Agents and Editors Share–Pitches We’re Sick Of!

June 21st, 2021  |  Season 2  |  14 mins 50 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, query tips, querying, writers, writing, writing tips

Different agents and editors want different things. Take these answers with a grain of salt, because, as we all know, if you do it well enough, they'll throw their own guidelines out.

What Good Is An Agent? Answers From Writers.

June 14th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  12 mins 16 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, query tips, querying, writers, writing, writing tips

with all the risks, why would I want a literary agent?

Well, at Balticon 52, I got to hear a variety of perspectives from published authors who’ve had every sort of agent possible. Here are the stories of Leah Cypess, Keith RA DeCandido, CS Friedman, Tee Morris, and their hunt for a quality agent.

Top 4 Questions From An Editors & Publishers AMA (Ask Me Anything)

June 7th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  8 mins 16 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

I don't know about you, but these are all things I always want to know:

1. What is Your Biggest Pet Peeve?
2. Should A Writer Use Different Names For Different Genres?
3. How Has The Market Changed In The Last Ten Years? and
4. Where Do Querying Writers Lose You?

Reading Your Own Work

May 31st, 2021  |  Season 2  |  7 mins 26 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

If you get the opportunity to read your own work, here are some tips on how to get ready.

Tips For Sustaining Tension In Your Writing

May 24th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  7 mins 40 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

Last week, I talked about giving characters agency, but that’s not all editors and agents request. Another thing they ask for is ‘tension’. If the reader doesn’t have a reason to care what happens next, you’ve lost your tension.

But! Tension doesn't always have to mean conflict!

Tips On Writing Characters With Agency

May 17th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  7 mins 36 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

One thing you hear about a lot when you start sending your manuscript out into the world is ‘agency’. Most agents (and publishers) are looking for characters who make things happen, not ones who merely react to the situation they’re stuck with.

It's okay to start off with a character with minimal agency, but most readers want to see the characters come into their own.

How To Find An Agent For Your Novel

May 10th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  13 mins 37 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, query tips, querying, writers, writing, writing tips

Talking about where to find literary agents, ways to vet them, and a not-so-gentle reminder to Follow The Directions when querying them.

Teacher Appreciation Day

May 3rd, 2021  |  Season 2  |  3 mins 31 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

A shout out to all the teachers who helped me become the person I am today.

When Querying A Novel: Hope Can Be The Scariest Thing

April 26th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  11 mins 4 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

Remember me talking about how I was losing faith? Well.... having hope can be even scarier.

Writer Confessions: I've Lost Focus On My Writing

April 19th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  9 mins 34 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

There comes a time when one must look in the mirror and face accountability. We’re a third of the way through the year, my move turned into a two month ordeal, and I’ve gotten distracted from my writing by hunting page views on WAY too many social mediums. And? To be honest? I’m starting to lose faith that I’ll find my agent with this story.

How Change Can Be a Good Thing – In Life and In Writing

April 12th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  4 mins 38 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

Last time I moved houses, I talked about how sometimes -- change is exactly what you need -- both in your own life and in your writing.

4 Ways Querying Is Like a Religion

April 5th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  7 mins 22 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

Querying can almost be like a religion. You've got: the common tenents, the different sects, the proper rituals, and the heretics.