The Three Rs: Reading, wRiting, and Roaming

Writing Conferences: Why You Should Attend - Kristin A. Oakley

October 16, 2018

Welcome back to author Kristin A. Oakley with her take on Writers Conferences.

Kristin advised us about the helpfulness of Critique Groups in July and explained all about Hybrid Publishing in September. Before we jump into all the things we can learn by attending a writing conference, I want to give Kristin a huge shout out as she gets set to celebrate the release of her audiobook versions of Carpe Diem, Illinois and God on Mayhem Street. You can read all about this adventure on her blog post... Continue Reading

Tall Poppy Readers Fav Books of 2018

October 8, 2018

This past week, I was invited to the cool kids’ lunch table . . . The Tall Poppy Writers invited me to take part in their Book Blogger Appreciation Week on their reader site: Bloom: A Group for Tall Poppy Readers.

The Tall Poppy Writers are a group of 44 female writers. Ann Garvin (a Wisconsin author) founded the group, and it was Susan Gloss (another Tall Poppy Writer) who invited me to hang out this past week on the Bloom Facebook Page.

Why am I telling you this?... Continue Reading

Book Reviews – August and September Favorites

September 29, 2018

I have been immersed in dystopian, post-apocalyptic fiction during the past two months. What’s new? Everyone knows I love that sort of story!! However, the truly outstanding reads were a memoir and two works of contemporary fiction.

THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas

This is an excellent novel that examines the aftermath of a police shooting of an unarmed black man through the eyes of his life-long friend Starr Carter, the only witness to the shooting other than the police... Continue Reading

September Writers' Forum

September 26, 2018
FEATURED ARTICLES: Log Line – Pitching your book in one sentence. CreateSpace Update

Now in its second year, the Writers' Forum is a compilation of the month’s important publishing news and helpful writing information for authors, particularly those independently publishing their books. For readers, there are links to southern Wisconsin bookstores to preview their upcoming events. I’ve been an independently published author since 2014 and provide this information to assist others in the way that generous writers assisted me when I was at the beginning of my indie pub journey. On a professional level, I also use my publicity and editorial skills to aid other authors through my company Lost Lake Press. I'd love to use my... Continue Reading

Nonfiction & Fiction Book Proposals (YES! FICTION!)

September 18, 2018

This year I completed my first nonfiction book proposal, and I realized how intimidating the process might be for someone who is not familiar with the components that go into such a proposal. Heather Shumaker is an author I have long admired for her savvy in the publishing world. She has authored three nonfiction books, and her children's novel will be out... Continue Reading

The Greatest American Hero by Bonniejean Alford

September 11, 2018

In a piece written in the style of her memoir, Bonniejean Alford boldly explores the role “heroes” have as inspiration on her journey to inspire.

The Greatest American Hero

By bonniejean alford, Creative Communication Strategist | Word Artist | Speaker

This year, I received an amazing gift from the universe: the honor of meeting one of my childhood heroes via video chat. Truthfully, a dear friend granted me this gift for my birthday in February. What a nice surprise!

Of course, this hero did not reside in America, but remained no less a hero to my life. As a child, I didn’t have many positive influences. And definitely no one there to inspire me creatively. Despite this, I wrote – A LOT.

I still do.

The ideas flow. And flow. And flow some... Continue Reading

Hybrid Publishing by Kristin A. Oakley

September 4, 2018

Charles Dickens, Beatrix Potter, Marcel Proust, and Edgar Allan Poe all self-published their books. If you're planning to do the same, you're in good company. Today you can publish your manuscript with just the click of a button but be sure to research your options first.

 

 

Four Routes to Book Publishing - and the pros and cons of each:

 

Traditional publishing  examples: Penguin Random House, Macmillan, Hachette, HarperCollins, and Simon & Schuster

♦ The author acquires a literary agent (for fiction) who finds an interested publisher.

♦ The publisher buys the rights to the manuscript and uses their staff of editors and graphic designers to publish the manuscript -- the author has little or no say over the... Continue Reading

August Writers' Forum

August 29, 2018
FEATURED ARTICLES: CreateSpace Says Goodbye & Critical of Vanity Press? How Big Publishing is Cashing In

Now in its second year, the Writers' Forum is a compilation of the month’s important publishing news and helpful writing information for authors, particularly those independently publishing their books. For readers, there are links to southern Wisconsin bookstores to preview their upcoming events. I’ve been an independently published author since 2014 and provide this information to assist others in the way that generous writers assisted me when I was at the beginning of my indie pub journey. On a professional level, I also use my publicity and editorial skills to aid other authors through my company Lost Lake Press... Continue Reading

Revising your Work with author Amanda Zieba

August 20, 2018

I'm pleased Amanda Zieba is able to join us again. Amanda is an author, a word nerd, a mom, a wife, a teacher, and so much more. Today she gives us excellent tips on revising your work. (In my opinion, there are never enough tips to get me through this phase of writing!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have been fortunate enough to attend three, four-day writing excursions this summer. Since leaving the full-time teaching world, my home office hours are mostly dedicated to paying gigs. But, on these writing retreats, I splurge, allowing myself to dive head first into my fiction work.

This summer my fiction project is revising my YA Fantasy manuscript. As I’ve... Continue Reading

Interview with Author Janet Kay

August 14, 2018

I do love a good paranormal story, and recently picked up The Sisters by Wisconsin author Janet Kay. This story is an interesting tale set on historical Galveston Island, Texas that weaves in an ample supply of ghostly entities and reincarnated souls. The story is written in alternating perspectives of both living and dead characters, which makes for a fun read. 

... Continue Reading

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