Hi Reader, Staring at a blank page can feel like an epidemic when you’re not only writing your current work-in-progress, but also your newsletter and your social media posts. That’s a lot of empty screens to fill. How are we supposed to talk about what we’re working on—or even past projects—without feeling salesy and weird? Is there any natural way to bring our accomplishments up? Good news: yes. And I’ve got you covered with a creative calendar. There are delightfully ridiculous national...
10 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Last week we talked about how your main character starts out believing a lie about himself or the world. At the midpoint, he recognizes his truth and spends the rest of the story struggling to live up to it. If your midpoint was the hero’s “I’m in” moment, the All Is Lost and Dark Night of the Soul are the emotional trapdoor that drops them into Act 3 with purpose. These two beats often get smushed together into one big sad sandwich. Let’s un-smush. They do different jobs, at...
17 days ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, If your story’s middle sometimes feels like a long, suspiciously quiet hallway…good news: the midpoint is where the lights flip on and the music changes. This is the hinge that turns a character’s inner journey from their Lie to the Truth, and it fuels the entire back half of your plot. Characters have three things pushing them through the story: The lie they believe about themselves or the world. What they want. Their want is often a plot goal like money or power. Their true want....
24 days ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, Last week we talked about the importance of Amazon reviews for writers. This week we're talking about the other internet book powerhouse, Goodreads. How to Write a Goodreads Review (and how it’s different from Amazon) Goodreads is the cozy book club on the internet—more conversation, more context, more “why this worked for me.” Reviews here tend to be a bit longer and more in-depth than on Amazon because you’re talking to fellow readers first, not a storefront. Think: a friendly...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, As a writer and a story geek, I love consuming people’s content. I also love supporting other writers. To get our work in front of and build an audience, we often work for free. Screenwriters and novelists write projects on spec. Bloggers and podcasters make content free before they monetize it. So, I look for ways to support creators’ work I like. I’m a Patreon of my favorite podcasts and I subscribe to online magazines like The Epoch Times. One of the easiest ways to help authors...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, What is Fan Fiction? Fan fiction, aka fanfic, is unauthorized fiction written by fans based on an existing work (movies, TV, and books). It is a hobby. Fan fiction authors cannot officially publish and make money off of their work legally, because they do not own the IP (intellectual property). Think of it as a creative gym where you build craft and community—no membership required except love of the source material. Outsiders often look down on fan fiction because of stereotypes...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, We've talked about where to sell your book in person and how to talk to customers. Now let’s make buying your book the easiest “yes” of someone’s day. You’re not just selling stories—you’re selling frictionless decisions. The fewer hurdles at checkout, the more happy readers you send home. Think: clear signs, quick swipes, easy taps, and a smile that says, “You’re gonna love this one.” Payment: Say Yes to Every Way Taking money is a snap now—your phone is practically a cash...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Keep Up the Gab When you’re selling live, conversation is your superpower. I know; many writers would rather wrestle a deadline than chat with strangers. But resist the siren song of the phone scroll. You are the attraction! Stand in front of your table, smile like you mean it, and open with: “What do you love to read?” If they name your genre: Boom! Deliver your cocktail pitch with confidence. If they don’t (yet): stay curious. Ask a couple of fun follow-ups and sprinkle in your...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Selling Your Books at Live Events Live events put you and your stories in the same room as actual humans—humans who can see your covers, hear talk about your book, and feel that spark that made you write it in the first place. That proximity changes everything. You’re not battling algorithms or waiting for an email open; you’re creating a moment of connection. And connection sells. Financially, it’s also where your margins flex. When you sell direct, you skip retailer cuts and keep...
2 months ago • 3 min read