The First Line: 4 Tips to Writing an Opener that Keeps Readers Reading!

February 24, 2012 by 1 Comment
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The first line of your book is unquestionably the most important one you will write. It is the line that eggs the reader on, pushes them forward, encouraging them to take a chance with their valuable time on the next line, the next paragraph, the next page, chapter, and ultimately, the entire book. I’m going to say it again, more explicitly: your readers’ time is valuable. Especially readers of today. Readers of today are constantly inundated with information, to the point that it takes a great deal of interest for them to want to know more about any given topic. Add to that an almost complete devaluing of information due to the fact that it is so immediately accessible at… [read more]

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A Guest Post from Indie Author Teresa Fritschi

February 10, 2012 by 4 Comments
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As shocking as this statement might be, I came to authorship by accident. Much as I discovered I had to start moisturizing my skin at 50, circumstance demanded I write. This is not to suggest I have the arrogance to consider my efforts of the same caliber of Elif Shafak, Molly Peacock or Paul Anderson. No, I am definitely not aspiring to be a novelist or biographer. Nor am I the next Seth Godin or James Altucher, though their understanding of the paradigm shift quickly invalidating the traditional publishing industry is invaluable. No, my writing is can be found in the NPR equivalent of Michael Feldman’s ‘Whad’YaKnow?’ category of ‘Things You Should Have Learned in School (Had You Been Paying Attention)’… [read more]

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The 4 Most Important Words in Self-Publishing

February 3, 2012 by 1 Comment
Four Magic Words

Self-publishing isn’t for the faint of heart and there’s quite a bit to learn. It requires a level of time, focus, and determination that most who try it, become quick learners…or else. If there are four words that you must know going in, here they are. Etch them in stone, write them down, put them under your pillow, and commit them to memory. 1. Audience If you’re writing and/or publishing because it would be awesome to have a book–rethink your objective. If you want your book to reach the masses and be well received, remember the golden rule of authorship: your book is not about you. Successful indie authors put their audience first. 2. Plan Think through the plan before… [read more]

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