November was National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and for the past few months, I’ve offered blog posts about the month-long typing rally that included ideas about plot points; time management; and using markers to move beyond sticky sections. This month, I’ll offer a wrap-up of what I learned and accomplished. First, while I did not achieve the goal of 1,600 words per day, I succeeded in other areas that were surprising to me. Second, I found... Continue Reading
Reading, wRiting, and Roaming with Author Valerie Biel
December 1, 2020
Kathy Nieber’s debut picture book celebrates adoption with a lovely story about finding a forever home filled with love. Sweetly written with charming illustrations, the reader follows along as Natalie searches for a forever home for her rapidly-growing Gingko tree. Not just any home will do, Natalie needs to find the perfect place for her beloved Gingko. Nieber’s sense of humor is evident as we learn the reasons some of the places will not work! You’ll enjoy sharing this truly heartwarming tale with all the young readers in your life. 5-Stars!!
ABOUT THE BOOK: Gingko and her human best friend Natalie set off on an adventure to find the Chinese tree a forever earthen home. Along the way,... Continue Reading
November 24, 2020
AUDIBLE RETURNS FIASCO (Solved?)
HOW TO SELL BOOKS IN 2020
WORLD READING HABITS & GLOBAL PUBLISHING
WHAT'S NEW AND NEWISH
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Audible Returns Fiasco #Audiblegate
Here’s the latest on the Audible Returns Fiasco . . . if you haven’t read anything about this yet here's what’s happening: Audible has always had an extremely liberal returns policy, but recently they started encouraging their customers to return audiobooks up to a year after purchase—EVEN IF THEY HAD ALREADY LISTENED TO THE STORY! When these returns go through, it isn’t at Audible’s expense. Audible debits the accounts of the authors/narrators who previously counted that book as a ‘sale.’ Plus, this return policy is completely opaque to the authors... Continue Reading
November 17, 2020
Ideas About Writing to Plot Point and Time Management
November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and for the past months, I’ve offering ideas about it in preparation. You can aread those blog posts here and here. Now that we're a little more than halfway through the month, I’m offering an update. From conversations with other writers, emails, and chatter on social media, it appears to be... Continue Reading
November 8, 2020
My six favorite books from the past two months include a grab-your-tissues middle-grade novel, a heritage-rich young adult novel, a heart-warming, coming-of-age mystery, a sweet romance, and duo of time travel romance novels that take us to the old west (and back again).
THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF COYOTE SUNRISE by DAN GEMEINHART
This book cover is adorable and intriguing and it’s what initially drew me to this story. Why in the world is this girl on top of a bus? You’ll love her from the start and eventually you’ll learn the heartbreaking reason why she’s now called Coyote Sunrise and why her dad is called Rodeo and not Dad. The sheer personality of this character is something to gush about—unique, forceful... Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
HOW TO WRITE A GHOST STORY
AMAZON READER REVIEW MYTHS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BLACKBIRD WRITERS: FLASH SALE & GIVEAWAY
FEATURED PUBLISHING PRO: DAN BLANK
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How to Write a Ghost Story
Perfect timing on this article from Amy Holland at the Good Story Company. Are you in the mood for writing a ghost story? Here are tips to help you build the suspense and draw from what scares you the most.
Amazon Reader Review Myths: What You Need to Know
Many thanks to Sandra Beckwith for penning this excellent article dispelling the myths surrounding Amazon reviews that seem to... Continue Reading
October 20, 2020
November is cozy with its cool air, pumpkins, and turkey, but it’s also thrilling. For writers, that is. National Novel Writing Month is thirty days of writing, with the goal to produce fifty-thousand words for a novel. It’s a daunting challenge, but it’s also a self-directed class in writing-skills improvement. Plus, there are prizes at the end, and the NaNoWriMo site offers deals on products. (BTW, I write using Scrivener, which I recommend. Participants get a great discount.) In honor of the month, I’m offering tips about prepping and writing for both of my September and October blog posts.... Continue Reading
October 15, 2020
Today, I'm giving you my best 13 book marketing tips for before, during, and after your book launch. Typically, I begin working with authors after their book has launched and they’re disappointed in sales and aren’t sure what to do to. This conundrum affects equally those who publish traditionally and independently. It's incredibly difficult to sort through all the book marketing tips and information available. I know . . . I do it on an almost daily basis. But don’t lose hope if you have published a book and skipped some of these earlier steps!
PRE-PRE-LAUNCH
1. WEBSITE
At the beginning of your author journey, whether that’s during your querying phase or when you are proceeding down the path toward publishing independently, you MUST set up a... Continue Reading
October 7, 2020
You know how I promised you all more stories in my Circle of Nine series? I’m finally constructing the outlines! I’ve been pulling research books off my shelf and realized I’d compiled a wonderful library of Celtic mythology and witchy guides to help me craft the perfect details to make my stories come alive. And, what better time to do this than in the witchiest month of the year?
So welcome to Part One of Books that Help Me Write My Books.
Halloween is approaching . . . but in my books that holiday is Samhain, pronounced SAH-win or SOW-win. Beginning at sunset on October 31 and ending at sunset on November 1, this is the pagan new year holiday. It is the cross-quarter day between the fall equinox (Mabon) and the winter solstice (Yule) and divides the year... Continue Reading
September 30, 2020
Wisconsin Writers Association 2020 Fall Conference
Everyone Wants Barnes & Noble to Survive. Can It?
Traditional Publishing Enjoys Its Best Sales in a Decade—Despite Supply Chain Problems
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Wisconsin Writers Association 2020 Fall Conference – October 3 – Still time to register!
The Wisconsin Writers Association Fall Conference is this Saturday, October 3. This is a steal at $30 for those who are already members of WWA and $50 for non-members. There is still to register HERE. The lineup includes: Dasha Kelly Hamilton, MKE Poet Laureate; Erin Celello, author, Miracle Beach and Learning to Stay; Ann Garvin, author, I Like You Just Fine When You’re Not... Continue Reading
