Let’s face it. No one likes criticism. Well, at least the destructive kind which hurts to read and possibly leads to scars or setbacks. But we also can agree that constructive criticism is useful. While there’s positives and negatives to all feedback, the “bad reviews” of books are largely of the latter. Now I’m not […]
Archive | February, 2024
How I Became a Screenwriter
Guest Post by Author, Writer, Professor, Editor, and Coach, Dr. Diana Stout I’ve always been a rabid fan of movies, whether on the big screen or small. In the early 1990s, when the internet was new, I was looking for a writer’s online chat room. I fell into Professor Jack Stanley’s Scrnwrit chat room of […]
Reluctant Hearts
This is a swift but satisfying read by author Linda Griffin. Rather than a one and done romance, it’s a collection of short romantic romps between two people who are reluctant to give their hearts. The characters, while diverse and charmingly unique, share many common threads. For one, they are manifestations of very relatable working-class […]
Push On To Publishing
Guest Post: Push On To Publishing by Diana Rubino To all published and aspiring authors, my story (and learned experiences) will inspire you to push on to publishing if nothing else will. It’s unique because I’m probably the longest aspiring author to be published—18 years. As every grade school kid, I wrote short stories growing […]
Writer’s Corner: How Does a Publishing Auction Work?
You may think there’s nothing more exciting for a writer than receiving an offer from a publisher for your book. What about multiple offers? That’s what a publishing auction is. More than one publishing company wants to buy your book and they’re willing to go to auction for it. Publishing auctions are often managed by […]
Book Teaser: Amber’s Way
Jessica Langston’s storybook romance turns to tragedy when her husband is killed in the Iraq War shortly before the birth of their daughter Amber. Despite Jessica’s grief, she makes a promise that Amber will live a happy life. Her pledge is tested when her high-spirited daughter is diagnosed with cancer when she is four years old. But Amber summons her warrior spirit […]
Novellas aren’t Novel but are Growing in Appeal
Guest Post by Marketing Guru and Author Advocate, James B. Abt The concept of novellas is not novel, but it seems like they have become more popular recently among readers and authors. The definition of a novella is not exactly clear. The gist is they’re longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. […]
Five “Killer” Genres Unpacked: The Difference Between a Mystery, Detective, Crime, Thriller, and Suspense Novel
Someone is killed in the book, therefore it’s a thriller. Or is it a mystery? A killer left a string of clues, so it’s a suspense. No, it must be a mystery. Right and wrong. Now you get why this can be so darn confusing! The “Killer Genres” are one of those tricky, sticky, picky […]
Snowy Valentine
Jasper Bunny goes on the hunt for a Valentine’s Day gift for his wife, Lilly. In need of inspiration, he turns to his friends but ends up caught in one trick and trap after another. Until a little bird gives him the answer he seeks, only then Jasper realizes the perfect gift was right in […]
Advice From Pros: Meg Gaertner
Meg Gaertner is the Managing Editor for fiction books at Jolly Fish Press and Flux (North Star Editions) where she currently acquires and edits young adult and middle grade novels. Though Meg’s first career choice was in the medical field, her trajectory changed when she rediscovered her love for writing. She went on to earn her MFA in […]