#5onFri: The Five Friends Every Author Needs

#5onFri: The Five Friends Every Author Needs

Writers love to talk about their books, their friends’s books, trends in the publishing industry, and our endless anxieties about writing. But our poor families can only take so much of this at the dinner table. My advice to every writer is to assemble a team of key friends who can handle your obsession, help… Read more »

Eureka! Get Noticed on Social Media

Eureka! Get Noticed on Social Media

Eureka? Not exactly your average run-of-the-mill title for an article about romance writing. Unless you visit websites with jump-up-and-slap-your-pappy treasure chests of information on how to get noticed on social media. I had waved a white flag and lo and behold, the internet came through with tips ‘n tricks like a gold nugget in a… Read more »

How to Find a Book Editor

How to Find a Book Editor

When it comes to professional editing, editors and their services range far and wide. Each editor will have different experiences, specialties, preferences, styles, rates, and timelines. Finding the book editor that’s right for you requires thought and active searching. Here is how I recommend finding an editor for your specific needs. How NOT to Find… Read more »

Cozy to Cold-Blooded: Mystery Shows 2

Cozy to Cold-Blooded: Mystery Shows 2

While taking an evening walk, I asked my husband if he could guess which mystery shows I put on my list last time. He did guess several, but he also mentioned a couple I actually felt ashamed I left off, like Only Murders in the Building and Castle. Genuine favorites of mine! Especially OMITB! I… Read more »

Book Coach Corner: Book Coaching 101

Book Coach Corner: Book Coaching 101

Welcome to the first installment of my Book Coach Corner series. Today’s column discusses book coaches and how they can help you at any stage in the writing process.  Why Might You Need a Book Coach? Historically, publishing houses employed editors who worked closely with their contracted authors on revising and finalizing their manuscripts prior… Read more »

Is Twitter Dead? Don’t Panic! Social Media Survival Guide for Writers

Is Twitter Dead? Don’t Panic! Social Media Survival Guide for Writers

So, is Twitter dead? Just try Googling it—the headlines aren’t pretty.  For writers, the agonizing decline of our digital public square hits hard. The #PitMad pitch competitions were excellent for getting agent attention. You could have real conversations with publishers and famous authors. It was a place to create genuine #writingcommunity, breaking down the high… 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 »

The Messy Middle: Cultural Content Fender Benders

The Messy Middle: Cultural Content Fender Benders

Last year, we dedicated ourselves to exploring the messy middle of inclusive writing by reflecting on ways to craft complex characters and build dynamic worlds that connect with readers from marginalized identity groups. We decided that we will answer the call for diverse and inclusive writing by being specific, honest, and intentional with our representations… Read more »