“In the Now” by Vanessa Robins ’Tis the season for family gatherings and questions. “What have you been writing?” “Have you gotten anything published?” “Still no boyfriend?” (Don’t even get me started on the answer for this one.) And the question to end all questions: “What are you going to do next?” A writer’s world […]
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 […]
Oh, what a tangled web we weave…. Lying. The heart of any great writer’s skill. Or “persuasion,” if you want to paint a slightly sexier face on it. (But let’s be honest, that flawless contouring trick you learned on YouTube isn’t fooling anyone, Karen.) We learn when we’re young that lying is wrong, even as the ones […]
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the inner-workings of the publicity business, 90% of the time new authors are put in charge of writing their own press releases. Even if you do eventually end up reaching the level of success where you can hire someone to do it for you, it’s actually STILL […]
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 […]
Author’s note: this post is based on serious opinions, but intended to be read/viewed in the spirit of satire. It also really helps if you read it to yourself in the voice of Lewis Black. *Begin Rant* PEOPLE OF THE INTERNET. YOUR PERSONAL SPACES ARE OFFENDING ME. No, this isn’t a commentary on man, […]
Today’s snippet comes in the form of advice from the fabulous K.A. Tucker, author of TEN TINY BREATHS, among other great books. Here is a link to the full/original article, which is a guest post on Literary Agent Marisa A. Corvisiero’s blog.
First of all, if you’re unaware of what I’m talking about, MSWL is publishing code for MS (or manuscript) Wish List. Created by literary agent Jessica Sinsheimer, this social media / multimedia phenomenon essentially turns publishing upside down, in a good way. Here’s how I would describe it: Instead of a bunch of writers sitting […]
This killed me. I’m not trying to encourage disparaging aspiring writers or anything…but if you’re having a bad day? Sometimes it does help to realize someone else’s is much, much worse. Brought to you by the anonymously hilarious agent behind SlushPile Hell.
Recently, I found myself in the extremely uncomfortable and very regrettable situation of signing up for a “freeview” (i.e. a free book, in exchange for an “honest” review) on Goodreads. Aaaaaand hating said book. And then realizing that I still had to write a full review. Because I promised I would. And wondering “WTH do […]
I just bought a book from one of my favorite authors. I paid more than $5 for it, which is more than I can say for 9/10 of the books I’ve read in the past year. And yet, unlike the other 20+ eBooks that currently sit neglected on my eShelf (which is mostly due to […]
Okay, so the title makes this sound a bit like a cereal ad. And I should probably mention that there isn’t really just ONE secret to writing a good query letter, or any letter for that matter. But here’s one thing I can give you that is practically GUARANTEED to take your lackluster, form-rejected query […]
I hate the term “writer’s block.” Not because it isn’t apt, but because I feel like it singles out writers and seems to suggest that we–unlike others who toil in a creative vocation–are the sole owners of this metaphorical brain boulder. Like Sisyphus (apparently), we writers are forever doomed to push this gigantic block before […]
I’ve recently discovered that I write in a genre called New Adult. It almost sounds made up, doesn’t it? Author’s Note: for those of you who frequent this site, you’ll know that I have a lot of strong opinions. That I don’t hesitate to dabble in hyperbole, or make blanket statements for the sake of […]
A man known as Shakespeare once wrote*, “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.” – (Twelfth Night: Act II, Scene V) *I say “known as” because I recently watched the movie Anonymous, and now find myself doubting along with numerous other skeptics. Regardless […]
VP Anderson 
You must be logged in to post a comment.