I received an e-mail from a writer asking if I could give him advice on catching the attention of a publisher. He has been working with an agent for about a year on a nonfiction proposal and doesn’t have a contract yet. I don’t know anything about the proposal or the market for the subject … Read more
I’ve been helping a writer find an agent or publisher for his novel. He’s received several rejections, so I’ve been giving rejection a lot of thought. None of us like rejection, of course, and since I edited the novel for this writer, I feel the rejection as much as he does. But having been at … Read more
The Last Boat Out: Memoirs of a Triumphant Vietnamese-American Family has received another great review. (2/1/08: The book is now out of print.) Kelley Anderson writes for Reader Views: “It is a beautifully told story, drawing you in to the simple Vietnamese lifestyle. It makes you weep for the innocent children disfigured by war and dance … Read more
Although I’m always excited about the successes of my friends and clients, sometimes it seems that everyone is accomplishing great things but me. My novel languishes with little notice and few sales, while friends tell me about awards and great sales numbers. I see so many worthwhile causes I would like to help, but my budget keeps me … Read more
My friend Grace Anne Schaefer spent the weekend with us. Her husband Ken drove her down from their home near Austin – she had heart surgery a few months ago and wasn’t ready for the long drive alone. We have been truly blessed to have these wonderful people in our lives – the friendship between Grace Anne and … Read more
Booklovers will love Books We Love. You’ll find lots of great books by great authors, including my novel Stroke of Luck (a little blatant self-promotion!), Spring House by David Bowles, The New Day Dawns by Grace Anne Schaefer, plus fiction and nonfiction by 125+ more writers. Books We Love runs contests to introduce readers to its member … Read more
I told in a previous post how it took a crisis before I realized that someday is now, and if I wanted to pursue my writing dream, I had to start. We all can make our lives – and the lives of those we love – better. “The Dash,” the classic poem by Linda Ellis, says this … Read more
Reader Views, an excellent review Web site, just reviewed The New Day Dawns: People of the Frozen Earth Book One. Reviewer Mary Simmons wrote: “The New Day Dawns is a fascinating read that will not only enrich your life, but also the lives of others since 10 per cent of Internet sales of this book … Read more
Most writers dream of touching hearts and making a difference in people’s lives with our words. Often we think to accomplish this we have to write and publish a great book that’s read by millions. But I’ve recently met a woman who touches nearly 90 hearts a week and makes a difference in the lives of people who are making … Read more
Today I had a conversation with a writer just beginning her book. I gave her the same advice I give all beginning writers: join a writers group, online or offline, to network with other writers and learn about the craft of writing and the business of publishing. Writers, unless they are employed full-time by a … Read more