Confused about how to use quotations in your manuscript? Here is a primer on the difference between pull quotes, display quotes, block quotes, and epigraphs.
Read MoreThe Flattery of Friends Doth Not a Writer Make
I just finished critiquing a story for an aspiring author who was very surprised at the feedback he received. In contacting me, he said he had written several novels he hadn’t yet tried to publish. He wanted to add some polish to one before sending it out to agents, hence his decision to reach out. I read the first chapter, ... Read More
Writing a Memoir? Avoid These 7 Mistakes!
Know and avoid the seven most common mistakes of memoir writing.
Read MoreThe Lowdown on Appendixes/ Appendices
Sometimes nonfiction authors get confused about appendices: what they are, how to do them, when they are needed … and how to spell them! An appendix is supplementary material (usually an article, form, or list) that an author adds to the back of the book. It can be anything you want your readers to …
Read MoreWhy Word Count Matters
One mistake aspiring novelists and memoir writers often make is disregarding the importance of word count. Unreasonable though it may seem, there's an expected, established word count for a novel or memoir, especially for first-time authors. If you don't color within the lines when it comes to the length of your manuscript, most agents will write you off as an ... Read More