books

  • Several times this past year, I had people ask how they could help me with my books. The first question I asked was whether they’d bought any of them.     No.      Well, there’s a start! You want to help an author, buy their books. Forget all the fancy posts on book marketing…

    Read more →

  • don’t strikeout

    Last weekend, I attended the New York Pitch Conference. Just so you all know, I was terrified beforehand and that was after years of putting myself in situations where I had to pitch! I (mostly) got over myself via Women in Film back when I was part of a production services business. They had monthly…

    Read more →

  • “Those of you who are considering replacing your libraries with ebooks; think again. Your books are yours; you buy them, you own them, and they are the same, yesterday and today. They will not change, and they will not disappear, or suddenly be “pulled” or “unsourced” from you, as ebooks can be. And someday you may NEED…

    Read more →

  • what about all that advice?

    Was talking to S the other day who said they (the infamous “they” again!) were telling a writing class that their first screenplay (in this case) would be bad. I’ve heard the same warning to new authors too, as if they should toss their first book. Sometimes it’s true. Sometimes it’s not. And what if…

    Read more →

  • a word about agents

    Thanks to C Hope Clark, I found a helpful blog by an agent. There are a number of them out there and they are helpful, so take some time and Google around. If you’re looking for an agent, take the time to read these few posts and be prepared. A day in the life of…

    Read more →

  • Do you make resolutions? There’s a lot of snark (enough with the snark already) out there especially about how resolutions are useless and meaningless, but I say they are a sign of hope and hope is a good thing. I don’t know how you have perseverance as a writer without hope. Hope that you will…

    Read more →

  • trust your reader

    Read ROOM by Emma Donoghue a few days ago. The characters and story lingered after I finished the book, but now I find it’s fading fast. I believe the reason is that the way the book is constructed – from the viewpoint of a five year old boy – there’s no space for the narrative…

    Read more →

  • narcissism

    New look! Got tired of the old one and I know it’s harder to read white words on a black background. I like to change things up now and then. My annotation of Paul Harding’s TINKERS is up at Annotation Nation. I’ve been thinking a lot about narcissism and writers, especially since the Mailer Colony.…

    Read more →

  • publishing

    My friend and mentor, Rob Roberge has a new piece up at THE NERVOUS BREAKDOWN on the ups and downs of publishing, including his experience with having his book cancelled. And yet there’s reason for hope. Go read it, especially for the reality check on how long it takes to get a book out. Also, please…

    Read more →

  • 15 books

    My writer friends on Facebook are playing this game of naming 15 books that will stick with you so here are mine: In no particular order…(let’s here it for the Russians!) 1. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn 2. The Cancer Ward by Alexander Solzhenitsyn 3. The First Circle by…

    Read more →