Business Legal Matters

Discover what you need to know about business and legal matters. You’ll find tips for working with agents and editors, learn the truth about advances, foreign rights and what to expect with the sale your first book, and much more.

13 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Sign That Book Contract or Take That Freelance Writing Job

By: Jeff Somers | April 21, 2018 | Comments 0

In a competitive industry, it’s easy to feel like publishers hold all the power. But the truth is they need good content—and writers have a right to not be fleeced. Here are some situations when the best option just might be to walk away from that book contract or that freelance...

Tune In: 23 Best Podcasts for Writers

By: Karen Krumpak | March 20, 2018 | Comments 0

This year, to accompany our annual list of 101 Best Websites for Writers, we decided to put together a list of what we think are the best podcasts for writers. Here are our favorites—let us know if you have any additional suggestions!

The Art of Collaboration: 10 Tips for Writing Success

By: Guest Column | October 4, 2017 | Comments 0

How do individual writers, with unique styles and voices, come together to produce a cohesive novel with seamless prose? Here are 10 things you need to know when attempting to write collaboratively.

A Surprising Plan for Drafting Your Book Proposal

By: Guest Column | September 5, 2017 | Comments 0

Industry veterans Jody Rein and Michael Larsen share an excerpt from their new book, How to Write a Book Proposal 5th Edition, about the preferred order for drafting a book proposal.

Ghostwriting: A Business Blueprint You Need to Succeed

By: Guest Column | February 10, 2017 | Comments 4

There’s a big difference between landing one or two gigs and making a career of ghostwriting—or any kind of writing, for that matter. Use this plan for long-term, full-time success.

How to Create an Inspiring Work Space (for under $20)

By: Guest Column | November 10, 2016 | Comments 2

With a few simple, inexpensive tricks, you can turn any area—no matter how small, and even if you write in a coffee shop or other public place—into a crucible for creativity.

Why Facebook Is My Dream Publicist

By: Guest Column | July 15, 2016 | Comments 0

Like a dream book publicist, Facebook has helped me in many ways. Here's how it can help you as a writer.

9 Tips and Strategies for Promoting Your Book Locally

By: Guest Column | June 13, 2016 | Comments 0

There are so many ways to get the word out about your book starting with your own community. Here are a number of strategies for you to use to promote your book.

What It’s Like to Land a Book Deal

By: Guest Column | May 19, 2016 | Comments 2

From the moment you touch fingers to keyboard or pen to paper, you dream of this moment. Here's what it's like when it finally happens.

How to Write the Perfect Query Letter

By: Guest Column | March 21, 2016 | Comments 11

A literary agent shares a real-life novel pitch that ultimately led to a book deal—and shows you how to query your own work with success.

Should You Grant an Exclusive Read of Your Novel to an Agent?

By: Brian A. Klems | March 10, 2016 | Comments 5

If a literary agent asks for a six-week exclusive window to look at your manuscript, should you grant it? Here's what you should consider.

Free E-book Promotions—Are They Right for You?

By: Brian A. Klems | March 4, 2016 | Comments 0

If you’re a self-published author, you know it’s an arduous task to get your books noticed, and as the self-publishing industry continues to expand, there is a growing difficulty for authors to stand out. Kindle claims to have close to 4 million e-books in its store, and I’ve heard recent estimates...

A Writer’s Guide to Defamation and Invasion of Privacy

By: Amy Cook | January 22, 2016 | Comments 57

Chances are, you’re not the only character in your book. Here’s what every memoir writer needs to know about invasion of privacy, defamation and the law.

5 Important Tips on How to Pitch a Literary Agent In Person

By: Guest Column | May 25, 2015 | Comments 6

Writing conferences offer valuable chances to meet face-to-face with agents—but in the heat of the moment, nerves can get the best of even the most confident writers. Here are 5 steps to coming out on top.

How to See Your Work Through an Agent or Publisher’s Eyes

By: Jon James Miller | July 18, 2012 | Comments 48

Query letter writing is no doubt one of the hardest forms of writing to master. Here's what agents and publishers need to see from you when you pitch your work.

How to Sell Your Manuscript Without an Agent

By: Diane Kelly | May 11, 2012 | Comments 7

First-time author Diane Kelly offers 4 strategies to connect with editors and sell your manuscript—without an agent.

Do You Need a Publisher Anymore? Hachette and J.A. Konrath Duke It Out

By: WinterThielen | December 21, 2011 | Comments 4

In his obituary to the year-long Domino Project, Seth Godin wrote that publishing companies and other traditional players that do not adapt to new modes of doing business will go extinct. Others have suggested the same.

Meanwhile, some authors like J.A. Konrath and David Gaughran have eschewed traditional relationships with publishers to...

Writer’s Workout Exclusive

By: WinterThielen | October 12, 2011 | Comments 9

Download a free motivational poster to keep you moving as your build your writing career. Read an Excerpt! Learn how to cultivate clarity, inventory ideas, write richly, and serve up words. About the Book Find out more ways to cross train your writing career in The Writer’s Workout by Christina Katz....

Writer’s Workout Excerpt

By: WinterThielen | October 12, 2011 | Comments 25

Excerpt from The Writer’s Workout by Christina Katz CULTIVATE CLARITY When you write something needlessly prolix and convoluted, there’s a reason for it, and that reason is usually a lack of clarity and purpose going on. —Robert Masello The reader shouldn’t have to do all the work. Recently I picked up...

Writer’s Workout

By: WinterThielen | October 12, 2011 | Comments 0

The Writer’s Workout: 366 Tips, Tasks, & Techniques from Your Writing Career Coach by Christina Katz Writer’s Digest Books, 2011 ISBN-13: 978-1-59963-179-0 ISBN-10: 1-59963-179-2 $19.99 paperback, 384 pages Buy the Book! Read an Excerpt! Learn how to cultivate clarity, inventory ideas, write richly, and serve up words. Online Exclusive Download a...

Get the Inside Track to Agents

By: admin | September 2, 2010 | Comments 0

Learn more about what Hot List agents Rachelle Gardner, Chris Richman, Suzie Townsend and Ted Weinstein are seeking by reading these in-depth Q&As.

Author Q&A: Dinty W. Moore

By: admin | July 2, 2010 | Comments 0

Author Dinty W. Moore discusses not taking shortcuts, perseverance and why you need to love writing to be a writer.

Publishing 101: What You Need to Know

By: Jerry D. Simmons | September 22, 2009 | Comments 0

Here's your step-by-step guide to the publishing process–how it works, why you need to know and how you can play an influential role in your book’s success.

by Jerry D. Simmons

The Anatomy of a Writer’s Website

By: Linda Formichelli | October 7, 2008 | Comments 1

Whether you build it yourself or hire a designer, your website can do more than bring you into the 21st century—it can be an invaluable part of your marketing arsenal.

by Linda Formichelli

The Four Commandments of Writing Good Sentences

By: Bonnie Trenga | April 15, 2008 | Comments 0

If you want to write a good sentence, don’t pay any attention to your grammar. I don’t mean “a sentence this like OK is.” I mean don’t automatically think you’ve written a good sentence just because it’s grammatically correct. Lots of bad sentences...

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