Monthly Archives: August 2015

Like the first line of a newspaper article, a short, shocking opener in a blurb can be a great way to draw readers in. Check out these examples that I found on book listings sites like Ereader News Today, SweetFreeBooks, … Continue reading →

If you’re an indie writer on a tight budget, you may also be acting as your book’s main (perhaps only) editor. Here are some useful tips for polishing your novel: 1. Carefully check the accuracy of any factual information you’ve … Continue reading →

So, you’re on book three in your twelve-book series, Pasteboard Castles, which follows the lives of twelve friends after high school graduation. You’ve got Sibyl, the pint-sized scatterbrain, who marries a smooth-talking salesman with a closet overflowing with skeletons. Then … Continue reading →

Don’t let the following mistakes spoil your book’s magic. 1. Lead characters who are so much alike your readers can’t tell one from the other. Give your leads distinctive voices, so that readers can tell who’s speaking, even when you … Continue reading →

Writing is hard work. You may be tempted at times to throw in the towel and say “it’s good enough”. But good enough isn’t great–and that’s what you need your novel to be if you want it to fire your … Continue reading →