We avoid using the cliché when we write. But did you ever stop to think that once-upon-a-time that very cliché was a brilliantly fresh expression? I want to test your knowledge of clichés. I’m going to give you a baker’s …
The Joy of Re-reading
Our blog friend, Andrew Budek-Schmeisser wrote in to suggest a blog post about re-reading Here’s what he wrote:.
…May I suggest that a blog post might deal with re-reading books? In my straitened and dread circumstance, I am finding grace
The Value of the Backlist
We often hear people in the publishing industry talk about backlist vs. frontlist. Today I want to talk about the value of the backlist in building an author’s career..
First a couple of definitions. The terms, backlist and frontlist came …
What Kinds of Books I Represent
What kind of books do I look to represent? I don’t think I’ve ever participated in an agent panel where the question, “What are you looking for?” has not been asked. We agents probably irritate the pajamas off writers with …
Fighting Ennui
There’s no question many of us are plagued by a feeling of ennui these days. I decided to suggest three anti-ennui activities for both fiction and non-fiction writers. So. . . let’s get to it.
For Novelists:
Ennui Fighter #1…
Work/Life Balance — What Not to Do
Oh, that illusory work/life balance… even more challenging in the age of Covid. An old Susan Branch calendar had a quote I love: “I’m trying to arrange my life so I don’t even have to be present.”
Bingo! That’s what …
The Lost Art of Hand Selling
At a recent staff meeting, Janet Grant filled us in on a Bookspan/Publisher’s Marketplace webinar she attended a week or so ago. She took great notes on many topics but one point stood out to me. The presenter observed that …
On Being Edited
You’ve written the book. You’ve rewritten the book. Eight times. You’ve had a friend go over it for typos and grammar gaffs. As near perfect as you can make it, you send it to your editor, right on time. Then …
Three SIP Activities for Writers
Your first question may be: What is SIP? It stands for Shelter in Place, a term we didn’t even think about three months ago. These SIP activities are suggestions which may strengthen our writing but are also distracting and …
Five Flagrant Fiction Flubs
When I read fiction for pleasure I strive to turn off the “internal editor” as I read, but lately I’ve come across a number of glaring mistakes that pull me right out of the story. Let me address five of …