Publishing Proverbs You Should Know

Publishing Proverbs You Should Know

Jul 6, 2020 | On Writing

Publishing is rife with conventional wisdom but some of it is actually useful. Here are some of the best. The first page sells the book, the last page sells the next book. I repeated this recently at a Zoom event and like an old dog full of old tricks I was surprised...
Reading for Novelists: Top 10 Books about Writers

Reading for Novelists: Top 10 Books about Writers

Jun 1, 2020 | On Writing

Like all the writers I know, I’ve been reading a lot during this pandemic, for comfort and consolation and even comic relief. New novels, old classics, perennial favorites—many of which are about writers. I was reminded of this reading Lily King’s WRITERS & LOVERS...
Think Like an Agent

Think Like an Agent

Aug 5, 2019 | On Writing

If you want to catch a fish, you have to think like a fish. If you want to get an agent, you have to think like an agent. That is, think like moi. (Even better, think like Janet Reid.) Move me. Like editors and publishers and readers, I’m looking for wonderful stories...
Writing Good First Lines: Think Theme

Writing Good First Lines: Think Theme

Jul 10, 2019 | On Writing

First lines matter. For readers, they’re a welcome sign, the promise that they’re in for a satisfying reading experience. For agents and editors, they’re proof that you know how to open a story in a way that keeps readers reading. If you don’t nail those opening...
The Ten Commandments for Writers: Writing Rules to Live By

The Ten Commandments for Writers: Writing Rules to Live By

Jun 12, 2019 | On Writing

1. Thou shalt not have strange genres before me. Aspiring authors often tell me, “I don’t want to be typecast.” And I tell them, “You should be so lucky.” Sure, when you’re first starting out, you might have to write in a number of genres before you find your sweet...

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