» A Guest Author

3 Steps to Take After Sending Your Book Query to Agents Or Publishers

Congratulations, you’ve reached that ever-so-exciting spot in the writing process where you have a draft that has been polished enough to seek out an agent or a publisher and you’re now in the querying trenches. From the anxious moment you hit send on your first query letter to the first form rejection letter, querying time…

Issue Two Hundred Twenty Three Special Feature

3 Lists of Paying Sci-Fi Publishers

By Kelli Fitzpatrick As a science fiction author, I frequently find myself searching for homes for my stories, so I keep the three web pages below bookmarked on my desktop and mobile home screen as quick reference guides to potential markets. I prefer to be paid for my work (as opposed to publication without compensation),…

Issue Two Hundred Thirty Five Special Feature

5 Reasons Writers Should Read Often

By Kelli Fitzpatrick Writers are often pressed for time, especially those of us who work a second profession. Though it can be tempting to pour all my free time into fleshing out an outline or bringing that next chapter to life, I have found it is essential for my success as an author that I…

Issue Two Hundred Seventeen Special Feature

Podcasting Your Writing: A Great Promotional Tool

By Jack B. Rochester, Ruby Fink, and Michael Mavilia Have you ever wondered what people wearing ear buds are listening to when they’re out jogging? What they’re playing in their cars while stuck in traffic? Or when simply enjoying in those quiet, personal times away from the glare and blare of a TV? You might…

Issue Two Hundred Sixteen Special Feature

Lessons I’ve Learned from 25 Years in Children’s Publishing

By Sylvia Rouss My first picture book was published over 25 years ago. In the quarter of a century following my first book’s publication I have continued to publish books regularly, including the popular Sammy the Spider series, and I have learned a lot about both writing and publishing. This article covers the most important…

Issue Two Hundred Fifteen Special Feature

FINDING SPACE: Writing When Life is Chaotic

By Julie Guirgis It was 3:00 A.M when I woke up to my dad calling out from his room down the hall. Half asleep, I laid in bed, hoping he would fall back asleep, but his yelling got louder. Rubbing my stinging eyes, I forced myself out of bed. ‘I’m hungry. I need food,’ he…

Issue Two Hundred Fourteen Special Feature

Ten Horror Markets that Pay for Short Stories and Flash Fiction

By D.S. Maiorca This eclectic list has some of the best paying horror markets currently open for submission. Make sure to check each market’s specific guidelines as some are quite specific. Clarkesworld Magazine While Clarke’s World is famous for Science Fiction and Fantasy they are also open for horror stories. Although if you read their…

Issue Two Hundred Thirteen

How to Connect with Readers Through Instagram

By Aria Gmitter If you’re like most writers, the idea of self-promotion is a loathsome task. You are a creative person and marketing feels like a sales gig. Perhaps writers stick to platforms like Facebook and Twitter because it’s so much easier to post about your life and throw in a bit about business. But…

Issue Two Hundred Nineteen Special Feature

It’s Okay to Be Selfish with Your Writing

By Adrienne Reiter Anthony Bourdain claims his best writing is done first thing in the morning half asleep over coffee. Truman Capote claimed to write best hungover when half his brain was out of the way. Writing isn’t just about creation. It’s equally about destruction. As writers, we dismantle our original ideas and fabrications to…

Issue Two Hundred Thirty Five Special Feature

The Keys to Being a Successful Full Time Writer

“No one can make a living as a writer.” “Don’t give up your day job.” “But what do you really do?” I think everyone who has broached the subject of writing a book has heard those oft-repeated and well-worn phrases. Interestingly, they are usually offered up by people outside of the writing profession – well-meaning…

Issue Two Hundred Five Special Feature

5 Things You Need to Know as an Indie Author

By Dominic Carrillo The more I write and self-publish books, the more often I am asked about how to do it. Instead of offering advice on what to do, I end up feeling like Ralph Nader serving up cautionary tales. Indeed, understanding what not to do might be the best start for emerging indie authors….

Issue Two Hundred Three Special Feature

It’s Okay to Write For Yourself

By Christine M. Estel Like so many women–maybe you, too–I have a plethora of commitments in my life. I have a full-time career, a family and home to care for, friends I enjoy entertaining, and so on. While I barely have room for another morsel on my plate, I recently decided to pursue a long-time…

Issue Two Hundred Two Special Feature

Four Economical Ways to Get Your Work Edited

By Aisha Idris For chefs, a new dish should never be served to a large audience without being taste tested. Similarly, when you write a new piece you will always require someone to read your work and correct it for a smoother reading experience. Editing is essential if you are about to send your work…

Issue Two Hundred Special Feature

The Importance of Beta Readers

By Jana Begovic Both the ancient Roman poet Horace and the Greek philosopher Longinus agreed that the purpose of literature is to instruct and delight the reader. However, once carried away on the wings of inspiration, authors may not always have a specific readership or a genre in mind, and can only hope the products…

Issue One Hundred Ninety Nine Special Feature

Evocative Word Lists for Writing

By Virginia Brasch As a writer, I’ve seen many great lists: descriptive words, adjectives, strong verbs, over used adverbs, clichés to avoid, romantic words, crutch words, and on and on. I also love to scribble in notebooks when my own manuscripts need rethinking, something to keep my hands busy and my mind moving in a…

Issue One Hundred Ninety Eight Special Feature

Articles by A Guest Author