Archive - Industry Challenges of Before and After the Book Deal

Seven things to do BEFORE you start a newsletter

Whether it's on Substack or another platform, don't even think about launching a newsletter until you do these things.

Apr 10

Common mistakes in query letters: a primer

The top 10 mistakes I see people making out there in query land.

Apr 3

February 2024

The Breakout Book: 5 archetypes

Why certain books break through in a competitive marketplace and why

Feb 23

Turbocharging the bio section of your query letters: Our top tips (Part Two)

Hiding hot messes from gatekeepers; advice for harried parents and aligning disparate day jobs into a united front. Plus another "before and after" bio…

Feb 7

Turbocharging the bio section of your query letters: Our top tips (Part One)

Plus, advice for the bio sections of artist statements and an introduction to the secret weapon known as "The Aspirational Pivot."

Feb 2

January 2024

The waiting game: 5 ways to stay productive while you're waiting on gatekeepers

Stop refreshing your inbox and start doing these five things instead.

Jan 24

Novel revision, three ways

Introducing the three phases I go through to get a novel right.

Jan 10

December 2023

When a debut author acts abysmally—how complicit is their publishing team?

Thoughts on the Cait Corrain scandal—plus the one thing that publishers need to do to make their authors better people.

Dec 13, 2023

October 2023

Should you hire an independent publicist for your book launch without a guaranteed ROI?

To spend money or not to spend money, that is the question. (Plus, the three kinds of publicists you'll meet out there in lit land and takeaways from my…

Oct 11, 2023

Getting your voice out there: Writing nonfiction about your fiction

The mapping strategy that will help you craft nonfiction pitches for your fiction and boost your discoverability when your book finally gets published.

Oct 4, 2023

July 2023

Query Letter Writing: The 3 things you must do to catch an agent's eye

What to show, what to tell, and how to inch closer to an offer of representation.

Jul 26, 2023

How to Name Your Book: Insights on Titling Strategies From a Corporate Namer

20 years of corporate advertising intel coming atcha, baby.

Jul 21, 2023

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