Right now, my computer backdrop is a simple white-on-black sign that says “I would quit, but I still have people to prove wrong.” It’s the same thing as persistence, except with some spite in there for good measure. I’ve been a working writer since I was 19; I’m now 40. I’ve gotten one residual check in […]
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How to Build a Mailing List: A Simple Guide to Data Mining
While authors may enjoy the art half of our industry, the business half can be confusing and overwhelming. For example, we could use a great mailing list, but where do you get the list? The free way is called data mining, and anyone with some time, and an Internet connection, can do it! (And though […]
Even Good Queries Aren’t Stunning (II)
So, I posted my very first query letter, which was a pretty bad query letter. Agent/Writer/Deb Extraordinaire Mandy Hubbard popped by to say it wasn’t half-bad. And it wasn’t- with some tinkering, I did manage to get a couple of partial requests with it. Here’s the thing- I think most competent writers will produce an okay query letter. […]
Give It to Me Short ‘n Dirty: Query Bulletpoints (III)
Maybe you don’t feel like reading an essay about queries. Why would you? You need to get one written, RIGHT NOW OMFG EMERGENCY NOW NOW NOW. Okay, yo. Cool. I can give you a short ‘n dirty query bulletpoint list so that you can skim it real fast and get back to work. A query […]
Everybody Starts Out Writing Bad Queries (I)
Everybody writes bad queries, at least at first. There’s no set way to create one, advice conflicts on what to put in one, and frankly, it’s a skill like any other- you must practice it to excel at it. In light of #queryfail #queryslam and SlushPileHell, I’d like to take another approach. Most people don’t […]
Saying Yes: The Art & Craft of Self-Promotion
As authors, we’re pressed to do more and more promotion on our own- and because we love our books best, we’re our own best advocates. Some people will tell you that your own efforts won’t make a difference. But you can see where your book is being stocked as a direct result of your marketing. […]
How to Build a Press Kit
One of the most basic tools in your PR and marketing portfolio is your press kit. A press kit provides basic biographical information and information about your work, in an easily accessible kit for reviewers and journalists. It makes it easy for people to write about you- always a plus- and it saves work for […]
Waiting (A Meditation for Authors)
Query letters are out. Or your book is on submission. Or your editor is sitting on option. Something MIGHT happen, so you stop doing and start waiting. You burn up your creativity with scenarios. They’re reading it right now. They hate it right now. They’re going to make an offer. They’re spilling coffee on the […]
And This is Why The Problem is Not the Books
I wanted to say a little more about boys, books and what’s out there in YA. The position I have, I feel absolutely comfortable having because there are actual YA novels that speak to the male experience, and/or feature male protagonists. Boys have not been entirely shut out; they’re not in a position where they can’t see representations […]
The Problem is Not The Books
The NYT bleats the alarm, omfg, what about all the boys who don’t have books to read?! And I quote Michael Cart from said article: “We need more good works of realistic fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, on- or offline, that invite boys to reflect on what kinds of men they want to become.” To which I […]
Dear Debut Authors: Eventually, You’ll Care Less (And That’s a Good Thing!)
Dear Debut Authors, Your debut is almost here, and you’re no doubt freaking out. Will you make foreign sales? Audiobook sales? Will you sell at all? Why isn’t your cover up on Indiebound? Why is the wrong cover up on Amazon? What if nobody wants to interview/guest blog/blog tour you? Why did that person on Goodreads […]
The “I Have a Life!” Marketing Plan
Okay, so most people don’t enjoy publicity and marketing. They also like to eat and bathe and, you know, do other stuff besides fill out postcards and design schwag. And I know that sometimes having advice out in the ether can make some people feel bad because they can’t, or don’t want to, or aren’t […]