Who’s ready for a new strategy to build a platform? Today’s conversation offers a fresh tool for starting your publishing journey or seeking inspiration. Perhaps you can relate to one of the following groups who tend to struggle with platform:…
Tick, Tick, Boom! Raising the Stakes to Raise an Agent’s Interest
It’s summertime, so let’s talk stakes. Not steaks, which we could talk about, especially if you’re planning a 4th of July cookout. Today, let’s discuss an essential ingredient of storytelling that makes the difference between an agent emailing you back …
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Homework for Life: Never Fear Running Out of Stories Again!
The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.
Muriel Rukeyser
One of a writer’s great fears is running out of words or fresh stories to tell. Our creative souls relish the adventure of unexpected twists and discoveries and translate …
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Four Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing BIPOC Characters or Stories
“If I add a BIPOC character to my novel, will it improve my chance of finding a traditional publisher?”
I’ve been asked that question several times over the years. There are several motivations behind posing it. However, I believe that …
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Merry Christmas from Books & Such!
“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you …
Winning on Instagram Without Talking About Your Book
One of the common frustrations that I hear from pre-published writers working to build their platform is, “If I don’t have a book, what do I talk about?”
I’m excited to share one of my favorite Instagram accounts with you. …
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Four Mistakes That May Keep an Agent from Following Up with You
“Publication is a marathon, not a sprint. Writing the book is only the start.”
―
I can’t speak for every agent, but I love writers. Maybe because I am one. As an agent, I also know that you’ve …
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Four Measures to Self-Audit Your Author Brand for Consistency
If you are a writer actively pitching your novel or non-fiction, but you still dabble in children’s books, and you’re feeling the hankering to ramp up your YouTube channel, is it helpful or harmful to broadcast all your creative outlets …
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Threads is Here! Is it Right for You?
Last week, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, introduced a new platform, Threads. Perhaps you noticed fellow authors or influencers posting this unique-looking background to their Instagram newsfeeds or stories, and you’ve been wondering what it’s all about.…
Three Questions That Elevate Your Elevator Pitch Toward Success
Let’s talk about elevator pitches and how to set yourself up effectively the next time you need to make one in front of a literary agent or editor.
In today’s blog, I want to make the case that preparing for …
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