Latest posts

Should You Add an Ebook to Your Promotional Toolkit? Dan Brotzel /

Along with your blogs, social posts, author website, and newsletter, an ebook can be a powerful part of your promotional mix. Ebooks are a subtle-type selling, too, that lets you editorially showcase some of your experience and expertise, so readers start to associate you with a particular area. And despite... Along with your blogs, social posts, author website, and newsletter, an ebook can be a powerful part of your promotional mix. Ebooks are a subtle-type selling, too, that lets you editorially showcase some of your experience and expertise, so readers start to associate you with a particular area. And despite... Read More

The Importance of a Recipe C. Hope Clark /

Recipes are directions, and in most cases, directions on how to create food. One of my relaxing pastimes is reading recipes, collecting them, and dissecting them on what makes them easy, unique, or particularly mouth-watering. I ponder how to alter them, improve them, add to make the flavor better. I... Recipes are directions, and in most cases, directions on how to create food. One of my relaxing pastimes is reading recipes, collecting them, and dissecting them on what makes them easy, unique, or particularly mouth-watering. I ponder how to alter them, improve them, add to make the flavor better. I... Read More

Five Reasons Your Magazine Pitches Get Rejected Andrea J. Johnson /

So you've written your hundredth magazine pitch only to be rejected again. This is where most writers quit, but smart authors know that a successful pitch goes beyond a clean essay and a flashy idea. You need content that not only compels the editor to inquire for more but also... So you've written your hundredth magazine pitch only to be rejected again. This is where most writers quit, but smart authors know that a successful pitch goes beyond a clean essay and a flashy idea. You need content that not only compels the editor to inquire for more but also... Read More

Who’s the Right Judge of Your Work? C. Hope Clark /

I read a lot of posts, in the spirit of broadening my horizons, and this week I came across this one by a public speaking expert. The message smacked me like a wet rag across the nose how closely this fits writers. The author of this post is a public speaking coach,... I read a lot of posts, in the spirit of broadening my horizons, and this week I came across this one by a public speaking expert. The message smacked me like a wet rag across the nose how closely this fits writers. The author of this post is a public speaking coach,... Read More

Write Your Stress Away Rachel Carrington /

Most writers have something we do to relieve stress. For some, it might be dancing or singing, while, for others, it's something much more low-key like crossword puzzles or video games. And while it's certainly great for writers to take some time away from the keyboard to release the tension,... Most writers have something we do to relieve stress. For some, it might be dancing or singing, while, for others, it's something much more low-key like crossword puzzles or video games. And while it's certainly great for writers to take some time away from the keyboard to release the tension,... Read More

You Cannot Write for Everyone C. Hope Clark /

If you sit down in a pizza place and order sushi, neither you nor the manager will be happy. The manager hasn't served your needs, and you stay hungry. . . unless you decide to settle for pizza. But what are the odds that your craving for sushi will be... If you sit down in a pizza place and order sushi, neither you nor the manager will be happy. The manager hasn't served your needs, and you stay hungry. . . unless you decide to settle for pizza. But what are the odds that your craving for sushi will be... Read More

How to Deal with a Bad Payer Without Giving In to Anger Dan Brotzel /

Some months ago, I finally, finally received a modest payment for a couple of articles I’d written for a well-known outlet. It took me almost a year from submitting the first piece to getting paid, and the whole process involved endless emails, chasing different people, lots of silence, and false... Some months ago, I finally, finally received a modest payment for a couple of articles I’d written for a well-known outlet. It took me almost a year from submitting the first piece to getting paid, and the whole process involved endless emails, chasing different people, lots of silence, and false... Read More

How to Fill Needs Properly on Facebook C. Hope Clark /

As I have mentioned a few times, I am helping a local school board campaign. None of these new candidates has run for office before, and they see Facebook as a place to post about family vacations and their latest dinner. One candidate in particular asked for guidance, not understanding... As I have mentioned a few times, I am helping a local school board campaign. None of these new candidates has run for office before, and they see Facebook as a place to post about family vacations and their latest dinner. One candidate in particular asked for guidance, not understanding... Read More

How to Run a Short Story Competition Dan Brotzel /

Writers love competitions. There’s the creative stimulus of an interesting prompt, the promise of kudos, validation if you do well, and, of course, publication and prizes. Running your own competition is fun, too. It can develop your network and author brand, and may lead to other offers of work such... Writers love competitions. There’s the creative stimulus of an interesting prompt, the promise of kudos, validation if you do well, and, of course, publication and prizes. Running your own competition is fun, too. It can develop your network and author brand, and may lead to other offers of work such... Read More