Q: Is it ok to write a book that crosses genre lines, like a mystery with time travel, or a romance with extraterrestrials? A: The short answer is “Yes, absolutely!” That’s the truth, despite the fear that agents and publishers will avoid a book that falls into more than one genre. But since this question [...]

Are you a writer who worries about working with a developmental editor for fear of losing control over the project? You’re not alone If so, you’re not the only one. One writer put it this way recently on an online forum: “I worry that an editor will erase my voice.” Another said, “I fear I’ll [...]

Writers often ask me when they should consult a developmental editor.  The concerns go something like this: I’ve heard that literary agents and commercial publishers don’t want to see a book until it’s already edited and ready for production. And if I decide to self-publish, I’m out on a limb by myself. So when during [...]

Despite all the excitement about self-publishing these days – and I’m a big proponent –many writers still dream of being published by a big house like St. Martin’s Press or a prestigious literary publisher like Algonquin or Bloomsbury. “I want the pride of making a major-league team with superstars on the roster,” a writer client [...]

The gold standard for success as an author is to make the New York Times Best Seller list. That’s the big brand banner that publishers, authors and readers want to see on the front cover. It shouts “Read Me! I’m certified!” How does an author accomplish this feat? What does it take for a book [...]

There’s lots of excitement bubbling about new publishing opportunities for writers of short stories, essays, journalism and other less-than-book-length works. Both established authors and self-publishing newcomers with short-form pieces that once appeared only in places like literary and news magazines are finding brand new markets with Kindle Singles and other digital venues like Byliner and [...]

This is the best time ever to be a writer. Especially for those in the vanguard: the self-publishing writers at the cutting edge of the brave new turbulent world of literary art and commerce. I say that with some authority. As a worker bee from deep within the trenches of the book publishing industry, I [...]

When Amanda Hocking, the 26-year-old poster girl for self-publishing, revealed her $2 million book contract with St. Martin’s Press, she defended the deal on her own blog to legions of fans and militant, mystified indie authors. “I only want to be a writer,” Hocking said. “I do not want to spend 40 hours a week [...]

All good editors love working with writers. To us, writers are special people, compelled to put words together as they look at the world.  They can’t stop, must return to whatever is in their heads, what they’re thinking and feeling, making sense of their lives, to explain, to teach, so write they must. I spend [...]

Smart writers and agents know the value of including outside endorsements with the query letters and proposals they send to book publishers. A persuasive quote from a big name or a well-connected expert can have a major impact on the level of attention we give a new submission, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. It shouts [...]