Columns

Issues with Short Stories

by Bobbie Christmas Q: I tried writing novels, but I found I was better at writing shorter things. I wrote some short stories, but they all come out as if…

Giving Readers What They Want

The Strategy that Leads to More Book Sales by Penny Sansevieri A secret formula for executing the perfect book launch doesn’t exist. Numerous constantly changing factors are in play, from…

How to Get Noticed on Twitter as an Indie Author

by Penny Sansevieri Indie authors ask me all the time how to get noticed on Twitter because, just like LinkedIn and Facebook, when an author connects with the right people,…

All About Blogs

by Bobbie Christmas Q: Maybe I’m too old to understand all this new technology, but what on earth is a blog? A: The term “blog” is a blend of the…

Why Your Book-Marketing Plan Should Include a Newsletter

by Penny Sansevieri Many authors I’ve consulted with recently about their book marketing plan have reported that their advertising across multiple platforms including social media, Bookbub, and Amazon, to name…

Awkward Sentences

by Bobbie Christmas Q: Are both of the following sentences below grammatically correct? The first one seems off because it sounds like “while waiting . . . sister” defines “dance.”…

About Pen Names

by Bobbie Christmas Q: I’m publishing a book of rebus puzzles. Should I use a pen name or my own name? I know some authors use another name when they…

How Focused Goals Will Sell More Books

by Penny Sansevieri I love goals. I love them so much that I actually have a goal book, like a journal, where I keep all of my goals. I’m actually…

All About Balance

by Bobbie Christmas Q: What is the necessary balance between dialogue (that shows) and exposition (that tells but advances the story)? A: Exposition is usually background information and rarely advances…