The hard work we writers go through to polish that memoir, novel, short story, poem or essay is real work. It’s hard, stressful, makes us anxious, doubtful and happy – all at the same time. Those who do not write don’t appreciate the labor we struggle with but when the finished product is in their hand and the story comes alive, we become one because in the end – the words make the difference. The promise of celebrity that writers … Read More »

Illustration brings your story to life in a way that words alone can’t. There is a multitude of talented illustrators out there. You just need to know where to look. Besides knowing exactly where to find these amazing people, there are other considerations you need to take into account before diving in. It’s essential to find an art style that compliments your specific story and combing through portfolios takes time. First, you must ask yourself a very important question… Do You Need … Read More »

Rejection letters are commonplace in the world of literature. If you’ve written anything and submitted, I’m sure you have one, or two – or like me – more than you’d care to admit. Personally, I like to call rejection letters toilet paper, it’s just a little more fitting of a title, isn’t it? But I digress. When you began your trek into the world of the literary arts, you probably were sure of one thing, you’d write a masterpiece, you’d … Read More »

Sunday, 16 February 2020, was the day that I became a real author. I have been a writer for over a decade now, but Sunday was the day that I learned that one of the workbooks I had uploaded to KDP had been pirated and was being sold on a pirate site. I didn’t really care that it had been pirated; my blog posts have been pirated so many times that I have grown a thick skin. Furthermore, the workbook … Read More »

Writing a book is like jumping off a cliff. But fear not. As Ray Bradbury says, grow wings on the way down. For authors, a safe landing transforms a manuscript into a printed book. If you’re adventurous, I’m here to tell you that you can land your book by self-publishing. If you have the time, instead of paying an online “full-service book publisher,” hire several freelancers. Through networking with other authors, you can find an experienced editor, a book designer, … Read More »

A frequent question we get here at FWA is: Where can I find an agent/publisher for my book? There is an awesome *free* tool to help you not only find agents and editors, but learn the specifics of what they like and how to query them. This magical gadget is called Manuscript Wish List, and yes, it is completely free. No subscription required. Manuscript Wish List, or MSWL, acts as a search engine for agents and editors. Your quest has … Read More »