Nicole Dake is an author, mom of three, and blogger on parenting with a focus on health and wellness for moms and kids. Nicole has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies from the University of Colorado and a Paralegal Certification from Boston University. Though she’s originally from the United States, she […]
Tag Archives | Author
Start With Your “Why?”
Go back. Way back. Back to the day you decided you were going to write a novel. Why did you make that promise to yourself? Did you think, “How hard can this be?” Did you want to become famous? Did you covet J. K. Rowling’s lifestyle? Did you want bragging rights? BUZZ! Wrong answer. Though admittedly, […]
Stepping Into the Negative Space
From posting your child’s graduation picture on Facebook, to sharing a business win on LinkedIn, there will be backlash. Whatever the reason, social media invites negativity. Thoughtless commentary and hurtful, snarky remarks go hand in hand with stepping into the social media space. Now, imagine this from the author’s perspective. Readers are very interested in “seeing” you, hearing […]
Writer’s Corner: An Author’s Word Count Primer
When it comes to pitching your book, word count matters. You don’t want to write a picture book that runs the length of 2000 words and expect a publisher to pick it up. Unless of course your last name is Disney, then you may be rolling into the storybook realm. But I digress. Yes, there […]
Author Q&A With Erin Carrougher
Erin Carrougher is a native of the Pacific Northwest, living the majority of her life near the Seattle area. She loves dystopian books, movies, and shows; so naturally, she weaved her passion for writing with her obsession with the possible futures. When not writing, she works as a sales professional and is a loving wife, […]
Author Q&A with Larry Atlas
After serving in the Army as a Drill Sergeant, Larry Atlas attended Bennington College, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees before declining admission to medical school—and moving to New York to begin a successful career as an actor, playwright, and screenwriter. Among his produced plays are Total Abandon and the award-winning Yield of the Long […]
Writer’s Corner: Who Is Your Reader?
I’ve owned my own business for years. I understand well the need for a ‘client avatar’ or the ideal audience whom you’re targeting when you market, sell, develop, and deliver your services. There may be a collective psychographic or demographic that describes your audience, client, or for our purposes, your reader. This profile is what […]
Writer’s Corner: What Makes a Book a Great Sale?
Nothing is more important to a literary agent’s audience—publishers, writers, and readers—than a great read. But today, an enjoyable read is not enough to grab a publisher’s attention and eventually make it onto the bestseller’s list. So, what is? In one word, sales. Publishers know the importance of forecasting a book’s future sales in offering […]
Writer’s Corner: How To Tighten Up Your Manuscript
While my blogs may be a bit verbose, I like to have fun with them, making them conversational. But when it comes to manuscripts, I strive to tighten up. Flowery words, extra descriptors and adverbs are not the best ploy for keeping reader’s attention. In certain genres, it can work, but publishers want to see […]
Powerful Inspirations: Eight Lessons That Will Change Your Life by Kathy Ireland and Laura Morton
Those who know of Kathy Ireland most likely know her for her business mogul, supermodel status and gracing the cover of numerous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues. But what many may not know is how devout she is as a Christian. In fact, many of the challenges she’s faced in her line of work have challenged […]