Articles by A Guest Author

3 Common Mistakes Committed by Self-Published Novelists

By Michael Howard Over the past couple years I have read and reviewed dozens of self-published books, most of them novels. As you can probably imagine, the quality of the writing ranges from totally incompetent to quite good. The majority fit into the middle of that spectrum. Many of the novels I review begin on…
Issue Six Hundred Sixty Nine Issue Six Hundred Sixty Six

Keep Writing Human: Why AI Is Unhelpful at Every Stage of the Process

By David Ebenbach Given the new capabilities of generative AI tools, a lot of writers are asking where and when (if at all) they should be using these tools to help them in their writing. On the one hand, AI causes an awful lot of problems, but, on the other hand, we’re being told great…
Issue Six Hundred Sixty Five

Making Quiet but Effective Moves: An Introverted Author’s Guide to Successful Marketing

By Adesuwa Egbon In today’s world, writing a great book often isn’t enough. To find your readers, you have to promote it, a daunting task for the introverted author who finds self-promotion to be an  exhausting performance. The good news is that you can market your work effectively without resorting to extroversion. Reframe Your Goal:…
Issue Six Hundred Sixty

Identifying Your Book’s Target Audiences: Your Marketing Plan Foundation

By Jean Burgess I recently presented a conference workshop entitled “Creative Approaches to Direct Marketing Events.” The workshop’s first step asked participants to think about themes from their book that would appeal to their target audiences. Once the foundation was in place, the plan was to brainstorm ideas for events, organizations, interest groups, venues, etc….
Issue Six Hundred Fifty Nine Special Feature

7 Ways to Increase Your Visibility as a Writer on Social Media

By Immaculata Chidera Osuji A social media profile is a powerful tool for writers. While many writers are naturally introverted and prefer to keep a low profile, hiding your creativity can present challenges. It’s perfectly fine to be introverted, but don’t let it silence your voice. This article will show you exactly how to build…
Issue Six Hundred Fifty Seven Issue Two Hundred Eighty Three Special Feature

How to Apply (and Get In) to Writing Mentorship Programs

By Elise LeSage It’s tough out there for emerging writers. Between rejection letters, creative blocks, and the ever-shifting demands of the literary market, the hurdles we face can be downright dispiriting without a guiding hand. That’s where writing mentors come in. Mentorships are 1-on-1 relationships between experienced writers and newbies looking for feedback, craft tips,…
Issue Six Hundred Fifty Four

Promotion Commotion: How to Steer Clear of Scam Artists

By Bob Rich Wonderful! Your book is accepted by a publisher, or perhaps you self-published. In the vast majority of cases, promotion is entirely up to you. Many honest businesses provide promotional services to authors. Also, there is a highly successful robbery industry preying on authors’ dreams. Even honest businesses are not necessarily useful in…
Issue Six Hundred Fifty Two Special Feature

Heads up! from a Short Story Judge

By E. L. TenenbaumOver the last while, I’ve done a few turns as a first-round judge for a few writing competitions, most recently for short stories. Usually, entries must undergo more than one round of judging, by more than one judge, before winners can be chosen. Across the board, almost all writing competitions juggle the…
Issue Six Hundred Fifty Special Feature

Three Lessons From My First Podcast Tour

By Lory Widmer Hess I’m a writer, not a speaker. When I was in high school, an oral report was the assignment most likely to cause me to call in sick; now, though I have gotten over that total-panic reaction and become more at ease with talking in public, I still feel more comfortable with…
Issue Six Hundred Forty Four Special Feature

Lessons from a Thousand Submissions

By Michael Theroux Casinos live on a thin margin of success, the ‘house edge’, yet the percentage is lucrative. That ‘casino advantage’ varies by game from less than 0.5 to about 5.25%; games with a low house edge pay out less than do games with a built-in higher advantage for the casino That’s a lot…
Issue Six Hundred Forty One Special Feature

Case Study: BOWIE: Stardust, Rayguns & Moonage Daydreams

By Steve Horton Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped, turned upside down… Seriously, though, the path from zero to 100 in this case study about a debut graphic novel is a strange one. They say that when someone breaks into the publishing industry, they cement off that entrance so…
Case Studies Issue Six Hundred Thirty Seven

7 Reasons Why You Should Try Using Writing Prompts

By Isha JainAt the beginning of my career, the idea of writing based on prompts was strange to me. I tried a prompt for the first time when the dreaded writer’s block hit me. It felt far better than staring at a blank screen, waiting for inspiration to strike. So, when walking, watching movies, reading…
Issue Six Hundred Thirty Four

4 Unique Writing Habits of Famous Writers

By Isha Jain As someone who wants to improve my craft, I often read about the writing advice and habits of accomplished writers. Over the years, I have come across many quirky habits that have helped some famous writers. Like Dan Brown, who wears gravity boots and hangs upside down from a frame to clear…
Issue Six Hundred Thirty Special Feature

Case Study: How The Coat Check Girl Came to Life

By Laura Buchwald I began writing The Coat Check Girl many years ago, without knowledge of what the path to publication entailed or whether that was even my goal. I’d been a writer since I learned to hold a pencil and had dabbled in short fiction. The idea for a longform project came to me…
Case Studies Issue Six Hundred Twenty Six Special Feature

How Six Scribes Made Me a Better Writer

By Alice J. Wisler Even though I was happy to see the notice on the library bulletin board, I didn’t realize how much it would contribute to my writing success. Someone wanted to know if others in our area were interested in forming a writers’ group. I jotted down the number to call. Weeks later,…
Issue Six Hundred Twenty Two Special Feature

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