Every manuscript needs to be edited, and not just by the author. Sure, self-editing is an important step in manuscript preparation, but it’s not the final step if you want to be proud of your published work. We authors simply can’t catch all of our own mistakes. We tend to read what we think is…
Category: Topics
New Book: Writing Young Adult Fiction
After two years of editing(!) Dani’s and my new book, Writing Young Adult Fiction, is about to be published. As one of our fans, I’d like to extend this special pre-publication offer to you: get the Kindle book for just $2.99, or get it for free when you purchase the paperback. My favorite part of the book…
Audiobooks are another great way to sell your work
Every month I receive a statement showing my latest audiobook sales, and it always amazes me. When I first decided to turn several of my books into audiobooks, I did it as much for fun as in hopes of making big sales. But month after month and year after year the income keeps coming. Now…
Children’s Books About Nature
Molland, Judy GET OUT!: 150 EASY WAYS FOR KIDS & GROWN-UPS TO GET INTO NATURE AND BUILD A GREENER FUTURE [chockful of ideas to get families, classrooms, and groups outside learning about nature, experiencing the world in new ways, and taking a hands-on approach to the three r’s (reduce, reuse, recycle). Chapters on being a…
What Genres Do Literary Agents Want?
Since agents work on commission, they are looking for books they can sell and make money from. Those don’t necessarily match what books are the best sellers. Some very popular categories don’t sell for high contract prices, meaning less commission to the agent. Agents are looking for the high dollar contracts. If you want to…
Critique Groups
Critiques are an essential part of the writing process. A critique is not simply a list of flaws, but offers suggestions for improvement. Here’s a list of seven critique sites that will make your writing better. http://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2017/10/becoming-better-writer-getting-critiques.html
Translating Your Self-Published Book
One of the advantages of self-publishing is that you don’t have to wait for your publisher to translate your book. You can do it yourself! Translation can help open your book up to more markets, but keep in mind that your translated book will need to be promoted – just like the original. Read more:…
Helping Children Become Better Writers
The New York Times interviewed Steve Graham, a professor at Arizona State University’s Teachers College who has been researching how young people learn to write. They asked him whether a parent should correct a child’s writing, or just be encouraging. Here’s what he said: Sometimes when kids come to you to share what they’re writing, they’re…
Internet Business Insights
Many of my courses include lessons about self-publishing and how to market books once they’re published. A great marketing technique is to give your book away on Amazon periodically to drive it to the top of their bestseller list. Then you can charge for it while it is being promoted on Amazon’s lists. Since it…
Proofreading tips
Proofreading tips to help professional writers, students, or anyone that writes as part of their work day. Error free writing and typing is possible! The skill of proofreading is necessary whether you are a student, a professional writer, or someone who creates lots of office memos. No matter the context in which you are writing,…