Craft
A Bumpy, Humbling, and Exhilarating Slog toward Publication
by Elizabeth Camden My road to publication was long and bumpy. I daydreamed about my first manuscript for years before I got up the courage to start writing. I honed and polished it to a diamond-bright shine. It was exactly the kind of novel I adored reading and I considered it a masterpiece. I sent…
The Perfect Blog: Setting Your Words Free
It’s Monday. The day I’m supposed to blog. And I have some GREAT posts in my draft folder. I’m really excited for you to read them, eventually. Unfortunately, they’re doing you and me no good sitting in my draft folder half finished. So what is it going to take to set them free? Schedule Time to…
Gran Torino and Writing the Atypical Hero
I love it when a movie packs a powerful message, but it’s even better when I can learn something about writing from the story. Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino is one such movie. At first glance, it’s a rough movie with a not-so-likable, atypical hero. It is filled with violence and foul language which might turn off many people, but…
Conference Prep: Final Touches on You!
Okay ladies. If you haven’t already scheduled your mani/pedis, haircuts/color and facial waxing, it’s time!! Yes, it’s important to look your best at these writer conferences. A well groomed author says you’re a serious author and for all the money you’re dropping at the conference, you better be serious! And while you’re beautifying yourself, don’t…
Taking Care of Family While You’re at Conference
So you have your One Sheets, perfected your pitch, you know who you’re pitching to, and you even splurged for a mani/pedi, but what about those you will be leaving behind? As I get ready to drive to the ACFW conference, I’m trying to make sure my family is taken care of. Here’s a checklist…
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…
Know Your Editors
Nothing shouts “NEWBIE…UNPROFESSIONAL” like pitching an editor or agent a suspense story when in their bio it says they don’t represent suspense. So before you pull out your romance one sheet make sure the editor is looking for romance. The more you know about your editor or agent, the more prepared you’ll be for your…
Where I’m Writing Today…
I’m taking the day off of “business as usual,” as I hope you all are, but you can still read my guest posts and listen to my podcast from the last few weeks. I made it easy for you to find. Wouldn’t want you to WORK too hard on this labor day! Enjoy family, friends,…
What Goes on a One Sheet?
Going to a writer’s conference and don’t know what to put on a One Sheet? Here’s a great guide to One Sheets that get noticed!
“Whatever” Teen Devotional for Girls Giveaway
Allia Zobel Nolan is an internationally-published, award-winning author of over 170 children’s and adult trade titles with close to three million books in print. Her books reflect her two main passions, God and cats, and include such varied titles as Cat Confessions: A Kitty-Come-Clean Tell-All Book, The Ten Commandments for Little Ones, and The Worrywart’s…