It took me nine years to write, revise, edit again, and rewrite my debut novel, The Pendant’s Promise, a story set in the Vietnam era. As I held that first printed edition in my hands, I thought I’d finished. One year after publication, a reader sent me an email wanting to know more about how […]
The Answer Place: What can a small press do for me that I can’t do myself?
Here are four things a small press can do for you, an author, more effectively than you can do for yourself. Get you entered into certain industry contests that favor traditionally published authors. If you’re doing it yourself, you may have to prove that you’ve got some best-seller sales in order to enter. Submit your book to Publishers Weekly and […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Tanya Eavenson tells of answered prayer
Recently I was asked to share what inspired my new story To Gain a Mommy. It might surprise you, but my inspiration behind this story isn’t what most people would think of. It was actually a prayer. Several months ago I was asked to take a great position at the company I work for, but […]
Behind the Scenes: Author June Foster and the homeless shelter
Almond Street Mission is one of my favorite stories so far. Glorilyn Neilson’s youngest brother, Tannon, still a teen, has gone missing. The family is heartbroken. They’re sure Tannon lives on the streets with no resources. Feeling helpless, Glorilyn does the only thing she can—volunteer at one of the local shelters over summer break. But she […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Lillian Duncan and her suspenseful Christmas story
Christmas will be here before you know it! Time to get in the mood and I know just the way to do that—Christmas-themed novels. At first glance fast-paced suspense novels and Christmas wouldn’t seem to mix, but let me assure you they do. I love the challenge of finding a way to mix suspense into […]
Sell enough ebooks to quit your day job: four tips from a pro
Want to learn more about selling enough ebooks to quit your day job? I like to listen to podcasts related to publishing, and one of those I’ve found is BookMarketingTools.com Recently Jamie Davis, indie paranormal ebook author, gave his secrets for success. Email list. Like most successful indie authors, he lays a lot of the […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Donna Schlachter conjures a unique setting
Have you ever started to read a book where you got to the third chapter (or sooner) and tossed it aside because you weren’t engaged? To engage readers, writers often focus on developing multi-dimensional characters and character journeys and backstory, but we neglect that all-important setting. When handled properly, setting becomes as much of a […]
Writers, don’t write all the time. Read too.
Writers, don’t forget to read books. Especially books in your genre that your readers would enjoy. You’re not wasting time. You’re studying! In fact, you can locate a particularly gifted writer in your genre. Get out different-colored highlighters and mark the dialogue, the words conveying emotion, the description, and so on. Figure out your particular […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Lillian Duncan gets story ideas in many places …
Where do you get your ideas? Is this book based on your life? Those are two questions I get asked often. My answer: I should hope not since I write suspense and mystery novels. Let me assure you, I’ve never had to run for my life nor hunt down a killer. And I’m pretty sure if […]
Behind the Scenes: Quirky challenges from Author Jodie Bailey’s cousin
When I wrote my first book, my cousin posted this random thing on Facebook about radiative transfer. It stuck in my head apparently, because one of my characters brought it up later. Very random thing totally unrelated to the book. Out of that grew “the challenge.” Before I start a new book, I let my […]