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As writers, it’s vital to be able to summarise what we offer in a few brief interesting words – as much for ourselves as for the readers we want to reach. Whenever I write any article, let alone a book, I begin by drafting a rough lede which sets out the essence of the piece, […]

(See Part 1: The website) Despite complaints about inbox overload and spam, surveys show consumers consider email the least intrusive of direct marketing tactics. When someone signs up for your messages, they’re inviting you into a personal space that’s largely competitor-free (unlike a search results page). And unlike social media, your list is yours to keep. […]

Some argue that you don’t need a website these days, that it’s enough to be on Facebook, Linktree or Substack. But platforms come and go, and with social media you are at the mercy of the algorithms. As publishing expert Jane Friedman notes, ‘your website serves as an online home and hub for everything that you do… […]

A friend of mine, also a writer, posted about seeking work as a freelancer and having to wade through the naysayers, complainers, and grammar nerds to glean information about where to find work. Admittedly, AI is robbing this group of writers of much viable income. Businesses will take AI cheaply over original work for more […]

Writing is often called a solitary pursuit, yet none of us performs alone. It takes a supportive community including editors, proof readers, critique partners, and beta readers. Words don’t magically appear on the page to perfection, ready for publication. Start at the Library Libraries are filled with words and people who write them. When I […]

The words ‘writing retreat’ might summon up images of a week in a lakeside cabin with a posh notebook, a pot of coffee, and birdsong for company. But for many of us, work, family and budgets such images are pure fantasy. But there are ways to create your own retreat even if you have next […]

You’ve spent hours crafting the perfect newsletter. Every paragraph sparkles, the call-to-action is clear, and the design looks sharp. You hit “send,” then wait. And wait. But the results are flat. Your open rates are terrible. The problem isn’t your content. It’s your subject line. In publishing, the real battle for attention happens in the […]

We attempt to polish to perfection. The funny thing to me is that we dare think of being able to achieve perfection. Nobody does nor should they think they can. Weekly I write two editorials: the opening thought, then later the editor’s thoughts. One is more personal than the other. One tends to be more […]

The 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 be some dodgy ones with […]

“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 ways to shortcut and settle. […]

In 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 for children of customers. Rather […]

Having 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, but for the wrong reasons […]