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May/June2013 Issue
May/June Issue
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There Are No Rules
There Are No Rules Blog by the Editors of Writer’s Digest
Get on the cutting edge of today’s publishing trends and how authors can succeed in a world of fast-paced technological change, guided by the editors of Writer’s Digest. You’ll get an inside look at the work, play, and passion of the publishing business and find practical tools for success.
Speed: Writing Fiction That Reads Fast
Today’s guest post is by writer Susan Cushman. Read her personal blog, learn about the 2011 Memphis Creative Nonfiction Workshop, and follow her on Facebook or Twitter. Above: John Brandon signing his … Read more
The Importance of Defamiliarizing Words
The latest Glimmer Train bulletin is available, and I love this piece by Kevin Haworth on why he started to read poetry to improve … Read more
5 Questions Every Writer Should Ask (Periodically)
I’m the guest today over at Writer Unboxed, discussing what I think are more important questions to ask than “Do I have talent?” Here’s a brief snippet: I have … Read more
Are Agents Just Looking for an Excuse to Reject Your Work?
Q: Doesn’t it seem like agents are just looking for excuses to reject work? —Anonymous A: Actually, the complete opposite is true. Agents don’t want to reject your work, they want to … Read more
Off on Vacation Through July 8
Tomorrow I fly to Spain, where I’ll spend a few days in Sevilla before continuing onto Fes (Morocco), and wrapping up with a few nights in Barcelona. (Photo above: Me in Barcelona … Read more
A Literary Father's Day Weekend (Part 2)
In honor of Father’s Day, I’m sharing 2 wonderful videos that feature the children of writers, speaking about their dads. Go here to see the first. Today’s video features the children of … Read more
A Literary Father's Day Weekend (Part 1)
In honor of Father’s Day, I’m sharing 2 wonderful videos that feature the children of writers, speaking about their dads. Here’s the first featuring Stanley Elkin, John Gardner, and William Styron. Thanks … Read more
How to Create Free Video Tutorials
This past week, I’ve been in a tech workshop for faculty at the University of Cincinnati. (Yes, even I need to broaden and sharpen my skills!) So I’ll be sharing some of … Read more
Glimmer Train Monthly News
Glimmer Train has just chosen the winning stories for their April Family Matters competition. This competition is held twice a year and is open to all writers for stories about family. The … Read more
The Necessity of Failure Plus How "Accidents" Happen
Photo credit: Mindful OneWhile reading Kevin Kelly’s blog (which focuses on technology + the future), I came across this wonderful quote for writers. Lucky accidents seldom happen to writers who don’t work. … Read more
4 Steps to Useful Critiques: The Lerman Method
Photo credit: Deirdre Saoirse Moen Today’s guest post is by Wolf Pascoe. Wolf is a playwright, poet, and physician. Visit his blog, Just Add Father. – What do we really have to … Read more
5 Excellent Tips for Platform Building
This past weekend, I had the honor of keynoting the Writers’ League of Texas Agents Conference in Austin.
During that weekend, I also had the opportunity to hear some wonderful advice from other publishing experts. Here’s some excellent online marketing advice I heard. All are direct quotes unless in brackets. Read more
Listen Free: The Future of Authorship & Publishing
Yesterday, I was a guest on The Best People We Know Show with Deb Scott, on BlogTalkRadio. It’s already ranked #4 in popularity in the writing category. Read more
Editing a Life
Today’s guest post is by Darrelyn Saloom, a monthly regular here at NO RULES. You can read more of her guest posts here, or follow her on Twitter. – An odd thing … Read more
2 Free Opportunties to Hear Experts Speak
Tomorrow (June 9) there are two FREE opportunities to get advice on writing and publishing. Read more
Free E-Book on Building Readership by Cory Doctorow
Portrait by Jonathan Worth My most popular post (so far) this year, 5 Free E-Books Every Writer Needs, could’ve benefited from one more addition: The Problem Isn’t Piracy, The Problem Is Obscurity … Read more
The Persistent and Damaging Myth About Introverts and Marketing
Cartoon from Toothpaste for Dinner I’m getting frustrated with people who say they’re bad at marketing & promotion because they’re introverts. Maybe this argument was more valid before new technologies came along—when … Read more
Should You Avoid New Agents Because They May Not Have Good Contacts?
Q: I’ve often been told that it’s easier to land a new agent than a veteran one. But why would I go after a new agent if he lacks contacts that long-time … Read more
4 Ways to Make the Most of a Critique Group
Today’s guest post is from writer Susan Cushman, a monthly regular here at NO RULES. Read her personal blog, learn about the 2011 Memphis Creative Nonfiction Workshop, and follow her on Facebook … Read more
Don't Treat Conflict As Monolithic
In the most recent edition of the Glimmer Train bulletin, I loved this article by Cary Groner on conflict. Here’s a small snippet: I’ve been surprised, when reading books about fiction writing, … Read more
When Is Lying in Memoir Acceptable? 3 Key Issues
Today’s guest post is from Tracy Seeley, author of My Ruby Slippers. Visit her site, or find out more about her book. – They crop up like weeds in the literary garden, … Read more
Best Tweets + Upcoming Events
Best Tweets is going on an early summer break due to upcoming conference travel and holiday travel—plus I’m wrapping up the academic year at University of Cincinnati. Look for its return in … Read more
Do You Have a Marketing Support Network?
This month at Writer Unboxed, I discuss one of the invisible aspects of your platform that directly impacts your success: Your relationships. Click here to read “A Critical Marketing Secret: Don’t Go … Read more
5 Free E-Books Every Writer Needs
The following resources have been mentioned on this blog, in various forms, since 2008. Now I’m rounding them up in 1 place. [Some links corrected/added on 5/31/11.] 1. 70 Solutions to Common … Read more
6 Key Components of an Online Author Platform
Next week, on June 2, I’ll be teaching a live, online class on building your author platform. To help make “platform” more understandable and approachable as a topic, I’ve boiled it down … Read more
