Saved away in one of the files on my computer is a numbered list of names. There are names of writing competitions and opportunities, publishers and literary agents. Each of the names has notes next to him. Dates of when something was sent or submitted. Some of the text is marked with strikethrough and details of a response received. Some …
What may come as a shock to some writers is that many agents and publishers need to fall in love with your idea, as well as you (as someone they want to work with) often before even reading your work. You need to hook potential agents and publishers with something that sparks their interest. You also need to help them …
Not many people can pull off the colour orange, except maybe Isla Fisher in those ING ads and an oompa loompa. I was neither of them but I’d left my Halloween costume to the last minute. As I yank down the rising hem I curse whoever designed this bloated sack-dress masquerading as a pumpkin. Tanya had insisted I attend her American cousin’s “legendary” Halloween party. I had reluctantly agreed to pop in after I finished the late shift at …
The pros and cons of pen names with best-selling author Bren MacDibble/Cally Black, plus other expert tips. I had never given much thought until recently about whether I needed a pen name for the books I’m writing. You see I have been firmly planted in the one genre for a while, specifically YA fantasy, so I figured it made sense …
‘Look she’s doing it again.’ It was psychology major uni-girl. She doesn’t think I can hear her. I fold and re-fold my T-shirt for the fifth time until just the right amount of Ravenclaw crest is visible. ‘Definitely on the spectrum,’ nervous-laugh-wants-to-impress-her-friend, other uni-girl, declares. They stuff their collection of still damp skinny jeans into a $9 Kmart overnight bag and leave. The laundromat is filled with the regular mix of middle-aged single men, …
I’m super excited to be delivering more workshops over the next two months. One is a FREE Social Media for Writers workshop and the other is Build Your Author Website in a Day. Social Media for Writers – FREE Workshop On Saturday 4 May I will be at Helensvale Library on the Gold Coast facilitating a FREE 2 hour workshop …
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that an (aspiring) author in possession of a book (idea) to sell, must be in want of an author brand or platform.” I’ve taken some liberty with Jane Austen’s words but I’m sure she would have agreed with the sentiment. Jane Austen lived at a time when books by women were usually published anonymously. …
You have probably heard the saying that if you want something done, you should ask someone who’s busy, and I have found this to be true when it comes to my creative writing. The last couple of months have been some of the busiest of my life. I got two new clients for my business, which both involve steep learning …
Another freakin’ candle. How many was that now? I’d lost count after the eleventh one. I read the embossed label. Leather and cedar infusion – what the…? “Okay, candle. Thank you for…I don’t know what, and goodbye.” I chuck the candle into the donation box. I was nearly finished with the fourth KonMari category, komono, or miscellaneous items. Now you won’t find any Instagram posts of my perfect rows of underwear and fitting sheets standing to attention in their origami-like …
Marketing and social media are surrounded by a lot of misconceptions and myths which can mean the difference between failure and conquering your online presence. Here are my top tips for how businesses and (aspiring) authors can avoid the biggest rookie mistakes when it comes to social media. 1. Don’t like it….’say’ you like it You probably have heard that …