Tag: writing
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Why To Include Small Indie Presses in Your To-Query List
If you are a querying author, chances are you’ve poured over agents’ manuscript wish lists. You have probably looked at 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. Many querying authors overlook small independent…
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How to Title Your Manuscript When Querying: Tips That Catch an Agent’s Eye
When you’re querying agents, your title is your story’s handshake—your first impression. A great manuscript title doesn’t just sound good; it hints at genre, tone, and emotional promise. While titles can change during the publishing process, a strong one helps your submission stand out from the slush pile. So how do you craft one that…
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Mastering Live Book Pitches: Tips for Success (Plus a Free Template!)
Pitching your book at a live event is like stepping into the spotlight with your creative soul on display. You’ve got minutes to capture the attention of literary agents, each one looking for the next big thing. It’s an adrenaline rush—a mix of public speaking and storytelling—with the tantalizing hope of hearing, “I’d love to…
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2024 Publishing Highlights: My Journey and Future Plans
Hi Writing and Publishing Community! I hope your 2024 was positive and productive. I wanted to share a summary of my 2024 accomplishments and of some of the resources I created for emerging and seasoned authors. I’m also sharing my plans for 2025. 2024 Highlights January 2024: Presented at Power Publishing Day at NOVA Southeast…
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A Self-Editing Guide for Authors – Part 3 – Copy Edits
After developmental and line editing, it’s time to polish formatting, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Most word processors will have some sort of AI that will catch many grammar and punctuation errors. Additionally, you can use programs like Grammarly. But much of this will be the responsibility of the eyes of humans. Specifically, yours!:) Please note…
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A Self-Editing Guide for Authors Part 2 – Line Edits
Once we get our stories developmentally healthy (Part 1), it’s time to analyze our word choice. And every single word matters. I’m gonna geek out on this part. Because I LOVE revising on a line level. It’s literally my favorite part of the revision process. You might be thinking, she’s being picky and petty. And…
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A Self-Editing Guide For Authors – Part 1 Developmental Edits
You’ve typed the words The End. Alpha Readers, Beta Readers and Critique Partners have given you a thumbs-up. Friends and family members have given you two enthusiastic thumbs-up. Congratulations! You’re ready to send your query to your top list of agents or small presses. Or hit publish if you’re planning to do this on your…
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Why You Should Make a Book Trailer and How to Create One (Including My FREE Webinar!)
The free webinar with examples is at the end. I made it for Wild Ink and Conquest authors, but I’m now sharing it with YOU! Along with my free downloadable guide.:) Enjoy! What is a Book Trailer? A book trailer is similar to a movie trailer. It’s a short video created to entice the viewer…
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My Chat with Amethyst Ink Editor Demi Michelle Schwartz
Recently I had the privilege of chatting with author, recording artist, editor, and someone I’m honored to call friend, Demi Michelle Schwartz. We spoke about her experience so far as a freelance editor for Amethyst Ink. As an editorial agent, I wanted to pick her brain and see what she’s seen on her end. The…
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Maximize Your Reach: How Authors Can Get on Podcasts and Succeed
According to Back Link there are over 500 million podcasts listeners worldwide. The podcast business currently is a 23-billion-dollar industry with projections it could reach 100 billion by 2030. Numbers don’t lie, podcasts could be one of the top ways to grow your author brand and ultimately sell more books. But there are some strategic…
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Giveaway For Listeners of Michelle Glogovac’s My Simplied Life Podcast
It was an absolute honor to be a guest on Michelle Glogovac’s My Simplified Life podcast. I’ve been a fan of Michelle’s ever since I heard her on David Gwyn’s Thriller 101 podcast where she talked about her book How to Get on Podcasts. Michelle’s tips and tricks are PERFECT for any author who is…
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Goodreads Book Giveway
I’m excited to share that I’ll be giving away five copies of my young adult novel WORTH IT, along with some secret swag. The giveaway starts today and lasts through May 5th. Book Summary Seventeen-year-old Angela Carter intended to pick out prom dresses with her best friend and fill out college applications during her senior…
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Ten Things to Consider Avoiding in Your First Page
I had the honor of attending the Florida Writing Day Workshop in Tampa, Florida this past weekend. I met so many amazing people in the writing community. If you haven’t attended a Writing Day Workshop, I urge you to search for one in your area. You won’t regret it! One of the panels I served…
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Podcast Interview: Authors of Impact with Jas Rawlinson
Now that WORTH IT is out there in the wild with ARC readers and for sale as pre-orders. I wanted to share this interview with Jas Rawlinson. In the beginning of my writing journey, Jas Rawlinson was someone I turned to. She is a book coach who typically helps authors craft their memoirs. And while…
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The Anatomy of a Scene
At it’s simplistic form, a novel is merely an opening scene, followed by scenes of rising action to a climax, followed by scenes of falling action to a conclusion. That’s it. But what constitutes a scene? Well writing friends, I’m about to break it down for you in a formulaic template that will keep your…
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So You Want to Write a Book That Gets Published: A Step-By-Step Guide
As a published author, associate literary agent, and developmental editor, I often hear, “I have an idea for a book, I just don’t know where to start.” And I get it. I’ve been there. You don’t know what you don’t know. So in this post, I’m going to lay out a framework any hopeful author…
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Rebecca Minelga Author Spotlight
I’m super excited to introduce Conquest Publishing author Rebecca Minelga author of the upcoming novel Third and Long. About The Author Rebecca Minelga is an author and speaker who uses the power of words to navigate the liminal spaces between who we are and who we are becoming. She raises Guide Dog Puppies and two sons –…
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Query Submission Review Giveaway for Power Publishing Day
If you are attending/attended my session Polishing Your Query Submission: A Guide For Fiction Authors, I’m giving away one query submission review! The session is January 25, 2024. You must apply for the giveaway by January 27, 2024. But, you have until January 31, 2024to revise on your query submission using everything you learned at…
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Heather Stigall – Author Spotlight
About Heather Heather Stigall uses her experience with children and her degrees in Child Development, Psychology-based Human Relations, and Social Work to create stories that speak to kids. She is the Critique Group/Meet & Greet Coordinator for the Eastern PA SCBWI Chapter, a member of the 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, and a wife and parent to…
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My Top Lucky Thirteen Writing Podcasts for 2024
Hello, authors in all phases of your writing journey. As a new associate literary agent at The Purcell Agency, I hope to help every author who queries me, or who stumbles across my website, to come away with something valuable. This resource list is one. If you’ve read anything about me, and fine if you…
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Arini Vlotman Author Spotlight
I am honored to introduce you to author Arini Vlotman. About the Author Arini is romance fanatic, book worm, book hoarder and writer. Writers are her superheroes; readers are her tribe. She’s a people’s person and a wordy nerd so she can find comfort in almost any space but there is nothing quite like being…
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Query Submission Review Giveaway for Writer’s Workout Attendees
If you are attending/attended my session Reading For Writers, I’m giving away one query submission review! The conference is March 15th through the 17th, 2024. You must apply for the giveaway during the conference window. But, you have until March 31st, 2024 to revise on your query submission using everything you learned at the conference.…
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Victoria Diaz Author Spotlight
I’m so excited to introduce you to Conquest Publishing author Victoria Diaz. I know you are going to enjoy getting to learn about her and her books just as I did. Her Story Behind the Story is one you will not forget. Enjoy! Amy About the Author Victoria M Diaz is a Social Worker along…
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Sylwia Koziel Author Spotlight
I’m excited to introduce you to Conquest Publishing author Sylwia Koziel. I know you are going to enjoy getting to learn about her and her books just as I did. Both her favorite writing tool and writing resource are favorites of mine as well! Enjoy! Amy Author Bio Sylwia is a born and raised Chicagoan,…
Amy Nielsen 