Archive for the ‘Publishing Industry’ Category

What to do while you’re waiting to get published

Recently someone told me that they’re a finalist in a writing competition at a major  conference. They were excited, and I was excited for them. It may not seem to non-writers that this is a very big deal. Most people just want to know if they’ve ever read anything you’ve written or when you story will be made into a movie. (I trust my readers here would never make these comments to a writer!)

The fact is, it’s rather hard to get a publisher these days (unless it’s DIY) so what do you do while you’re waiting for a break?

Well write, of course. But then? I like the idea of entering a writing contest. Read More…

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Write on the River

J.A. Jance keynoter

J.A. Jance keynoter

The best little conference in the world.

Yup, I’m going out on a limb and making that claim for the Write on the River Conference in Wenatchee (Washington) next month.

You’ve been to conferences (please say you have!) and you know how workshops with published authors can instruct, inspire and impact your writing life. If not–find one! Writing conferences abound, and there’s one near you.

Join us in sunny Eastern Washington wine country on the banks of the Columbia River. We’re a small, boutique conference with major presenters, a full range of topics and with time to chat and time for you. Read More…

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The lovely deep of the fantastic

Jemison cover

Cover of a recent favorite fantasy book, N.K. Jemisin’s The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.

When people ask me why I write science fiction and fantasy–or more often, why I don’t write, say, mysteries or mainstream–there is likely a question

lurking underneath: Why would I want to write sf/f?

I’m going to trot out this answer from now on: Mainstream is too restrictive for me.

Or, if I want to sound like a pompous twit (thanks for the great phrase, Don McQuinn) I could say that my mind just slips into metaphor. Because the fantastic is a meta-representation of the story. Read More…

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Getting the most out of writing conferences

This post is for mid-career authors and aspiring writers alike. Going to an annual writing conference is an investment in your career with many payoffs. Sampling a variety of writing approaches taught by attending authors, adding to your writing tool box, conversation with like-minded writers, meeting editors and agents, forming writing groups and keeping up with the transforming publishing world are just a few of the many reasons to attend.

But how to get the most out of these events? Read More…

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An introvert’s guide to writing: Part 8

The Vortex

Introversion, as I have been keen to point out in earlier posts on this subject, is a fine thing. There is much to recommend it to authors, especially in the internet age.

However.

Black hole

The Great Introvert Vortex

Being one does not give carte blanche for you to enter the Introvert Vortex. I trust you know what this Vortex is, and that you are exerting  proper gravitational controls. For the Great Introvert Vortex is that black hole at the center of one’s being that represents the extreme end of the lovely life that is the introvert’s. Read More…

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