When I signed with City Owl Press, I had a dream of making a career for myself as a traditionally published author. After my botched second book release, I let that dream fade away. “City Owl Depressed” I had serious nerves before posting the first part of this story last week. Part of those nerves … Continue reading Why I Got My Rights Back, Part 2: Burned Out
Tag: author
Author News: The Cambion Series Will Return in 2024!
It's been a long, weird year so far. No, I'm not talking about the year (and some) since I last wrote in this blog, though 2023 was also...eventful. I may have girlbossed a bit too close to the sun, but that's a story for another blog. My friends, I'm talking about this year. All three … Continue reading Author News: The Cambion Series Will Return in 2024!
Don’t Let Craft Advice Silence Your Authorial Voice
The internet is full of craft advice for writers. Some of it is even good advice. All of it purports to make your writing better, more readable, more relatable, more salable. I’m not talking about grammar advice, like how to punctuate dialogue. That’s a mechanical skill. It’s mostly objective, at least within its specific context … Continue reading Don’t Let Craft Advice Silence Your Authorial Voice
The 5 Essential Ingredients of an Effective Query Letter
This is not a recipe blog. Or is it? Okay, maybe it is, because today I'm sharing my recipe for cooking up the publishing equivalent of a soufflé: the much-dreaded query letter. Most authors hate writing them, but query letters are a prerequisite for fiction submissions to most agents and editors. A good one will … Continue reading The 5 Essential Ingredients of an Effective Query Letter
Pitch Wars Is Over. Its Legacy Is Just Beginning.
Pitch Wars is dead. Long live Pitch Wars. Last Tuesday's announcement by Brenda Drake, the founder of the Pitch Wars mentorship program, sent shockwaves through all of my writing groups. https://twitter.com/PitchWars/status/1493595439005945856?s=20&t=NSxsdbjgV_CZ9Us3XFm5sg My 2020 alumni chat, now the penultimate mentee class, gathered in our Discord chat for a virtual group hug, expressing sadness, surprise, and gratitude … Continue reading Pitch Wars Is Over. Its Legacy Is Just Beginning.
Try a Little Tenderness: 7 Self-Love Ideas for Writers
Love is in the air... When we think of Valentine’s Day, of course, we naturally think of romance, partnerships, and sharing love with a special someone. Today, though, I want to talk about a different kind of relationship for a minute. Not everyone is partnered up nor wants to be, but everyone is worthy of … Continue reading Try a Little Tenderness: 7 Self-Love Ideas for Writers
The Five Stages of Debut Feelings
All right, y'all asked for it. Let's talk about what launching a debut novel is like, in a pandemic no less. Or at least, what it was like for me (your mileage and existential dread may vary).
How to Create Book Trailers in Canva
What a long strange week it's been! My book launch for CAMBION'S LAW was a wild ride, though I'm starting to feel the comedown now (note to self: do NOT keep looking at my sales rank). My publisher has assured me the release was a strong success by their metrics, for which I'm extremely relieved … Continue reading How to Create Book Trailers in Canva
Author Platforms: Build Your Stage, Find Your Audience
In honor of my blog's one year anniversary, I want to share what I've learned so far about audience-building, social media, and author platforms.
Notes from My Debut Year
This year has been one hell of a ride. Three weeks from today, CAMBION’S LAW will be available for preorder. Three months after that, it will be out in the world. I did a little poll on Twitter and it seemed that quite a few people were interested in reading about how my debut year … Continue reading Notes from My Debut Year