Three Steps I Never Skip As an Indie Author
As indie authors and publishers, we are solely responsible for that final product. That's a tall order, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming.
Five Writing Lessons from an Unexpected Obsession
We may never hike the length of the Grand Canyon or bikepack through grizzly country, but, as writers, there’s a lot to learn from people who do.
The Writing Life I Almost Missed
How I found my way to creative writing well after I thought my potential had reached its sell-by date.
Celebrating Three Debut Authors
The June 12 publication of "When There Are More Than Two" by Buzz McClain marks the third debut title published this spring by a member of the Finch and Squirrel community, following "Jack's Journey: One Kitty, Three Cities" by Lynn Hays and "Would a Kitten Do That?" by Sherry Harowitz.
The Joy of Being a Book Midwife
When my clients finally hold their finished books for the very first time, the emails, texts, and photos they send me are full of the same thing: sheer pride.
Learning from the NYC Midnight 100-Word Challenge Overall Winners
I'm a sucker for most of the NYC Midnight challenges, but the 100-word competition is my favorite. The judges cut you no slack: they expect to see a distinct beginning, middle and end; a conflict with emotional stakes; and a character who undergoes a change. Here’ what I learned by studying the winning stories.
Lessons from the Slush Pile
I recently joined an online literary magazine as a volunteer reader, which means reading blind submissions from the slush pile and recommending which stories merit a closer look by the magazine's editors. Here’s what I’m seeing.