Writer Unboxed

Kath and I are thrilled to present this as Writer Unboxed’s 50th interview.
Donald Maass is not only one of New York’s top agents and president of the Donald Maass Literary Agency, he’s also the author of several novels and fantabulous craft books for writers. If you’ve hung around Writer Unboxed for any length of […]

A novelist tops the lists of major magazines as entertainer of the year, and that’s awesome to behold. Finally, writers have more cachet than skanked-out pop stars and NBA players.
JK Rowling is Entertainment Weekly’s #1 entertainer for 2007. She should’ve been named entertainer of the decade, considering we’ll be watching Harry Potter movies […]

Did you hear the one about writer Catherine O’Flynn? Her novel was rejected fifteen times by publishers before finding a home, and now she’s been short listed for one of the UK’s most prestigious literary awards, the Costa Book Awards. Perseverance, passion and belief. Just sayin’…
What’s going on with the Kindle and how has it […]

Heard at the Backspace Agent seminar:
“Trying to find an agent through blind querying is like trying to find a job by sending out blind resumes.”
“Write your query and synopsis sometime between the first and third draft. Don’t just write and send; allow it to sit and age and improve. Treat it like your novel.”
“If […]

I’ve had visitors in the house for over a week. We’ve been driving around, visiting other relatives, showing off the local sights. I’ve cooked three huge meals and made a ton of sandwiches. I’ve seen four movies in five days (who knew there were so many films for kids out at the […]

When Black Friday comes
I’ll stand down by the door
Watch they grey men as they dive from the fourteenth floor
When Black Friday comes
I’ll collect everything I’m owed
And before my friends find out I’ll be on the road
- Steely Dan
Submitted for your approval, ladies and gentlemen: the human being as lemming.
Insanity rolls out of the doorways and […]

Amazon debuts its wireless e-reader, Kindle; an agency closes; Oprah chooses a new novel to promote; National Book Award winners are announced; the strike takes its toll in Hollywood as several movies are pushed back; and a first edition copy of Wuthering Heights sells for…how much? Check out the Google Notebook Books & Business updates […]

Did you hear about Australian Santas being asked not to say HoHoHo because it might be offensive to women? Seriously (HERE). HaHaHa just doesn’t do it for me, though.
I can barely believe we’re into the days before Black Friday. Anyway, this post was written for the forward thinking among us–those braving the shops, pulling […]

These are the times that try men’s souls….
If you made it this far in Chris Baty’s annual National Novel Writing Month experience, you’re probably at the point that I am at.  I reeeeeally want to quit.
My novel sucks.  My prose stinks.  The pacing’s off.  The characters…ugh, let’s not go there.  It’s all so painful now.
Early […]

Please note: This interview was conducted by fantasy author, and WU contributor, Juliet Marillier.
In the third part of her interview with Writer Unboxed, bestselling author Jacqueline Carey discusses her influences, her approach to the job of writing and her relationship with what must be one of the most dedicated groups of fans in the world […]

Relative to the never-to-be-resolved debate between “pantsers” (writers who forego outlines and write by the seat of their pants) and, er, “organizers” (funny that there’s no funny name for writers who outline their novels– how about “architects” for a more colorful handle?), I came across advice by author David L. Robbins posted in a Backspace […]

Canadians will soon see a reduction in the cost of books printed by Penguin Group, Borders introduces its own television channel, Science Fiction Writers of America steps up in support of the WGA strike, Harlequin is giving away short stories, Harry Potter’s lexicon has been delivered a killing curse, The James Potter site is revealed […]