When a picture says a thousand words:
Dan Balow has been posting a series of blogs on different types of writers. I’ve been reading the posts with great interest, and I wanted to add one other type of writer I’ve come across: The writer who doesn’t know what he/she doesn’t know. I’ve been going to conferences and attending or speaking to writers groups now for over fifteen years. At these conferences, we have these things called …
I’m often asked, “Where do I even start?” Well, I want to share the same encouragement that was given to me so many years ago and a few practical tips to start your journey into writing professionally. Start writing. I know it sounds oversimplified, but write anywhere and write often. Keep a journal, compose a blog, or beef up your social media captions. Just write. Writing regularly not only …
This is the fifth in a series of posts on various types of writers I think would be worthwhile giving our attention to. Those with military and missionary service in their backgrounds, young writers, and creative writers can each contribute to the conversation in the church as they each have perspectives different than what we see and hear around us today. A persistent and humble writer might fit …
The editor you met with at a writers conference liked your proposal and asked you to send it to her after the conference. She was already talking about format and promotional ideas. Or you submitted a proposal and received an enthusiastic response from the acquisitions editor. Four (or maybe six to eight) months later, a rejection letter showed up in your inbox. What happened? No matter how much …
Because this blog’s primary purpose is to help authors by dispensing opinions and advice, posts may hit close to home. A long time ago, I read an article in which a blogger I’d recently interacted with made a snarky remark. I thought, Is the blogger talking about me? So I know that sinking, disturbing feeling of wondering if I’ve been surreptitiously called out in public. I’m glad I saw the post …
I absolutely believe in the need to train the current and next generations of writers. Our world is in desperate need for Christ-infused content that can challenge and counter a broken culture. One person who is doing this every day is Brett Harris. Today, I’m delighted to present an interview with Brett. He is the bestselling author of Do Hard Things and co-founder of The Young Writer’s …
As Christian authors, we have many opportunities to put into practice the list of the attributes of love that St. Paul listed in 1 Corinthians 13: Love: Is patient: After submitting proposals, we do ourselves, our agents, and editors a favor by exercising patience. In Submissions Land, editors may feel as though a month is five minutes. Agents might say a month is a day. For an author, a month …
This article is written in jest, but with decades of truth behind it. No, we agents are not infallible and aren’t always right. We try not to sound arrogant or snooty. We genuinely would like to see you succeed, whether we are your agent or not! Our hope is you learn from what others have done or done incorrectly. Drum roll please: 1. Call a week after sending your proposal to ask what we …
My father always resolved never to make New Year’s resolutions. Admirable indeed, although few possess his fortitude! What are your goals for 2023? I remember when I first started writing articles and books for publication. Rejections abounded, and this was at a time of plentiful magazines and regional newspapers publishing unknown authors. Winning a contract from a traditional book publisher has …