All posts by philgiunta@ptd.net

Articles, Blog, Craft, Opinion, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

In this month’s roundup, Becca Puglisi reminds us to enhance our characters by imbuing them with unique talents and skills.

Struggling to write a compelling start to your novel? Maggie Smith can help. Over at Career Authors, Brian Andrews and Gina Panettieri show us how loglines help authors answer that dreaded question, “what’s your book about?”

If you’re grappling with impostor syndrome, as many creatives do, Ruth Harris and Tiffany Yates Martin have some encouraging advice for you.

There’s no denying that TikTok has become one of the hottest sites for book promotion. Shailee Shah offers a roster of writers who are using the platform to build an enormous following.

All that and a lot more. Enjoy!

Character Traits & Skills: Beyond the Superficial by Becca Puglisi via Jami Gold

Seven Components of a Successful Novel Opening by Maggie Smith

Exposing Inner Conflict in non-POV Characters by Kathryn Craft

It’s Messy in the Middle: Unpacking Cultural Appropriation by Colice Sanders

Understanding the Three Types of Character Arcs by Britton Perelman

Why a Strong Plot Requires a Significant Goal by September C. Fawkes

The Upside of Impostor Syndrome by Ruth Harris

Are You Telling Yourself the Wrong Stories? by Tiffany Yates Martin

What is Your Book About… Do You Know? by Brian Andrews

Loglines and Comps by Gina Panettieri

14 Indie Authors to Follow on TikTok for Ideas and Inspiration by Shailee Shah

How to Build an Amazing “About the Author” Page by Jason Hamilton

Articles, Blog, Craft, Opinion, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

This month, personal experiences come into play as Kathryn Craft reminds us to cultivate a productive and fulfilling writing life, Gwen Plano examines different aspects of character diversity, and Scott Hines creates meaningful connections on social media.

In the marketing department, Jan Sikes delves into BookTok while AJ Jack offers seven methods for analyzing reader habits. Want to know more about the book-to-screen process? Literary agents Allison Hunter and Jennifer Weltz give us the low down.

All that and a lot more. Enjoy!

The Book that Tore Everyone Apart by Gaby Hinsliff

The Fight Between Authors and Librarians Tearing Book Lovers Apart by Pranshu Verma

How Are Books Adapted for the Screen? Two Agents Demystify the Process by Sangeeta Mehta

Transparency in Slush: The Wizard Behind the Curtain by AJ Cunder

Dear Writer: Advice on Cultivating Connection in the Internet Age by Scott Hines

Fill Your Writing Life by Kathryn Craft

7 Clever Ways Authors Can Learn More About Readers Online by AJ Jack

8 Sequence Structure: The Best-Kept Screenwriting Secret by Britton Perelman

#MKTG 17 – TikTok by Jan Sikes

Characters and Diversity Part I: Race by Gwen M. Plano

Characters and Diversity Part II: Wealth by Gwen M. Plano

Characters and Diversity Part III: Physical Ability by Gwen M. Plano

 

Uncategorized

After Action Report – Lehigh Valley Comic Con

The post-COVID return of the Lehigh Valley Comic Con (LVCC) was a success! It was a gorgeous day and attendance was the highest I’ve ever seen at this con. Sold six books. Made a profit. A few friends from the area showed up to keep me company. All told, it was a blast and as always, the cosplayers did not disappoint as you can see from the pictures below.

   

 

LVCC’s next show is October 1, but I will be signing books in Rehoboth Beach that day, so I’ll be back for their final show of the year on December 3rd.

Blog, Book Reviews, Promotion

Party at the Shell House!

Shell House Front CoverReviews are pouring in for Shell House, the latest anthology from Year of the Book Press and the Mindful Writers Retreat members.

Below are the first four reviews from our blog tour. Click on any one of the links to see the full review, read excerpts from three of the short stories, and enter to win an ebook copy of Shell House and a $50 Amazon gift card!

“I am always in awe of the Mindful Writers Retreat Authors books. The collections of short stories are a fulfilling treat that leaves you in a state of reading bliss.” – Shelly at Lynchburg Reads

“In this fourth installment of the Mindful Writers Retreat Anthology Series you will find a beautiful collection of short stories that circle around the city of Rehoboth and its famous Shell House. The authors include a bit of the history of Rehoboth and share experiences of different types of love. Stories that feature bootlegging, fantasy, science-fiction, architectural conservation, and many more to explore the ways people love. I really enjoyed these stories and the couple of recipes included! A perfect beach theme and read!” – Natalie at Mammanatty

“Shell House is the fourth installment of the Mindful Retreat Series, and I must say I am just in love with these collections.” – Melanie at It’s My Side of Life

“[Shell House] is such a fabulously different summer read…  I love the Mindful Writers Retreat series, and I adore how the theme of each book is different, yet they still invoke a lot of the same feelings. This book is outstanding and is chock full of wonderful stories.” – Sonya at Sanity Is For Those Without Children
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Contributors to Shell House include: Lorraine Donohue Bonzelet, Gloria Bostic, Deborah Hetrick Catanese, Jennifer D. Diamond, Judy England-McCarthy, Phil Giunta, Kimberly Kurth Gray, Hilary Hauck, Larry Ivkovich, Stephanie Keyes, S. M. Kraftchak, Cindy Moldovan, Amy Morley, Michael Morley, James Robinson, Jr., Larry Schardt, Carol Schoenig, Kathleen Shoop, Demi Stevens, Lisa Valli, Madhu Bazaz Wangu, Denise Weaver, and Michele Zirkle.

Proceeds benefit The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute (MERR) in Lewes, DE.

Articles, Blog, Craft, Opinion, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

New on the monthly roundup, Philip Athans reminds us that writing is a lifelong calling while Kristen Lamb reviews different aspects of world-building.

Tiffany Yates Martin examines the elements that go into creating complex characters. Speaking of which, what makes characters “likeable”? That depends on genre, as Anne R. Allen explains.

Over at Career Authors, Hank Phillippi Ryan and Dana Isaacson provide advice on self-editing while Daryl Wood Gerber helps us avoid burnout while writing a series.

From Writer Unboxed, Donald Maass delves into the inner workings of story imagination and Kathryn Craft encourages us to visualize our scenes not as authors, but as our characters.

All that a lot more. Enjoy!

Are You a “Lifer”? by Philip Athans

Beyond Character Goal and Motivation – The Longing and the Lack by Tiffany Yates Martin

17 BookBub As Designs Promoting Books in a Series by Carlyn Robertson

DIY Author Marketing 101 by Michal Leah

Why “Likeable” Characters Depend on Genre by Anne R. Allen

10 Things Beginning Writers Must Do by Anne R. Allen

5 Tips to Pick Up the Pace by Dana Isaacson

Copy Editing Secrets by Hank Phillippi Ryan

5 Tips to Keep a Series Fresh by Daryl Wood Gerber

World-Building: Captivate Readers and Never Let Go by Kristen Lamb

Seeing Through a Character’s Eyes: Literally by Kathryn Craft

Three Modes of Story Imagination by Donald Maass

Trademark Tips for Writers – How to Protect Your Creative Work by Matt Knight

Writing Mistakes: Choosing Between Plotting vs. Pantsing by Michael Woodson

10 Relaxing Activities to Rediscover Your Writing Voice by Miles Oliver