5 Reasons Why You Should Fictionalize Your Past Trauma
Let’s be real. No one gets through this life unscathed. Everyone experiences their share of trauma. You’ve probably said, “I should write a book,” more times than you can count. And memoir can be powerful. But fictionalizing your past may be a better option. My upcoming debut, Worth It (Wild Ink May of 2024) is…
Why You Should and How To Make an Author Media Press Kit
Let’s be real. You chose to be an author because you have something to say. And it’s beyond the pages of your amazing fictional novel. You have a bigger message. Most authors do. And yes, our first goal as authors is ultimately to entertain. But most of us share a collectively deeper one—to evoke change…
5 Tips to Manifest Your Author Career
Manifestation is the conversion of thoughts into reality. Believing you will achieve your dreams and goals. Then taking the actions necessary to ignite them into existence. If you are a writer in the query trenches, it’s easy to get trapped in a negative mindset. Publishing is ripe with rejection. It’s no wonder so many authors…
How to Use Facebook Groups for Beta Readers: Think Book-Flix!
Once the first full draft of my 2024 debut was complete, I knew I needed betas. But I had no idea how to approach them. Seventeen years in the making, a lot had changed since I first started this manuscript. Facebook was one of them. One of the FB groups I was in was for…
Querying Part 2: Query in Batches
Once you’ve poured over Twitter, Manuscript Wish List, Query Tracker, agent’s websites, and more, you’ve probably got a list somewhere from fifty to a hundred agents and small presses ranging from Perfect Fit to ones that say “Surprise me! I’m always looking for something new.” Before you get excited and cast your net wide, let’s…
Querying Part 1: Tools to Find Agents
My YA novel, WORTH IT, debuts in 2024. Querying was stressful. But I think the approach I used is what helped me to land my publishing deal and I’d like to share it with other querying authors in this multipart series. If you haven’t yet finished your query, please check out Query Master Class with…
Why You Should Include Small Presses in Your To-Query List
If you are a querying author, chances are you’ve poured over agents’ manuscript wishlists, social media posts, and websites hoping to find perfect matches for your manuscript. And while that is what you should be doing, it’s not all you could be doing. A lot of querying authors overlook small presses in hopes of landing…
5 Ways to Locally Market Your Book Before It Launches
You did it! You got a publishing deal! The years of hard work paid off. But the work is far from over. You’ll likely go through several rounds of edits. Then the fun part—the cover design, layout, and production. During the pre-launch period, you’ll likely work with your publisher’s marketing team on promotion strategies. But…
The Story Behind the Story: What Inspired Me to Write WORTH IT
Three weeks ago, I signed a contract with Wild Ink Publishing. This very personal story has simmered in my mind since 2007. And while this novel is based on my real-life experiences as a pregnant teen in poverty, this is also my daughter’s story. I hope you enjoy the backstory of how WORTH IT was…
Why You Should Write Books You Know Will Be Banned
Before I entered the world of writing, I shared my love of reading with kids as a middle-school librarian. My principal said there were three places on our campus students ran to: the gym, the cafeteria, and my library. It was an honor to be the recipient of stampeding readers. Within my library walls, I’d…
Why You Need an Author Website Even if Your Book Isn’t Published Yet and How to Get Started
I know you’ve thought about it. You’ve probably even opened up WordPress, Wix, or Square Space and poked around. Then you told yourself since your book wasn’t published yet what was the point. Well according to Jane Friedman, “If you plan to pursue writing as a professional, long-term career, I recommend starting and maintaining an…
3 Reasons You Need to Make a Trailer for Your Querying or Soon-To-Be Released Novel and How to Make It
The last movie I saw in a theater was Where the Crawdads Sing based on Delia Owen’s widely popular debut. By the time the movie started, I had a mental list of at least five movies I had to see next. Why? Trailers. A well-done trailer satiates the appetite of its viewer. My seven-year-old son…
My Journey to a Book Publication Deal
Authors’ journeys to publication have always fascinated me. And even though each author’s roadmap is unique, they all have one thing in common—they reach the same destination—a published novel. If you are a querying author, I hope my journey will provide you some inspiration as you continue to chart your way toward your final destination—your…
Query Masterclass with Patrick Hopkins, Creator of The Queery Helpline
I embarked on my initial clunky querying journey about two years ago. Twitter did me a solid and soon pointed me to Patrick Hopkins. I attended a live-stream query revision with him and Morgan Hazelwood. My mind blew as I watched the duo transform frustrated author’s submissions into clear, concise, agent-ready queries. If you are…
How to Get and Be a Good Critique Partner
What is a Critique Partner? A Critique Partner (CP) is another writer with whom you share your work, they share theirs, and you each offer critique (or feedback) to the other. Being and having a good CP is one of the best ways to improve. For one, as a writer, it’s often easier to see…
How to Get Publishing Credits Before Publishing Your Debut Novel
For two years, you pounded on your keyboard, breathing life into a story only you could tell. But even as you typed every author’s favorite phrase, The End, you knew it was far from over. You rolled up your sleeves—edited and revised and revised and edited. Then you charged into Facebook writing groups and rallied…
What I Learned From an Agent’s Rejection
As a querying author, the majority of responses from agents are form rejections. “Thank you for sharing your manuscript. Unfortunately, at this time, this isn’t the right project for me. I hope you find a home for your work.” If you are in the querying trenches, you know this process. An author friend of mine,…
Amy Nielsen 