On Being a “Show-Off”

Twice in the last week, I’ve been called a show-off. This is nothing new for me, but it really ticks me off. Especially now, with all that’s happening. Let me tell you why. Even before I started school, I loved to read. Books were my only friends, for a long time. I was a weird […]

So You Want to Be an Agent? Here’s Five Reasons You Might Want to Rethink That Decision

Dear Literary/Agency Interns, I feel it is my divine duty, as the self-appointed patron saint of interns (I’ve done twelve internships and counting, holla!) to pass on some of the things I’ve learned in my recent transition to the agent world: Don’t believe the hype. Whenever I attend a conference, I always have this moment where I feel […]

On Public Speaking: Killer Clowns and Wedding Toasts

I always love when people quote some variation of the above statistic, because it never ceases to amuse me that anyone could EVER be more terrified of public speaking than they are of zombies, clowns, or the dark. But it’s a truth universally recognized—at least in America—that people are more afraid of giving a presentation in public than […]

“Fear of Falling” by Veronica Park

What do they always say, when you’re climbing high? “Don’t look down.” Why do they say it? Does it really matter? Does it make a difference where you’re looking, as long as you keep moving, keep climbing in the right direction? And what will happen if you ignore the warning, and look down? Will you […]

What to Wear to a Job Interview (and WHY)

If you google the phrase “what to wear to a job interview,” you’ll get pages and pages of helpful links. If you click on the images tab, you’ll see that some helpful folks over on Pinterest have even put together entire boards (usually for women, since let’s be honest: guys don’t have quite as many […]

The YARD Test: Does Your Resume “Work” at Face Value?

Functionality. Most people think this is the golden rule of resumes. But guess what, ladies and gentlemen? This may or may not come as a shock—judging by the current state of our government, waka waka—but we don’t actually live in a world where functionality is king. No, we live in a world of skinny mocha lattes. And plastic […]

How to Take a Kick@$$ DIY Author Photo

I feel like I’ve had this conversation with my PR/marketing clients (and myself) at least a million times: Me: “You need a new author photo.” Author: “Why? The one I’ve been using is a perfectly good photo of me.” Me: “Yes, it’s a great photo of you. But it’s a posed shot taken at a conference.” Or, “But […]

When is it OK to Work for FREE?

Will Work for [Practically] Nothing By Veronica Park In his iconic role as The Joker, Heath Ledger famously said, “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” However, if you think you can live by this phrase, you’re either a.) already gainfully employed, b.) a stripper, or c.) kidding yourself. The sad but factual […]

V’s Snippet of the Week – #12: WATCH YOURSELF

Dear fellow writers, fellow career seekers, and actually… hell, just fellow human beings in general, Today’s snippet centers around a universal truth I have learned. As great as it is to have a supportive network of friends, or a wonderful spouse, or a great agent/editor/lawyer, government representative…whatever, Self-Advocacy is THE MOST IMPORTANT skill you should cultivate if […]