Writing  

I spent about five years of my life as an agent, representing both screenwriters and book authors. I wasn't a scumsucking bottom-feeder. Then again, I ultimately decided I wasn't cut out to be an agent.
Agents, especially in today's book business, are essentially salesmen. Therefore, many of them are, ...read more

I have an 8-year-old friend. She's a lively third-grader who has a strong sense of self. One evening I was babysitting her and she shared a list of odd-sounding names. "Back Stand," "Over-Under Flip," "The Round About-er," "Twist, Un-twist,” “Upside-down Split."

"Gymnastics," she explained. "I made up some cool moves."

I ...read more

Susan only submitted her manuscript to three literary agencies.

Susan submitted her manuscript to only three literary agencies.

Ever hear of a "misplaced modifier"? Don't worry, I'll get into those in another article. Today I'm going to briefly explain one example, a pet peeve of mine ...read more

If you’re serious about getting your manuscript published, whether it’s a literary novel, a true-crime book, or a genre romance, it’s a good idea to find out who exactly might publish it. “But that’s my agent’s job,” you might say. True. But it’s also your job, and your responsibility to ...read more

[From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms (see below for the URL of our Home Page) and our isolation and identification of more than 188 stages of the Hero's Journey that you need to know about...]

The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of ...read more

I want you to write again. My goal is to release your creative potential. I want to call out your passion, skill and energy as a writer. You are a writer. You are meant to write. Creativity is your center.




Writing is in your blood. ...read more

The new Sobol Award for novelists was officially announced on September 13, and it sounds like a writer's dream at first glance: all authors who submit a manuscript must be both unpublished and unagented. "Hey! That's me!" you say. Plus, the top prize is $100,000, with runner-up awards of $25,000 ...read more

You have probably heard about writing scams and say, "I'd never do anything that stupid. How could someone think this wasn't a scam?"

A writer gets a letter in the mail; send us your manuscript for and instant evaluation. Maybe they're a new writer, maybe they've been writing for a while. ...read more

Recycling is the current buzzword in my community. Our city has graciously provided each resident with bins for the collection of a myriad of discarded items that will make their way to the local recycling station. There they will be processed for use in the manufacture of a wide variety ...read more

My name is Author Jones and I have an astronomical book idea. The enjoyable subject matter is really super awesome good. Oh, I know 195,000 books come out a year, Jane Agent, and most of those sell less than 500 paltry copies. I am not famous--I am coming at ...read more