I read a lot of book manuscripts, and I’m here to tell you there are some story openers in danger of being used more often than “once upon a time.” Here are some beginnings I see quite frequently: • Character waking up • Character looking out a window and thinking about the weather • Character thinking about the setting, reviewing the objects in a room • Character thinking or saying out loud, “This isn’t happening.” • Character pondering her life, … Read More »

We are so very pleased to announce the finalists for 2022 Royal Palm Literary Awards (RPLA)! Join us for Florida WritersCon 2022 and the Royal Palm Literary Awards Banquet and enjoy a weekend of reconnecting with writer friends and making new ones, networking with authors and publishing industry professionals, learning from experts, an open mic, and more. Learn who takes home a Royal Palm Literary Award!    

An editor new to the business wondered in an online forum what other editors do when their editorial comments and revision suggestions are rejected by the author. The query provoked a discussion, and it occurred to me that it might be interesting for writers to be privy to something editors talk about when you’re not around. The In-House Editor & House Style Whether or not the writer incorporates suggested revisions seemed to be a big concern for the in-house editors … Read More »

Here are the blog posts that received the most visits this past year. Jessica Baker, 7/20/20: Scrivener vs Final Draft: Choosing the One That’s Right for You Shutta Crum, 12/3/21: No More Journals! (Better Gifts for Writers) Arielle Haughee, 8/23/21: Announcing RPLA Finalists Shutta Crum, 3/5/21: Writing the Wordless, or Almost Wordless, Picture Book Arielle Haughee, 3/3/21: Using Microsoft Word to Write Concrete Poetry Nate Hoffelder, 3/28/21: Ten Ways for Authors to Waste Their Money Peg Sias Lantz, 10/13/21: The … Read More »

The 2021 Royal Palm Literary Award winners were announced during an online ceremony skillfully hosted by RPLA Chair Chris Coward and Chris Hamilton this past Saturday. Winners were cheered by spirited attendees in the online chat and at watch parties across the state. Grand Prize Winners Tales from the Eerie Canal: Murder by toilet plunger. Revenge by pie. A birthday gift of a trip to hell. Twenty-two stories infused with a gaggle of goosebumps. Don’t turn out the lights. Barbara … Read More »

Here are the top five Florida Writers fan favorites! Thank you for reading! #1 Scrivener vs. Final Draft: Choosing the One that’s Right For You   #2 RPLA Finalists, Please Stand Up!   #3 KDP vs. Ingram Spark: Two POD Powerhouses   #4 Book Cover Design: CMYK vs RGB   #5 What Every Book That Matters Must Have