What Kind of Book Translates Well to the Screen?

This article was first published in my paid newsletter for authors, The Hot Sheet. Given the increase in book-to-screen deals in recent years, and the tendency of the TV/movie industry to build off existing intellectual property, it’s natural for authors to wonder if their own work is suitable for adaptation—or if they can increase their...

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How to Plan and Host Worthwhile Online Book Events

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels Since the pandemic arrived in early 2020, the entirety of the publishing community has turned its eye toward online events as a key way to spread word of mouth about books. And a lot continues to ride on the success of these events. Yet how many authors have been effectively trained in staging a...

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The Role of Causation and Plot Structure in Literary Fiction

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels Today’s post is by author and developmental editor Harrison Demchick (@HDemchick). A few years ago I was visiting a local writers’ group giving a lecture on narrative structure, in particular the role of cause and effect. It’s the sort of thing any editor or creative writing teacher is going to touch...

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Here’s What Can Happen When You Resolve to Write a Little Every Day

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels Today’s post is by Sharon Oard Warner, the author of Writing the Novella. I make New Year’s resolutions. I don’t keep all of them—especially those that involve dieting—but a few have been lifechanging. Here and there, I’ve hit on something that made all the difference. Some forty years ago, for instance,...

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Don’t Let Your Characters Fall Into the Daily Routine Trap

Today’s guest post is by editor Kayla Kauffman (@CWCauthorassist) of Copy Write Consultants. When writers seek to humanize and bring their characters to life, they can be tempted to fall into what I call the “daily routine trap.” Writers who fall prey to this trap typically over-explain the daily or mundane actions of their characters,...

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How to Get Your Writing Done When New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work (and They Usually Don’t)

Photo by Mahsima Sojoudi from Pexels Today’s post is by Allison K Williams (@GuerillaMemoir). Join us on Wednesday for her class This Is the Year You’ll Finish Your Book. Happy New Year! Many of us feel a sense of renewal in January, and it’s tempting to resolve, “This year I’ll start a brand-new writing habit!” The power...

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BookTok: A Safe Haven for Young Female Readers

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels The following article was first published in my paid newsletter, The Hot Sheet. It might well be impossible at this point to host a children’s publishing event without offering at least one session focused on TikTok—or, more specifically, BookTok, the community of young book lovers on the platform....

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To Everyone Who Wants Me to Read Their Writing and Tell Them What to Do

Every year, countless people attempting to write their first book will reach out to me directly and ask if I’ll read their work and tell them what to do next. The request is perfectly natural, especially for those who know me in some way. I’ve spent 20+ years in the writing and publishing community, and my name gets around as an expert. Yes,...

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What’s Selling in Children’s Books + What’s Ahead for 2022

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels The following article was first published in my paid newsletter, The Hot Sheet. During the pandemic, the traditional book publishing industry has enjoyed increased sales and profits due to increased demand for books across every category—and especially in children’s categories. In fact, 2020 was a...

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What Makes a Story Feel Like a Story?

Photo by Khoa Võ from Pexels Today’s post is by regular contributor Susan DeFreitas (@manzanitafire), an award-winning author, editor, and book coach. She offers an online course, Story Medicine, designed to help writers use their power as storytellers to support a more just and verdant world. What’s the difference between a story...

Dec 2021