Writing and Publishing
THE DOG YEAR – first chapter sneak peek
Chapter One It’s Not About the Breast In the hospital parking ramp, Lucy snuck a glance at a new mother placing her infant into an elaborate car seat. Her husband stood hovering at her shoulder, his hand gently touching her hip. The woman lingered, gazing at the tiny, beet-faced infant, love fairly oozing from her…
Read MoreThe Book Is Dead! Long Live the Book!
How to Save Books and Keep Reading What You Love *Pick Two* Talk about the books you love. Not just the big famous ones. Leave a review on Amazon or BN.com or Goodreads or all “Like” the book on Amazon, or “Like” the author’s Facebook Fan page, invite your friends to “Like” Authors need people…
Read MoreSuccess tips #4, #5, #6
Stick to your guns when you are right Revise when you are wrong Have the wisdom to know the difference (there’s your tweet) If this sounds suspiciously like the AA credo, well I can’t argue with you there. It’s important to know in both writing and life who you are. It’s important to know who…
Read MoreHow to be a successful writer (SNHU graduation speech 2013)
When the MFA class of 2013 graduated I was able to get in the last word, which of course I love. Among other things, I provided a list of 15 items for success as a writer. Actually, if you just read 1 through 14 you will find the 14 things you need to be successful…
Read MoreLost Chapters: Five
On the journey to publication unfortunately some chapters needed a trim here is one of those chapters from On Maggie’s Watch Five You Love Who You Love 1976 “I could have married the safe-bet, but no, Mavis, I went for the sports car of husbands. A shiny speedster, as if I was some sort of…
Read MoreDear Writer,
Think long and hard about your dream of becoming an author. It is a thrilling ride. It is. From first short story prize, to first rejection as a novelty, to agent interest, to publisher interest to holding your first arc—it’s a lovely thing. If only we could stop there. Live that wonderful ride and…
Read MoreHow to get published (5 steps)
Hire an editor to work on your manuscript and don’t argue with them either in person or in your head. Promise me right now. I mean it. Eat, Sleep and Fixate. Read, research, read some more. Write a query that would make your old boyfriend take you back (even though you don’t want him back).…
Read MoreWriting: The love that got away OR you suck as a motivational technique
“You are the worst writer I’ve ever worked with.” My mentor said that to me. Self-esteem education had not gripped the nation yet. Higher education ascribed to the-I–was-miserable-so-by-God-you-will-be-too-teaching system. At the time, I was trying to write my dissertation on how physical activity effects anxiety and depression and ironically every time I thought about working…
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