What Makes A Good Cover? What Makes Us Pick Up a Book?

I don’t know about you, but after months of quarantine, I’m finding it hard to find anything to say. These days our house is much quieter than usual. Proman and I have little new to share because we’re together all the time. No exciting pickle ball games to recount, no lunches or Mah Jongg games…

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Publishing Questions You Weren’t Afraid to Ask.

When I started my recent mini-series which extended over five weeks, I opened the door to publishing questions.  I received some great ones from readers Marjorie and Pat. Marjorie wanted to know a few things about how books go to print, timetables, drafts, etc. And Pat wanted to know how decisions are made about format for…

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Publishing Today: Readers Have Choices

I’ve just finished my annual trip between houses and to a fabulous writer’s conference. Along the way I thought you might enjoy a brief trip through the world of publishing. We started with traditional publishers, moved on to small presses, then indie publishing, took a quiz and added some fun facts. Now today’s blog is all about…

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Publishing Today: A Quiz and Strange Facts Indeed

I’ve just finished my annual trip between houses plus a valuable writer’s conference, but along the way I decided you might enjoy your own, brief trip through the world of publishing. We started with traditional publishers, moved on to small presses, then indie publishing, but today before we tackle publishing and readers, let’s take time for a rest stop. Remember two weeks ago…

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Publishing Today: Independent Publishing

While I’m preparing for my annual trip between houses I thought you might enjoy a brief trip through publishing. Today let’s consider independent publishing, or “indie.” Independent publishing is far from new. According to Publisher’s Weekly independent publishing began in 2000 to 35000 B.C.E. with picture writing on papyrus and clay tablets. But let’s jump ahead to, say, now.…

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Publishing Today: Small Presses

While I’m preparing for my annual trip between houses I thought you might enjoy a brief trip through publishing. Today, the second installment: Small Presses To begin the series, last week we discussed traditional publishing. And yes, there will be a quiz. Remember what you learned? Those powerful companies, particularly the Big Four (or Big…

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Publishing Today: Traditional Publishers

While I’m preparing for my annual trip between houses I thought you might enjoy a brief trip through publishing today. We’ll start with traditional publishers. With all the talk about independent publishing are you confused about what these changes mean for you as a reader? Do you wonder what’s going on when another author is listed…

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Promoting a Novel, Then and Now

“What should I blog about tomorrow?” I asked Proman (short for project manager and not coincidentally, my husband.) “I’ve spent the past week working on my BookBub ad for From Glowing Embers. Nobody wants to hear about promoting a novel.” “Of course they do,” he said. And whether he’s right or wrong, you’re about to. First…

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What Does A Writer Do All Day?

After years as the wife of a minister it still always amazed me when people asked what my husband did all day. I mean, the ministry is a cushy job, right? Write a sermon, preach it and shake hands after church. Do the occasional wedding and hospital visit and spend the rest of the week…

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