Tag Archives: self-publishing

Articles, Blog, Craft, Opinion, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

This week, we focus more on craft than business. From Good Story Company comes advice on writing authentic female characters, enticing opening lines, and effective descriptions.

Jami Gold reviews the different types of character arcs and how they can be applied to short stories.  Over at Mythcreants, Chris Winkle delves into the use of foreshadowing and also explains why realism has no place in fiction.

From Writer Unboxed, John J. Kelley shows us how social events can be used to help with character and plot development while Kim Bullock offers self-care advice for writers during trying times.

All that a lot more. Enjoy!

Writing Descriptions by Good Story Company

Writing Female Characters by Amy Wilson

3 Ways to use AI for Screenwriting (Other Than Writing a Bad Script) by Ken Miyamoto

Writing the Opening Line by Rhiannon Richardson

Using TikTok to Promote Your Writing by Ellen Levitt

Short Stories: Can They Still Have Character Arc? by Jami Gold

Traditional or Self-Publishing – That is the Question by Rod Martinez

Subtext – Guest Post by Karen Albright Lin via Debbie Burke on Kill Zone

The Why and How of Foreshadowing by Chris Winkle

10 Things to Know About BookBub Readers [Infographic] by Carlyn Robertson

Handling Editorial Feedback without Getting Overwhelmed by Tessa Barbosa

Self-Care for Writers in a Pseudo-Dystopian World by Kim Bullock

The Big Event – Using Social Occasions to Elevate Your Story by John  J. Kelley

Why Realism is Toxic to Fiction by Chris Winkle

The Last Word: Epilogues by Sophie Masson

 

Blog, Book Reviews

Book Review: Successful Self-Publishing by Joanna Penn

Successful Self-Publishing by Joanna PennJoanna Penn provides a slim but informative overview of the tools, processes, and mindset needed to self-publish and market your books. If you want more detailed information on these topics, however, she provides links to her own website and refers you to her other books and weekly podcasts. Nevertheless, this is a solid starting point for burgeoning writers or even experienced authors who are self-publishing for the first time.

Articles, Blog, Craft, Opinion, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

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This week, screenwriter Taika Waititi weighs in with morsels of screenwriting (and storytelling) wisdom. Niesha Davis explains the value of sensitivity readers while Allison Williams provides guidance on the effective use of social media. Speaking of which, Philip Athans ponders how much writers need to reveal about themselves online.

Over at Career Authors, Erin Flanagan offers guilt-free advice for those burned out on writing and Paula Munier reviews the rules on POV and how to break them with authority.

All that and a lot more. Enjoy!

Craft a Killer Fantasy Premise Using Good versus Evil by Amy Wilson

What Do Our Readers Need to Know About Us? by Philip Athans

Sweet Emotion by James Scott Bell

10 Pieces of Screenwriting Wisdom from Taika Waititi by Ken Miyamoto

Hiding Your Villain in Plain Sight by Sarah Penner

Being the Boss of Your Author Business by Karen A. Chase

The Daring Writer’s Guide to Point of View by Paula Munier

Burnt Out on Writing? 5 Tips for a Productive Break by Erin Flanagan

Nine Ways to Describe Your Viewpoint Character by Chris Winkle

Writers, Stop Using Social Media (Like That) by Allison Williams via Jane Friedman

Don’t Self-Publish a Book Before Answering These Crucial Questions by J.J. Hebert

Ten Years of Self-Publishing (2012-2022) by Alliance of Independent Authors

What to Expect When Hiring a Sensitivity Reader by Niesha Davis via  Leigh Shulman’s blog.

 

Blog, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

Happy New Year! I hope your 2017 is off to a better and healthier start than mine. This year was less than 24 hours old when I was struck with a stomach virus that left me violently ill on and off (mostly on) for three days. At least it held off until just after the Sherlock season premiere.

It’s nice to occasionally resurrect what used to be a regular feature on my blog, this gathering of sagacious and informative articles from around the interwebs.

Although I’m not convinced that Laurie Gough’s rant against self-publishing could be labeled as either sagacious or informative. Certainly Kristen Lamb and Larry Correia don’t agree.

Over at Digital Book World, Chris Syme offers a four-step program to help authors market their books effectively on social media while Jami Gold is all about helping writers choose the best editors.

Finally, we get some perspective on POV from both Donald Maass and Chris Winkle, and Anne R. Allen explains why she writes first chapters last.

All that and a bit more. Enjoy!

Self-Publishing: An Insult to the Written Word by Laurie Gough

Author Animal Farm – New York GOOOOD, Self-Pub BAAAAD and Generation Author Snowflake & The High Cost of Instant by Kristen Lamb

Fisking the HuffPo’s Snooty Rant About Self-Publishing by Larry Correia

4 Steps to Selling More Books with Less Social Media and Why You Only Need to Sell Your Books on One Social Media Channel by Chris Syme

Spend Less Time Marketing By Setting Up Social Media Outpost Channels by Chris Syme

Picking Editors: Tips for Finding a Developmental Editor by Jami Gold

Immersive POV by Donald Maass

Choosing Your Story’s Perspective by Chris Winkle

First Chapters: Start Your Novel with Your Reader in Mind by Anne R. Allen

 

Blog, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

This week, Kristen Lamb and John Gilstrap talk story synopses to attract agents while Cynthia Shannon offers tips to engage readers on Goodreads.

We blur the line between science and science fiction with Veronica Sicoe and Kate Gwynne, who respectively explore interstellar communication and storytelling through virtual reality.

Amazon initiates new rules regarding reviews, while a common question is answered about the quality of self-published versus traditionally published books.

Janice Hardy and K.M. Weiland talk about tricks, surprises, and honesty in our fiction.

All that, and a little more. Enjoy!

Engaging with Readers on Goodreads by Cynthia Shannon

The Synopsis: Demystifying the Mystery by John Gilstrap

The Dreaded Synopsis—How to Get Started & Why We Need One BEFORE Writing the Book by Kristen Lamb

Storyworld Design: Communication Technologies by Veronica Sicoe

Read It and Bleep: Is Virtual Reality the Future of Storytelling? by Kate Gwynne

Authors Guild Opens Membership to New and Unpublished Writers by Daniel Berkowitz

Amazon’s New Review Rules: What Authors Need to Know by Anne R. Allen

The Difference Between Tricking Your Reader and Surprising Your Reader by Janice Hardy

What is Honest Fiction? by K.M. Weiland

Are Self-Published Books Inferior to Self-Published Books? Answered by Archie D’Cruz

 

 

 

 

Blog, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

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This week, Rachel Thompson offers sage advice on book marketing while K.M. Weiland and Jami Gold talk story structure. Gwendolyn Kiste gives us the low down on how to properly share your Amazon links.

Mary Carroll Moore provides wonderful tips on using sensory details to engage readers’ emotions. For a little fun, comic-book industry veteran Paul Kupperberg delves into the novelizations of A-list superheroes…and B-listers, too!

All that and a little more.  Enjoy!

This is Why Your Books Aren’t Selling: 4 Ways To Improve Now and These Are the Reasons Most Authors Fail at Book Marketing by Rachel Thompson

Indie Bookstores are Back with a Passion by Francis X. Clines

How Writers Ruin Their Amazon Links by Gwendolyn Kiste

Using Ebooks to Understand Story Structure by Jami Gold

Planting Sensory Details-What to Use, When to Use It-for Emotional Impact in Your Writing by Mary Carroll Moore

Your Book’s Inciting Event: It’s Not What You Think It Is and How to Study Plot and Character in Your Favorite Stories: 5 Easy Steps by K.M. Weiland

How to Overcome Procrastination and Finish Writing Your Book _ Part Two by Jan Yager

Is Self-Publishing Coming of Age in the Digital World? by Dougal Shaw

Capes, Cowls, & Costumes 4: Stars and Second Stringers by Paul Kupperberg