In previous articles, I’ve discussed some author branding basics, including key questions to ask when building your brand and different ways you can build your brand, even when you’re super busy. Remember, your brand is more than just a snazzy logo or website. It represents who you are as a writer. It’s your values, your… Read more »
Writing a book is a long process–especially if you’re writing part-time. Even if you’re a fast writer, it can still take weeks or months to finish a book. Considering it takes so long to write a book, wouldn’t it be great to learn new ways to get more done every day? Especially when you’re not… Read more »
I sat there shaking, my finger hovering over the button. This was it. Possibly the first of many, or perhaps a bad experiment that would fail after one round. Regardless… I pressed the button. That was my first video post as a writer. I had been writing blogs, but they felt rushed and didn’t seem… Read more »
Raise your hand if you’re stressed about the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m stressed. Everyone I know is stressed. We want to stay connected to the most current information, but that leads us down depressing rabbit holes projecting inconceivable changes to the way we live our lives. Social media offers a solution to keep us connected to… Read more »
Last week, the Internet Archive (the organization responsible for the Wayback Machine) announced that it was removing all waiting lists for its Open Library, effectively making 1.4 million copyrighted works available for free without the permission of writers or publishers. News outlets like NPR, The New Yorker, and Vice have reported on this “National Emergency… Read more »
‘Tis the season to celebrate books! Because reading and literacy are so important there are a number of book-oriented events on the annual calendar. Some are regional, some global. And they all emphasize the importance of reading for kids. As writers (and illustrators!) for children we should be deeply invested in spreading literacy and a… Read more »
J.K. Rowling…Stephen King…Danielle Steel…What author hasn’t dreamed of reaching this level of mega-fame with their own work? What author hasn’t sighed as we remind ourselves how unattainable it is? Because, of course, these names are the exception, not the rule, and rely on the conversion of many factors, including a little luck. But I have… Read more »
Way back in 2009, five major events deeply altered me. In April, my beloved grandmother died. Six weeks later, I married my now-husband. Over the following summer, my husband lost a grandmother on one side and a grandfather on the other. And the following fall, my husband and I bought our first home. While two… Read more »
Have you read the new romantic comedy that flew off the shelves and sold out on its release day? It features a protagonist with multiple sclerosis attempting to find the love of her life. She needed a confidence boost and received hilarious dating advice from her friends and MS support group. It seems the biggest… Read more »
If you’re an anxious writer, you can rest assured that sooner or later the anxiety you struggle with will seep into your work. Everything from your writing style to your tone, voice, and perspective can become tainted with tension and unease, discomfort and discouragement. If you find that you’re nodding your head in agreement, here… Read more »
