Pitching on Twitter: How to Circumvent the Slush

Wouldn’t it be cool if instead of sending out dozens (or hundreds) of queries, writers could post their pitches in one spot for editors and agents to browse? A place where agents and editors could come shop for writers instead of writers shopping for them? Oh wait, it exists. It’s pitching on Twitter. It’s how… Read more »

#5onFri: #WICon2015 Social Media Preview

It’s fall now, writers, and that means the Writer Igniter Con is just around the corner. October 24-25, ya’ll. It’s coming faster than you think. I’m so excited to be a part of it, building from my social media strategy posts to cover a ton of great info for anyone trying to tweet and like… Read more »

Episode 58: A Mindfulness Manifesto for Writers

Hello Word Nerds! Thanks for joining me today. Man, it’s been a while since I’ve done a solo show. It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve had a chance to chat with you. We’ve been doing so many awesome interviews, and we have a bunch more coming up, but today I felt like it was time… Read more »

How to Use Hashtags to Grow Your Platform

Hashtags are nothing new anymore. But using them can still be awkward or even confusing for many, especially if you’re just getting your feet wet in a new network. Even if you’ve already got the basics down, are they actually growing your following? There’s a big difference between the occasional hashtag #justbecause and one that… Read more »

Episode 56: Writing Literary Mysteries – Interview with Tana French

Hi there Word Nerds! I’m so excited to share today’s interview with bestselling author Tana French and her process in crafting series and writing literary mysteries. Tana French has been called “one of the most talented crime writers alive” by the Washington Post. With four bestselling, critically acclaimed, and award-winning novels in print worldwide, she… Read more »

Writing for Kids: The Low-Down on Lexile Levels

Some people imagine writing for kids and immediately picture Dr. Suess or baby board books. But the good news is you don’t have to use simple words to write for elementary kids if that’s not your style.  Go ahead and use rich, succulent vocabulary and varied sentence structure—please! There are plenty of kids who are… Read more »