Writer Unboxed

Kath here. Today’s guest is C. Hope Clark. She is editor of FundsforWriters, selected by Writer’s Digest for its 101 Best Websites for Writers for the past eleven years. She’s been industrious in platform building and social media outreach, and her newsletters reach 43,000 readers weekly. But the soul of her writing is in the mystery [...]

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The oars were silver, Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke, and made The water which they beat to follow faster, As amorous of their strokes. Antony & Cleopatra, II, 2   It was St. Paddy’s Eve, after all, when London-based agent Bonnie Jonny Geller let out with his Agent’s Manifesto. This prominent man [...]

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Have the following thoughts ever crossed your mind? My book has a broad audience and could be enjoyed by anyone. I don’t want to be pigeon holed—I want to attract all types of readers. If my book could get promoted on [big-name TV show], everyone would see how widely appealing my work is. When extra-terrestrials [...]

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Last time, I wrote about Pinterest and ways to use this trendy social media tool to complement your book publicity efforts. The cool thing about Pinterest and social media in general - and the most important thing – is that it’s publicity without being blatantly promotional. It’s publicity without even realizing it. Social media should be about [...]

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There is a special kind of cruelty in rejection delivered in one’s own handwriting. Way back in the days of old, when all writers knew what SASE meant (self-addressed stamped envelope), when writers submitted to agencies with paper letters and postage, rejection came in the form of a mailing addressed by one’s own hand. I [...]

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I recently had the opportunity to read a letter written by an independent bookstore owner about the state of his business. Though it’s not my place to share those details here, I do want to talk about a general sentiment read in that letter that made me feel both sad and frustrated. It went something [...]

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GIVEAWAY: I am (again) excited to give away a free copy of the 2012 Guide to Literary Agents to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. Good luck to all! (Update: Kaitlyn B. won.) I’ve never met a single person who liked writing a [...]

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As promised last month, I’m back this month with some strategies and advice for anyone considering the indie publishing route. And a quick update before I begin–I’ve actually had a great month, sales wise. (Thank you to any WU readers who bought copies of my books!) Two of my titles, Susanna and the Spy and [...]

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One of the most complicated discussions I have with authors – including myself – is about whether or not to hire an outside PR firm. The reason it’s confusing is because nothing is guaranteed with PR. You’re buying effort and contacts. It’s not like advertising where you buy an ad, it shows up. PR is [...]

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When you’re an author for children and teens, school visits are an inescapable part of your year. Sometimes they come singly, most often in clumps at various key times: here in Australia, Children’s Book Week in August sees a little army of writers banging the drum for books and writing in classrooms and libraries all [...]

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Therese here. Today’s guest is Sarah Pinneo, whose debut novel, Julia’s Child, was published by Plume / Penguin earlier in the week, to terrific reviews: Well written, well paced, and very absorbing.—Library Journal Pinneo skewers the cult of the child with an insider’s eye. A witty, well-plotted fiction debut.—Publishers Weekly That’s the happy ending. But [...]

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Sometimes writers express sentiments that make me want to issue a red-flag warning: STOP. You are about to hurt yourself. Here are five of the biggest ones. 1. If I can’t get a deal soon, I’m self-publishing. Why are you in a rush? Does your book have an expiration date? Even if your book is [...]

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