Q: There’s so much for a writer to think about: platform, query letters, agents, marketing. What’s the most important thing to focus on?
A: That’s easy. Focus on the content of your book. There’s nothing more important.
Content is king
Before all else, keep your attention on the core concept and execution of your book [...]

Q:  There’s some background information I need to include so my narrative makes more sense.  How can I do that without breaking the flow of the story?
A:  Many writers struggle with blending in historical context and a who’s who of key characters from the past whose influence has led up to their protagonist’s current dilemma [...]

Q: Someone in my writers group complained that my plot is hard to follow. Can you help?
A: You might need to work on the transitions — the glue that makes a seamless narrative.  You might need to add a few words of clarification or entire new passages to bridge the [...]

Q: I haven’t had any luck finding a publisher for my book. What’s the secret to getting in the door?
A: Here’s my advice on how you can beat the odds and overcome the biggest reasons most books get rejected.
But first, I’d like to give you an idea of what it’s like behind the scenes at [...]

Q : Everyone says I need to wrap up my manuscript and stop writing already. But I’m really stuck.  Any advice?
A : This isn’t unusual. You may have taken a wrong turn early in the story as a result of poor planning. Or you may have painted yourself into a corner. [...]

Q:  I’ve heard that New York publishers will only accept books written from a third-person limited POV and no head hopping allowed.
Does this mean I have to rewrite my manuscript to conform to these rules?
A:  No! Stop. Don’t succumb to this kind of advice.
These rumors can start as the result of an editor or agent [...]

Q :   I know that agents and editors look for writers who have strong voices, but I’m having trouble finding mine.  Any advice?
A :   It’s true. Editors, agents, publishers and, above all, readers do respond most to a writer with a great voice.
Voice is what gives writing energy, authenticity, it animates the narrator and characters  [...]

Q : I submitted my manuscript to an agent and she said the plot was confusing and needed a lot of work. I was crushed!  What should I do?
A : Telling a good story is the writer’s most important task. But constructing a great plot with so many ideas, characters and actions careening [...]

Does my book really need an index? And I have to pay the indexer?  Wait, isn’t that the publisher’s job?  OK, well can I just put it together myself?
I often hear questions like these from authors I work with. So I explain that an index is an indispensable tool for almost every non-fiction book.
An index [...]

Q : Why is the first line so important?
A : Agents and acquiring editors will quit reading if your opening sentence doesn’t zing. Any writer seeking publication or the devoted attention of a reader browsing in a bookstore needs to craft that first sentence, revising, revising, revising, until it [...]

Q : I have so much material for my memoir. How do I sort out what to include and what to leave out?
A : This is the key problem a writer faces when constructing a non-fiction memoir. Here are six specific steps to consider when making your [...]

Q:My writers group thinks I need to strengthen the narrative arc in my novel. How can I do that?
A:The “narrative arc” is a fancy way of saying that every story needs to have a beginning, middle, and end. Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, you need an act one, act two, act three.
Take for [...]

It’s the #1 question aspiring authors ask me: How do I get your attention?
Here’s how: Send me a compelling, convincing book proposal that knocks my socks off!
For those who’ve heard that a query letter should always precede a proposal, my view is that you may want to skip the query entirely and instead [...]