Congratulations on finishing writing your fiction or nonfiction manuscript! Or, maybe you’re in the middle, or have only finished the first chapter. In any case, you may have read my list of tasks to plan for when self-publishing your book, or found other sources with similar recommendations. In this planning stage, you may have decided [...]
Semicolons Represent Continuation You may know the grammatical function of semicolons, but did you know they represent so much more? If you've never heard of Project Semicolon, it's a cause I greatly believe in. Mental health and self-care are common discussions for writers, and especially for me, who edits psychology and self-help manuscripts. September is [...]
What Does Book Proofreading Include? While many people mistakenly believe all stages of book editing are the same as book “proofreading,” there is most definitely a difference. Not sure if your manuscript is ready for a proofread? Asking yourself, “How do I find someone to proofread my book?” Read on for answers! Traditional Publishing Sets the [...]
Writing is a unique journey, and every writer has their own style. Some meticulously plan every detail, while others embrace spontaneity and write "by the seat of their pants." As an editor who has worked with both types, I've come to appreciate the strengths and challenges each style includes. In this blog, we'll explore the [...]
Last year, I had the pleasure of listening to several audiobooks from some amazing writers, several of who provided excellent creative writing advice. In today’s blog, I want to highlight some of the best creative writing tips and techniques from the book Creative Quest, by the very talented Questlove. Why is Creativity Important? According to Questlove It [...]
All aspiring science fiction writers want their speculative fiction to take their readers on a journey. In the dynamic world of storytelling, the role of technology extends far beyond mere gadgets and gizmos. "Technology" can mean many things. Especially depending on context. As a sci-fi series editor, it helps to understand the multifaceted importance of [...]
What Does it Cost to Self-Publish a Book? As an editor with more than ten years of experience, I can’t tell you how many times writers have asked me, “What does it cost to self-publish a book?” Although it seems like a straightforward enough question, the simplest answer is “It varies,” but writers are seldom [...]
Has someone recommended that you look into getting a “beta reader” or “sensitivity reader”? You may not realize initially, but they are both types of beta readers that focus on different things in your writing. If you’re wondering what they are and why they’re helpful, the short answer is that they make your book better. [...]
“Write the truest sentence you know.” Then do it again. One sentence at a time, you write your story. Classic authors knew that there was nothing like capturing and keeping a reader’s attention, and titan in the literary world, Ernest Hemingway, knew and performed this trick better than most. Known for his concise, powerful prose, [...]
Like any creative, you will hear a multitude of advice on how to face rejection as a writer. No two pieces of advice are going to work the same for any one person; each person will have to find what helps soothe or motivate them after a rejection of a draft submission, no answer or [...]