Blogger: Mary Keeley
Often I talk to writers who are confused about the necessity of author branding and what goes into determining their unique brand. The quick answer is that the best way to guard your author identity is to …
Authors
Let the Juggling Begin
Blogger: Mary Keeley
This week my daughter emailed a photo of our dear grandchildren forming the dough for our family’s most cherished Christmas cookies. My first thought when I saw it was, Really . . . you’re that on top …
When Doubt Niggles
Blogger: Mary Keeley
You know the feeling. You’re plugging along feeling like you’re doing okay, and then a disruptive thought pops forward from the back of your mind, haunting, accusing: This isn’t good enough. What were you thinking? The Bible …
Goals and Long-Range Planning
Blogger: Mary Keeley
I have a confession to make. Today’s blog is an update of a post I did last year at this time. I realized about midnight that the blog I had scheduled for today is too similar to …
Be Diligent and Let Your Agent Do the Talking
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Publisher mistakes happen. Oversights occur. Disagreements with your publishing team take place. Delays cause negative ripple effects. Any one of these can have a detrimental, sometimes devastating, effect on your book during the production process. Not if…
A Winning Strategy
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Agents often remind writers to be patient during the journey to representation. But it doesn’t stop there. We continue to remind our clients on their journey to publication…or re-publication…as well. This isn’t only wise advice or a …
Getting through a Creative Dry Spell
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Our greatest desire for this blog is to provide fresh information and perspective on the life and business of writing. It’s no small task to do this consistently. Occasionally, okay speaking for myself, more often than you …
The Perfect Title
Blogger: Mary Keeley
An editor contacted me this week to inquire about a client’s proposal. The editorial team is interested in the author’s nonfiction book but asked if she’d be willing to tweak her approach slightly and give it a …
Writing on a Full Tank
Blogger: Mary Keeley
My well-being tank is full. A week away with family has done it for me. And now I’m eager to be back at work. Likewise, writers need to take regular breaks to recharge. Writing on a full …
Do Writing Contests Help Your Career?
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Recently, one of my clients emailed that two of her stories had placed near the top in a writing contest and would be included in an upcoming anthology. An editor’s note soon followed confirming that all three …