Dispatch From the Querying Trenches (Part II): Shelving a Dream
Column by Karis Rogerson
Karis Rogerson reflects on the past six months in the world of querying.
What I Learned at Gotham Writers Workshop's First-Ever Writing Conference
Column by Karis Rogerson
Writer and aspiring author Karis Rogerson went to Gotham Writers Workshop's first ever conference, and writes about a few of the takeaways.
Why I (& Many Editors) Reject A Book Based on the First Paragraph
Column by Christoph Paul March 12, 2019
The first line matters more than you think.
How to Submit Writing Like A Relentless Force of Nature
Column by Peter Derk
Don't get down. Get published.
What It Really Takes to Get Your First Book Published: 5 Critical Factors
Column by Susan DeFreitas
I you've worked hard, put in your ten thousand hours, and still not broken through with your first book deal, this post is for you.
23 Translations: What Your Editor's Queries REALLY Mean
Column by Holly Slater October 4, 2016
“Author query” can be a confusing term. We know how frustrating and delicate writing queries for agents and publishers can be. This is a whole other circus: the query from the Other Side.
9 Ways To Punch Rejection In The Nuts—A Positive Outlook
Column by Holly Slater September 14, 2016
What are your odds of rejection as a writer? High! High as a motherfucking kite, my friend. This is a motivational piece, by the way.
Winter Break Breakdown: The Argument Against Submitting During the Holidays
Column by Leah Dearborn
Submitting during the holidays is not always a great idea, but here's how to survive if you have to do it anyway.
Chicken or the Egg: When a Query Should Come First
Column by Leah Dearborn July 1, 2015
All writing begins with an idea, but the process between that initial spark and a finished draft can vary considerably dependent on the finished product’s purpose.
Rejection: A Critical Device
Column by Jon Gingerich May 22, 2013
Got a story that keeps getting turned down for publication? Here's how you can use industry rejection as a critical tool to improve your work.
Ask the Agent: Exploring the Nonfiction Book Proposal
Column by Bree Ogden
Navigating the rough terrain of today’s publishing industry shouldn’t be a solo event. This week in Ask the Agent, I’ll explore & dissect the particulars of writing a nonfiction book proposal.
Ask The Agent: A Review of When to Query Agents
Column by Bree Ogden April 1, 2013
Navigating the rough terrain of today’s publishing industry shouldn’t be a solo event. This week in Ask the Agent, I’ll explore and dissect one of the biggest of the industry’s mysteries.
Ask The Agent: Marketing to a Middle Grade Audience, Having Multiple Agents and More
Column by Bree Ogden March 18, 2013
Navigating the rough terrain of today’s publishing industry shouldn’t be a solo event. This week in Ask the Agent I’ll explore and dissect a few of the industry’s mysteries, straight from the shoulder
Notes from the Drunken Editor: How To Fail and Why You Should Keep Failing
Column by Phil Jourdan February 20, 2013
We like to forget or ignore our failures, and construct stories about ourselves that emphasize our victories. But it is failure that helps us learn, and embracing failure is a rare thing these days.
Ask The Agent: Lots of Rejections From Editors... Should You Look for A New Agent? and More
Column by Bree Ogden February 4, 2013
Navigating the rough terrain of today’s publishing industry shouldn’t be a solo event. This week in Ask the Agent, I’ll explore and dissect two of the industry’s mysteries, straight from the shoulder.
Ask The Agent: When Should You Stop Querying?
Column by Bree Ogden January 21, 2013
Navigating the rough terrain of today’s publishing industry shouldn’t be a solo event. This week in Ask the Agent, I’ll explore and dissect one of the industry’s mysteries, straight from the shoulder.
How Not to Ask For a Book Review
Column by Erik Wecks January 16, 2013
Erik Wecks talks about what he learned after receiving 60 plus requests for a book review in a forty-eight hour period.
Notes from the Drunken Editor: You Are the Joke Here
Column by Phil Jourdan January 9, 2013
How to avoid being a pain in everyone's backside in the publishing industry, now with 200% more jokes!
Ask the Agent: More On Writer/Agent Etiquette, How to Approach Agents With Multiple Genres & More
Column by Bree Ogden
Navigating the rough terrain of today’s publishing industry shouldn’t be a solo event. This week in Ask the Agent I’ll explore and dissect three of the industry’s mysteries, straight from the shoulder
Ask the Agent: Erotic Zombie Thrillers! And More
Column by Bree Ogden November 26, 2012
Navigating the rough terrain of today’s publishing industry shouldn’t be a solo event. This week in Ask the Agent, I’ll explore & dissect a few of the industry’s mysteries, straight from the shoulder.
Ask The Agent: Answers To Some of The Gritty Details of The Business
Column by Bree Ogden
I received so many fantastic questions this week! I couldn’t decide on just a few, so I’ve decided to go ahead and answer several of them, given the answers are not as intensive as usual.
Ask The Agent: Memoir Platform and Full Disclosure: How Much Is Enough?
Column by Bree Ogden
Navigating the rough terrain of today’s publishing industry shouldn’t be a solo event. This week in Ask the Agent I’ll explore and dissect a few of the industry’s mysteries, straight from the shoulder
The Long & Winding Road: Part II - Revision Hell!
Column by Kelly Thompson April 12, 2012
Part 2 in a series chronicling my experiences with my novel, including finding an agent and submitting to publishers. Part 2 details revision hell, finding a writing group, and a renewed agent search.
Ask The Lit Coach: "What Is The Ideal Length For A Nonfiction Book Proposal?" and More
Column by Erin Reel
This week on Ask The Lit Coach - What's the ideal length of a nonfiction book proposal? And should you mention your previously self-published skeletons in your query to agents?
The Long & Winding Road: Part 1- Writing The Novel
Column by Kelly Thompson March 8, 2012
The 1st in a series chronicling my experiences with my novel, including finding an agent and submitting to publishers. Part 1 details writing my novel and my first partial request from "ideal agent"