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Books & Such Literary Management

A full-service literary agency that focuses on books for the Christian market.

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Cynthia Ruchti

refine proposals

Refining a Proposal

October 26, 2017 //  by Cynthia Ruchti//  39 Comments

blogger: Cynthia Ruchti

Writers spend innumerable hours, bags of M&Ms (or baby carrots, but let’s be real), and cups of coffee/tea refining proposals before they’re sent to an agent to send to an editor. refine proposals

Later that afternoon, the agent sends …

Refining a ProposalRead More

Never-fail formula

Never-Fail Formula for Writing a Book That Won’t Become a Bestseller

October 24, 2017 //  by Cynthia Ruchti//  50 Comments

Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti

(Updated)

Never-fail formulaMaybe it’s not discussed often enough in writers’ circles. We talk about what we can do to ready our work for a publisher’s eyes. We list ways to draw readers’ attention with our novels or nonfiction.…

Never-Fail Formula for Writing a Book That Won’t Become a BestsellerRead More

life and childhood

Life Is Research

October 18, 2017 //  by Cynthia Ruchti//  38 Comments

Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti

Life got in the way of my writing today.

Have those words crossed your mind lately?

Interruptions. Intrusions. Disrupted plans. Upheaval. Kids. Grandkids. Aging parents. Work. School. Volunteer responsibilities. Ordinary and relentless home maintenance…

Memories, good and …

Life Is ResearchRead More

fun with words

Fun with Words

October 4, 2017 //  by Cynthia Ruchti//  35 Comments

Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti

Words can be fun.

Overheard in many a Panera/Starbucks/home office:

“What are you doing over there?”

“Having fun with words. I’m a writer.”fun with words

Serious writers are often…well…serious.

Intense research. Deadlines. Reading books on the craft of writing. …

Fun with WordsRead More

Dialogue that dances

Dialogue that Dances

September 28, 2017 //  by Cynthia Ruchti//  28 Comments

Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti

Dancing dialogue does double-duty. It ramps up tension and reveals character.

How can dialogue move from “lying on the couch” to “dancing with the stars”?Dialogue that dances

Do away with most space-fillers.

They don’t accomplish the casual or hesitant …

Dialogue that DancesRead More

speaker

The Writer Who Speaks

September 21, 2017 //  by Cynthia Ruchti//  26 Comments

Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti

Writers speak. Speaking in public remains a perennial item on the list of things-I-think-will-kill-me-or-worse for many people, writers included. A writer who is able to communicate clearly on paper does not instantly translate into a natural speaker.…

The Writer Who SpeaksRead More

questions aspiring writers ask

Questions Fourth-Grade Aspiring Writers Ask

September 14, 2017 //  by Cynthia Ruchti//  25 Comments

Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti

What questions do aspiring writers ask?

Everything imaginable, according to these questions fourth-grade aspiring writers asked during an author visit.questions aspiring writers ask

What is your favorite book cover?–Lexee

  • Leather.

Where do you like to eat and do you write …

Questions Fourth-Grade Aspiring Writers AskRead More

fewer words

Fewer Words for Greater Impact

September 6, 2017 //  by Cynthia Ruchti//  29 Comments

Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti

Fewer words for greater impact?

Those who write devotions are often held to a tough task–tell a complete story with a soul-stirring point and clear takeaway for the reader with a minimum of words.

too many wordsWhat a great …

Fewer Words for Greater ImpactRead More

fruit loops for writers

Fruit Loops for Writers

August 31, 2017 //  by Cynthia Ruchti//  30 Comments

Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti

Fruit loops? Not the cereal. The cycle.

fruit loops for writers

Whether or not you adhere to the premise that the Bible is practical for daily life–pick a subject, any subject–I personally see a strong correlation between what it teaches and …

Fruit Loops for WritersRead More

good bad children's book

When Bad Stuff Happens to Good Writers

August 24, 2017 //  by Cynthia Ruchti//  38 Comments

Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti

One of my favorite children’s books adds perspective when bad stuff happens to good writers.

good bad children's bookThe publicity materials for That’s Good! That’s Bad! by Margery Cuyler (Holt and Company) says it’s written for 4-7 year olds. But …

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