How to avoid publishing scams
You know the old adage, “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”? Nowhere is this more true than in the Wild West world of publishing scams. The sad truth is that when enough people want something — in this case, to see the book they’ve worked so hard for on...
How to promote your backlist book
There’s nothing quite like the buzz of launching a new book. You’ve been toiling away for years, and finally your vision is a reality. It’s all a bit starry-eyed and epic… until it isn’t. That new release high doesn’t last forever, because both you and your publisher...
How to create a dedicated writing space
It’s that time of year — we begin to hibernate with warm drinks, firelight, and cozy everything. The long, dark nights and the winter chill can make it challenging for some to tap into their creative voice, and so it’s more important than ever to have a writing space...
YA fiction vs. adult fiction: what’s the difference?
It’s hard to imagine a time when YA literature wasn’t dominating the bookshelves, and yet it’s a relatively new phenomenon. First coined in the 1960s, Young Adult fiction has grown exponentially — between 1997 and 2009, the number of YA titles being published grew...
The best books on writing every writer should read
We all know how important it is to read like a writer. Read in your genre, outside your genre, read stories and essays and poems to develop your narrative voice. But reading isn’t just for absorbing the language of prose; there are also some great craft books out...
What is social proof? (and how you can use it to sell more books!)
How did you last decide to pick up a book? Did you skim the reviews on Goodreads? Were you convinced by a quote from your favourite author gracing the cover? Or maybe it caught your eye because it was placed front and centre on a bookshop’s “Staff Picks” shelf. If any...
Traditional vs. self-publishing – which should you choose?
Once you’ve written your book, and you’ve gone through the necessary rounds of editing and beta reading, you’ll inevitably find yourself standing at a crossroads. A sign pointing down one road reads ‘traditional publishing,’ and the other says ‘self publishing’. Which...
Should you use an editor or beta readers?
Typing the words ‘The End’ at the bottom of your manuscript is always an emotional moment. It’s a bit like the feeling when you reach the summit of a long hike: you might be tired, a little cranky, and ready to pass out, but you’re also relieved, proud, and feel a...