Consider it a classic in the making.

    Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer's Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book has over 150 contributors from all walks of the industry, including international bestselling authors Anthony Doerr, Roxane Gay, Garth Greenwell, Lisa Ko, R. O. Kwon, Rebecca Makkai, and Ottessa Moshfegh, alongside cult favorites Sarah Gerard, Melissa Febos, Mitchell S. Jackson, and Mira Jacob. Agents, film scouts, film producers, translators, disability and minority activists, and power agents and editors also weigh in, offering advice and sharing intimate anecdotes about even the most taboo topics in the industry. Their wisdom will help aspiring authors find a foothold in the publishing world and navigate the challenges of life before and after publication with sanity and grace.Are MFA programs worth the time and money? How do people actually sit down and finish a novel? Did you get a good advance? What do you do when you feel envious of other writers? And why the heck aren’t your friends saying anything about your book? Covering questions ranging from the logistical to the existential (and everything in between), Before and After the Book Deal is the definitive guide for anyone who has ever wanted to know what it’s really like to be an author.

    Read this book to learn all about it.From Harry Potter to Twilight, from Wonder Woman to Star Wars, you’ll never look at pop culture the same way again.With over a dozen NYT and USA Today bestsellers, and over a million books in print, popular genre author and former archaeologist Gail Carriger brings her cheeky comedic tone and over a decade of making her living as a fiction author to this fascinating look at one of the most popular yet neglected narratives of our time. The presentation she does on this subject sells for hundreds of dollars.“I’m not sure how you can just rewire my brain to see the heroine’s journey like this and then expect me to make coherent, thought-out comments about the text when all I want to do is hold it in my twisted little grip while I shove it at people screaming like a madman and pointing at passages.”~ Author Beta ReaderGail Carriger uses the heroine’s journey to produce bestselling, critically-acclaimed books that genre blend science fiction, cozy mystery, young adult, urban fantasy, romance, historical fiction, and alternate history. In this non-fiction book she uses her academic background and creative writing skills to bring to life the archetypes, tropes, story beats, themes, and messages inherent in the heroine’s journey. Part treatise on authorship, part feminist literary criticism, part how to write guide, Carriger uses mythology, legend, and Gothic victorian 19th century literature to explore movies, screenwriting, books, and audience desires.This is an excellent reference guide for genre fiction authors seeking to improve their craft or for readers and pop culture enthusiasts interested in understanding their own taste. It is the perfect counterpoint to The Hero with a Thousand Faces not to mention Save the Cat, Women Who Run With The Wolves, and The Breakout Novelist.

    But what if the goal wasn't so mysterious and was actually achievable for anyone who wants to experience more magic and creativity in their life? That's something that anyone will be inspired to do after reading Jeff Tweedy's How to Write One Song.Why one song? Because the difference between one song and many songs isn't a cute semantic trick--it's an important distinction that can simplify a notoriously confusing art form. The idea of becoming a capital-S songwriter can seem daunting, but approached as a focused, self-contained event, the mystery and fear subsides, and songwriting becomes an exciting pursuit.And then there is the energizing, nourishing creativity that can open up. How to Write One Song brings readers into the intimate process of writing one song--lyrics, music, and putting it all together--and accesses the deep sense of wonder that remains at the heart of this curious, yet incredibly fulfilling, artistic act. But it's equally about the importance of making creativity part of your life every day, and of experiencing the hope, inspiration, and joy available to anyone who's willing to get started.

    This short, free guide breaks down what an author platform is, exactly, and what it should contain—and what you can safely skip, so you can focus on writing more books. Authors are told to “build a platform,” or “get their name out there”—advice which is vague as it is useless. Following will show you precisely how to build your author platform, walking you through every step involved so that you can build a real platform, a proper, sustainable readership, and build a career as a writer.

    Writing in the Dark offers advice, guidance, and insights on how to compose horror stories and novels that are original, frightening, entertaining, and well-written.Waggoner covers a wide range of topics, among them why horror matters, building viable monsters, generating ideas and plotlines, how to stylize narratives in compelling ways, the physiology of fear, the art of suspense, avoiding clichés, marketing your horror writing, and much more. Each chapter includes tips from some of the best horror professionals working today, such as Joe Hill, Ellen Datlow, Joe R. Lansdale, Maurice Broaddus, Yvette Tan, Thomas Ligotti, Jonathan Maberry, Edward Lee, and John Shirley. There are also appendices with critical reflections, pointers on the writing process, ideas for characters and story arcs, and material for further research.Writing in the Dark derives from Waggoner’s longtime blog of the same name. Suitable for classroom use, intensive study, and bedside reading, this essential manual will appeal to new authors at the beginning of their career as well as veterans of the horror genre who want to brush up on their technique.

    Read this book and steal her secrets!"--Kelly Harms, Washington Post-bestselling author of The Overdue Life of Amy Byler"Tiffany Yates Martin is an exceptional editor, so of course her advice and counsel in Intuitive Editing is exceptional as well. Whether you're a seasoned author looking to fine-tune your craft, pacing, or tension or just starting out and looking for guidance on building overall structure and engaging characters, this book is a must-read that will take you from idea to finished manuscript."--New York Times-bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch"This book is a must have tool every author needs in their toolkit. When you are ready to go deeper, to dig into the revision process, using Tiffany's Intuitive Editing strategies will help you take your writing to the next level."--New York Times- and USA Today-bestselling author Steena Holmes"Authors, if you can't be lucky enough to have Tiffany as your editor, then Intuitive Editing is the next-best thing. Her advice is sound, thoughtful, no-nonsense and given with the compassion that every author and their book deserves."--Elisabeth Weed, literary agent, the Book Group"Editing your own writing can feel like doing your own brain surgery...."After you've completed your manuscript and you're standing at the foot of Revision Mountain, climbing to the summit can feel impossible. It's hard to look at your own writing with the objective eye needed to shape it into a tight, polished, publishable story--but just like writing, self-editing is a skill you can learn. Developmental editor Tiffany Yates Martin has spent her career in the publishing industry honing practical, actionable techniques to help authors evaluate how well their story is working, where it might not be, and how to fix it.With a clear, accessible, user-friendly approach, she leads writers through every step of deepening and elevating their own work, as well as how to approach the edit and develop their "editor brain," and how to solicit and process feedback. Intuitive Editing doesn't offer one-size-fits-all advice or rigid writing "rules"; instead it helps authors discover what works for their story and their style--to find the best version of their vision.Whether you're writing fiction, narrative nonfiction, or memoir; whether this your first story or your fiftieth, Intuitive Editing will give you the tools you need to edit and revise your own writing with inspiration, motivation, and confidence.Tiffany Yates Martin has spent nearly thirty years as an editor in the publishing industry, working with major publishers and bestselling authors as well as newer writers. She's led workshops and seminars for conferences and writers' groups across the country and is a frequent contributor to writers' sites and publications. Visit her at www.foxprinteditorial.com.

    

    Leslie Leyland Fields has used and taught this practical and inspiring writing process for decades, helping people from all walks of life to access memory and sift through the truth of their stories. This is not just a book for writers. Each one of us has a story, and understanding God's work in our stories is a vital part of our faith. Through the spiritual practice of writing, we can "remember" his acts among us, "declare his glory among the nations," and pass on to others what we have witnessed of God in this life: the mysterious, the tragic, the miraculous, the ordinary. With a companion video curriculum from RightNow Media, this is a "why not" book as opposed to a "how to" book. Leslie asks each of us an important question: "Why not learn to tell your story, in the context of the grander story of God?"

    Words make software human-centered, and require just as much thought as the branding and code. This book will show you how to give your users clarity, test your words, and collaborate with your team. You’ll see that writing is designing.

    Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned writer, this book will power up your prose, eliminate line-level distractions and help you find the perfect balance of show and tell. By the end of this book, you'll know how to strengthen your sentences to give your story, prose and characters the extra sparkle they need to capture a reader's heart.If you like dark humor, learning through examples and want to create perfect prose, then you’ll love Sacha Black’s guide to crafting sensational sentences. Read The Anatomy of Prose today and start creating kick-ass stories.

    And he shares them with brutal honesty in this very book, along with plenty of hilarious (and sometimes painful) anecdotes about his career.This is not a book that will tell you how to format a manuscript or write a compelling query letter. It's a book about how to cope with rejection and bad reviews. Book signings where nobody shows up. Helplessly watching your peers go on to greater success than you. He's been through all of that and so much more, and in these pages you'll have a bunch of laughs as you commiserate and figure out how to get through it all.

    Includes full text from:Steal Like an Artist: The New York Times bestselling book on the ten things nobody ever told you about being creative. Including nothing is original, so embrace influence. School yourself through the work of others. Remix and reimagine to discover your own path. And forget the old cliché about writing what you know: Instead, write the book you want to read, make the movie you want to watch.Show Your Work: How to take that critical next step on a creative journey―getting known and finding your people. A user’s manual for embracing the communal nature of creativity, this inspiring manifesto is a blueprint for succeeding as any kind of artist or entrepreneur in the digital age.Keep Going: Timeless, practical, and ethical principles for anyone trying to sustain a meaningful and productive life. Worry less about getting things done, and more about the worth of what you’re doing. Instead of focusing on making your mark, work to leave things better than you found them. Above all, keep working, keep playing, keep creating—keep going.

    

    She believes you can too.

    But there is a pattern to who succeeds and who doesn't. And engaging in the consistent practice of its pursuit is the best way forward.Based on the breakthrough Akimbo workshop pioneered by legendary author Seth Godin, The Practice will help you get unstuck and find the courage to make and share creative work. Godin insists that writer's block is a myth, that consistency is far more important than authenticity, and that experiencing the imposter syndrome is a sign that you're a well-adjusted human. Most of all, he shows you what it takes to turn your passion from a private distraction to a productive contribution, the one you've been seeking to share all along.With this book as your guide, you'll learn to dance with your fear. To take the risks worth taking. And to embrace the empathy required to make work that contributes with authenticity and joy.

    During times of chaos or pain, or simply when you need a cosmic boost, writing can help. In fact, healers, therapists, and magical practitioners have long incorporated writing in their practices. From letter writing for creating closure to dream diaries, writing is a powerful process for moving your dreams into manifestation. The Magical Writing Grimoire approaches writing as a self-actualizing, intentional, and healing act. You will learn how to combine writing with ritual and magic for self-discovery, clarifying intentions, creating and making things happen, and manifestation. You will also be guided in how to create a personal grimoire—a magical book of self rituals, spells, and intentions. Each chapter contains writing prompts that also incorporate magical ritual and tools including working with crystals, spell incantation, or candle alchemy. Other rituals and prompts may be set up for certain moon phases or ask you to bury or burn a piece of paper.Equal parts practical and inspiring, The Magical Writing Grimoire shows you how to wield your word as your wand.

    

    Major topics include: characterization, narration, character-based plotting, dialogue, drama, point of view, significance, and revision.

    So does conflict, and scenes, and every other aspect of the fiction craft. But without unforgettable characters, your books will always be less than they could be.Don't let that happen.In WRITING UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS you'll learn:•How to lay the foundation for a memorable character•How to bond the reader with the main character from the start•The super power of unpredictability•The secrets of grit, wit, and moxie•How to bring your character to life on the page•How and when to reveal backstory•All about arcs and what they truly mean•The key to unforgettable villains•How to make minor characters memorable, too•How to create a great series characterAnd more, PLUS the powerful exercises James Scott Bell has taught in his sold-out writing workshops.No more flat stories! Give your readers what will turn them into career-long fans—characters who jump off the page.

    Write what is true and real to you. In this guided journal, #1 New York Times bestselling author Angie Thomas shares advice and best practices for developing a true-to-you writing project. This book is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 7 to 8, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.Includes step-by-step craft tips, writing prompts, and exercises for:Discovering story ideasCreating memorable charactersRealizing your settingShaping your storyWriting your “zero draft”And more! With 24 illustrated inspirational quotes from Angie’s acclaimed novels The Hate U Give and On the Come Up, and plenty of blank pages for your own words, Find Your Voice will ignite your creativity and help you bring your own unique stories to life.

    In short, essayistic chapters and an appendix of thirty stimulating exercises, The Art of Voice explores the myriad ways to create a distinctive poetic voice, including vernacular, authoritative statement, speech register, tone-shifting, and using secondary voices. “Rich with lively examples” (New York Times Book Review), The Art of Voice provides a compelling introduction to contemporary poetry and an invaluable guide for any practicing writer.

    Or, at least, saved her from a life of bitterness and despair. Writing helped her sort out what she thought and felt and wanted. And digging deep into fictional characters helped her understand the real people in her life better as well.Wendelin shares what she's learned--about writing, life, and what it takes to live the writing life. This book is packed with practical advice on the craft: about how to create characters and plot a story that's exciting to read. But maybe even more helpful is the insight she provides into the persistence, and perseverance, it takes to live a productive, creative life. And she answers the age-old question Where do you get your ideas? by revealing how events in her own life became the seeds of her best-loved novels.Hope in the Mail is a wildly inspirational read for anyone with a story to share.

    These inspiring wordsmiths are scholars, spiritual seekers, conservationists, scientists, novelists, and explorers. They defy easy categorization, yet they all share a bold authenticity that makes their work both distinct and universal.    Featured writers include:Dorothy Wordsworth, Susan Fenimore Cooper, Gene Stratton-Porter, Mary Austin, and Vita Sackville-WestNan Shepherd, Rachel Carson, Mary Oliver, Carolyn Merchant, and Annie DillardGretel Ehrlich, Leslie Marmon Silko, Diane Ackerman, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Lauret SavoyRebecca Solnit, Kathleen Jamie, Carolyn Finney, Helen Macdonald, and Saci LloydAndrea Wulf, Camille T. Dungy, Elena Passarello, Amy Liptrot, and Elizabeth RushPart travel essay, literary biography, and cultural history, Writing Wild ventures into the landscapes and lives of extraordinary writers and encourages a new generation of women to pick up their pens, head outdoors, and start writing wild.

    Podcasting has gone mainstream with listeners consuming audio on mobile phones and in-car devices, as well as through smart speakers. Advancements in voice technology continue to expand possibilities for audio creation and marketing. With such rapid growth in opportunity, how can you position your books in an increasingly voice-first world? I've been podcasting for over a decade as well as narrating and producing my own audiobooks since 2014. I'm an avid consumer of audio content and I'm also experimenting with AI voice technologies. In this book, I'll share everything I know so you can position your books and your author brand for the next shift in reader behavior. You will discover: Introduction Why audio and why now? The audio first ecosystem The audio mindset Part 1: Audiobooks Types of audiobooks Writing, adapting and editing your work for audio Intellectual property considerations for audiobooks Your options for audiobook publishing and licensing How to find and work with a professional narrator Reasons to narrate your own audiobook Audiobook narration tips Recording studio options Audiobook recording, editing, and production How to self-publish an audiobook How long does an audiobook take to produce? How do audiobook readers discover audiobooks? How to market audiobooks The money side of audiobooks Part 2: Podcasting Why podcasting is important for authors The difference between audiobooks and podcasting Types of podcasts How to research and pitch podcasters How to be a great podcast guest Should you start your own podcast? Podcast prerequisites Intellectual property considerations for podcasting Podcasting equipment and software Podcast structure How to be a great podcast host Podcast distribution Show notes and transcripts Collaboration and freelancers Podcast workflow and tools How to launch a podcast How to market a podcast Repurpose your content The money side of podcasting Part 3: Voice Technologies Overview of voice technologies Speech to text: dictation Text to speech Voice assistants, smart speakers and devices Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the future of voice If you want to position your books and your author brand for audio growth, then pre-order the book now!

    . . is happy to show us the way.”—NPR   In this raucous meditation, Eileen Myles offers an intimate glimpse into creativity’s immediacy. With erudition and wit, Myles recounts their early years as an awakening writer; existential struggles with landlords; storied moments with neighbors, friends, and lovers; and the textures and identities of cities and the country that reveal the nature of writing as presence in time.   For Myles, time’s “optic quality” is what enables writing in the first place—as attention, as devotion, as excess. It is this chronologized vision that enables the writer to love the world as it presently is, lending love a linguistic permanence amid social and political systems that threaten to eradicate it. Irreverent, generous, and always insightful, For Now is a candid record of the creative process from one of our most beloved artists.

    This collection of pithy and funny lists of advice provides both hard-won wisdom and insider industry help. All aspects of the writing process and story development are covered – as is the thorny issue of how and where to find readers. From Workspaces and Habits to Plot and Dialogue, these are motivating, problem-solving lists from an experienced and widely respected writer. Uniquely, Ten Things About Writing also takes the reader beyond the stage of finished manuscripts and editorial changes – into the territories of rights, publicity and marketing. Whether you have the urge to write crime fiction or a fantasy novel, literary short stories or blockbuster thrillers Joanne’s lists will speak to you.

    The best marketing is writing and releasing the next book, they say. Rapid release is the only way to make money, I've heard.Well...almost. Kind of? Maybe.Not everyone can write 10,000 words each day. Not everyone can release a book every month. Does that mean all is lost for self-publishers who only have a few books out and struggle to get more ready in today's rapid release culture?Nope.Are you ready to increase your productivity? Want to learn ways to work smarter, not harder? Need a practical, over-the-shoulder look at how successful authors plan and carry out marketing tactics, set goals, and then knock them out of the park?If you want to write more in less time, and learn the ins and outs of selling the books you have out now, as well as any future publications, you need a system to do both the writing and the marketing. It takes two halves of your brain to run your self-publishing business, and believe it or not, you can use both sides in the same day.Come find out how to develop your own system for writing more books that will fit with your lifestyle. Then learn how to set up marketing systems to sell those books while you sleep, vacation, or simply while you work on your next great literary masterpiece.Get inspired in your Indie Author career with Elana Johnson, a three-time USA Today bestselling author and a Top 20 Kindle Unlimited All-Star Author!

    

    Mad is good; anger provokes a response. Maybe you will tweet your rage. Perhaps you will decry our buffoonery: “The ‘seven-reasons-why’ structure is a list-article,” you’ll tell your followers. And just like that, we won the scramble for clicks and attention. But did we steward your attention in a way that honors God?Bloggers publish millions of posts each day, many written by faithful Christians who want to honor God with their words but struggle to know how. Blogging for God’s Glory in a Clickbait World guides Christians through the basics of setting up a blog—everything from affiliates and algorithms to widgets and WordPress—but also how to be a godly landlord of your internet real estate.If you are a Christian blogger, you likely oscillate between burnout and apathy, with thoughts like “I must post NOW!” and “Who even gives a rip?” If you’re at this point, you’ve likely lost the plot. But you can get back on script. Authors Benjamin Vrbicek and John Beeson explore where the spiritual stamina will come from to serve a small readership faithfully and how to steward attention in a way that honors God in a world that celebrates chasing profit and pageviews.Foreword by Tim Challies—pastor, author, and popular blogger.Endorsements“Filled with seasoned wisdom and an unwavering resolve to elevate the glory of God over all other aims.”CHRIS THOMAS, pastor, blogger, and host of the Gospel-Centered Discipleship Writers’ Guild“John and Benjamin are reliable guides to how you can still blog to the glory of God.”COLLIN HANSEN, editorial director of The Gospel Coalition and host of the Gospelbound podcast“Immensely practical and engaging, this book is for bloggers of every age and stage.”GLENNA MARSHALL, blogger and author“With this book Benjamin Vrbicek and John Beeson create a needed community.”JEN OSHMAN, blogger and author“My advice to any Christian who is thinking about starting a blog is to first read this book—and to pay close attention.”JOE CARTER, editor at The Gospel Coalition, pastor, and author

    In 27 lessons, drawn from 27 critical moments at the heart of 27 diverse narratives—from plays, novels, movies, television, and even songs and video games—Daniel Joshua Rubin unlocks the secrets of what makes a story work and then teaches us how to understand and use each principle in our own storytelling. Rubin, an incisive and no BS teacher, writing consultant, and founder of the Story 27 Studio, expands our understanding of narrative by drilling into examples ranging from Hamlet to The Godfather, Parts I and II, from Harry Potter to an episode of South Park, and unearthing exactly what makes each scene tick. The result is a collection of priceless advice: Escalate Risk , with an example from Pulp Fiction. Write Characters to the Top of Their Intelligence , from the Eminem song “Stan.” Explore All Endings , from HBO’s The Night Of. Attack Your Theme , from The Brothers Karamazov. Peel the Onion , from Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies. Clash Expectation with Reality , from Breaking Bad. After each principle comes a lesson in how to do it, plus a Mini Final Exam and Related Principles from other sources. Rubin’s writing is the writing we all aspire to: insightful, encouraging, filled with attitude; the examples are relatable, contemporary, and fresh. For writers, storytellers, filmmakers, video game designers, podcasters, writing teachers, and anyone interested in how story works, it’s a guide that turns the traditional writing manual on its head, drawing from a world of diverse voices and sources and media. In other words, from where contemporary storytellers find their inspiration.

    These poems also celebrate how writing teaches patience, helps express opinions, and allows us to imagine the impossible. This book, brimming with imagination and wonder, will leave readers eager to grab a pen, pencil, or keyboard--and write!

    

    R. Pan and Nova Ren Suma, Foreshadow is so much more than a short story collection. A trove of unforgettable fiction makes up the beating heart of this book, and the accompanying essays offer an ode to young adult literature, as well as practical advice to writers.Featured in print for the first time, the thirteen stories anthologized here were originally released via the buzzed-about online platform Foreshadow. Ranging from contemporary romance to mind-bending fantasy, the Foreshadow stories showcase underrepresented voices and highlight the beauty and power of YA fiction. Each piece is selected and introduced by a YA luminary, among them Gayle Forman, Laurie Halse Anderson, Jason Reynolds, and Sabaa Tahir.What makes these memorable stories tick? What sparked them? How do authors build a world or refine a voice or weave in that deliciously creepy atmosphere to bring their writing to the next level? Addressing these questions and many more are essays and discussions on craft and process by Nova Ren Suma and Emily X. R. Pan. This unique compilation reveals and celebrates the magic of reading and writing for young adults.

    They weren't bad words; merely, they weren't the right words. The book that rose from the ashes of this failed draft, Accepting the Lance, was published by Baen Books. Some of the 70,000 words of failed draft found their way into that novel, but about 44,000--didn't. They were still perfectly good words; strung together, they presented an interesting story, and an amusing look at what not to do when writing a direct sequel in a long-running-series. Lee and Miller decided to make these words available to their readers.The Wrong Lance, as the failed draft was titled, was originally posted at splinteruniverse.com and at Lee and Miller's Patreon page patreon/leeandmiller. The chapters have now been removed, and compiled into this volume.The Wrong Lance is a non-canon Liaden story. This means that nothing that is reported in its pages actually happened in the Liaden Universe®. For an accurate report of what did happen at Surebleak during the TerraTrade Survey, please consult Accepting the Lance, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. The Wrong Lance is exactly that, and is presented for your amusement only.

    In this follow up to Romance Your Brand, the USA Today bestselling author breaks down how to pick the right marketing plan for your brand, your books, and your readers. Let's talk about: • scheduling sales 
• planning releases 
• brand re-vamping 
• audience growth
 • fandom building 
• goal setting 
• weathering low points

    

    This insightful guide offers concrete, witty advice and information to authors, prospective authors, and those curious about the inner workings of the industry. Learn the differences between Big Five and independent presses, and how advances and royalties really work. Discover the surprising methods that actually move books off the shelves. Develop the lingo to make editors swoon, and challenge yourself to find the errors intentionally embedded in the text! Armed with a more transparent understanding of how books are made and sold, readers will be better prepared to publish, promote, and purchase them wisely and successfully.

    

    Are you unsure which series structure is best for you? Or are you several books into a series, but you’re stuck? Do you want to expand your literary universe but aren’t sure how to do it? Perhaps you have a series languishing in your backlist, and you need ideas on how to market it.  Get the knowledge you need to make smart decisions about your series with How to Write a Series.  You’ll learn:  The three basic types of series The benefits and drawbacks of writing each type of series Tips for extending your series beyond your original plan Ideas for creating spinoffs and expanding your literary universe How to know when it’s time to end a series How to save time writing your series and how to keep track of details How to deal with the problems that result from being locked into a story world  How to refresh your interest in a series if you’ve grown bored Creative ways to market your series I’ve been writing for fifteen years as both a hybrid and independent author. I’ve published over twenty-five fiction books in four different series. Everything I’ve learned about writing a series has been through trial and error. I hope my lessons-learned will give you a shortcut when it comes to writing your series plus tips for troubleshooting problems and ideas for promoting your series. Unlock the power of a series in your author career with How To Write a Series.

    A good one.Step 2: Decide on a setting. Don't be afraid to mix things up.Step 3: Create a heroine—or a hero.Now: Begin.Storytellers Kate Messner and Mark Siegel chronicle the process of becoming a writer in this follow-up to How to Read a Story, guiding young storytellers through the joys and challenges of the writing process. From choosing an idea, to creating a problem for their character to resolve, to coming to The End, this picture book breaks down the writing process.

    But never before has Poets & Writers marshaled its fifty years’ worth of knowledge to create an authoritative guide for writers that answers every imaginable question about craft and career—until now. Here is the writing bible for authors of all genres and forms, covering topics such as how to: -Harness your imagination and jump-start your creativity -Develop your work from initial idea to final draft -Find a supportive and inspiring writing community to sustain your career -Find the best MFA program for you -Publish your work in literary magazines and develop a platform -Research writing contests and other opportunities to support your writing life -Decide between traditional publishing and self-publishing -Find the right literary agent -Anticipate what agents look for in queries and proposals -Work successfully with an editor and your publishing team -Market yourself and your work in a digital world -Approach financial planning and taxes as a writer -And much more Written by Kevin Larimer and Mary Gannon, the two most recent editors of Poets & Writers Magazine, this book brings an unrivaled understanding of the areas in which writers seek guidance and support. Filled with insider information like sample query letters, pitch letters, lists of resources, and worksheets for calculating freelance rates, tracking submissions, and managing your taxes, the guide does more than demystify the writing life—it also provides an array of powerful tools for building a sustainable career as a writer. In addition to the wealth of insights into creativity, publishing, and promotion are first-person essays from bestselling authors, including George Saunders, Christina Baker Kline, and Ocean Vuong, as well as reading lists from award-winning writers such as Anthony Doerr, Cheryl Strayed, and Natalie Diaz. Here, at last, is the ultimate comprehensive resource that belongs on every writer’s desk.

    

    Topics covered include: -how to get an effective cover -how to write an effective blurb -how Amazon's algorithms help you sell more books -how to launch your book ...and more.

    

    The Best Microfiction anthology series provides recognition for outstanding literary stories of 400 words or fewer. Co-edited by award-winning microfiction writer/editor Meg Pokrass, and Flannery O'Connor Prize-winning author Gary Fincke, and acclaimed author/editor Michael Martone serving as final judge.

    They discuss: • What writing to market means, and what it doesn’t mean • How writing to market helped their careers • How to find your own passion and turn it into profit • How to find out if your book is already written to market • How to find a hot genre and research within it • How to find ideas that sell • Hot to plot a bestseller • What a trope is and how to use it • How to twist a trope • How to find the tropes in your own genre • How to meet the reader’s expectation while still writing something new and exciting • What to do after you’ve written your to market book

    Susceptible to Light is here to remind you of your joy, to assist you in reconsidering ways of relating to your life that better serve to open your heart, to deconstruct anything about God that doesn't feel close, intimate, authentic, and warm, and to remind your soul to break the surface and take a breath. Rumi says, "What was said to the rose that made it open was said to me here in my chest." May this collection help you feel a taste of that sweet openness. Hafiz says, "God and I have become like two giant fat people living in a tiny boat. We keep bumping into each other and laughing." May this collection help you feel the possibility of that kind of laughter.Eric Weiner, NY Times Bestselling Author of "The Geography of Bliss" says of Chelan's work:"These pages bear witness to a beautifully reckless and vulnerable love. Susceptible to Light shares the ineffable, all-consuming love of a Rumi or Hafiz, but situated in the here-and-now, amidst our dirty dishes and carpools. Do yourself a favor and savor these poems. Make yourself susceptible to their light."Alfred K. LaMotte, author of 'Wounded Bud' says of Chelan's work:"So much of today's 'spiritual poetry' is not poetry at all, but pedagogy, full of do's and don'ts. Chelan is a true spiritual poet because hers is not the voice of instruction but the voice of holy bewilderment. If she teaches us, she teaches us to dance. She teaches us the taste of what comes out of the grape when it gets crushed. All your tears will find sisters in her poems, and all your laughter will find a home in her belly. Her poems take us to the deepest, darkest loam, where lightning goes."

    We've also assisted many other authors with advice, and listened to those wiser than us. We're excited to share this information with you, along with actionable steps you can take to make your next launch a success.

    

    

    Unfortunately, in today's cultural climate, our writing is too often laced with harsh judgments and vitriol rather than careful consideration and generosity. But might the Christian faith transform how we approach the task of writing? How might we love God and our neighbors through our writing? This book is not a style guide that teaches you where to place the comma and how to cite your sources (as important as those things are). Rather, it offers a vision for expressing one's faith through writing and for understanding writing itself as a spiritual practice that cultivates virtue. Under the guidance of two experienced Christian writers who draw on authors and artists throughout the church's history, we learn how we might embrace writing as an act of discipleship for today--and how we might faithfully bear the weight of our written words.

    On any given day, a science journalist might need to explain the details of genetic engineering, analyze a development in climate change research, or serve as a watchdog helping to ensure the integrity of the scientific enterprise. And science writers have to spin tales seductive enough to keep readers hooked to the end, despite the endless other delights just a click away. How does one do it?Here, for the first time, is a collection of indispensable articles on the craft of science writing as told by some of the most skillful science journalists working today. These selections are a wealth of journalistic knowledge from The Open Notebook, the online community that has been a primary resource for science journalists and aspiring science writers for the last decade.The Craft of Science Writing gives you a crew of accomplished, encouraging friends to whisper over your shoulder as you work. In these pages, you'll find interviews with leading journalists offering behind-the-scenes inspiration, as well as in-depth essays on the craft offering practical advice, including:- How to make the transition into science writing- How to find and pitch a science story to editors- How to wade through a sea of technicalities in scientific papers to spot key facts- How to evaluate scientific and statistical claims- How to report on controversial topics- How to structure a science story, from short news to long features- How to engage readers in a science story and hold their attention to the endCONTRIBUTORS TO THE CRAFT OF SCIENCE WRITINGChristie Aschwanden, Siri Carpenter, Tina Casagrand, Jeanne Erdmann, Dan Fagin, Dan Ferber, Azeen Ghorayshi, Geoffrey Giller, Laura Helmuth, Jane C. Hu, Alla Katsnelson, Roxanne Khamsi, Maggie Koerth-Baker, Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Apoorva Mandavilli, Amanda Mascarelli, Robin Meadows, Kate Morgan, Tien Nguyen, Michelle Nijhuis, Aneri Pattani, Rodrigo Pérez Ortega, Mallory Pickett, Kendall Powell, Tasneem Raja, Sandeep Ravindran, Julia Rosen, Christina Selby, Alexandra Witze, Wudan Yan, Ed Yong, Rachel Zamzow, Sarah Zhang, Carl Zimmer

    But With God...You Can.The hopeful yet defiant message of Chaos Can't is that it's possible to remain unshaken in this world of chaos.But you won't find the answers on the nightly news or social media. They report chaos, stir fear, and take sides...but have no clue for a cure. Because they're looking in the wrong places.This quest offers a refreshingly different approach. Rather than focus on current events, we'll take a mythic yet practical journey that starts before time began. To experience God as Creator. To expose an ancient enemy who uses chaos as a weapon. And to understand why our dreams, hopes, and hearts are under attack.What is chaos? How does God approach it? And can we overcome it?Through this book, you will discover:why chaos hits in such personal ways;how to not let the swirling outside chaos...within;the possible origin of chaos;how to counter fear with love;why your creativity matters more than you imagine; and11 ways to restore your dreams and renew your surroundings.God continuously fills the empty, void places in our world-and in us-with light, hope, beauty, and order. Which is what our souls need most in these chaotic times. This is your invitation to join the Creator...and to be astonished.

    

    She was wrong.Still, after years of struggle and self-discovery, she ended up thriving personally and professionally. Now she's sharing what she's learned-and showing others how to do the same.In this page-turning and useful memoir-meets-manual, David reveals her personal lows (doing cocaine by herself while contemplating suicide), her career lows (a past-his-prime celebrity hurling a phone at her as she wrote his biography) and how her life today wouldn't be possible without those experiences.The last quarter of the book is a practical guide so that readers can make their own mess into a message-and memoir.In this completely comprehensive "biz-oir" packed with proven and authentic tools and techniques, memoirists-in-the-making will travel with David on her journey from struggling addict to New York Times bestselling writer/entrepreneur and also learn:-How to determine a memoir message and "why"-How to select scenes-The advantages and disadvantages of traditional and self-publishing-How to come up with a title, rewrite a book and hire editors-Potential legal concerns and how to avoid them-How to gather blurbs, write acknowledgments and arrange for a foreword-How to be set up for success on Amazon-The importance of an Advanced Reader TeamAnd much more.The best time to write a book was 10 years ago. The second best time is now.

    Get it if you can."--Wall Street JournalSay it with style--on paper or in person. This book explains why the best writing sounds that way, with hundreds of examples from Lincoln, Churchill, Douglass, and other masters of the language. As Farnsworth says, "Explaining a precept may take just a few words, but only examples can make it familiar to the ear. So we will consider examples from writers and orators who all have lessons to teach."Farnsworth shows how small choices about words, sentences, and paragraphs put force into writing and speech that have stood the test of time. What was the secret? Knowledge of choices in the selection of words, the arrangement of sentences, the creation of a cadence. Now that knowledge can be yours through hundreds of examples of the very best use of rhetorical devices, classical cadence patterns, hyperbole and much more.This is must for anyone who wants to speak or write with clear, persuasive, enjoyable, unforgettable style. "A storehouse of effective writing, showing the techniques you may freely adapt to make music of your own."--The Baltimore Sun

    They also found that 80% of authors make less than $6,000 per year, which is not a livable income.Michelle Kulp, 10x bestselling author, has been writing a book a month since 2019 and has generated thousands of dollars in passive income now using this system.If you are any type of expert - coach, speaker, consultant, trainer, healer, CEO, business owner - this is the perfect way to share your knowledge, attract new clients, and increase your following and author-ity!Here's some of what you'll discover in 28 Books to $100K: Why volume boosts visibility?How to write books that people want.Why shorter is better?6 types of short books to write.50 templates to help you create your Killer Titles.How to launch like a Pro and become a #1 bestselling author.16 Rapid Writing Secrets to help you get your book written fast.The Bestseller Checklist.7 Questions You Must Ask Before You Write Your Book.Your 12-Month Book template.The Self-Publishing Checklist.The extra rocket fuel your books need to keep selling.Your Income Tracking Chart.The 30-Day Roadmap to Writing a Book a MonthAnd More!If you're ready to turn your dreams into a reality, make passive income by self-publishing and become a 6-Figure Author, click the BUY NOW button and let's get started on this new brand new path!

    His debut book-filled with witty word wisdom-is designed to make your life more awesome by improving your grammar.Do you love language, but sometimes get tripped up by confusing grammar rules? Good Grammar is the Life of the Party is like a cheat code for your social life. Level up your grammar game to become a linguistic legend-from romantic relationships to job promotions to getting invited to fancy roof parties. Climb the corporate ladder, convince people you're smart, and win at life with dozens of helpful tips on how to master the English language.Grammar aficionados and beginners alike will love this fresh, friendly approach to tackling American English grammar and punctuation rules. This book answers some of life's most pressing questions, including:How can I make myself irresistible to attractive people?What's a moot?Why don't people like me?How can I increase my holiday card list to over 1,000 friends?Is irregardless even a word?Where can I find the best box of wine?Can I...or, may I...end a sentence in a preposition?Are robot overlords ruining our grammar?What are the chances I'll get killed by a falling coconut?GGITLOTP offers accessible mini-essays that provide a quirky spin on proper grammar usage along with tips for achieving massive personal success.

    It's called book coaching, and you really do get to read books all day and get paid for it. A book coach is a strategic professional who guides a writer through the creative process of developing a book -- helping them define the project, design the best narrative structure to tell their tale, and build both their confidence and their editorial skills as they write forward. Part project manager, part editor, part cheerleader, being a book coach is intellectually stimulating, soulful, satisfying work that you can do on your own time from the comfort of your own home. In Read Books All Day and Get Paid For It: The Business of Being a Book Coach, Jennie Nash, a multiple six-figure book coach and the founder and CEO of Author Accelerator, shares the nuts and bolts of the book coaching business -- touching on everything from pricing and processes to marketing and mindset. Jennie has trained more than 50 book coaches in how to coach fiction and nonfiction writers, and now she is sharing her secrets about how to run a successful side hustle or full-time book coaching business.

    

    Funny You Should Ask, based on the popular Writer's Digest column of the same name, assists to deconstruct, inform, and illuminate the path to publication and beyond, all while dispelling the rumor that those in the industry are better than thou.And even though each writer's publishing journey is like a game of PLINKO--you can drop the chip in the same slot every time and get a different result--there are still common constructs and confusions that can be shared and explored together in order to help inform all writers. From understanding the nuts and bolts of a query letter, to learning how to process the soul-searing envy of watching someone else's career flourish, to how to talk to your editor, veteran literary agent Barbara Poelle covers the approach and execution of the common and uncommon bumps along the traditional publishing path.Includes- More than 100 questions answered including expanded answers to topics that didn't get the full treatment in a column - Writing exercises, submission checklists, and publishing BINGO for every publishing milestone

    

    Whether you're a beginner or advanced comedian, you need to learn the character method first. Then slay the audience, or just be funnier in life.

    As a culture, we often describe God as true and good. We use beauty less often—and we struggle to articulate the intuitive relationship between it and the things of God: calling, spirituality, mission, and more. This book is designed to bridge the gap. Through the story of Mark 14:1-11, The Story of the Woman with the Alabaster Jar, this book explores beauty and its profound implications for our lives.Chapters include: On Beauty and ArtOn Beauty and IdentityOn Beauty and GenerosityOn Beauty and VulnerabilityOn Beauty and MysteryOn Beauty and JusticeOn Beauty and Changing the World

    Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it, and the work will be completed!"If only it were that easy.In any creative effort, the beginning is the hard part, filled with fears and procrastinations, and---often most of all-the paralyzing desire to get it right on the first try (which almost never happens). Creativity is evolutionary; it begins with bad ideas and crappy first efforts and the moment we embrace this idea, not eschewing the ugly beginnings but mining them for possibilities, our everyday creativity flourishes.Start Ugly is a celebration of the messy creative process and a call to face the obstacles of that process with mindfulness and humanity. This is a book for anyone who has ever wished they were "more creative." It's a plea to stop looking for the muses and inspiration before you do your best work. Equal parts needed encouragement to dream big and practical advice for getting your hands dirty, START UGLY is a soulful, at times irreverent, reminder that creativity is more the stuff of hard work and courage than it is the stuff of magic. And if there is magic at all to be found, it's in starting.

    Field-tested writing exercises are also included, guaranteed to short-circuit potential mistakes and ensure inspiration.

    

    

    The Structure of Story details the specific writing tools that will help you recognize and apply the patterns of great stories.You will learn how to shift your focus from storytelling rules to storytelling tools. By applying these tools, you'll be able to keep the reader on the edge of their seat while delivering an emotional, meaningful story.In The Structure of Story, you'll learn the four dramatic tools that keep the reader engaged, the two things every story must accomplish, how to write multi-dimensional characters that drive plot, how a story's theme can be conveyed through a character arc, how to create an organic plot driven by cause and effect, the critical things that your opening must accomplish, what goes in the middle of a story, how to write an emotional climax, how subtext works and when to use it, how to create a twist ending, tools for showing rather than telling, how to pace your story properly, how to write an ending that's both satisfying and inevitable, and how to avoid a repetitive plot.No matter where you are in your writing career, The Structure of Story will give you new techniques to take your writing to the next level.

    This Is Lockdown is written from a writer's perspective highlighting the simple pleasures of day-to-day life during such an uncertain and frightening time. It also gives a glimpse of the blogging, writing world. The book showcases several authors and their thoughts on what it is like to experience 'isolation' as a writer. I also discuss the handling of the pandemic and my thoughts on what might happen next. In the final part of the book I include my latest short story idea: a YA romance and various short pieces of poetry, and flash fiction inspired by the pandemic.The full list of authors are: Richard Dee, (Sci Fi , Steampunk, Amateur Detective author,) Catherine Fearns, (Amazon Bestselling Author of Police Procedural/Mysteries and Music Journalist,) Lynn Fraser, (Author,) Jackie Carreira, (Writer, musician, designer and aspiring philosopher,) Willow Willers, (Poet and Writer,) Sharon Marchisello, (Murder Mystery, Financial non-fiction author,) Fi Phillips ,(Author, Copy Editor,) Jeannie Wycherley, (Dark stories, Suspense, Horror,) Chantelle Atkins, (Urban Fiction, Teen/YA,) Tracie Barton-Barrett, (Speaker/Author,) Peter Taylor-Gooby, (Crime, Love Stories, Political Fiction,) Ritu Bhathal, (Chick Lit, Romance, Poet,) Alice May , (Author, Artist and Speaker,) Miriam Owen, (Blogger, Doctoral Researcher,) Drew Neary and Ceri Williams (Ghost Horror, Supernatural,) Katherine Mezzacappa, (Historical Fiction/Romance,) Sally Cronin, (Huge supporter of indie community/Blogger/Author) D G Kaye, (Memoirist/NonFiction,) Adele Marie Park, (Fantasy, Horror, Urban fantasy,) Marian Wood, (Blogger, Poet and Writer.) Samantha Murdoch, (Writer, Blogger,) Beaton Mabaso (Blogger, African storyteller,) Frank Prem (Poet, Author) Anne Goodwin (Author, Book Blogger) Sherri Matthews (Writer, Photographer, Blogger,) Jane Horwood and Melissa Santiago-Val - Community Masks for The NHS .

    Do you want to know the basic building blocks of a cozy mystery? Do you wonder why cozy readers devour these mysteries voraciously? Are you fuzzy on how the structure of a cozy mystery fits into the classic plot structure? Do you wonder what the “rules” are for a cozy mystery? Let USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett show you how she’s planned and written over 25 mysteries in this direct and to-the-point guide without fluff or filler. Use the How to Outline a Cozy Mystery Workbook—the companion to the How to Outline a Cozy Mystery Course—to work through your cozy outline step-by-step. In How to Outline a Cozy Mystery Workbook you'll discover: The many different outlining methods you can use to build your story framework The conventions (or tropes) cozy readers want and expect The psychology behind why readers choose cozies How a cozy mystery fits into classic plot structure Tips on how to hide clues and red herrings And much, much more! Sara's firsthand knowledge of cozy mystery structure and what cozy readers want will help you shape your idea into a novel. Her tips and workbook will save you time and give you confidence as you approach the blank page. Buy Sara Rosett's workbook today and you'll get an easy to understand plan for outlining your mystery in a helpful question and answer format to guide you through the process.

    Beth has penned more than forty books about the Plain People in Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Indiana. In this collection of essays, Beth gives readers a glimpse into her personal life and shares experiences she's had while writing about the Amish. INCLUDES PHOTOS, AMISH RECIPES, AND A "BONUS" SHORT STORY!

    Now to perfect it. Fortunately, it isn’t as hard as you think.Through this step-by-step ten day challenge, The Ten Day Edit will help you face the overwhelm that comes with editing a novel. Along the way, it’ll teach you everything you need to know to master the editing process, create a page-turning story, and build a team of readers to support you.You’ll learn to:• Organize the editing process, stay focused, and maximize your time with a game plan built for your story.• Strengthen your story through advanced skills like scene and chapter structure.• Work with beta readers, critique partners, and editors to hone your skills.• Perfect your prose, opening line, and title to create a professional-level manuscript.• Bring it all together in a final novel ready to share with the world!Each day of this editing challenge comes with easy to follow prompts and intuitive goals, helping you make sense of the editing process. By the end, The Ten Day Edit will have guided you from a first draft to a finished novel! What are you waiting for?

    This is about breaking down the stories we are told and sold about being creatives. This is a call to action, as I remind you that we need what you create. If you are willing, this book is a revolutionary reprogramming of everything we are taught and told about art and being an artist. It’s time to put aside our patterns of distraction and destruction and lean into the magic that is calling our name.

    The other half is knowing how to create consistently over the long-term – how to design your own work schedule and methods, and then learning how to align those with your goals to finish your project… and the next one!David V. Stewart is an author, musician, and YouTuber, who has, in the last 4 years, written and published 11 fiction books (and designed the covers of all of them), one album, and hundreds of informative videos on writing, publishing, classical guitar, and film criticism. He did this while growing his family and working full time; in fact, almost everything was produced on one to two hours of work per day.The Keys to Prolific Creativity represents the distillation of the 9 principles he used to design his creative process across multiple realms of practice to deliver his creative products to market in a timely manner while maintaining high standards.Buy it today and unlock your inner master!

    From a handy introduction to how the publishing world works, and how authors fit into it, to practical tips on writing your book, strategies for editing and re-writing, Tips from a Publisher is an indispensable guide for authors.Helping you create the perfect submission and telling you the truth about what happens once you get published, it is crammed full of common-sense advice, and some trade secrets, that no aspiring writer should be without. 'Shut up and listen to everything he has to say’ – Caimh McDonnell, bestselling author of The Dublin Trilogy ‘Part instruction manual, part sat nav, part friendly arm round the shoulder: this is the book every aspiring writer needs to own’ – John Mitchinson, co-founder, Unbound ‘A book-shaped boot camp for emerging writers… essential reading’ – Judith Heneghan, director, Winchester Writers' Festival ‘Scott knows the publishing industry inside-out and whenever I work with him, I know my authors are in good hands’ – Charlotte Seymour, literary agent ‘I wouldn't trust anyone else to give me advice, he really knows his stuff!’ – Valerie Brandes, founder, Jacaranda Books ‘The best editor I've ever worked with’ – Ray Robinson, author of The Mating Habits of Stags

    Check this out...You can use free stuff to drive traffic and raving fans to your paid content. People do it all the time, and not just with books. Most of us have watched a YouTube video with those magical links in the description, right?It's a full-on business model, and this book will show you how to do it with a book that's free forever in the Amazon marketplace.In short, you will learn how to create a book and list it for free on Amazon that drives traffic to pretty much anything you want. We'll focus on building an email list, though, since that's pretty much Online Business 101.If you are ready to start your online side hustle, you've landed in the right spot.What You Will Learn:● How to self-publish a book● How to make that book free on Amazon● How to use that book to build an email list● How to build credibility● How to grow your followingAnd so much more!Welcome to square one! This short 34-page guide doesn't promise you riches. It helps you build a foundation on which you can create a long-term, sustainable business.If you want that, scroll up and buy this short book!

    Through exploring these exercises, stories, and meditations with Kae, you will uncover your wild, radiant self — the intrinsically aligned person that you were always meant to be. The “you” that already exists deep down at your core. Lace up those boots and get ready to Journey to the Ecstatic Self.

    

    In Mastering the Process, George offers readers a master class in the art and science of crafting a novelFor many writers, the biggest challenge is figuring out how to take that earliest glimmer of inspiration and shape it into a full-length novel. How do you even begin to transform a single idea to a complete book?In these pages, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth George takes us behind the scenes and into each step of her writing process, revealing exactly what it takes to craft a novel.Drawing from her personal photos, early notes, character analyses, and rough drafts, George shows us every step of how she wrote her novel Careless in Red, from researching location to imagining plot to creating characters to the actual writing and revision process itself. George offers us an intimate look at the process she follows, while also providing invaluable advice for writers about what's worked for her--and what hasn't. Mastering the Process offers writers practical, prescriptive, and achievable tools to creating a novel, to editing a novel, and to problem solve when in the midst of a novel, from a master storyteller writing at the top of her game.

    The first chapter—probably even the first page—is what makes agents and editors accept or reject a manuscript, and it’s what makes readers decide to buy a book or pick another. But writing a compelling opening is hard because there are so many things a great beginning needs to do and so many mistakes to avoid.In this book, Sandra Gerth draws on her experience as an editor and best-selling author to teach you where to start your novel, how to avoid common first chapter problems, and how to hook your readers from the very first page.Each chapter of this practical guide includes concrete examples and exercises that will help you write an irresistible beginning.Whether you’re a novice writer working on your first story or an established author with several novels under your belt, this book will help you:- Decide where to start your book,- Understand important elements of every powerful opening such as the inciting incident,- Write a kickass first line,- Hook your readers from the very first page,- Introduce your characters and get readers to care about them,- Establish the time and place of your story,- Get your readers emotionally involved in your story as soon as possible,- Describe your setting and your characters without stopping the momentum of the story,- Incorporate backstory and reveal your characters’ pasts without overwhelming readers,- Create chapter endings that will make readers keep reading.- Avoid openings that are boring, confusing, clichéd, or misleading,- Discover what types of openings to avoid,- Find out why prologues and flashbacks can be problematic and how to handle them effectively.

    

    With such a small word count, writing the perfect category romance is a little like writing a haiku. But how do you write a book in seventeen syllables? How can you cram compelling conflict, satisfying character development, and toe-curling romantic tension into less than sixty thousand words? In Crafting Category Romance, two-time RITA™-nominated author of nearly one hundred books Amy Lane describes the rules of engagement, traps to watch out for, and how to leverage common tropes to create conflict, craft a character, develop a plot, and leave readers with a happy ever after that's different every time—all in a tidy package. With practical exercises in plot, conflict, and character development, Crafting Category Romance will teach you how to use the rigid rules and expectations of the genre to your advantage and win a loyal readership following for life.

    Wanna give it a try? Bestselling author and poet extraordinaire Kwame Alexander created this super-fly notebook just for YOU! It's bursting with cool activities, sizzling poetry starters, inspirational quotes, and lots of space to create. So grab your pen or pencil 'cause it's time to give your words FLOW and RHYTHM and RHYME.Incredible stories. Award-winning storytellers. Epic adventure, mystery, and fun? We've got it all in Ghostwriter, the extraordinary new series from the Emmy-award winning hit Apple TV+ show, created by your friends at Sesame Workshop.

    Within these pages you’ll find:· Thirteen key components for split time fiction· Practical tips on building the time-slip structure· Interviews with bestselling novelists like Lisa Wingate and Susan Meissner· Analyses of multi-storyline techniques· Resources to build compelling split time characters, craft your ideas, and weave together multiple timelinesWhether you are a seasoned writer ready for a new journey or a first-time novelist wanting to learn the split timeline format, this workshop-in-a-book provides the necessary skills to weave two or more compelling stories into one time-slip novel!

    Those who do often get lost and give up along the way.If you struggle with what goals to set, or feel as though you never meet your goals, this book will help you break that pattern.This book will help you to:- Work through the essential steps to effective goal setting- Work out what really matters to you- Decide specifically what you want to accomplish and create the steps to get there- Uncover the potential obstacles to achieving your goals and learn how to navigate around themIf you’re ready to create your unique roadmap to setting and accomplishing your goals, then buy Goal Setting for Writers today.Holly Lyne is an urban fantasy author, podcaster and bullet journal enthusiast with a knack for organisation and getting stuff done."Holly is the planning mentor every author needs." Meg Cowley, USA Today Bestselling Author and BookSniffer app co-founder."As someone who is terrible about setting goals, a book like this that breaks them down not only into 'how' but also 'why' can be an invaluable resource." Josh Roseman, author of AFTER THE APOCALYPSE and BOSS FIGHT.

    Before you can even work on your craft, you have to face down the fear of messing up or looking silly, the perfectionism that keeps you from even starting, and the negative voices inside your head that say you don't have anything valuable to offer.Well, you do have something to offer! Being creative is a right, and in this book, National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr will help you get started. Her advice and encouragement are paired with exercises to help you face down your fears, let go of expectations, stop comparing yourself to others, and make your art with courage. A perfect gift for anyone who wants to be creative but doesn't know where to start, or for people who've been doing creativity for a while but want more inspiration, Courageous Creativity will empower readers to express themselves with self-confidence, bravery, and joy.

    The verb used in each story is printed in the color of the bird in the story. Photos, information, and links to sites to hear bird songs are included. Appropriate for preschool through 4th grade. Currently only available at cindaklicknabooks.com. Will be coming to Amazon later but pre orders are available there

    Throughout the journey, there were moments of absolute despair and deep disappointment. But what agonized me the most was that I couldn't figure out the reason why I was failing. It was only in my fifth attempt that I understood my inadequacy: I wasn't able to write good answers in the em. Once I realized it, I worked on my answer writing skills. As my answers became better, so did my marks, ultimately helping me secure All India Rank 1.

    You will find suggested exercises, original research from a survey of hundreds of nonfiction authors, and stories and advice from other authors who have written meaningful, purposeful books.Many authors report that they wish they’d written their books sooner. What are you waiting for?Read this book now and start getting your word out.

    Art. Film. In this fragmentary and fluent little gem--full of light and stunning, full-color images--writer and time-based artist Marilyn Freeman offers up her own contemplative practice of dowsing for and creating "opportune moments" of insight and healing. With humor and humility, Freeman reveals her innovative approach to making video essays, a process developed over years of art-making, study and personal searching--a process of waking up again and again to the extraordinary possibilities hidden in everyday existence. Freeman introduces a theory of "evocative" practice as an alternative to the conventions of narrative and non-fiction filmmaking--a risky and rigorous engagement with form that invites the audience to participate in the creation of meaning. Her examination of the dialectical relationship of sound and image takes us far deeper than just a critical study of audio/visual media--deep into the human heart with its dark traumas and its shimmering capacity for honest and compassionate reckoning. Transgressing disciplinary boundaries and trading authority for authentic inquiry, Freeman takes us with her on a foray into time-based art that leaps and wanders from movie theaters to museums to Instagram in search of the "illuminated spaces" where we encounter ourselves and each other. This book is an essential resource for artists who question the importance of their work in these dark times, and for anyone seeking wisdom and wonder in our ordinary world.

    

    But unless a writer knows how to use it, social media can be frustrating. Without the proper knowledge, writers can waste both time and effort. WHILE THERE'S NOT a one-size-fits-all answer to using social media to build connections with readers, there are principles that apply to all circumstances to help writers connect with their audience. This book will help every writer

    This book promises to inspire teachers to teach with renewed passion and power and to invigorate the entire school day. This is a book for readers who want an introduction to the writing workshop, and for those who've lived and breathed this work for decades. Although Lucy addresses the familiar topics-the writing process, conferring, kinds of writing, and writing assessment- she helps us see those topics with new eyes. She clears away the debris to show us the teeny details, and she shows us the majesty and meaning, too, in these simple yet powerful teaching acts. Download a sample chapter for more information.

    

    

    Whether you’re just starting out or seeking ways to expand your skills, How to Write Poetry is a poetry journal designed to nurture creativity and deepen your understanding of this age-old literary tradition.Discover lessons on everything from crafting evocative imagery to exploring the nuances of rhythm and meter―all while immersing yourself in related readings that reinforce your connection to the instruction. Put your knowledge into practice with dozens of original, enriching prompts meant to jump-start a ritual of poetry writing. No matter where you are on your journey, this poetry journal will help you unleash your artistic voice.This how-to poetry journal helps teach with:* A poetic primer―Go from basic to more advanced techniques with descriptive instructions that provide comprehensive guidance.* Practice makes perfect―Hone your skills with thought-provoking prompts and blank pages that encourage you to try what you’ve learned.* Finishing touches―This poetry journal contains expert advice for revising your poems, as well as a list of respected publications you can submit your completed works to.Expand your knowledge and broaden your skills with a poetry journal that teaches you how to find your voice and share your passion.