“I know how to take care of myself,” she said. They assumed she meant that she could harm someone who was trying to harm her, and that was true. But it also meant that she knew how to buy herself flowers when she was feeling like the world was devoid of beauty. She also knew […]
We’ve all heard the joke: Today’s young people are better prepared for a zombie apocalypse than they are for “real life.” Well, thank god for that. As we have seen, are seeing, will see, the world is an increasingly baffling and hellacious place. Human sacrifice? Check. Dogs and cats living together? Check. Mass hysteria? …Oh, […]
Dear Friend, It’s been a long time since we’ve officially talked. Or…unofficially talked. Too long. It’s strange, even a little creepy, but I still know the basics of the path your life has taken since last we spoke. Officially, I mean. I know you had another kid, but I don’t know what you named it. […]
Following a post from my favorite literary fledgling last week, I found myself inspired to write about a rarely lauded struggle which I believe all literary folk in general–including the “successful” ones–ultimately face: I call it The Eternal Shame of Relatively Obscure ROI. (ROR) < Pronounce this like a dinosaur, for optimal fun. (ESoROR works […]
Ever heard that saying? No? Yes, you have. (Liar.) “There’s no such thing as BAD PRESS,” they said. “Oh, yes there is!” you scoffed. “Like, remember the time when Miley Cyrus donned a Trojan bikini and gyrated on that Beetlejuice guy at the VMA’s or whatever, and it totally destroyed her career?” Except, wait…no it […]
As I ranted about in a recent post, the world is full of complainers. Satirists. Commentators. Dissecters of trends. Dissenters. Critics. But sadly, fewer and fewer supporters. Champions. Crusaders. People who actually “put their money where their mouth is.” When it comes to politics, people complain about corrupt politicians, unfair laws, the state of the […]
In this business, the siren call of relatively vibrant plant life is a genuine and daily hazard. Ridiculous, you say. What does she mean, you ask? In laymen’s terms, we say “The Grass is always greener…on the other side of the fence.” Sounds simple, even silly. But in my opinion, it’s truly one of the […]
Dear Writer Friends, You may have noticed of late that my blog is slightly balding. This is not due to apathy, but is an unfortunate side-effect of my multi-career hubris and its accompanying workload. Also, I’m kind of missing the awesomeness and joy that was brought on by my last series, “When Writers Go Wrong.” Therefore, I […]
For the final installment of my 2013-24 Pitch Wars “Meet the Bombshells” Series, I’d like to welcome to the blog Katie Bono, author of the New Adult contemporary (medical) novel, RUNNING WITH NEEDLES. V: First off, I’d just like to say how much I ADORE the title of this book. People in the industry love […]
For my next installment of the Meet the Bombshells Series (where I show off my fantabulous mentees for this year’s Pitch Wars), I’d like to introduce Melissa Flandreau, author of the NA title, WHAT CARRIES THE DAY. V: Thanks for joining me Melissa! Why don’t you tell the fine folks of the interwebs a little […]
Dear lovelies, (Are you a little bit hung over today? Me too, but that’s okay. I will type *very* quietly.) For today’s installment of the Seven Questions series, I will be chatting with my numero uno draft pick and mentee extraordinaire, Kelley Harvey, about her FABULOUS book, SECRETS I KEEP. V: So Kelley, tell the pretty people […]
Thank you for joining me today for a hybrid Interview / Reveal Extravaganza for YA Paranormal author Cally Ryanne’s big debut, ECHOES OF BALANCE (which is, in case you were wondering, available now!) Today we’re going to be talking about Cally’s journey, and then finding out a little bit more about Mikhail. ECHOES OF BALANCE by […]
The Subway Ride By Michael Signorile “That’s a really good idea” will be the phrase etched on my tombstone when I die. Actually, no, scratch that. That’s an awful idea. I’d much rather be ashes, floating in the wind, ruining some newlyweds’ picnic in Central Park. That’s a really good idea. “I should write that […]
When Writers Go Wrong (for the Holidays) By Tiffany Rose On the first day of Christmas, My Nano project gave to me An epic on the high sea. On the second day of Christmas, My Nano project gave to me Two characters in love, On the third day of Christmas, My Nano project gave to […]
Night Writing by Emily Ruth Verona It’s not for everyone. It’s not even for me really. I’ve always been a morning person, writing only my darker stories and novels in the latest hours. Night writing used to be a phase I went through every few months. I’d spend a couple nights doing it and […]
Sadism by Kara Wolf (w/a K. Kazul Wolf) The flimsy cup of coffee steams in my hands, and I breathe in the heavy scent of peppermint mocha. Snow falls so thick that I can only see a few feet out of the window next to me. If it weren’t for the soft chatter of the […]
WRITE, WRITE BABY (To the tune of “Ice, Ice Baby”) by Summer Wier Yo, WIP, Let’s kick it! All right stop, turn off your Kindles and listen Time to focus on November’s ambition NaNoMo, yea we don’t it take lightly To hit 50k, we write daily and nightly Will it have a plot? […]
The 5 Stages of Writing on a Deadline By Drew Hayes Writing, much like grief, moves in phases. The ideal process for artistic creation is the slow, gentle growth of an idea, watching it bloom from mere idle thoughts and become a cohesive, beautiful flower of a story. Then, of course, there’s writing on […]
Today’s inspiring video is exactly what I wish I could have for a future book trailer. If this were a book, I’d read it. A movie? I’d watch it. As it is, I seriously CANNOT get enough of this song. Enjoy!
When Writers Go Wrong – Part One by Veronica Park Twas the night before deadline, And all through the hovel Gusted loud, ragged breathing, And the clang of a shovel. It started quite suddenly, If truth can be told. With a simple suggestion– No, nothing as bold As a nag or a mockery Or a […]
Pretty much everyone is familiar with the saying “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” But guess what? According to a little involuntary neurological condition called Synesthesia, that saying is basically untrue. (If you’re curious about the details of this condition, see this article for more details.) Feel free to ignore that, […]
F bomb alert. Sorry to those who are sensitive. That said, it’s TOTALLY worth it. – V
In case y’all haven’t noticed, I’ve been a bit busy, a bit hard to locate, a bit crazy, a bit absent-minded of late. As most publishing industry peeps will tell you, there’s an excuse for this. It’s called November. And it’s only going to get more insane when the month ends. Because then, I’m actually […]
Today’s video clip was undoubtedly inspired by the life of a real author, with a satiric twist. Because rejection happens–quite often–at every level of publishing, I’ve no doubt that this little snippet will appeal to a very wide audience. And if you don’t agree, well feel free to write me a letter about it.
Hey guys, just your friendly Jack of All Trades author/journalist/editor/intern/wine and cheese enthusiast here, letting you know about REUTS Publications’ totally bitchin #NaNoWriMo “offshoot” contest: Project REUTSway. The rules are simple. Sign up to be kept in the loop, but you won’t have any obligation to do the challenges, unless you want to. (Win, that is.) Each […]
VP Anderson 
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