Your writer’s voice, that is.   If you’re like me, hearing your speaking voice on a message always sounds odd. (Because of course, in my mind, I fantasize that I sound like Kathleen Turner…)  But the Writer’s “Voice” is far more elusive, like you’re in a perpetual game of Hide and Seek and your “voice” is always winning.
First, the prerequisite “definition” from Wikipedia:
Writer’s voice is the literary term used to describe the individual writing style of an author. Voice was generally considered to be a combination of a writer’s use of …

So, it’s May… and for most writers who spend any time visiting online blogs, you likely know that means it’s the month for Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.   During the month of May, this auction offers some incredible opportunities and items donated by a huge number of folks within (and without) the publishing industry.   If you haven’t been there before, hightail your behind over now to check out the items. I GUARANTEE you’ll find something to covet.
But since this is a writing focused blog, I’d like …

A topic floating around the web these days is whether or not to post your (unpublished) work online — on your website or elsewhere.   If you’d like to read the topics in full, Chuck Sambuchino, of the Guide to Literary Agents blog is in the “No Way” corner, while Jane Friedman from Writer Unboxed is in the “What are you waiting for?” corner.
Where do you stand?
Since I can’t claim to be more knowledgeable than either Mr. Sambuchino or Ms. Friedman, let’s take a look at their points.
Ms. Friedman’s PROs for …

On Romance University.org last week, I talked about brand. Today’s post is sort of an epilogue to that one.  In every article I see on brand (including my own), we get so detailed on the basics of branding that we can often forget to discuss one very, very important element.  YOU.  The author.
Let’s say that Jane Author has written a fabulous book, gotten the uber-agent and the publisher of her dreams, and she’s on her way.  She’s building her brand — her website clearly shows that she writes mystery fantasy …

Today, I’m going to redirect you to my guest post at RomanceUniversity.org — we’re talking about branding, what it is, how to recognize it and accessorize it.
Be sure to stop by!
http://romanceuniversity.org/2010/04/22/brand-the-little-black-dress-of-marketing/

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For every copy of “Fiji on Fire, Fiji on Ice” sold in March and April 2010, I will donate $1.50 to Fiji Aid.

Welcome back to the Book Video workshop, where we’ve been discussing all the different elements that go into the making of a book trailer®, or book video.  If you’re just joining us, please be sure to visit the previous discussions:  Day 1: Deconstructing A Book Video,  Day 2: Writing the Book Video Script, Day 3: Imagery to Tell The Story, Day 4: Creating The Soundtrack and Day 5: Putting It All Together.
To summarize, each of your video elements: script, imagery and music, should all combine to create an emotional impact …

I’ve seen a lot of discussion in different places recently about how much or how little an unpublished writer should do in the way of marketing or creating a “presence” for themselves.  As you probably know, in addition to “this writing thing”, I also have a marketing and design business.  I deal mostly with authors and writers at all stages of their career, including some who are unpublished.   I’ve heard from some clients that agents are asking for a website presence prior to looking at a full manuscript. Others …

Welcome back to the Book Video workshop, where we’ve been discussing all the different elements that go into the making of a book trailer®, or book video.  If you’re just joining us, please be sure to visit the previous discussions:  Day 1: Deconstructing A Book Video,  Day 2: Writing the Book Video Script, Day 3: Imagery to Tell The Story, and Day 4: Creating The Soundtrack.  In our discussions, we’ve talked about the different components: graphics, music, the script.  And ultimately, once you’ve got all of that pulled together, drilled …

Welcome back to the Book Video Workshop. If you’re just joining us, please be sure to visit the previous discussions:  Day 1: Deconstructing A Book Video,  Day 2: Writing the Book Video Script; and Day 3: Imagery to Tell The Story.  (This post was updated on 3/4/10.)
Music plays a vital role in commercials.  The point of music in a commercial – and a book video is a commercial – is to make it memorable. To stand out.  In the book Television Commercials, Charles Wainwright writes, “Advertising execs say ‘of the …