Science Fiction or Fantasy? Defining SFF

Science Fiction or Fantasy? Defining SFF

Let’s be honest, defining genres can be a real bear, and one of the blurriest lines is the one between Science Fiction and Fantasy. If you’re like me, your manuscript has elements of both. So how do you market it? Cue the glazed eyes and the descent of that nebulous SFF cloud. But what does… Read more »

The Book Nook: Interview with Rochelle Bilow

The Book Nook: Interview with Rochelle Bilow

I am so excited to share this interview with Rochelle Bilow just ahead of Valentine’s Day. I’m relatively new to the romance genre, but I love it. By definition, we know it’s going to end with a happily ever after…but the fun part is seeing how the characters get there. It’s the journey, not the… Read more »

Why Write a Palate Cleanser?

Ok guys, so full disclosure here, I totally borrowed the term “palate cleanser” from a very gifted writer friend of mine. She’d just finished the final round of edits on her epic Sci-Fi love story, (though she’ll seriously kill me for calling it that). Her female protagonist is a kick-butt, yet deeply complex character, who… Read more »

The Triumph of Two Boys Kissing

The Triumph of Two Boys Kissing

When you look at the cover for Two Boys Kissing, you get a pretty good idea of what this book will be about. Then you read the synopsis on the inside cover and your idea becomes a bit more defined, a bit clearer. Finally, you sit down to read the book, only to discover that… Read more »

Why Do Speculative Things Matter?

Why Do Speculative Things Matter?

What exactly is a speculative matter? What exactly does speculative mean? Why does speculative matter? First, let us look at Merriam-Webster: Speculative, Adjective, spec·​u·​la·​tive, There is a third definition but, as it refers to financial matters, we can ignore that one. I think the first two are what we are looking for. Speculative fiction has… Read more »

#5onFri: Five Ways Numbers Can Improve Your Writing Life

#5onFri: Five Ways Numbers Can Improve Your Writing Life

Many writers claim to have number phobia. They are happy to wrangle with words, but as soon as mentions of math slip into conversation, they bolt, desperate to return to safer terrain.  I’m one of the math-loving few in the writing community.  I’ve always been a numbers nerd, and I love looking at data in… Read more »

What I Learned about Publishing with a Small Press

What I Learned about Publishing with a Small Press

My novel, The Miraculous Flight of Owen Leach, was published by Apprentice House Press in April 2022. I didn’t necessarily think I’d land with a small press, but I’m not sorry I did. I signed with an agent just before I finished my MFA program. She spent the next couple of years trying to sell… Read more »