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How Traditional Publishing Works

Here’s a quick overview of the publishing process for authors and editors to gain a better understanding of how traditional publishing works. Basic Information about How Traditional Publishing Works You’re an author who is interested in publishing the traditional route—getting an agent, landing a book deal, seeing the book on the shelf in the local…

foundations of storytelling for writers
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Moving from Nonfiction to Fiction

A question I’m often asked by writers is if moving from nonfiction to fiction is even possible. As a story development editor, I have had a number of coaching clients over the years and almost all of them have been established nonfiction writers who are honing their fiction-writing skills. So, you can imagine their most…

foundations of storytelling for writers.
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Getting Ready to Write: Understanding Your Framework for Writers

One of the challenges writers often face without realizing they’re facing it is the challenge of trying to write a story without understanding your framework for writers to evaluate the success of that story. By this I mean, how do you know if you’re on the right track? How do you know if your work…

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Sharing a Platform in Query Letters

It’s a common suggestion for writers to be building and sharing a platform in query letters in order to build their own awareness and marketing foundation. Tips for Sharing a Platform in Query Letters From a writer: “I’m sending queries to agents regarding my memoir. I’ve noticed a lot of writers talking about the importance…

foundations of storytelling for writers.
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2 Biggest Publishing Mistakes Writers Make

Let’s talk about the two biggest publishing mistakes writers make that I actually see over and over again. Are you making these mistakes? Publish Mistakes Writers Make: The 2 Biggest In my many years as a book author, agent, and editor, I’ve met thousands of writers, professional and aspiring, and it has struck me that…

sandy beach with palm tree and words understanding point of view and perspective for writers.
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What you’re (probably) doing wrong in your novel

I want to share some self-editing tips for fiction writers to help you fix issues in your novel before you hand it off to an editor. Self-editing Tips for Fiction Writers – Common Problems & Solutions As a developmental editor, I see some common problems in manuscripts written by newer authors. If you’re revising (self-editing)…

foundations of storytelling for writers.
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What to Do With Literary Agent Feedback

As an author submitting queries, you may end up wondering what to do with literary agent feedback. Do you blindly accept it, completely reject it, or maybe meet somewhere in the middle? Have You Received Literary Agent Feedback? A while ago, an author came to me with a conundrum. He’d written a slow-burning psychological thriller…