In response to a lot of folks around the internet sharing word counts that would make any publisher turn pale, I wanted to give you some average word counts for various genres and explain why word counts really do matter. These guidelines are rough estimates based on industry standards; if you are slightly longer, or...Read More

The number of writers I see on the internet who think people are out there to steal their ideas is staggering. I have had authors try and force me to sign NDA’s (for mediocre books) and contracts in big, bold print saying I’m not going to steal their ideas. Reputable publishers and editors aren’t going...Read More

I recently had someone get in my face, proverbially speaking, because I quoted so many other writers and greats in saying you should avoid using adverbs as  much as possible. The writer made a valid statement, saying adverbs aren’t all bad – everybody uses them. He had a point, but he missed the big picture. Since...Read More

So I’ve recently started up a novel on Wattpad as a writing exercise. It’s going to be a long writing exercise, but that’s what I’m viewing it as. To be completely honest I’m nervous because I’m throwing out unedited chapters of raw writing coming out the minute I’m finished. It’s challenging for me to want...Read More

One of the things in the publishing industry that frustrates me the most is when people burn bridges with industry professionals. The most common form of this that I experience is the rude response to a rejection letter. I was the acquisitions editor for an indie publisher for several years, and far too many authors...Read More

This is a little more personal than I normally get in this blog, but I think it’s something many writers struggle with. Given the title, I think you can probably glean that I have depression. It’s a chronic thing tied into a bunch of other nonsense, but when it hits I feel like I’m in...Read More

I recently saw someone talking about how one of “NaNoWriMo’s Prizes” was a “free publishing contract”. I wanted to start by saying there aren’t really “prizes” for winning NaNoWriMo. There are offers made by NaNo’s sponsors, but they aren’t what one would traditionally call prizes. NaNo’s only real prize is the sense of accomplishment you...Read More

Today’s blog post comes to you from the land of “ARRRGH! NO! WHY!”. I haven’t been talking about it on my Blog, but if any of you follow me around Facebook you’ll know I’ve been having computer problems for awhile. First my writing program somehow ate over 10k of a manuscript I’ve been working on....Read More

Most writers know they fall into one of the two camps: plotter and pantser. You either write out your plans in detail or just let it happen and go with the flow. There are merits to both sides, and I will discuss those before revealing my big secret (dundundun). Plotters are typically methodical. They write...Read More

I haven’t been on here as much as I wish I was, but things have been moving along at a quick clip since we opened the doors on Insomnia Publishing, a new adventure that I and some friends are setting out on. Between Insomnia Publishing and my recent involvement with medieval reenactment I’ve been having...Read More