Archive - Craft Hacks of Before and After the Book Deal

Is your manuscript ready to query? Checkpoint your opening pages.

Do your opening pages deliver what your query letter promises? Let's find out! Plus, an opportunity to workshop your opening pages with me.

Jul 2

June 2025

Craft from the Couch: Episode 07 | Will Roth of Creature Publishing

Publicity strategies from a savvy publicist at an indie press- plus, #sporror and #moldcore!

Jun 11

April 2025

Coaching the character—a new technique for writers

Plus an announcement. I've got good news, I've got bad news. But it's mostly good!

Apr 23

March 2025

How do you know when your manuscript is "finished"?

Here's one way to tell. (Plus a feedback opportunity for paid subscribers!)

Mar 5

November 2024

Craft from the Couch: Episode 06 | Isle McElroy

The author and community organizer Isle McElroy discusses supporting others as a way to process grief.

Nov 20, 2024

A fail-proof research method for nonfiction and beyond

A video tutorial about a fun (yes, fun!) way to research and integrate your research without succumbing to procrastination. Works for all genres and…

Nov 13, 2024

October 2024

How to revise other people's work without a personal agenda

A video tutorial explaining how to provide writers of braided memoir with a useful tool that will help them revise instead of breaking their hearts and…

Oct 16, 2024

How to accomplish a massive revision without losing your mind

In this video episode, I'll show writers how to tackle a massive novel revision without losing one's sanity and/or affection for the work. You can watch…

Oct 2, 2024

17:44

September 2024

Craft from the Couch: Episode 05 | Priyanka Mattoo

Talent agent turned memoirist Priyanka Mattoo shares her best tips for debuting and explains why she thinks that authors should be tacky...or at least…

Sep 18, 2024

How to organize your research for a nonfiction project

A video sharing how I take notes and organize them for use in nonfiction and memoir.

Sep 11, 2024

12:07

August 2024

Craft from the Couch: Episode 04 | Lauren Hough

A conversation with New York Times bestselling author Lauren Hough about a special topic. Plus, a discount code to Lauren's Substack, "Badreads."

Aug 21, 2024

July 2024

Craft from the Couch: Episode 03 | M.L. Rio

In which Courtney talks to international bestselling author M.L. Rio about deadlines and time management.

Jul 24, 2024

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