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

How Poets Make a Living

At a garden party in Brooklyn years ago, someone stopped me, and asked me what I did. At the time I was in a Master’s of Fine Art program focusing on Poetry, I would graduate that spring with an MFA in Poetry. So I told the stranger that and he aksed “how do a poets…
Issue Two Hundred Twenty 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 Famous Authors Whose Work Was Initially Rejected

One of the ways I comfort myself when I face yet another rejection letter is to think about the “loads” of rejection letters J.K. Rowling received while she was attempting to publish Harry Potter. I also think of the five years Agatha Christie spent trying to get her first novel published.  I have not spent…
Issue Two Hundred Thirteen Special Feature

The Current State of Self Publishing

When self-publishing first exploded around 2010/11, many authors viewed it as an exciting opportunity to sell books without the need for an agent or publisher. There was, however, a degree of snobbery directed at those who chose to self-publish. An assumption that their work was lacking because it had not been accepted by traditional publishers….
Issue Two Hundred Twelve Special Feature

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

Writing Original Fiction: Avoiding Clichés, Tropes, and Stereotypes

Writers are constantly pressured to create fresh new stories for an ever demanding and critical market. Almost every theme, plot or storyline has been used and it is next to impossible to find one that’s waiting to be written into a best-selling book. Avoiding clichés, overused tropes, and exhausted stereotypes can be difficult but it…
Issue Two Hundred Eleven 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

Three Different Types of Edits Writers Should Be Aware Of

Self-publishing has never been easier for a writer. Today, becoming a published writer is as easy as a simple click. Writers, however, must never forget that books are products that readers pay for – and a paying market demands a high quality, value-for-money product. Before self-publishing or querying a book, writers should ensure that their…
Issue Two Hundred Eight Special Feature

Online Writing Contests: Approach with Caution

Writing contests have grown in popularity over the last few years. The huge leaps in the development and accessibility of social media technology means that it is now easier than ever to enter writing contests. While writing contests offer writers the opportunity to catch the eye of a literary agent or publisher, they also have…
Issue Two Hundred Seven Special Feature

7 Reasons Book Reviews Are Key to Self Publishing Success

Recently, I’ve started contacting professional book bloggers and reviewers who might be interested in reading my books. This is a fairly new tactic for me. There are people out there, who love reading books so much, they set up blogs and invite authors to send them books to read and review. And there are millions…
Issue Two Hundred Six 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

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