Reading, wRiting, and Roaming with Author Valerie Biel

Writers' Forum - November 2023

November 29, 2023

Conference Recap 20 Books to 50k VEGAS

What’s the Future of Books

Earn Six Figures as an Author With This One Weird Trick

Holiday Gifts for Writers (and regular people, too LOL)

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Conference Recap 20 Books to 50k VEGAS

I went to the 20 Books to 50k Conference in Vegas earlier this month. This is a conference geared mainly toward those who indie publish their books, often with multiple series and multiple pen names. It’s mostly focused on marketing, but there were plenty of craft sessions, too. This was the biggest author-centric conference I’ve ever attended with nearly 2000 authors in person and many more joining in virtually. Here’s the good news for YOU (if you're an author.) Nearly all the sessions were... Continue Reading

20 Books to 50k Vegas Conference Recap

November 17, 2023

I spent last week in Vegas at the 20 Books to 50k Conference. This is a conference geared mainly toward those who indie publish their books, often with multiple series and multiple pen names. It’s mostly focused on marketing, but there were plenty of craft sessions, too.

This was the biggest author-centric conference I’ve ever attended with nearly 2000 authors in person and many more joining in virtually. (I’ve been to Colleen Hoover’s Book Bonanza, which is probably a little bigger, but that event is fan focused with only 170 or so authors in attendance.)

Here’s the good news for YOU (if you're an author.)

Nearly all the sessions were recorded and will be available for you to watch for free in a few weeks.

The most valuable parts of the conference... Continue Reading

Holiday Gifts: Give an Experience (or a Book) for the Holidays

November 16, 2023

We're gearing up for the holidays with the annual great gifts post from author T.K. (Tracey Kathryn) Sheffield. And I love, love, love that's she's suggesting a lot of 'experiences' vs. gifts. But I'd be remiss if I didn't congratulate Tracey on the release of her debut novel this past week. It's a fantastic cozy mystery, she gives a description of it below, but I enjoyed this book so much, I want to share my review here before we get into her post!

MODEL SUSPECT: VAL'S REVIEW

"Better than Janet Evanovich! It’s rare that a book makes me laugh out loud this much . . . usually it is the antics of Stephanie Plum that have me chuckling (sometimes loud enough to wake my husband.) But now we have Mel Tower! And... Continue Reading

Publishing World Wisdom from Sharon Lynn

November 9, 2023

We're joined today by another fellow Blackbird Writer, Sharon Lynn, who is sharing her wisdom on what she wishes she could tell her prepublished self as well as what she always does to make book launches successful. Sharon’s Cotswold Crimes Mystery series is a delight to read. (Check out more about these books below!)

ABOUT SHARON:

Her novels and short stories are about courageous, clever women solving suspenseful mysteries, with the vibrant cultures and scandalous crimes of Arizona and Southern California serving as the inspirations for many of those stories. Although it was living in... Continue Reading

Why I Chose to Write a Heroine’s Journey (and How You Can Too)

November 2, 2023

Today's guest post comes to us from Evonne Marzouk, author of The Prophetess. As writers, we often hear of the hero's journey, but we don't often dissect the heroine's journey and how it differs. Evonne's post gives us great insight into this female perspective. 

“Storytelling is universal and is as ancient as humankind. Before there was writing, there was storytelling. It occurs in every culture and from every age. It exists (and existed) to entertain, to inform, and to promulgate cultural traditions and values.” – National Geographic

When I set out to write my novel... Continue Reading

Writers' Forum - October 2023

October 27, 2023

FTC Sues Amazon for Illegally Maintaining Monopoly Power

Why / How One Author Isn’t Selling Her Book on Amazon

Writing Books Remains a Tough Way to Make a Living (ya think??)

How Books Are Sold: Things You’d Rather Not Know About Publishing

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FTC Sues Amazon for Illegally Maintaining Monopoly Power

This is an ongoing legal battle that is quickly summarized on the FTC’s own website asserting: "Amazon’s ongoing pattern of illegal conduct blocks competition, allowing it to wield monopoly power to inflate prices, degrade quality, and stifle innovation for consumers and businesses.”

... Continue Reading

Interview with Sherrill Joseph - Author of the Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries

October 19, 2023

You may remember Sherrill Joseph from her previous visit to my blog where she shared what she wished she could tell her pre-published self (Publishing World Wisdom with Sherrill Joseph). Sherrill and I are both members of the mystery, thriller, suspense group—Blackbird Writers. It’s been a delight to get to know Sherrill and today you get to know her better, too. She recently released the fifth book in her Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series . . . and just like the four previous books, this one is a great mystery for young readers and adults, too.  

... Continue Reading

Plotting a Novel: Part 9 - Fixing Plot Problems

October 12, 2023

Throughout the year, author Tracey Kathryn (T.K.) Sheffield and I have offered a series on plotting from the beginning developmental stage through the messy middle and all the way to the end, including editing advice on how to fix plot problems in a completed manuscript. This is our final installment, but for ease I've linked each part in this handy list. 

In Part 1, Tracey lists wonderful resources that are great for those that are new to writing or looking for a new approach to plotting in: "Plotting a Novel: Resources for Those Just Starting Out."

In Part 2, Tracey discusses how to use plotlines, tropes, and conflict to test your story ideas: "... Continue Reading

Publishing World Wisdom from Laurie Stevens

October 5, 2023

We're joined today by another fellow Blackbird Writer, Laurie Stevens, who is sharing her wisdom on what she wishes she could tell her prepublished self as well as what she always does to make book launches successful. 

ABOUT LAURIE

As a second-generation California native. she's lived in the Los Angeles area her whole life. After graduating UCLA's  Theatre/Film/Television program, she went on to work such diverse jobs as babysitting a super-agent's girlfriend and sipping cappuccinos at Armani in Beverly Hills while her boss tried on clothing. She then worked for Columbia Records in product marketing, at which time she decided to  become a rock star. When that didn't pan out, she quit... Continue Reading

Peru – One of the Best Trips EVER

September 29, 2023

Our trip to Peru was an exceptional two-week learning adventure! I keep telling everyone it was like summer camp for adults.

We spent the first two days in Lima, staying in the Miraflores neighborhood overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With the seasons reversed in the southern hemisphere, it was the very end of winter there, which makes Lima a bit foggy and misty; however, we were lucky and got some sunshine. We explored the Miraflores and Barranco neighborhoods, as well as the historic city center where we toured the San Francisco Monastery, Lima Cathedral, the Santo Domingo Convent and more. 

LIMA Interesting/Funny things:

. . .  the taxis in Lima can be problematic. About half of them are unlicensed and you have to be a little careful what kind of... Continue Reading

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