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When you’re seeking feedback from a writing or critique group, what should you look for? Writing Tip for Today: Here are a few tips on feedback from your crit or writing group: The Basics As a writing coach, I’ve helped with several genres, from nonfiction to memoir to thrillers and historical fiction. As a reader, […]
In Oregon and many other states, governors are issuing Stay-at-Home orders. What does this mean for writers? Writing Tip for Today: What are some publishing changes writers will need to navigate during coronavirus crisis? Publishing Problems Traditional print publishing has never been known for speed, but now it will slow down even more. Yes, agents […]
It’s writing conference season, and many writers I know will put egos on the line to pitch their books. But is your novel “done” enough to warrant this leap of faith? Writing Tip for Today: Although writers are often anxious to get their writing into an editor or agent’s hands, we sometimes jump the gun. […]
Pre-pubbed writers often hear that they MUST hire a good editor before moving forward—either with self or traditional publishing. But how do you find that perfect editor for your project? Writing Tip for Today: What kind of editors are available and how do you find a good one? No Experience Necessary Unlike barbers or schoolteachers, […]
If you’ve gone to a writers conference recently, you’ve heard that you need an editor. Even after you’ve revised and polished your manuscript, you’re told, hire an editor to go over it. Most freelance editors charge for their work, but the quality of editing tends to vary widely. Writing Tip for Today: What should you […]
Melchior Demonstrates Proper Napping Technique Miss Crankypants saw a blog post about “10 Writing Lessons I Learned from My Dog,” proving that dumb canines have a purpose after all. Immediately, Miss CP’s cats went on the offensive. Now these felines are pretty offensive most of the time, but they sensed that these “Lessons”called for a new strategy. In […]
I’ve always been a bit frustrated by holidays. I’ve joked that a writer has only a few teensy windows in which to query, submit or otherwise commune with the publishing world. With all the holidays, you get a few days after Christmas, a short opportunity in the spring before Easter, and a brief bit after Labor Day in […]
A writing organization of published authors recently received a rude awakening when a writer seeking admission was told she/he did not qualify. The org sent this writer a standard “sorry but your writing credits don’t meet our criteria,” only to have a concerned party issue a flaming screed. In it, this person accused the traditional publishers […]
We are entering writing conference season, which is eerily similar to hunting season in ways that make my heart skip a beat. In fact, at conferences across the nation, hearts will be inflated and then stomped upon. Especially when conferees learn that the 15 minute one-on-one agent/editor appointments they’ve scrimped and saved to purchase don’t […]
One of my writing students was all excited. She’d self-pubbed her first book and written a memoir, and stood pitching it to an editor at a writing conference. Editor confessed that the student’s memoir was a tough sell (in editorspeak, No way, Jose), but what if she designed a women’s devotional on the same topic? […]