When showing our characters’ feelings, we often use the first idea that comes to mind, and they end up smiling, nodding, and frowning too much.If you need inspiration for creating characters’ emotional responses that are personalized and evocative, this ultimate show-don’t-tell guide for emotion can help. It includes: Body language cues, thoughts, and visceral responses for 130 emotions that cover a range of intensity from mild to severe, providing innumerable options for individualizing a character’s reactions A breakdown of the biggest emotion-related writing problems and how to overcome them Advice on what should be done beforedrafting to make sure your characters’ emotions will be realistic and consistent Instruction for how to show hidden feelings and emotional subtext through dialogue and nonverbal cues And much more! The Emotion Thesaurus, in its easy-to-navigate list format, will inspire you to create stronger, fresher character expressions and engage readers from your first page to your last.

    In Writing Irresistible Kidlit, literary agent Mary Kole shares her expertise on writing novels for young adult and middle grade readers and teaches you how to:Recognize the differences between middle grade and young adult audiences and how it impacts your writing. Tailor your manuscript's tone, length, and content to your readership. Avoid common mistakes and cliches that are prevalent in YA and MG fiction, in respect to characters, story ideas, plot structure and more. Develop themes and ideas in your novel that will strike emotional chords.Mary Kole's candid commentary and insightful observations, as well as a collection of book excerpts and personal insights from bestselling authors and editors who specialize in the children's book market, are invaluable tools for your kidlit career.If you want the skills, techniques, and know-how you need to craft memorable stories for teens and tweens, Writing Irresistible Kidlit can give them to you.

    Wired for Story reveals these cognitive secrets--and it's a game-changer for anyone who has ever set pen to paper. The vast majority of writing advice focuses on writing well as if it were the same as telling a great story. This is exactly where many aspiring writers fail--they strive for beautiful metaphors, authentic dialogue, and interesting characters, losing sight of the one thing that every engaging story must do: ignite the brain's hardwired desire to learn what happens next. When writers tap into the evolutionary purpose of story and electrify our curiosity, it triggers a delicious dopamine rush that tells us to pay attention. Without it, even the most perfect prose won't hold anyone's interest. Backed by recent breakthroughs in neuroscience as well as examples from novels, screenplays, and short stories, Wired for Story offers a revolutionary look at story as the brain experiences it. Each chapter zeroes in on an aspect of the brain, its corresponding revelation about story, and the way to apply it to your storytelling right now.

    Writing 21st Century Fiction will help you write a novel for today's readers and market, filled with rich characters, compelling plots, and resonant themes. Author and literary agent Donald Maass shows you how to:- Create fiction that transcends genre, conjures characters who look and feel more real than real people, and shows readers the work around them in new ways. - Infuse every page with an electric current of emotional appeal and micro-tension. - Harness the power of parallels, symbols, metaphors, and more to illuminate your novel in a lasting way. - Develop a personalized method of writing that works for you.With an arsenal of thought-provoking prompts and questions, plus plenty of examples from best-selling titles, Writing 21st Century Fiction will strip away your preconceived notions about writing in today's world and give you the essential tools you need to create fiction that will leave both readers and critics in awe.

    This is the book explaining how, with a few simple changes, I boosted my daily writing from 2000 words to over 10k a day, and how you can too."Expanding on her highly successful process for doubling daily word counts, this book, a combination of reworked blog posts and new material, offers practical writing advice for anyone who's ever longed to increase their daily writing output. In addition to updated information for Rachel's popular 2k to 10k writing efficiency process, 5 step plotting method, and easy editing tips, this new book includes chapters on creating characters that write their own stories, practical plot structure, and learning to love your daily writing. Full of easy to follow, practical advice from a commercial author who doesn't eat if she doesn't produce good books on a regular basis, 2k to 10k focuses not just on writing faster, but writing better, and having more fun while you do it.

    She received a World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2007, as well as two Mythopoeic Awards and the Guardian Fiction Award for Charmed Life. But she was also a witty, entertaining speaker, a popular guest at science fiction and fantasy conventions and an engaged, scholarly critic of writing that interested her.This collection of more than twenty-five papers, chosen by Diana herself, includes fascinating literary criticism (such as a study of narrative structure in The Lord of the Rings and a ringing endorsement of the value of learning Anglo Saxon) alongside autobiographical anecdotes about reading tours (including an account of her famous travel jinx), revelations about the origins of her books, and thoughts in general about the life of an author and the value of writing. The longest autobiographical piece, 'Something About the Author', details Diana's extraordinary childhood and is illustrated with family photographs. Reflections is essential reading for anyone interested in Diana's works, fantasy or creative writing.The collection features a foreword by Neil Gaiman and an introduction and interview by Charlie Butler, a respected expert on fantasy writing.

    In the War of Art Pressfield identifies the enemy to living an authentic life – resistance. In Turning Pro, Pressfield teaches you how to defeat it.

    Encouraged by the little yellow bird to look closely at the world around him for inspiration, Rocket sets out on a journey. Along the way he discovers small details that he has never noticed before, a timid baby owl who becomes his friend, and an idea for a story. Declared a best children's book of the year by Amazon, Barnes & Noble, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly, this book is sure to appeal to kids, parents, teachers, and librarians.

    Because of this experience, I self-published my next book, What the Plus!, and learned first-hand that self-publishing is a complex, confusing, and idiosyncratic process. As Steve Jobs said, “There must be a better way.”With Shawn Welch, a tech wizard, I wrote APE to help people take control of their writing careers. APE’s thesis is powerful yet simple: filling the roles of Author, Publisher and Entrepreneur yields results that rival traditional publishing. We call this "artisanal publishing"--that is, when writers who love their craft control the publishing process and produce high-quality books.APE is 300 pages of tactical and practical inspiration. People who want a hype-filled, get-rich-quick book should look elsewhere. On the other hand, if they want a comprehensive and realistic guide to self-publishing,APE is the answer.

    This handbook shows you how to perform the transformation from ordinary narrative to deep narrative in clear, easy-to-master steps. I invite you to sweep your writing to the next level with a technique that creates immediacy and intimacy with your readers and virtually eliminates show/don't tell issues. My Best to You, Jill

    It’s the harmful debris of your education—a mixture of half-truths, myths, and false assumptions that prevents you from writing well. Drawing on years of experience as a writer and teacher of writing, Verlyn Klinkenborg offers an approach to writing that will change the way you work and think. There is no gospel, no orthodoxy, no dogma in this book. What you’ll find here isn’t the way to write. Instead, you’ll find a way to clear your mind of illusions about writing and discover how you write. Several Short Sentences About Writing is a book of first steps and experiments. They will revolutionize the way you think and perceive, and they will change forever the sense of your own authority as a writer. This is a book full of learning, but it’s also a book full of unlearning—a way to recover the vivid, rhythmic, poetic sense of language you once possessed. An indispensable and unique book that will give you a clear understanding of how to think about what you do when you write and how to improve the quality of your writing.

    It includes: how to test your premise, some easy steps to develop your character and define your story question from that character, how to hit your major plot points, and how to write a scene outline. Concise, clear, and action-oriented, this book is all about plotting, simplified.

    When an innocent game of dodge ball turns vicious, it's up to Carter to take control of the blue team. He's scared, tired, and misses home, but refuses to give in. Deep in combat, he's taken prisoner and is being used as bait behind enemy lines. Is there any chance of rescue or is he doomed to be the red team's prisoner forever?Dodge Ball Wars is a 5600 word funny adventure for children ages 9-12. It's also available in Adventure Clubhouse #5: Another Collection of Action Packed Stories For Kids.

    Discover the difference between Ordinary Setting that bogs down your story, and Active Setting that empowers your story — creating a compelling story world, regardless of what you write.* See how to spin boring descriptions into engaging prose.* Learn to deepen the reader's experience of your story world through sensory details.* Notice how changing characters’ POV can change your setting.* Explore ways to maximize the setting possibilities in your story.WRITING ACTIVE SETTING is a powerful combination of fresh insights, practical examples, and how-to advice on the often overlooked but critical element of Setting ... written in a quick-to-read and easy-to-understand style, and packed with useful application exercises. ~~ Kelly L. Stone, author of THINKING WRITE: The Secret to Freeing Your Creative Mind

    But it can be hard to know where to begin if you're just getting started. Or perhaps you have a backlist of books but now you want to self-publish, learn more about book marketing or make more money as an author.This free Blueprint will help as it contains everything I know - and I have gone from first book in a day job I hated to full-time author entrepreneur as well as a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author.In the Author 2.0 Blueprint you will discover:How the publishing industry has changed and why you need to change too in order to be successfulTips on writing fiction and non-fictionWhat is an indie author anyway and the pros and cons of your publishing optionsHow to self-publish print, ebooks and even audiobooksHow to market your books - fiction and non-fictionHow to build a viable business as an authorand much more, plus links to articles, audios and videos that will help you make sense of it all. You'll also get my monthly updates which are packed with more tips to help you become a more successful author.

    But what does it take to create a successful picture book for children? In this publication, Martin Salisbury and Morag Styles introduce us to the world of children's picturebooks, providing a solid background to the industry while exploring the key concepts and practices that have gone into the creation of successful picturebooks.

    Y and Our Tragic Universe  Exploring how fiction works, this manual shows you how you can learn to understand it well enough to crack open any fictional narrative, and, if you like, start creating your own. Have you ever had your heart broken, or broken someone else's heart? Have you ever won an argument but later realized you were wrong? Have you ever tripped in public or spilled wine on someone else's carpet? Have you ever tried to help someone who didn't want to be helped—or even someone who did? Have you ever been in trouble, big or small? Have you ever felt trapped? Have you ever gossiped, felt bad about it, and then found that you've been the subject of gossip yourself? Have you ever basically felt like a chimp in a pair of jeans, caught up in endless drama and with no idea of how the universe works? This is an ode to secret power of stories, and a guide to cracking those powers open.

    But you can outrank them on Amazon search every time! Why? Because 99% of Kindle authors don't know how to increase their search engine rankings in Amazon and Google. But I do - and I'm going to show you how in this book (it won't cost you a dime to implement these strategies by the way).Most authors (even the ones with publishers and big marketing budgets) have no idea how to do keyword research, tag their book, add the right search keywords when they publish their book or insert keywords in their book description without it sounding like it was written by a robot.For New Authors: Step-By-Step Instructions With Picture TutorialsIf you're a first-time Kindle publisher or technologically challenged then this book is for you! I even had my Grandma Ann Knowles follow the instructions step by step and she gave it a big thumbs up for easy to use instructions. The playing field has been leveled with ebook publishing - and if my Grandma can do it, I guarantee you can too!For Existing Authors: How To Sell More Books In 5 Days Than You Did Last MonthI'm going to share with you my KDP Select Free Promotion Marketing Formula for getting tens of thousands of readers to download your book in just 5 days. All you have to do is read the Marketing Formula instructions and follow them (it takes about 3 hours of work to get thousands of new readers).How To Sell On Kindle Using Your Book DescriptionIf you think your book is going to sell itself, think again! If you're a fiction author or novelist, you have to show your readers the story and engage them in it or they won't buy a book from an unknown author. And if you're a non-fiction author, you have to tell potential readers how your book is going to help them solve their problem fast or they'll click away, never having even downloaded your book. I'm going to show you the Show And Tell system for selling more books on Kindle by giving you readers what they want and overcoming objections in your book description!Kindle marketing isn't about having a big marketing budget or publisher behind you - but you still need exposure and a great offer. This book will help you with get more exposure with Amazon search and other great marketing tips.You also have to make buying your book an irresistible offer so that when browsers get done reading your book description they say, "I have to buy this book!" You can't do that without a strategic plan and a well-written book description.Bonus! Video interviews with best-selling Kindle authors as they share their coveted book marketing strategies.

    Whether you’re a planner, a seat-of-the-pants writer, or something in between, Scrivener provides tools for every stage of the writing process. Scrivener For Dummies walks you step-by-step through this popular writing software’s best features. This friendly For Dummies guide starts with the basics, but even experienced scriveners will benefit from the helpful tips for getting more from their favourite writing software.-Walks you through customizing project templates for your project needs-Offers useful advice on compiling your project for print and e-book formats -Helps you set up project and document targets and minimize distractions to keep you on track and on deadline-Explains how to storyboard with the corkboard, create collections, and understand their value-Shows you how to use automated backups to protect your hard work along the wayFrom idea inception to manuscript submission, Scrivener for Dummies makes it easier than ever to plan, write, organize, and revise your masterpiece in Scrivener.

    With a comprehensive introduction to the genre and book by editor Dinty W. Moore, The Field Guide is perfect for both the classroom and the individual writer’s desk—an essential handbook for anyone interested in the scintillating and succinct flash nonfiction form. How many words does it take to tell a compelling true story? The answer might surprise you. “The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction, edited by the invaluable Dinty W. Moore, is a lot more than flashy. These thoughtful, thought-provoking essays and exercises have the paradoxical effect of slowing down our attention and encouraging an expansion of the moment, while seeming to be saving writing and reading time. A very useful compilation.” ~Phillip Lopate , The Art of the Personal Essay: An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present

    You just need to learn what’s going on inside your brain, and harness the power of brain science to beat resistance and develop a productive writing habit.In Around the Writer’s Block, Rosanne Bane-- a creativity coach and writing teacher for more than 20 years-- uses the most recent breakthroughs in brain science to help us understand, in simple, clear language, where writing resistance comes from: a fight-or-flight response hard-wired into our brain, which can make us desperate to flee the sources of our anxieties by any means possible.Bane’s three-part plan, which has improved the productivity of thousands of writers, helps you develop new reliable writing habits, rewire the brain’s responses to the anxiety of writing, and turn writing from a source of stress and anxiety into one of joy and personal growth.

    There's a way of using somewhat fevered, rugose prose to describe both the beauty and horror of the mundane, then switching to a plainer mode when describing the outer limits stuff, that brings to mind King's 80s and 90s work." – io9.com* * *500 WAYS TO TELL A BETTER STORY aims to help you be a stronger writer and a savvier storyteller. You’ll learn how to infuse your narrative with mystery and gain tips on tackling the first chapter or mushy middle of your story. The book answers questions like, “What is transmedia? Why is now the coolest time to be a storyteller? How do I write a fantasy novel? What’s this guy’s fascination with unicorns, pornography, whiskey, and profanity?” And, finally, “Where are my pants? I was wearing pants when I started reading this book.”The book roves giddily between advice that is practical, abstract, and downright satirical. Whether you’re a novelist, screenwriter or game designer, contained within you’ll find an exploration of what it is that we do – and how we do it better.(Warning: Okay, seriously? This book really is NSFW. It features a heaping helping of naughty language. Proceed with filters off.)500 WAYS TO TELL A BETTER STORY contains the following:25 Lies Writers Tell (And Start To Believe)25 Realizations Writers Need To Have25 Reasons I Hate Your Main Character25 Reasons Now Is The Best Time To Be A Storyteller25 Reasons You Should Quit Writing25 Things All Writers Need25 Things I Learned While Writing Blackbirds25 Things I Want To Say To So-Called “Aspiring” Writers25 Things To Know About Writing The First Chapter Of Your Novel25 Things Writers Should Know About Creating Mystery25 Things You Should Know About Creativity25 Things You Should Know About Transmedia Storytelling25 Things You Should Know About Word Choice25 Things You Should Know About Writing Fantasy25 Things You Should Know About Writing Sex25 Things You Should Know About Writing Short Stories25 Ways To Earn Your Audience25 Ways To Fight Your Story’s Mushy Middle25 Ways To Unf-ck Your Story25 Ways To Write Full-Time

    With true insight, a master teacher of screenwriting pinpoints the story structure reasons most new spec scripts don't sell; then uses scores of examples from popular hit movies to present, step by step, his revolutionary Hero Goal Sequences blueprint for writing blockbuster movies.

    This book is chock-full of excellent tips to help you learn to write like the pros and create a compelling novel that sells. Not only that, but if you apply these tips to your manuscript, you'll save a lot of money on editing costs.Topics include: hooking readers in on your first pages, writing compelling action scenes, style blunders to avoid, showing instead of telling, streamlining cluttered sentences and paragraphs, avoiding repetitions, choosing words that nail it, varying your pacing, avoiding info dumps, smoothing out awkward structures, writing natural-sounding dialogue, expressing thoughts, showing character reactions, avoiding melodrama, finding your authentic voice, and more.

    What To Do Before Your Book Launch is a guide for authors, covering everything from working with your publisher, to reading in public, to help for publicity and marketing, to using (and misusing) social media, to how to dress for your author photo…and far more, including cautionary tales, worksheets, timelines and etiquette tips.

    More than a primer on effective writing, Dancing on the Head of a Pen is a winsome guide to the place in the heart where the life of the spirit meets the life of art. “Dancing on the Head of a Pen is a pure delight to read. Encouraging, honest, practical, and important. I needed this book.”—Melody Carlson, author of more 200 books including Finding Alice  “With deceptive simplicity and an almost seductive easiness in his voice, Benson lays open before us the filigreed mystique of the writing life in all its beauty, its unmitigated angst, and its inescapable vocation.”—Phyllis Tickle, author of numerous books including The Divine Hours “Robert Benson’s Dancing on the Head of a Pen is a gem. It is wise, witty, and inspiring—a trifecta seldom achieved by a book on the writing life.”—James Scott Bell, bestselling author of Plot & Structure After some forty years and nearly twenty books, I have learned I do not know about a lot of things, but I do know how to write a book. Some of these things are habits stolen from other writers, writers far better than I am. Some are disciplines I stumbled upon to feed both the caliber of the writing and the work of being a writer. Some of them are practices I discovered on my own after years of dancing on the head of a pen.—Robert Benson The Life of the Spirit Meets the Life of Art A compelling combination of advice and inspiration, Dancing on the Head of a Pen will challenge and encourage writers, artists, musicians, painters—anyone drawn to a life of artistic expression.  Digging deeply into his own writing habits, failures, and successes, Robert Benson helps you choose the ideal audience for your work, commit to it, and overcome the hurdles that inevitably confront both aspiring artists and accomplished professionals. Extending beyond the craft of writing, this gentle book moves into a rich discussion on the relationship between spirituality and art. Including wisdom from revered writers past and present, Dancing on the Head of a Pen is a beautiful mosaic of inspiration, practical help, and a glimpse into the disciplines that shape one writer’s life.

    Now this landmark work has been thoroughly revised and updated for the twenty-first century. Compiled by an entirely new team of editors, the fourth edition--the first new edition in almost twenty years--reflects recent changes in literary and cultural studies, providing up-to-date coverage and giving greater attention to the international aspects of poetry, all while preserving the best of the previous volumesAt well over a million words and more than 1,000 entries, the Encyclopedia has unparalleled breadth and depth. Entries range in length from brief paragraphs to major essays of 15,000 words, offering a more thorough treatment--including expert synthesis and indispensable bibliographies--than conventional handbooks or dictionaries.This is a book that no reader or writer of poetry will want to be without.Thoroughly revised and updated by a new editorial team for twenty-first-century students, scholars, and poets More than 250 new entries cover recent terms, movements, and related topics Broader international coverage includes articles on the poetries of more than 110 nations, regions, and languages Expanded coverage of poetries of the non-Western and developing worlds Updated bibliographies and cross-references New, easier-to-use page design Fully indexed for the first time

    Those with heart conditions or frail demeanors should not read* * *500 MORE WAYS TO BE A BETTER WRITER is the sequel to 500 WAYS TO BE A BETTER WRITER (which is itself a sequel to 250 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WRITING).Nab this book and you’ll find within a series of lists geared toward enlightening you with the short sharp satori smack of dubious writing wisdom. The book contains a veritable avalanche of writing advice meant to help novelists, screenwriters and other storytellers better understand topics near and dear to the penmonkey existence. The book answers questions such as, “How do I find my voice? What should I know about procuring an agent? How do I find the proper story structure for my story? Where are my pants?”500 MORE WAYS contains the following:25 Financial F**k-Ups Writers Make 25 Mistakes To Look For In Your Writing 25 Reasons Readers Will Keep Reading Your Story 25 Reasons Readers Will Quit Reading Your Story 25 Reasons Writers Are Bug-F**k Nuts 25 Things I Want To Say To So-Called “Aspiring” Writers 25 Things Writers Should Know About Blogging 25 Things Writers Should Know About Agents 25 Things Writers Should Start Doing (As Soon As Possible) 25 Things Writers Should Stop Doing (Starting Right Now) 25 Things You Should Know About Narrative Structure 25 Things You Should Know About Protagonists 25 Things You Should Know About Rejection 25 Things You Should Know About Setting 25 Things You Should Know About Suspense And Tension In Storytelling 25 Things You Should Know About Your Authorial Voice 25 Things You Should Know About Your “Finished” Novel 25 Ways For Writers To Help Other Writers Appendix I: 25 More Writing Challenges Appendix II: 25 Things You Should Know About Me

    or just learn more about how languages work with the same accurate yet fun approach as the original LCK.

    

    Recognized by industry insiders in the Philippines as “the man perfect to write this book,” the author has been at the helm of various publications, from Manila Standard’s The Good Life, for which he was lifestyle editor for seven years, to Manila Bulletin’s Sense&Style, in which he is the current editor-in-chief. He began practically as the “other editor” of Lifestyle Asia back when it was blazing the trail for glossy magazines in the early nineties. Blurring the distinction between instruction and inspiration, WHWN boldly takes the reader along the author’s adventures and misadventures in the publishing world. With a foreword by ruthless editor and bestselling author Jullie Yap Daza and with vignettes from the country’s top editors and writers, never has any book on writing in the Philippines been such a pleasure to read that it makes you want to “write here write now.”

    In this straightforward how-to, he offers down-to-earth guidance on crafting an effective and meaningful online platform.In Platform, you will learn how to:Extend your influence, monetize it, and build a sustainable career. Get noticed and start earning money in an increasingly noisy world.  Learn to amplify, update, polish, and organize your content for success.Platform goes behind the scenes into the world of social media success. You’ll discover what bestselling authors, public speakers, entrepreneurs, musicians, and other creatives are doing differently to gain contacts, connections, and followers and win customers in today’s crowded marketplace.With proven strategies, easy-to-replicate formulas, and practical tips, this book makes it easier, less expensive, and more possible than ever to stand out from the crowd and launch a business.

    For scholars frustrated with disciplinary conventions, and for specialists who want to write for a larger audience but are unsure where to begin, here are imaginative, practical, witty pointers that show how to make articles and books a pleasure to read and to write.Dispelling the myth that you cannot get published without writing wordy, impersonal prose, Sword shows how much journal editors and readers welcome work that avoids excessive jargon and abstraction. Sword s analysis of more than a thousand peer-reviewed articles across a wide range of fields documents a startling gap between how academics typically describe good writing and the turgid prose they regularly produce."Stylish Academic Writing" showcases a range of scholars from the sciences, humanities, and social sciences who write with vividness and panache. Individual chapters take up specific elements of style, such as titles and headings, chapter openings, and structure, and close with examples of transferable techniques that any writer can master.

    Step by step, you'll breathe life into old manuscripts, create new novels that read like bestsellers, and put the spark back into your writing life. Topics include: Story Structure Character Building Viewpoint Tense Voice Setting Conflict Suspense Mystery Dialogue Writing Big Beginnings and Endings Getting Published Whether you're a first time novelist still planning your story, or an experienced author looking for ways to bring your fiction to life, How to Fix Your Novel is the ideal prescription.

    But creating a captivating storyline that mesmerizes your audience until the very end is easier said than done. With thousands of engaging books on the shelf, you'll need to set yours apart by developing unique scenarios that leave readers wondering what happens next.In this writing workbook, celebrated writing teacher and author Martha Alderson covers everything from constructing spirited action and compelling characters to establishing an unforgettable ending. She also walks you through the development of a successful narrative with exercises that: Help build suspenseIncorporate effective subplotsTie up all the loose endsKeep the reader turning pages Filled with essential advice and writing exercises, /"The Plot Whisperer Workbook" will quickly become your go-to guide for crafting a tale worthy of the bestseller list

    In their hotly anticipated follow-up to 2008’s comics textbook Drawing Words & Writing Pictures, School of Visual Arts cartooning professors Matt Madden and Jessica Abel bring their expertise to bear on the “second semester” of a course of study for the budding cartoonist. Covering advanced topics such as story composition, coloring, and file formatting, Mastering Comics is a vital companion to the introductory content of the first volume.

    You need to select and create a variety of formats that will be read on a variety of e-reader devices--and market and sell your book in a variety of ways. Before you take the plunge, get this practical guide. With clear instruction and sensible advice, it will help you navigate the often confusing, time-consuming, and costly world of self-publishing an e-book. The book gives you solid marketing tips for selling your e-book, including using blogging and social media and how to build an online platform. It also discusses key technologies you'll encounter, including Smashwords, iBooks Author, Amazon, Microsoft Word, Open Office, Calibre, WordPress, E-junkie, and others.Helps readers navigate the confusing, time-consuming, and often costly world of self-publishing an e-book Provides both technical how-tos as well solid marketing advice on how to sell your e-book using Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and other social media sites Covers essential technologies, such as Smashwords, iBooks Author, Amazon, Microsoft Word, Open Office, Calibre, WordPress, and E-junkie Explores e-book devices, including Kindle, Kobo, Sony Reader, Nook, iPad, and other tablets Delves into the nitty-gritty of e-book formats Before you self-publish your e-book, start first with Publishing eBooks For Dummies.

    There's not a writer alive, novice or master, who will not benefit from this book and fall in love with it. Cover to cover, this wise little book is riveting and delightful. Readers will turn to The Mindful Writer again and again as a source inspiration, guidance, and support.

    Allen (THE CAMILLA RANDALL MYSTERIES) and bestselling international author Catherine Ryan Hyde (PAY IT FORWARD and 17 other novels). It’s a distillation of mentorship Catherine has provided over the years combined with Anne’s most popular blog advice. It’s the proverbial “What we wish we hadn’t learned the hard way.” Ebook buyers will receive a FREE updated version every six months to ensure you always have the latest information and advice available as you pursue your writing career.

    A number of writers are now making a living publishing their own ebooks. Most, however, are finding the results disappointing. Usually this comes from the lack of a coherent publishing strategy.It's too bad, because the right approach can greatly increase the odds that a writer will realize significant returns over the course of a lifetime. In Self Publishing Attack! you'll get a simple yet powerful plan for creating an increasing stream of revenue publishing ebooks--and keeping it flowing for as long as you write.This is not a technical, how-to-upload manual. Instead, Self Publishing Attack! provides you with a strategic and businesslike program for long-term publishing success. You'll learn:* The single most important secret for ironclad profitability * Step-by-step instructions for generating marketing copy * How to think like a publisher so your ebooks are discovered in a crowded marketplace* Insider tips for writing books that sell, both fiction and non-fiction* How to avoid the most common design mistakes* The keys to an effective marketing campaignAnd more.From #1 bestselling writing coach James Scott Bell, author of Plot & Structure, Writing Fiction for All You're Worth and The Art of War for Writers, comes a practical, experience-tested method for cashing in on the amazing new opportunities in self-publishing. "As an author with over eighty published books, I'm always interested in learning new strategies to give my older/out-of-print titles new life. In this e-driven age, getting those books onto Kindle, Nook, and so on is critical. Kudos to James Scott Bell for giving me the tools I need to see that happen successfully!" -- Janice Hanna Thompson, author of The Director's Cut

    How to plan, create and edit work that will sell. How to write a book that you'll be proud of- and which might yet launch you on a new career.Crammed with examples (positive and negative) from successful authors, this essential guide is for writers of every genre: fiction and narrative non-fiction, literary and commercial, adults and children. This guide tells you how to: - Understand your market - Plan your novel or memoir - Develop strong, empathetic characters - Structure and maintain a compelling plot - Ensure that your prose style is strong enough to carry your story - Polish your work until it shines

    But writing doesn't have to be "boring nerd-work." Writing is about power; it's about fun; it's about spoofs, humor, sports, blood, farts, superheroes, giant monsters tearing down the city, and serious subjects, too. Ralph Fletcher, a guy writer himself and the author of forty-one books, discusses every tip needed to find the sweet spot in writing: the place where everything except the words stands still. With advice from favorite authors like Jon Scieszka, Jarrett Krosoczka, and Robert Lipsyte, this hands-on book will make a writer out of any guy.

    Written by award-winning teacher and writer, Kate Hopper, this book will help women find the heart of their writing, learn to use motherhood as a lens through which to write the world, and turn their motherhood stories into art. Each chapter of Use Your Words focuses on an element of craft and contains a lecture, a published essay, and writing exercises that will serve as jumping-off points for the readers' own writing. Chapter topics include: the importance of using concrete details, an overview of creative nonfiction as a genre, character development, voice, humor, tense and writing the "hard stuff," reflection and back-story, structure, revision, and publishing. The content of each lecture is aligned with the essay/poem in that chapter to help readers more easily grasp the elements of craft being discussed. Together the chapters provide a unique opportunity for mother writers to learn and grow as writers. Use Your Words takes the approach that creative writing can be taught, and this underscores each chapter. When students learn to read like writers, to notice how a piece is put together, and to question the choices a writer makes, they begin to think like writers. When they learn to ground their writing in concrete, sensory details and begin to understand how to create believable characters and realistic dialogue, their own writing improves. Use Your Words reflects Kate's style as a teacher, guiding the reader in a straightforward, nurturing, and passionate voice. As one student noted in a class evaluation: "Kate is a born writer and teacher, and her enthusiasm for essays about motherhood and for teaching the nuts and bolts of writing so that ordinary mothers have the tools to write their stories is a gift to the world. She is raising the value of motherhood in our society as she helps mothers build their confidence and strengthen their game as writers."

    The handbook gives examples, worksheets, and tools to enable every writer to query well. For writers seeking publication, QUERY will provide practical, usable assistance for every stage of the querying process.

    Brooke Warner is a publishing expert with thirteen years' experience as an acquiring editor for major trade houses. In her book, she brings her unique understanding of book publishing (from the vantage point of coach, editor, and publisher) to each of the book's five chapters, which include understanding the art of becoming an author, getting over common hurdles, challenging counterproductive mindsets, building an author platform, and ultimately getting published. Brooke is known for her straightforward delivery, honest assessments, and compassionate touch with authors. What's Your Book? contains the inspiration and information every writer needs to publish their first or next book.

    You want to write great poems. You want to write poems that challenge, inspire and awe. You want to write poems that forever alter your audience, that forever alter yourself. Those poems take guts. Glitter in the Blood: A Poet's Manifesto to Better, Braver Writing will put you in constant contact with your guts. Pushcart prize nominated and highly accomplished performance poet Mindy Nettifee is not going to lead you step-by-step up a how-to staircase. With this collection of essays, prompts and exercises, Mindy is giving you the wrench you need to open up the blood and let it flow into your writing.

    One way to increase your exposure on Amazon's search engine is through keywords.Are you ready for your book launch day? One key to getting on the Amazon bestseller's list is to sell as many books as possible in one day. And when you choose your categories wisely, you will have less competition and more success on launch day.Learn how to optimize your books on Amazon and Kindle using categories, tags and more. I will take you step-by-step through the process using screenshots to show you exactly what to do. I have been publishing books since 2008 and wish I would have known this information at that time. I now want to share all the tips and tricks that I have learned with you to decrease your learning curve.Join me as I teach you 21 things you can easily do for free to get more exposure and sales.What is included in this book:Know the Anatomy of an Amazon Book Sales PageChoose the Best Categories For Your BookSign Up For Author CentralAdd Your Books to Your Author ProfileChange Your Book Categories For Print BooksChange Your Book Categories for Kindle eBooksMake Sure the Print and Kindle Versions Are LinkedAdd Search Keywords To Your BookAdd Tags to Your Book Sales PageAdd Subjects To Your Book Sales PageUpdate Your Author ProfilePost Your Most Powerful Reviews on Your Book Sales PageAdd From the Author to Your Book Sales PageCreate a Compelling Book DescriptionAdd Extras Through ShelfariUpdate Your Amazon Public ProfileGet Valuable Sales Data For Print and Kindle BooksGet Customer Reviews For Your BookSign Up For The Amazon Associate ProgramDigitally Autograph Your Kindle eBooksPromote Your Book Via Social MediaAnd more!It is truly amazing what a few tweaks and changes to your Amazon account can do for your book rankings. Within just a few days of optimizing my account, one of my books hit #1 on the Kindle for its category. What are you waiting for? --> Get a copy of this book and get started optimizing your Amazon and Kindle book sales pages for increased exposure and sales.

    But what if you had an attention-grabbing answer that left your audience wanting more? It’s not only possible, it’s simple if you have the right tools.Story consultant Jordan Smith has helped countless storytellers strengthen and pitch their stories. His tool of choice is the logline, a technique for selling screenplays that is little known outside of Hollywood. Jordan has adapted this powerful tool and made it accessible to all storytellers.Not only is a logline useful for answering that frightening question, it’s also handy for keeping your story on track. If you don’t know the core of your story, you run the risk of meandering it into places where it doesn’t belong. With these techniques, you can solve story problems early before they cause you trouble.Inside this book, you’ll find:The Quick-Start Logline Chapter to get you going right awayExercises to build your logline skills one step at a time- The four fundamental logline rules- Useful chapters to dig deeper and handle special cases- More examples than you can shake a stick at- And more! Whether you write novels, movies, comic books, songs, or even operas, this book is for you. Every storyteller should be able to say in one sentence what his story is about. Finding the Core of Your Story will help you learn to do just that.

    . . Not Even Close. (Usually what's going on is playful arguing with snacks on the table.) McNair Wilson spent a decade inside Disney--mostly at Disney Imagineering designing theme parks. His teams HATCHed so many ideas he was invited to teach his methods through Disney University. His 7 Agreements of Brainstorming will assist your team in launching world-class products, services, and programs. You will create competition-crushing concepts using brainstorming that works! (And you can keep the snacks on the table.) Whatever's next for your organization, why not make it BEST? McNair's clients include Apple, the Salvation Army, and aerospace companies that make objects currently orbiting the planet. HATCH! is a highly entertaining book filled with the author's witty drawings and scores of examples of McNair's 7 Agreements in use by big corporations and small non-profits. Turns out, McNair says, working at the top of your creativity affects the bottom line. Count on your competition reading HATCH! Get TWO copies: You'll loan it to a friend and NEVER see it again.

    Wouldn't they? Gretchen Bernabei and Dorothy HallIn their signature easy-to-implement style, Gretchen Bernabei and Dorothy Hall offer new options for teaching expository writing that more realistically match the way readers actually think and writers actually write. While many state assessments as well as the Common Core ask students to write about their opinions, the goal in The Story of My Thinking is to help teachers take their kids through the various stages of the writing process (from generating ideas to publication) in a way that breaks down the barrier between academic writing and creative writing and helps kids produce vibrant nonfiction with voice and conviction.The Story of My Thinking provides 13 writing activities for familiar teaching situations, with step-by-step lessons that help you bridge the gap between narrative and informative writing. Using the same classroom-tested strategies that made Crunchtime a bestseller, the authors give the flexibility of dipping in and out of the lessons as you need them. For example, If you want them to explore topics for deep development and systemic growth, use Gretchen's Inner Streams/Gritty Life activity along with the tools that help students plan their thinking. Choose the lesson that matches your teaching situation today, and then another one tomorrow.When authentic, personal experiences replace canned, pre-written topics, and students are provided with structures that reflect how readers read, their writing transforms from formulaic to passionate. And when students have plenty of chances to write about topics that are meaningful to them, in a variety of ways, for a variety of situations, then they will be ready for any writing assignment.

    

    Never fear--author and editor Chuck Sambuchino provides expert, practical advice for increasing your visibility, selling more books, and launching a successful career. In "Create Your Writer Platform," you'll learn: The definition of a platform--and why you should start building one "now."How to harness the 12 Fundamental Principles of Platform."Old School" and "New School" approaches to platform, from article writing and conference speaking to website development, blog posts, and social media avenues.How to develop a platform for nonfiction, fiction, and memoir. In addition to Chuck's invaluable insights, you'll also find 12 case studies from authors with effective platforms, as well as professional advice from literary agents. If you're serious about building a platform tailored to "you" and "your writing"--a platform that's going to help you succeed as a writer--look no further than "Create Your Writer Platform."

     Suddenly it's a cinch to publish -- pop your manuscript up online via Amazon's KDP, INScribe, Smashwords, or Pubit! and voila, you've got an e-book. The number of authors, self-published and otherwise, is exploding. But what everybody seems to be talking about is marketing. They're overlooking the actual writing. There's a lot of talk about the sizzle, and yet scant attention to the steak. This book says hold on a minute! It's not just marketing; it has to be a great book. You have to know how to write. Funny and fast, as a book must be in the digital age, DIGITAL INK takes you through all the basics: dialogue, plot, character development, POV, and more. DIGITAL INK will transform your writing. "Digital Ink is a MUST READ for unpublished authors, as well as those of us who wish to review our craft. Tried and true techniques that work in any market. --New York Times bestselling author, Kat Martin "This book is packed with clear information, advice, and examples that will transform your novel. Before you publish, read this book!" --Jen Calonita, bestselling author of SECRETS OF MY HOLLYWOOD LIFE, SLEEPAWAY GIRLS, and the new series for Young Adults, BELLES

    Did screenwriter Danny Rubin know what he was doing when he wrote it? That it would star Bill Murray and become a hit? That it would become a touchstone for major religions? That psychologists would come to prescribe the movie to their patients? Follow this unique screenplay's exciting journey through agents, directors, studios, stars and the writer's own confused brain to emerge as one of the most delightful and profoundly affecting comedies of all time. For movie lovers and screenwriters alike, "How To Write Groundhog Day" includes the original screenplay, notes, scene sketches, and a personal tour of the Hollywood writing process from this popular screenwriting teacher.

    In this practical dayby-day guide to revising your manuscript, you will:• End procrastination by breaking your work into manageable tasks• Learn the technical skills necessary to bring your prose to life• Discover how to write compelling dialogue• Solve narrative problems of structure, point of view and pacing• Learn how to sell and market your book once it is completed

    Acknowledged by the media industries and authors as the essential guide to how to get published.The 70+ articles are updated and added to each year. Together they provide invaluable guidance on subjects such as series fiction, writing historical or funny books, preparing an illustration portfolio, managing your finances, interpreting publishers' contracts, self-publishing your work.NEW articles for the 2019 edition include:- Writing news stories for children - Writing convincing dialogue - Creating graphic novels for children - How to manage your career as a writerAll of the 2,000 listings of who to contact across the media have been reviewed and updated.The essential guide for any writer for children.

    They need dread them no more. In this short ebook, Write a Great Synopsis – An Expert Guide, Nicola Morgan takes the stress out of the subject and applies calm, systematic guidance, with her renowned no-nonsense approach and laconic style. Write a Great Synopsis covers: the function of a synopsis, the differences between outlines and synopses, dealing with requirements for different agents and publishers, finding the heart of your book, how to tackle non-linear plots, multiples themes, sub-plots and long novels, and it answers all the questions and confusions that writers have. Nicola also introduces readers to her patent Crappy Memory Tool, explains the art of crafting a 25-word pitch, and demonstrates with real examples. Gold-dust for writers at all stages.FEEDBACKCarole Blake, top agent and author of From Pitch to Publication: "It is a truly fabulous tool for authors, addressing a problem area that can stop new writers in their tracks. ... I think this book will alleviate so much of the stress that writers feel when approaching the moment when they must write a synopsis. Congratulations to Nicola Morgan: I will be recommending it to clients. The advice is pure gold." Joanna Cannon, aspiring writer: "Write a Great Synopsis answered all of my awkward questions and now I actually want to write one. Nicola Morgan's usual wit, wisdom and honesty, as well as the clear, helpful information, make her advice stand out in the crowd of 'how-to' books on the market."Liz de Jager, writer and blogger: “Having read a great many blogposts and comments from all and sundry on the internet, and still come away confused, I fell on my copy of Write a Great Synopsis with gusto. Nicola Morgan has gone and, in her usual charming and no-nonsense style, given us something to refer to again and again. There is solid advice from Nicola, several actual examples, but also commentary from industry professionals, which genuinely makes you re-think your approach to writing in general, and working on that synopsis." Clare Kirkpatrick, aspiring author: "I am now actually itching to ... get to what now feels like the exciting job of writing the synopsis! I had a go at the method Nicola recommends, and found to my delight that my novel does indeed have a heart and it's not just a pile of tangled crap after all. I am all fired up again!"Kirsty Logan, writer newly signed with an agent: "I was starting to think that writing a synopsis was harder than writing a novel, but Nicola Morgan stopped me panicking, with her wise, friendly, experienced advice."

    It just gave me the validation as a writer that I've never had before. Seldom do I run across other writers in person and so reading Mark's book really was a confidence booster. I recommend this book to all writers especially those who are new. It's the added boost we all need to see our little "babies" rise from the literary crib to adulthood."~ 5-star Review by: Kathleen Morris on Sep. 27, 2012 at SmashwordsLearn the 30 secrets of the bestselling self-published ebook authors. Learn how to make your book more discoverable and more desirable to readers. Learn how to reach readers around the globe at Amazon and other major retailers.This updated 2013 edition of The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success has already helped tens of thousands of self-published ebook authors publish more professionally and with greater success.This ebook is a must-read for every writer, author, publisher and literary agent. Whether you're considering publishing a book for the first time, or you're a long-time veteran, this book will help you take your self-publishing to the next level.Includes a comprehensive glossary of e-publishing terms. No technical experience necessary!A great companion to Mark Coker's other popular e-publishing guides, The Smashwords Style Guide (how to format and publish an ebook) and The Smashwords Book Marketing Guide (how to market any book for free).Share the secrets. Enjoy!Table of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionThe SecretsSecret 1: Write a great bookSecret 2: Pinch your penniesSecret 3: Create a great ebook coverSecret 4: Practice metadata magicSecret 5: Write another great bookSecret 6: Build reader trustSecret 7: Embrace your obscuritySecret 8: Spend your time wiselySecret 9: Maximize distributionSecret 10: Avoid exclusivitySecret 11: Give (some of) your books away for FREESecret 12: Understand the algorithmSecret 13: How retailers select titles for feature promotionSecret 14: Patience paysSecret 15: How books develop (the four behaviors)Secret 16: Trust your customers and supply chain partnersSecret 17: Platform building starts yesterdaySecret 18: Architect for viralitySecret 19: Tweak your viral catalystsSecret 20: Optimize discovery touch pointsSecret 21: Practice the never-ending book launchSecret 22: Think globallySecret 23: Study the bestsellersSecret 24: Develop a thick skinSecret 25: Think beyond priceSecret 26: Pricing Strategy: Unit volume is a lever for successSecret 27: Ebook publishing is easy, writing is difficultSecret 28: Define your own successSecret 29: Leverage preorders to increase salesSecret 30: Share your secretsAppendix I – Glossary of E-Publishing TermsAppendix II – Special acknowledgements for beta readersAppendix III – CreditsAppendix IV – Reproduction rights (how to distribute this book freely)

    There are unexpected ideas to promote a book and a huge list of Do's and Don'ts shared by well known published authors. Every chapter is stocked with real life examples of how published authors and illustrators succeeded with creative and unique ways to promote their own books. There are even examples of ideas that didn't work. Every contributor is linked, the sources and resources are just a click away, too. Each chapter ends with a homework assignment designed to motivate and kickstart the reader on the path to promote his or her book, helping to build a career writing children's books.

    Over 2,500 beautiful full color images covering over 1,000 plants and what health conditions they have been historically used for. What common neighborhood plants make a great shampoo, soap and toothpaste? Which ones make a wonderful non-caffeine coffee substitute? Or milk substitute? Or perfume? Or ant, moth and mosquito repellant? Which plant boosts sex drive like crazy? What flowers and common house plants are edible? Learn all this and more in this incredibly fascinating, power-packed book resulting from centuries of research and 3 years of putting it all together. 480 pages of fascinating facts and beautiful images. Be sure to read the beginning of the book, which teaches plant basics, and also how you can grow your own. There is a whole section showing toxic plants and what they look like, and a HUGE section in the back listing almost any health condition you can imagine and what plants have been used for them. This is as packed as it gets. Those wild plants growing just outside your house are some of the best free food and medicine you could ever have! Weighing in at almost two pounds, (!) it is still compact enough to take outside with you... which is what it was designed for. Enjoy !(Full COLOR kindle version)

    The book was written as an answer to the glut of tired A-Z screenwriting books that have flooded the market over the years. Instead of another extensive How-To guide, Scriptshadow Secrets looks at 50 popular movies from the past six decades and offers 10 (give or take) screenwriting tips from each. The idea is to not only teach screenwriters valuable lessons, but show how those lessons have been incorporated into successful films. This way, writers learn by example, instead of having to take the author's word for it. From Aliens to Pirates Of The Caribbean to The Hangover to The Empire Strikes Back, Secrets teaches you screenwriting lessons from the greatest films of all time. Author Carson Reeves began as a screenwriter himself, yet struggled to figure out the elusive formula for writing a successful screenplay. Then, about seven years ago, he started getting his hands on spec sale scripts and reading them. Within weeks, he'd learned more about screenwriting than he had in the past seven years combined. He then turned his attention from writing to helping others write. This was the genesis behind the Scriptshadow website - a way to teach screenwriting through reading professional screenplays.The site blew up but quickly became controversial, due to Reeves breaking down material that Hollywood considered private. As such, the site's become a "love it or hate it" fixture in both Hollywood and the screenwriting community. Still, the site has tens of thousands of aspiring screenwriters who visit daily and make it the most popular screenwriting site on the web. The site's most popular feature, the "What I learned" section at the end of each review, was the main inspiration behind Scriptshadow Secrets, as Reeves saw how positively writers responded to quick context-relevant tips.

    With a new foreword by a famous author and several brand new articles by authors and publishing insiders. It also contains a wealth of practical information on a huge range of topics including copyright, finance, submitting a manuscript and e-publishing, as well as being a comprehensive up-to-date directory of media contacts.

    

    This is not a “get rich quick” book, but is for those wanting to get serious about making their writing a success.Inside, Victorine shares her industry insights along with advice on:• Writing• Expectations Within Genres• Book Cover Design• Creating a Strong Title• Writing Effective Book Descriptions• Marketing• Platforms and Social Media• Creating Your Brand• Reviews

    Now she’s turning her attention to solving your worst problems—one troublesome word at a time.Are you feeling "all right" or "alright"? Does "biweekly" mean twice a week or every two weeks? Do you run a gauntlet or a gantlet? Is a pair of twins four people or two? The English language is always changing, and that means we are left with words and phrases that are only sort of wrong (or worse, have different definitions depending on where you look them up). How do you know which to use? Grammar Girl to the rescue! This handy reference guide contains the full 411 on 101 words that have given you trouble before—but will never again. Full of clear, straightforward definitions and fun quotations from pop culture icons such as Gregory House and J. K. Rowling, as well as from classical writers such as Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin, this highly-useable guidebook takes the guesswork out of your writing, so you’ll never be at a loss for words again.

    Beautifully designed with a cloth-bound cover and ribbon place marker, it's filled with 365 inspiring quotations and informative tutorials to help you develop your unique voice. Each day of the week focuses on a different aspect of the writing life, from the business of writing, to the nuts and bolts of editing, to tips and tricks for getting past writer's block.

    Everyday Writing is about how to be a writer every day, even if you're unable to sit down to write every day. This book provides dozens of tips for busy writers, including how to create your ideal writing space, how to develop habits that work for you, and how to keep your projects moving forward even when you're short on time.Everyday Writing also offers more than 150 prompts to fit into any writer's life, from five-minute prompts you can do in a grocery store line to lengthy prompts that are perfect for a writing retreat. Whether you'd like to generate new material, free yourself from writer's block, or start a revision, these writing exercises provide a way to engage immediately with your work.

    Based on the 17th edition of CMS, this handy 6 page laminated guide covers the essentials of this often mandatory style for academic research papers, business reports and published manuscripts. Expertly authored using 25 plus years of experience in editing, academics, business and publishing, it covers aspects of the style necessary for most papers and publications and includes common, real-world sample references for both CMS citation formats so that you can be sure you are giving appropriate credit where credit is due. Add this inexpensive tool to your resources for another way to reinforce your CMS knowledge and ensure your writing is not clouded by incorrect usage that might affect your reader, especially your professors where a grade might be affected. 6 page laminated guide includes:Preparing a ManuscriptCopyright & Fair UseStyle & UsageBias-Free LanguagePunctuation Style & UsageListsCapitalizationNumbersAbbreviations & AcronymsQuotationsDocumentationSource Citation OverviewThe Author-Date SystemThe Notes & Bibliography SystemSample ReferencesTricky WordsAn Introduction to Grammar

    Patricia Goodson offers weekly exercises and tools to achieve these goals. The exercises are theoretically-grounded and empirically-based, comprising a set of behavioral principles (e.g., writing regularly, separating generating from editing) and specific practices (weekly exercises) which ensure success. The author draws on research on writing and productivity in college settings, together with insights into the practice patterns of elite performers (such as Olympic athletes), to develop a set of key principles. This book uniquely combines these successful principles with a set of original exercises applicable to the writing needs of college professors and students.

    Precision in language can be the deciding factor when it comes to getting a job or winning a promotion. The McGraw-Hill Handbook of English Grammar and Usage gives you bottom-line definitions, tips, and simple rules that summarizethe essentials you need to know.This second edition includes a chapter dedicated to grammar and its usage in digital communication, including texting, e-mail, social media, and new technology, so you can communicate correctly in any format. Whether your skills need drastic improvement or a quick brush-up, The McGraw-Hill Handbook of English Grammar and Usage will get your grammar back on the right track with: Straightforward explanations of common mistakes and why they happen Hundreds of correct and incorrect sentence examples, with errors clearly marked Quick tips for fixing your most stubborn grammatical mishaps Catchy memory aids for writing correctly the first time

    Now you want to reach readers around the state, across the country, or on the other side of the world. But how? With social media, you can build your platform and reach markets you never imagined possible before. In this book you will learn how to: create your Facebook fan page and initiate active engagement with your readers, use a myriad of Twitter applications to help you economize your time while expanding your tribe, optimize your LinkedIn profile with keywords, tackle Google+ with renewed confidence, build Pinterest pinboards and use them to promote your books and blog, and round out your online strategies with offline marketing techniques.

    Seeing is believing - and this Blue Book is filled with 63,000 words of techniques you can use today to turn your words into pictures... and learn how to tell your stories visually.

    This cornucopia was devoted mainly to culture and the arts, the craft of writing, and travels to remote places, along with the movies, American popular song, email, multitasking, baseball, Central Park, Tina Brown, Pauline Kael, Steve Martin, and other complications of modern life. Written with elegance and humor, these pieces are now collected in The Writer Who Stayed."If you value vintage journalism of an old-fashioned vividness and integrity please, please read this book."—Wall Street Journal"Our 'endlessly supple' English language will, Zinsser says, 'do anything you ask it to do, if you treat it well. Try it and see.' Try him and see craftsmanship."—George F. Will"Zinsser—who, with On Writing Well, taught a whole lot of us how to set down a clean English sentence—last year won a National Magazine Award for his Friday web columns in The American Scholar. They're now in a collection that's completely charming, impeccably polished, and Strunk-and-White-ishly brief. He's the youngest 90-year-old you'll read this week."—New York MagazineWilliam Zinsser is a lifelong journalist and nonfiction writer—he began his career on the New York Herald Tribune in 1946—and is also a teacher, best known for his book On Writing Well, a companion held in affection by three generations of writers, reporters, editors, teachers, and students. His 17 other books range from memoir (Writing Places) to travel (American Places), jazz (Mitchell & Ruff), American popular song (Easy to Remember), baseball (Spring Training) and the craft of writing (Writing to Learn). During the 1970s he was at Yale University, where he was master of Branford College and taught the influential nonfiction workshop that would start many writers and editors on their careers. He has taught at the New School, in New York, his hometown, and at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

    It's the ultimate guide to what to do and not do when you're putting your show together.

    With inspiring wit and wisdom he will not only teach you how to be a better writer, but a more observant person and a better student in any field. You'll find yourself uncontrollably thinking deep thoughts about writing, film or anything else you are passionate about in life. Foreword by Glen Keane. "Listen to Brian, he has the unique ability to articulate what makes good writing." - Al Higgins, Writer "News Radio," "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Mike & Molly" "If you don't already have a mentor, here's one you'll love, in portable form." -- Steve Englehart novelist and writer of classic versions of dozen of comics series such as Batman and The Avengers "Brian's book is filled with insightful and useful gems for writers of any experience level. The only reason you'll want to put it down is to go start writing yourself." -- J. Elvis Weinstein writer/producer "Freaks and Geeks," "Mystery Science Theater 3000," "Cinematic Titanic" "Brian writes in clear, readily usable ways to improve your screenwriting. Like time-release story capsules they ignite and helped me over many movies and countless story bends. Give him a read, take a couple and repeat as needed." -- Ronnie del Carmen, story supervisor on UP and Finding Nemo, director and writer at Pixar Animation Studios. "I use Brian McDonald's books in my classes because I'm a student of his work. All teachers are students all the time. Brian hasn't forgotten that he occupies both a seat in the classroom and the spot in front of the classroom." -- Shawn Wong Professor, Department of English University of Washington

    Indie & Small Press Book Marketing explains how to market your book, with a detailed plan for what you need to do before launch, during the all-critical launch month, and afterwards. Full of proven techniques to get initial sales and reviews, increase conversion rate of your blog and Amazon page, engage with communities of passionate readers, and connect with influencers and reviewers who can help launch your book into bestseller lists. “Finally, a structured approach to marketing books.”– Tonya Macalino, author of Spectre of Intention and The Shades of Venice“Even for the traditionally published author, this book is full of great stuff! It takes a detailed, easy to follow approach to promoting your book. Highly recommended!”– E.C. Ambrose, author of The Dark Apostle series "Chock full of actionable marketing tips I wish I'd known years ago."– Gene Kim, author of The Visible Ops Handbook and The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win

    In Alive in the Writing—an intriguing hybrid of writing guide, biography, and literary analysis—anthropologist and novelist Kirin Narayan introduces readers to some other sides of Chekhov: his pithy, witty observations on the writing process, his life as a writer through accounts by his friends, family, and lovers, and his venture into nonfiction through his book Sakhalin Island. By closely attending to the people who lived under the appalling conditions of the Russian penal colony on Sakhalin, Chekhov showed how empirical details combined with a literary flair can bring readers face to face with distant, different lives, enlarging a sense of human responsibility. Highlighting this balance of the empirical and the literary, Narayan calls on Chekhov to bring new energy to the writing of ethnography and creative nonfiction alike. Weaving together selections from writing by and about him with examples from other talented ethnographers and memoirists, she offers practical exercises and advice on topics such as story, theory, place, person, voice, and self. A new and lively exploration of ethnography, Alive in the Writing shows how the genre’s attentive, sustained connection with the lives of others can become a powerful tool for any writer.

    In this collection of anecdotes, lessons, quotes, and prompts, author and writing teacher Barbara Abercrombie provides a delightfully varied cornucopia of inspiration — nuts-and-bolts solutions, hand-holding commiseration, and epiphany-fueling insights from fellow writers, including Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners and Abercrombie’s students who have gone from paralyzed to published.

    Mastering the nuts and bolts of grammar and prose mechanics is also an essential part of becoming a literary artist. This indispensable guide, created just for writers of fiction, will show you how to take your writing to the next level by exploring the finer points of language. Funny, readable, and wise, this book explores the tools of the fiction writer’s trade, from verb tenses to pronouns to commas and beyond. Filled with examples from the best-seller lists of today and yesterday, it will help you consider the hows and whys of language, and how mastery of them can be used to achieve clarity and grace of expression in your own work. Here, you’ll find Encouragement and advice to face the big questions: Past or present tense? Comma or semicolon? Italic or roman? Should your dialogue be phonetically rendered, or follow standard rules of grammar? (And where does that pesky quotation mark go, again?) Warning signs of the betrayal of language, and ways to avoid it: Unwitting rhymes, repetition, redundancy, cliché, and the inevitable failure of vocabulary How-to (and how-not-to) examples: The grammatical “mistakes” of Charles Dickens; ambiguous pronoun usage by Nathaniel Hawthorne; the minefield of paragraph fragments found in one of today’s most successful authors.

    The multitude of experiences and the knowledge she gained are invaluable.You will learn how to:- Write online articles, blog posts, book reviews, and more- Craft a "beginning writer's" resume and cover letter- Write, edit, format, and publish print books and ebooks- Query magazines and agents about your articles and books- Manage your income, finances, and new lifestyle!˃˃˃ For new AND experienced freelance writersWhether you are contemplating a freelance writing career or you've been a freelance writer for years, you will benefit from the information and tips.˃˃˃ A pleasurable reading experienceWritten clearly and concisely while also being thorough. Your time won't be wasted!

    "But I’m a writer, not a salesman!” is the common cry of the new self-published author (from behind the boxes of books piled up in his spare bedroom). Not sure where to begin? This new handbook by an experienced writer and promoter will take you through all that you need to know to gain confidence and expertise in promoting your book. With abundant good humour and common-sense, it gives easy-to-follow instructions on everything from holding a local launch event to creating a worldwide author profile worldwide via the internet. This upbeat and supportive guide will be an invaluable addition to your writing reference library, to which you will return time and again. Whether you’re new to the challenge of book promotion, or you just need some fresh ideas to shift your backlist, this new handbook will help you do what it says on the cover – SELL YOUR BOOKS!

    As a creativity-coaching pioneer, Jill knows that many people feel distracted, blocked, and overwhelmed.The Muse Is In: An Owner's Manual to Your Creativity outlines how to power up one's genius, take it for a test drive, troubleshoot problems along the way, and offers tips for proper care and maintenance. With her dazzling illustrations and quirky humor, Jill Badonsky delivers the operating instructions for helping her fans spark their creative passion.

    

    They need dread them no more. In Write a Great Synopsis – An Expert Guide, Nicola Morgan takes the stress out of the subject and applies calm, systematic guidance. This is going to be gold-dust for writers. “It’s always surprised me that most writers hate writing a synopsis. It’s far easier than writing a book! But I know from my blog, Help! I Need a Publisher! that it’s seen as an incredibly angstridden exercise. So, I wrote a book, to demystify it and make it simple, snappy and stressfree.” Write a Great Synopsis covers: • The function of a synopsis • The difference between an outline and a synopsis • Different requirements for different agents and publishers • Finding the heart of your book • All the questions and confusions that writers have • Tricky synopses: how to tackle non-linear plots, multiples themes, sub-plots and long novels Write a Great Synopsis uses real examples, and gives writers tools they can apply to every synopsis they write in the future. Nicola introduces readers to her Crappy Memory Tool, the best way to craft a 25-word pitch, and tips for omitting unnecessary detail. She even writes two synopses herself

    Fish is brain food. If you don’t have fish, you should at least have the Indies Unlimited Tutorials and Tools for Prospering in a Digital World Volume I. It smells way better than fish, and doesn’t require refrigeration. How can you go wrong?

    Restaurant critic and cookbook author Sebellin-Ross gives you the inside information you need to break in, get published, and get paid including:How to break in, even if you've never written beforeEmail addresses of 25 publications and 30 cookbook publishers you can write for todayHow to get paid to write about foodHow to write about food like a professionalStep-by-step guide to reviewing restaurantsBehind-the-scenes look at how food journalism, restaurant criticism, cookbook writing, and food blogging really workHow to come up with a non-stop flood of ideasHow to write food articles, blog posts, and cookbooksHow to create, test, and write professional recipesHow to find your perfect voiceHow to banish writer's block foreverPacked with practical information you can use today, this is the must-have resource for anyone who has ever dreamed of turning a love for food into a lucrative, full-time career.And, for more writing help, see the companion book Punctuation: The Shortest, Simplest, Most Lighthearted Guide, Ever.Live the dream!

    even if you're brand new to copywriting, and struggle with it now... then this short book show you exactly how. The name of the book is: Crypto Copywriting Secrets And it contains a very simple way of writing sales letters used by one of the world's top copywriters, whose ads have collectively helped earn millions of dollars in sales. It shows you exactly how to go from total "newbie" to writing money-making ads in days and weeks, instead of months and years. Everything you need to know is covered: • From how to climb "inside" the heads of your prospects (so you know exactly what to say to sell to them)... • ... to headlines and opening paragraphs... • ... to storytelling and irresistible bullets points... • ... to the all-important close, where you ask for the sale. There are also dozens of other "odds & ends" tips inside to help you score even more sales from your ads. The best part? It's simple. There are no long formulas to memorize. No tedious writing exercises or chores. And no painful learning curves. Everything is spelled out simply and clearly, in a 5-step process that's so easy to follow you may wonder how it can possibly work so well. But, this easy-to-learn system does work. It does get results. And, it does create sales almost on demand when you get your offers in front of receptive customers. Download your copy today, and start writing money-making ads by tomorrow...

    Perfect for use in:o high school English or creative writing courseso homeschool creative writing or English courseso writing seminarsContains 21 exercises to expand your mind!

    They are brought to you with the intention of giving you a deeper knowledge of yourself and how your energy is engaging with the universe. This book can give you a quick answer when you need clarity, give you inspiration for your day, or be a motivatiional topic for meditations. How this book serves you will be as unique as you are.

    The Indie Author Revolution: An Insider's Guide to Self-Publishing is your friendly guide to the new era of self-publishing. Everything you need to create a quality book is within your reach, including editors, designers, printers, mentoring presses, e-books, and social media.Written from the perspective of an editor who has mentored hundreds of indie authors, The Indie Author Revolution will teach you:- All the key areas of self-publishing success--from vetting your manuscript ideas to crafting your publishing plan for both print and electronic books.- Advice, tips, and tools from real-life indie authors and book publishing professionals to help you avoid missteps in writing, publishing, and marketing.- The pros and cons of doing it yourself, working with an indie press, and everything between.

    Just go straight to what works, and forget everything else. Wouldn’t that be nice?Well, here’s your chance. After years of writing viral posts at Copyblogger, I took everything I learned and condensed it into this “Cheat Sheet” for writing popular posts. No, it’s not a replacement for mastering the craft, but if you’re a beginner, and you want a quick boost to your blog traffic, then this is absolutely where you should start.

    Each one is taking turns sitting down with you, giving you their best writing advice. Sort of like speed dating for writers. Within these pages the most recognized names in Christian publishing share their personal answers to the question, “If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?” In the ever-changing publishing world, you must stay on top of your game to succeed. This book will give you a leg up, with practical tips and advice you can use on your novel writing journey. Includes advice from Karen Kingsbury, Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, Jerry B. Jenkins, Josh McDowell, Liz Curtis Higgs, Francine Rivers, James Scott Bell, Terri Blackstock, Randy Alcorn, Melody Carlson, and many more!

    She does not confuse with the science of writing, but shows clearly, using examples, how to use the first line to grab your reader, how to write great dialogue, how to create characters that readers will care about.Liz Fielding’s Little Book of Writing Romance is laid out in ten,easy-to-understand chapters covering all the main points on the craft of romance writing, including how to—Grab the Reader on the First PageCreate Great CharactersUse ConflictWrite Deep EmotionUse Sexual TensionWrite Crisp DialogueUse ViewpointConstruct a Four-Dimensional WorldThe AuthorLiz Fielding is the author of sixty plus romances that have been translated in over twenty languages. She has won the Romance Writers’ of America RITA® award with The Best Man & the Bridesmaid and The Marriage Miracle. She has also won UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association RoNA "Rose"“ and been given a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times BOOKclub magazine.

    But seriously, how many hours have you wasted trying to force Word to prep your novel for publication? And what has that done to your blood pressure? So isn't it worth a few dollars to avoid ever having to go through that again?This guide is the solution you've been searching for. I'll show you an unbelievably easy process for readying your novel for Kindle in as little as a half-hour...and then I'll go on to explain how you can produce clean, professional-looking versions for Nook, the iBookstore, Smashwords, and CreateSpace in one sitting.And you'll love the quality of the results. How many times have you seen a five-star book get a one-star review because the author botched the formatting? That's something you won't have to worry about if you use the processes in this guide.Plus, THERE'S NO CODING. You don't have to know a bit of HTML to use this process.Now: If you really want your e-book's appearance to reflect the time and care you put into writing it, you have to be willing to step away from Word.But don't let that put you off. This process is based on Scrivener, the dedicated writing program selected by Apple Inc. as the best of the Mac App Store in December of 2011, the winner of multiple MacWorld Eddys, and a frequent Editor's Choice. Scrivener is quick to learn and won't cost you a cent up front.So I hope you're ready to put the pain of e-book formatting behind you. You're this close to being published. Buy this guide and you could be selling books before you know it.And besides, isn't it cheaper than blood pressure medication?PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS GUIDE IS PRIMARILY FOR MAC USERS. Windows users will still find it to be a helpful foundation to build from, but it calls on a few features only available in the Mac version of Scrivener.

    Chapters include Characterization, Point of View, Emotion, Context, Imagery, and Connection [with the reader].  Herself a leading professional storyteller, Ellis also includes a chapter especially for those who plan to craft stories for oral performance.

    He's loved it from day one. The clients can be total bitches, but he still loves every day he spends in that shoe boutique. It never really occurred to him why he enjoyed working there so much, until he met Svetlana; and it dawned on him that he was a slave to beautiful heels and even more beautiful feet.

    Make your book promotion easier, and get the publicity you need from book reviewers. Learn how and where to submit your book for review. There are hundreds of new book reviewers listed in this book. Each listing details the individual book reviewer’s:Contact information,Pet peeves,Preferred genres, andSubmission guidelinesReviewers are rated for quality and influence. This new edition includes several blog tour sites and their submission guidelines. Learn how to get the exposure that your book deserves!

    With simplified methods and helpful techniques John guides authors on the road to promoting their books to bestseller status in the Kindle Store.

    

    Book by Degen, Michael E