Must-Knows When Picking Comparable Titles

Do you have trouble finding comparable titles for your book? Are you confused about how to use comparable titles in general? Or understand what they are?  Comparable titles (also known as comps) can be extremely helpful when writing and pitching your book to a literary agent or editor.  They are also a huge way to… Read more »

#5onFri: Five Ways to Protect Your Finances as a Freelancer

Writers often struggle with fiscal matters. After all, few things are less creative or elegant than a calculator or a checking account. Even so, it doesn’t change the fact that a successful freelance career is dependent on sound finances. Here are five simple ways that you can care for your freelance finances without getting too… Read more »

Interview with Kellye Garrett

Today’s #OwnVoices installment is an interview with Kellye Garrett, author of the award-winning “Detective by Day” mystery series. Kellye and Sara talk about the influence of her TV writing days on her books, the difficulties of writing humor, and Crime Writers of Color, a writers’ group she co-founded with Gigi Pandian and Walter Mosley.  About… Read more »

Publishing Lessons from Julia Child’s My Life in France

You can’t mention Julia Child without thinking about Mastering the Art of French Cooking. If you’ve seen the film Julie & Julia based on Julie Powell’s memoir, you’ve already seen much of Julia’s story from her autobiography with Alex Prud’homme My Life in France. The surprising part for some admirers may have been that Julia… Read more »

The Secret Formula to Author Newsletter Joy

Newsletters seem to have a way of intimidating many authors. If they don’t get tripped up over what to say, then it’s the commitment to a frequent schedule, or even the lack of a jump in Amazon rankings after each new issue. Many lose themselves to the drone of obligatory promotion blasts once a month… Read more »

#5onFri: Five Effective Tips on Fiction Writing

So you are interested in fiction writing, but you are unsure of how to get started. I completely understand! There’s more to fiction writing than just taking up a pen and paper, or climbing into your computer chair and firing up your laptop. One of the hardest things about fiction writing can be coming up… Read more »

Writing Medical Fiction

Medical fiction is difficult to write for the inexperienced or novice, and moreover for those not in the medical field. However, for those facing or recovering from a medical crisis or for those whose family members or friends have gone through an ailment, the very experience: the pain and suffering and the awesome insecurities associated… Read more »

What Is LGBTQ+ Literature?

[Author’s note: This is the first article in my new column series about LGBTQ+ writing called “LGBTQ+ Lit and Craft”. It addresses a diverse array of issues related to reading and writing LGBTQ+ literature across the genres.] Defining LGBTQ+ Literature LGBTQ+ literature, especially young adult fiction, has boomed in popularity. But what is LGBTQ+ literature?… Read more »