The November installment of the 2021 Author Series, where a published author shares the advice they would give to their pre-published self along with what they wished they'd known before they published their first book, features Barbara Britton. I think I met Barbara at my very first writing conference more than a decade ago. Since then, it has been fun to watch her writing career take flight! I have often featured her books, celebrated her book launches, and interviewed her about her publishing journey in this space. I love all of her books--her Biblical Fiction titles are just delightful! Scroll down to see the gorgeous covers--including the one for her... Continue Reading
Reading, wRiting, and Roaming with Author Valerie Biel
November 2, 2021
I just finished reading Where Echoes Lie by Shannon Schuren last night . . . at midnight . . . as the clock ticked over to the beginning of All Souls Day. How perfect!
Why?
Because this is a story about a lost soul -- a ghost story -- a fabulous, eerie, page-turning ghost story.
But what makes this book so special is the rest of the story surrounding the legend of the ghost bride and the modern-day characters who interact with her. What does she want? What does she need? Will she harm them to get it? Shannon Schuren does a fabulous job of intertwining a coming-of-age story with the secrets of the past. As a stellar storyteller, Schuren creates characters we immediately care for,... Continue Reading
October 30, 2021
What Are You Traditions for October 31?
New Social Media Platform for Authors
Black Voices in Publishing: Is It a Trend or a Movement?
FEATURED ARTICLES
What Are Your Traditions for October 31 & November 1
My recent article for the Blackbird Writers blog to takes you on a little journey into the past, detailing where all of our Halloween and All Saints Day traditions originated. You may be surprised as to how this holiday has evolved!
This Founder Created a Social Media Platform for Authors that Aims to Disrupt the Publishing Industry
Author Allison Trowbridge will soon launch a new... Continue Reading
October 19, 2021
Given that it’s now October and we've entered the spooky season, I’m writing about the ghost-like feeling that plagues writers: imposter syndrome. Putting ideas onto the page and then releasing them to the world for critical feedback is a risk. The most successful writers, including Sandra Brown, have revealed doubts about their writing talent.
As parents or psychologists will tell you, external praise won’t change a person’s self-esteem. For writers, who experience... Continue Reading
October 12, 2021
Welcome to the October installment of the 2021 Author Series, where a published author shares the advice they would give to their pre-published self along with what they wished they'd known before they published their first book. Kristin Oakley is our October author. I first met Kristin at one of the many University of Wisconsin continuing education writing programs (which alas are no longer continuing!) We've collaborated before in this space on articles about critique groups, attending writing conferences, and... Continue Reading
October 7, 2021
Harry Potter and On Wisconsin (Authors)!
AH, HARRY POTTER—fond memories were recently rekindled with the recent gift of the ILLUSTRATED Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (thank you daughter #2). An unbelievably gorgeous book with such beautifully detailed illustrations that I would often just sit and stare at the page to take it all in. I really didn’t intend to READ the entire book (again for the umpteenth time.) But I was drawn in AGAIN, and thoroughly enjoyed it. What’s fun is that this is the British English version . . . so it was all favourites and colours and crisps and biscuits and car boots and lifts etc… However, then shouldn’t the cover have read “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”??? NOT Sorcerer’s Stone. Hmmmmm.
Our eldest was 11 when the first... Continue Reading
September 29, 2021
NEW AUTHOR PRO COURSES: Traditional Media Promo, Audiobook Production, and more Free Guides!
BRAVE NEW WRITING AND LEARNING TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOOK
FEATURED PUBLISHING PARTNER – DAVID GAUGHRAN
FEATURED ARTICLES
New Author Pro Courses
As promised, here are two new courses for authors, one will teach you how to gain attention for your book with traditional media and the other will help you expand your author revenue stream by creating audiobooks.
How to Promote Your Books with Traditional Media
Learn how to... Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Welcome to the September installment of the 2021 Author Series, where a published author shares with us what advice they would give to their younger/pre-published self. Sara Dahmen is our September author, but she does so many more things than writing I can't even begin to list them here . . . just scroll down for her full bio. (Seriously!) I first met Sara at a writing conference and immediately admired her spirit, energy, and tenacity. Anyone who does the cookware research for her historical fiction so well that she ends up not only with a new hobby, but starts a company selling such cookware and learns how to make it, too. . . is my kind of person!
September 14, 2021
Did you spend the summer polishing your fiction novel? Congrats! Perhaps you’re pitching it this fall. Some excellent virtual conferences are available, including the Writing Day Workshops and the Midwest Writer’s Workshop Agent Fest.
I recommend attempting a virtual pitch if you’re ready; check out the links for the writing events listed above and sign up. Pitching is a great experience, and it forces you to polish that novel—and develop the essential supplemental materials... Continue Reading
September 1, 2021
Often my book reviews highlight my favorite stand-alone books, but this post is going to focus on the excellent series I’ve been reading and highly recommend—both romance (romantic suspense) and mysteries. (Click on the either the title or the book cover image to learn more and go to the book's purchase page.)
The Westmoreland Dynasty Series by Judith McNaught
IF YOU LOVED BRIDGERTON, both the books by Julia Quinn and the Netflix Series (and—swoon—who didn’t?), I think you’ll love the historical romance Westmoreland series by Judith McNaught.
The series begins with Whitney, My Love set in England’s Regency period, continues with A Kingdom of Dreams which goes backward in time to Scotland in 1497, and moves back to 1800s England for Until You and Miracles, books... Continue Reading
