Deciding whether or not to self-publish is one of the most difficult and significant decisions an author will face. Most people I know have a strong opinion one way or another. I have two strong opinions. First, I think self publishing is of tremendous value to readers, writers, and the publishing field. Second, way too many writers self publish for the wrong reasons.
Read MoreI am a huge advocate of personalizing query letters. but too many authors are going about this the wrong way. Let’s talk about a better way to open your query letter, a way that convincingly shows the agent why your book is perfect for them.
Read MoreYou’ve got a great book, but now you have to write something that might feel even harder — a knockout query letter. In this detailed guide, I’ll show you exactly how to do that without making all-too common mistakes.
Read MoreI talk a lot about finding the right agent for you, rather than just any agent. You want someone who gets your vision, who knows how to sell books like yours, and whose personality gels with yours, which means finding the right agent is a pretty personal task. That said, there are a few consistent qualities we should all be looking for:
Read MoreI’m going to cut out all opinion and all hype to be as realistic and straightforward as I can about the ins and outs, the pros and cons, and all the numbers for both ways to publish.
Read MoreFormat your book the right way for each occasion— pitching agents with a manuscript, querying nonfiction with a book proposal, or for self-publishing. You want your book to stand out for its stellar writing, not for its unorthodox formatting. Here’s how the pros do it.
Read MoreEnrolling in an MFA in creative writing is a massive (and often massively expensive) decision. I’ll talk about whether mine was worth it, what to consider as you decide, your next steps for applying and getting funding, and alternatives to an MFA.
Read MoreA pretty common fear among aspiring authors is that if they pitch their book to an agent or publisher, that person will steal their idea. They either avoid querying, or they write “copyright” all over their manuscript, which immediately makes them look like an amateur.
Read MoreYou’ll never finishing writing a book unless you do this one thing. And (gasp), a client helped me realize I’m not doing it! Here’s what you need to do to finish.
Read MoreI didn’t believe it when I started out, but to get a book published, you’re going to need to know people—mentors, teachers, friends, colleagues, critique partners, and cheerleaders. There’s nothing I hate more than schmoozing, so I’ll tell you how I found those people without ever networking.
Read MoreLanding a literary agent may be difficult, but that doesn’t mean you should be getting ignored. If you’re sending out queries and not hearing back at all, you’ve got a problem that needs to be addressed.
Here are some possible reasons you’re hitting a wall:
Read MoreVanity publishing still exists. I’ll tell you what it is, how to avoid being scammed, and how to recognize a reputable company. If you’re considering self or hybrid publishing, pay attention to these red flags so no one takes advantage of you.
Read MoreOne of the fastest and most powerful ways to build your author platform is to be featured in big media, either as an expert source or by writing the right kind of piece yourself.
Read MoreWe all face writer’s block, so I decided to research the science behind a few of my favorite ways to get unstuck. I’ll admit it may have been another way to procrastinate, but I think you’ll like what I found.
Read MoreWhile non-fiction books are generally sold on proposal, novels are not. With fiction, they don’t just want an idea of what they’ll get, but they’ll want to read exactly how the whole thing pans out. Ideas are a dime a dozen. It’s the execution we all struggle with.
Read MoreWe all suck at something, but as counterintuitive as it sounds, those weaknesses can be used to your advantage.
Read MoreI recently had the pleasure of connecting with Lucinda Halpern, owner of Manhattan-based literary management firm Lucinda Literary. I talk with her about traditional publishing, self publishing, how to stand out as an author, and what she’s looking for.
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