Publishing
Seven Habits of Published Christian Writers
by Guest Author Mike Dellosso We all want to get published, to see our work featured in some magazine, or on some website, or nestled between the covers of a book, but for most the “promised land” of publication seems like it might as well be the moon—totally out of reach. But maybe we just…
Learn to Write Anywhere
Learning to write anywhere is really important. On most mornings after the sun has come up, I undock my laptop from its station and move into my living room where the sun pours through an East facing window. In Spring I can hear birds chattering from an evergreen tree off the back deck and with…
How To Write a Simple Summary
When I first query an editor with an story idea, I break it down into a few simple parts. A summary is not an overview of the entire novel, but rather a summary that will hopefully hook the editor into wanted to know more. This type of summary can be used on a One-Sheet (popular at…
My Best Writng Advice
Early on in my writing journey, my quest for publication, I received a bit of advice that at first I balked but now, in clear hindsight, value more than any other counsel I was offered. I was never a big reader. In school I skimmed, jumped, skipped, and trotted through books, pulling out the highlights…
Querying With an Unfinished Manuscript
AS A FIRST TIME AUTHOR, should you finish your manuscript before you query an editor? I have been asked this question by all kinds of hopeful writers, and the answer is, sorry Kids, but yes. I know, I know. I’m not exactly the most experienced “published” novelist on the block. After all, my book isn’t…
Writing is a Business
by Ron Estrada Yes, I know it’s Thursday, and my post is supposed to be one of encouragement. All butterflies and rainbows. Not gonna happen today. As some of you may have heard, we’ve had some bad news in the world of Christian fiction this week. B&H has decided to close down its fiction division.…
When You Feel Like You’ve Been Left Behind in This Publishing Journey
So this post has been sitting in my draft folder for while, waiting for the right time, or maybe for me to truly feel that I’ve conquered the “left behind” feeling so I can adequately encourage others. The truth is I still feel like I’ve been left behind at times, so maybe it’s time to set these…
Searching for an Agent
When I got my first publishing contract, the editor discovered my manuscript buried in the slush pile. At the time, this publisher didn’t require their writers to have an agent, so I worked without an agent over the course of three books. Now that I’m further into my writing career, I’m ready to have an…
ACFW and the Power of Connection
I started a tradition of summing up my ACFW conference experience in a word years ago. It’s been insightful and fun looking back over the years as God spoke one or two words specifically for me. Maybe with all the excitement and conference overload one or two simple words was all I could handle. Maybe in this…
Preparing to Pitch Your Book at Conference
Not knowing how to pitch your book at conference can cost you a book contract or agent representation. Be prepared with these tips. by Margaret Daley One of the most important reasons to go to a conference is to pitch to an editor and/or agent. Many CBA publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. This is…