We say “literally” when it’s anything but literal, and “LOL” when we are not really laughing out loud, but today I literally, for two minutes, laughed out loud at the most endearing little story, which I just have to share with you. This comes from a Japanese author pen-named Nobunaga, who jokingly describes himself as a confused samurai wandering through America. He writes short vignettes of his adventures, replete with observations of our culture, which he posts on his website and also sells in several volumes on Amazon.
Read MoreContrarian Author Liza Libes: A Rising Star Worth Watching
I spent several hours today perusing the essays and banger posts of a fresh, bright voice on the Internet: Liza Libes, an iconoclastic novelist who describes herself as “rebuilding literary taste one book at a time.” She writes on X, Instagram, and her website about “literature, beauty, art, culture, and big ideas.” Discovering her was like taking a bath in sunlight.
Read MoreA Little Treat for My Blog Readers
I came across this poem today that an old poetry student of mine wrote about small-town life. I find it so touching, and thought you all might enjoy it, too. Wapello, Iowa1980 Hot summer nights in Wapello, Iowa. Small dogs yip and claw at screen doors while young men cruise in wine-colored Buicks and grey Ford pickups up and down ... Read More
Traditional or Self-Publishing: Which Is Best for Authors?
One of the most common questions I get from my editing clients is: which is best for authors—traditional or self-publishing? Whether you’ve finished writing your book or are still immersed in the process, it’s important to know the answer to that. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of both publishing paths, and clear up a few misconceptions.
Read MoreWrong Word Placement: Your Manuscript’s Hidden Flaw?
Wrong word placement is one of the mistakes I find most often in my business of editing books. Authors, is this your manuscript’s hidden flaw? Take a look at these two sentences, and see if you can identify the problem: The tree proved an irresistible temptation to the birds, hung with ripe cherries. The delighted nursing home residents sang along ... Read More