Yes! News! (And more exclamation points than I probably needed, but still.) For some reason, all of my deadlines piled up in 2017. I spent the first four months in a weird, but efficient frenzy. The only thing that went by the wayside was keeping you all informed of new publications. This, of course, means […]
Continue ReadingI’m so excited about this particular Storybundle that I’m a part of. First, I love every writer in it. All of them have appeared in Fiction River, and all of them write great fiction. You’ll find Lisa Silverthorne’s Isabel’s Tears, a novel about a magical inn; Dayle A. Dermatis’ Waking the Witch, a gothic […]
Continue ReadingIn talking to hybrid writers, I did miss something. It only concerned a handful of writers, and most of them only wrote one series. These writers would email me after they had indie-released a new book or two in their existing series, and complain that the series wasn’t growing.
When these writers were traditionally published, the series grew well. Each book sold better than the last. Now, even taking into account the year or so of sales, the books sold at the same number of copies or less than the previous volumes had.
I couldn’t figure it out…
Continue ReadingThe title of this blog is things I learned from my readers. The pieces below link to comments or websites.
The main thing I learned from you folks over the course of writing the contract series is this: Not only do you pay attention, but you use this information. Almost daily now, I get letters from a writer who used some piece of the contracts blog to negotiate a better deal or to get their rights reverted or to handle a foreign rights contract.
Continue ReadingIn August, I noted a slowdown in all of our businesses, from the retail stores we own to the books we sell online to the willingness of people to sign up for online workshops.
I figured that this 2016 election was so vituperative and consumers were so spooked, they weren’t spending money, and this was unusual. So I investigated. What I discovered was very different from my expectations.
Continue ReadingI have lots of fun stuff to share. I hope you saw that the latest Diving novel is out (and the Recommended Reading List has returned). I also have a story in The Best American Mystery Stories 2016, edited by Elizabeth George. I love her work, so I’m particularly flattered that she chose a story […]
Continue ReadingNo longer can any writer say that she is “just” a writer. Now, if we want our books to be read by someone other than our families, we need to publish those books one way or another, and then market those books.
There is no more “just” any more.
I think it becomes imperative for all of us to figure out exactly what we do.
Continue ReadingI love October. I love the darkening days, the blowing leaves, the spectacular sunsets over the ocean. I even love the return of the rain. So, it’s no surprise that I have a few appropriate stories coming out this month.
Continue ReadingI remember the moment vividly: I was reading Runners World, and an essayist mentioned that while running a race, a person nearby collapsed. The essayist was appalled that she (he?) had a momentary thought— Should I just leave the person there and keep trying for my personal best?—before stopping to help. The essay was about […]
Continue ReadingHmmm. That sounds like a great story title. I must consider it. But right now, it’s a title for this blog post. Because at the moment, you can find my work in three different bundles. First, for those of you who love short stories, have I got a bundle for you. Jamie Ferguson put together […]
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