An end-of October hello from Marti Pieper in beautiful Mount Dora, Florida, where the advent of fall means temperatures have dipped to a chilly fifty-five degrees (yeah, I know). Today, I have the privilege of sharing with you the marketing and publicity expertise of multi-published author Tracy Higley. I know you'll enjoy her insights as much as I have. Tracy, how did you get into writing? I've been writing since I was a little girl–short stories, newspaper articles, poems, plays, and fiction. I got serious about publishing about thirteen years ago and decided to write a novel and try to…
Month: October 2012
This is our archive pageOnly for a Moment
A knock at my hotel room startled me. "Room service," a voice said. I hurried to let her in. “Only need fresh towels,” I said. “I’ll be fine.” She brought them in and I smiled at her. “Thank you. What’s your name?” “Rachel.” We chatted about mundane stuff. But when I told her why I had visited her city, she was open to hear about my ministry. I reached for my suitcase. “Got something for you,” I said. I put a CD in her hands. “This is for me?” she asked, her voice gasping a bit. “Sure it is,” I…
The Power of Positive Prose
Hello! Maureen Pratt, back again, for my monthly CAN Blog post. I’m very happy to be blogging today about the craft of writing and, specifically, the huge difference "writing positive prose" can make in describing characters, painting pictures, and conveying the heart of a story, be it fiction or non-fiction. What do I mean by "positive?" Given two possible ways of writing the same sentence, the more positive can be the strongest one to choose. Consider this description: "Amy didn’t necessarily think she was beautiful, but she couldn’t believe that the casting director put her in secondary roles that…
Relationships in Writing
Aloha from Karen Whiting I am so thankful for relationships I’ve developed with writers, authors, and readers, in the world of publishing. It’s a small world in many ways and networking is vital to success. But it’s also a place of friendships and connections. So many of my contracts came from relationships I developed. And, when I’m having problems, the friends I’ve made pray and support me. Think beyond contracts and what you can get, to what you can give and how you can extend friendship.
Social Networking – Are You Doing It?
Hi everyone, happy October. It’s Pamela Meyers back again for another installment on marketing your new book. In recent years, social networking has become a stronger and stronger vehicle for marketing our books. Recently, Jane Steen, a fellow ACFW member, partnered with me on a social networking presentation at our local ACFW chapter meeting. I learned way more than I brought to the table that night as I listened to Jane’s presentation, and came home with new resolve to up my game in the world of Twitter, Facebook, and the myriad of other social networking opportunities we authors have. The…
R. J. Larson’s journey to publication
Greetings from fall-draped Colorado. Davalynn Spencer here, visiting with author R. J. Larson whose second book of her Books of the Infinite series hits stores in November. Rarely is publishing success an overnight venture, R. J. How did you get into writing? My personal road to publication was actually a long twenty-years-plus hike through the publishing field. I’ve been a book fanatic since my parents first placed books within my reach. But writing…well, writing books never occurred to me until my sister-in-law, Kathi Macias, became an editor/writer and inspired me to write. I cut my author-teeth, so to speak, on…
Let Go and Push Off
Hi from Sherry Kyle, writing from my laptop in central California. I wanted to share something today that is near and dear to my heart—and no, it isn’t specifically about writing, but I think this post pertains to all of us as Christian writers. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit . . .” John 15:16a I love the Youtube video clip about a little fourth-grade girl about to go down a ski jump for the very first time. You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebtGRvP3ILg
Tips from the Pros: Becky Melby
Greetings from Sarah Sundin, recently returned from a literary agency retreat in Monterey – where I got to hang out with Becky Melby! Becky’s warm humor and gentle spirit shine as well in person as they do in her delightful stories. Becky, how did you get into writing? I started writing when I was eight, but my big break didn’t come until fifth grade when my teacher tacked my bunny poem on the hall bulletin board. I knew right then what I wanted to be when I grew up. Still waiting to grow up, but I still know what I…
What Fills Our Lives?
A perpetual calendar of quotes sits on my desk. One quote that’s become a personal favorite expresses these wise words—“Our lives, to be fruitful, must be full of Christ; to be able to bring his peace, joy, and love we must have it ourselves, for we cannot give what we have not got” (Mother Teresa). These words encourage me to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ on a daily basis, but they also challenge me in my role as a writer. As a writer, my desire…
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