Let Us Now Praise Famous Short Story Writers (And Demand They Write a Novel)

AMBER SPARKS | ELECTRIC LITERATURE Google almost any celebrated short story writer – George Saunders, Kelly Link, Alice Munro, Isak Dinesen, Joy Williams – and you’re likely to see the same two words over and over again: “writer’s writer.” Lest you be tempted to exalt that phrase’s use, consider Cynthia Ozick’s description: “Every writer understands […]

Write a killer memoir: My 9 top tips

ALAN RINZLER | THE BOOK DEAL Want to write a memoir that’s powerful and inspiring? One that has impact, and appeals to a broad popular market? Here’s how. These 9 tips come directly from my 50+ years of working with authors as a developmental editor in major publishing houses and with private clients. 1. Create a […]

“Most contemporary literary fiction is terrible”

J. ROBERT LENNON | SALON.COM An acclaimed writer wants his students to read more new fiction. They shouldn’t. Most of it is really bad In a recent piece on the Review Review, Dan Chaon writes about the need for young writers of literary fiction to emulate their counterparts in music, and develop an obsessive interest […]

How to Succeed with Your Blogged Book or Booked Blog Project

JOEL FRIEDLANDER | THE BOOK DESIGNER As a blogger, you are uniquely suited to become an author. If you have a successful site, meaning one with a large and engaged readership, you have set up yourself to produce bestselling books. You can use your blog effectively to transform yourself from blogger to author. Either blog […]

Why Authors Must Report Their Activities

Terry Whalin | THE WRITING LIFE Recently one of my Morgan James authors contacted me and asked, “Is my book really inside any Barnes and Noble bookstores. It was a good question and I turned to a colleague to find the answer. I learned this particular book had been available to the brick and mortar […]