read the highlights from this interview with the CEO of the Hachette Book Group or listen to the entire interview online.

10 Essential Questions to Ask if You are Hiring a Writer – If you are a freelance writer, can you answer these questions if asked?

A Brief History of the Typewriter – Okay, its a little geeky to find this interesting…but enjoy the article anyway.

Writing Historicals – How Accurate Must You Be? – The movie “Lincoln” has come under criticism for certain historical innacuracies. Anne Cleeland asks some good questions for those writing historical novels.

Fun Fridays – March 1, 2013

By Steve Laubeon March 1, 2013

I want to feel like this when I wake up!

This is an illustration of what it is like to get that phone call offering you your first book contract.

Category: Fun Fridays, Steve

A Great Hook!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 28, 2013

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:

Category: Book Proposals, Creativity, Get Published, Marketing, TamelaTag: book proposals, Get Published, Hooks

Get Thee to a Writers Conference

By Steve Laubeon February 27, 2013

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.

__________

I am asked all the time by ambitious, …

Category: Conferences, Get Published, Guest PostTag: Get Published, Writers Conference

News You Can Use – Feb. 26, 2013

By Steve Laubeon February 26, 2013

Buy Your Way onto the Bestseller List - Will the deceptive practices ever end? (The Wall Street Journal article link may not last without subscription so I linked to this blog instead.)

Instead of Physical Books at a Signing, e-book Vouchers - Let us know what you think of this new idea!

60% of All Audio Sold is Now Digital - Try to find the audio books section in your local store....this is …

Category: News You Can Use, Steve

A Time to Mourn

By Steve Laubeon February 25, 2013

by Steve Laube

This past weekend was a time to mourn. We attended two family funerals here in Phoenix. The first for my wife’s grandma, Izora Weed. An amazing woman who was 101 when she passed. The second was my wife’s Uncle Ken Merrick who brings to mind many fond memories.

It has been a tough year. The loss of far too many family friends (including another this past week). My father …

Category: Personal, SteveTag: Mourn, Personal

Fun Fridays – Feb. 22, 2013

By Steve Laubeon February 22, 2013

Have you ever had a similar, but virtual, experience while buying something online?
Very clever two minutes:

HT: Kim Moore

Category: Fun Fridays, Steve

Dear Editors

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 21, 2013

Dear Editors:

When I first started writing, not for a letter grade in college, but in hopes of a paycheck -- or at least a byline -- I solicited you with many articles, devotionals, short stories, and book-length manuscripts. Each was posted with dreams of finding your favor. More often than not, you sliced those dreams with your pens of rejection.

And for that, I want to thank you.

Category: Editing, Get Published, Personal, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Editor

Down in the Valley

By Karen Ballon February 20, 2013

Imagine awakening one morning, not knowing where you are, utterly unable to move or speak. Imagine coming to the slow realization that you are in a hospital, and that the people all around you are looking at you and talking to you, but you can do nothing in response. Imagine doctors telling that, at the age of 43, you’ve suffered a stroke that has caused what they call “locked-in” syndrome, where …

Category: Book Business, Career, Craft, KarenTag: Career, Discouragement, perseverance

News You Can Use – Feb. 19, 2013

By Steve Laubeon February 19, 2013

What Kind of Reader are You? A Diagnostic Guide - An article from The Atlantic. Share which kind you are in the comments below!

10 Tricks to Make Yourself a Dropbox Master - If you don't use Dropbox consider this article a nudge to use some form of cloud computing as a backup.
Lumio: A Modern Lamp With Infinite Possibilities - This is a link to a Kickstarter campaign for a very cool looking …

Category: News You Can Use, Steve