» A Guest Author

The Key to Promoting Your Non-Fiction Book on Facebook

By Ellen Levitt If you have written non-fiction books as I have, there are effective ways in which to market your books online, especially by creating a designated Facebook page for them and for any related services such as lectures and tours. You will want this page to be highly visual and inviting. A Facebook…

Issue Three Hundred Ninety Two Special Feature

9 Literary Magazines Seeking Volunteer Readers & Why You’d Want To Participate

By Trish Hopkinson There is a variety of reasons you may want to volunteer as a reader for a literary magazine or journal. The majority of reading and other volunteer responsibilities will be conducted online, so you need not be in the same geographical area. Below are some of those reasons to consider, as well…

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How to Negotiate Your Way Out of a Publishing Contract

By Dawn Carrington As disappointing as it can be, sometimes the relationship between authors and publishers can sour. Maybe you’re not happy with the way the company is being run or the way you’re being treated. You’ve decided you want to leave, but it’s not that easy since you’ve signed an enforceable contract. That doesn’t…

Issue Three Hundred Eighty Seven Special Feature

Assessing a Publisher’s First Contract: 3 Ways to Know if it’s the Right One For You

Dawn Carrington Receiving an offer of publication is an exciting time for an author. Maybe this is your first one, and you’re eager to sign and get the process underway. Before you do that, consider that you and your book could potentially be with this publisher anywhere from three to seven years as that is…

Issue Three Hundred Eighty Six Special Feature

How to Evaluate and Use Feedback From Agents, Editors, and Other Writers

Adele Annesi Among the most agonizing aspects of being a writer is getting feedback, especially if it’s unexpected or negative. Equally difficult is analyzing comments in order to decide which to use, how to implement what we accept (when we can choose), and what to do with what we put aside. To use feedback from…

Issue Three Hundred Eighty Five Special Feature

14 Literary Magazines That Read No-Fee Submissions All Year

By Zebulon Huset Whether you write erasure poems about pop culture icons or memoiristic flash non-fiction or surreal science fiction, literary hybrid forms or Petrarchan sonnets with skillful enjambment or reviews of 1943 books of verse forgotten by readers today—we’ve got journals that want your writing. All of them are open year round and are…

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Hiring and Firing Actors for My Novels

By Mark Marderosian When beginning my first draft, I can hear the characters relating their adventure to me and I type away furiously with no qualms about typos or spelling. After the initial draft is when the fun work begins. I picture for the first time that I’m now hiring actors to play the roles…

Issue Three Hundred Eighty One Special Feature

Writing Effective Dialogue: 5 Things to Keep in Mind

By Annmarie McQueen Dialogue is an incredibly important part of storytelling, and yet one of the things many writers struggle with the most. Having characters interact with each other is a key way for information to be revealed, plots to be moved along and things to happen. Dialogue is something you need to get right…

Issue Three Hundred Seventy Nine Special Feature

Crafting a Strong Bio

by Sherry Shahan Writing an effective bio was a recent topic in the Authors Guild community—in particular, when filling out that little box for an online submission. Different types of publications have different length requirements, but are generally in the 50 to 100 word range. All agreed that bios should be written in the third…

Issue Three Hundred Seventy Eight

What to Say to Bad Writing

by Janice R. Torres I was recently asked by a good friend of mine to take a look at their writing and let them know what I thought. I had never read any of their work before, having met them through a freelancer’s meet and greet, but I wanted to be supportive. So, I agreed…

Issue Three Hundred Seventy Seven Special Feature

6 Ways to Increase Your Confidence as a Writer

By Chikodi Olasode A writer’s journey is all about ups and downs, and how you weather the downs can make a real difference. Most writers at some stage doubt themselves or their ability to write. Here, I share some tips that might boost your confidence. 1. AffirmationI’ve seen writers cringe when asked what their occupation…

Issue Three Hundred Seventy Six Special Feature

Free Resources for Pitching to Agents and Publishers

By Stefanie August Since the advent of Internet technology that allows us to research agents and publishers to pitch our work to, there have been tools writers can use. I will address how to use free resources for doing just that, in the competitive world of writing! As an independent author of various genres I…

Issue Three Hundred Seventy Five Uncategorized

The Bio as Self-Advertisement

By Michael J. Moore In a seemingly endless pool of literature, where it can be difficult for even the most talented authors to distinguish themselves, publicity must be sought, and acquired without authors having to pay for it. You can do this by learning to view your bio (usually a 50-100 word description of yourself…

Issue Three Hundred Seventy Four Special Feature Uncategorized

8 Lessons From Legendary Authors That Will Improve Your Writing

By Chikodi Adeola Olasode Are you an aspiring author who’s wondering if it’s the right path? Perhaps you’re one of those struggling with the craft, not sure if being an author is really worth all the stress. Well, here are eight quotes from eight legendary authors that could make you sit up and fasten your…

Issue Three Hundred Seventy Three Special Feature

Writer’s Block: Over a Dozen Solutions to a Non-Problem

By Ken Finley I was sitting in the audience of a writer’s panel at WorldCon in San Antonio when the subject of writer’s block came up. Gail Carrigher was the first to speak, saying there was no such thing. Not one writer on that panel disagreed with her. Several chimed in to express their usual…

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Articles by A Guest Author