Latest posts
How to Spot a Dodgy Litmag
/ 2025-12-19The submissions database Chill Subs lists over 3000 magazines and 1200 writing contests, many of the contests affiliated with litmags. Most of these are run by passionate writers and editors who work hard to champion great work, often for little monetary reward. But given the size of the market there will inevitably... Read More
AI and Perfection
/ 2025-12-19“Have no fear of perfection—you’ll never reach it.” ~Salvador Dalí All of us seek perfection, though none of us reaches it. Improving ourselves, however, is the real goal and quite admirable. We should never stop in that effort. But all too often, we feel we cannot seek perfection so we find... Read More
Rudolph and Writing
/ 2025-12-19In listening to a podcast this week, I almost teared up at the story of a Christmas song. It is a secular song, but then, it is not. I will never hear it the same again. In 1939, Montgomery Ward wanted to publish something Christmassy with an animal protagonist... Read More
How to Fake It Till You Make It When Pitching Article/Content Ideas
/ 2025-12-12Having worked as a features editor for numerous magazines, head of copy for a content agency and MS/slush reader for various literary agents, I've looked at 1000s of pitches and submissions. One of the things that always stands out is what I call ‘quiet confidence’. The opposite also stands out,... Read More
The AI Forecast
/ 2025-12-12Recently Jane Friedman, guru of all things publishing in the US if not the world, spoke of AI in her email "The Bottom Line." Some books were disqualified from a national award in New Zealand because they discovered AI was used on the covers. A lot of people think this is appropriate. Others... Read More
Half Asleep
/ 2025-12-12For a long time, I've learned to go to bed with a chapter running in my head. First, it helps me go to sleep. Secondly, it makes my mind work, and in the morning, especially if I go right into the shower, ideas bubble to the surface for what I... Read More
The Way to Seeing Better Search Results
/ 2025-12-12Search engines are an integral part of writing research, and often the way authors find new magazines, writing markets, or submission guidelines. However, search engines can be repetitive or biased and easily trap searchers in a scrolling loop. Here’s key advice on how to find your way around search engines.... Read More
Pull Away From the Routine
/ 2025-12-12I was at Edisto Beach a few years ago, and it rained all week. I mean two days of hurricane-type rain and five days of drizzle. Water dripped off the porch roof and plopped in the sand below. Ozone hung in the air. A small herd of deer walked hidden... Read More
Middle of the Night
/ 2025-12-12Illness/shingles tried to get in the way of my writing, and while I haven't written every day, I have managed to throw a few words together often. The motivation is mostly due to the fact I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of the next book. So... Read More
How to Effectively Use Three-Act Structure in Film Scripts
/ 2025-12-12Early in my career an executive once told me, “Great story, mediocre script.” When I pressed him on what made the script mediocre, he fumbled trying to explain – how it took too long to get to moment X or that moment Y had no conflict between the hero and... Read More
