Category: review
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A rant on finding a writing craft book…
I have four physical writing craft books on my desk and a to-be-read pile of 10-15 books in every room of my house. And this month, I am reading my unsolicited submission pile while overseeing a ridiculous amount of summer releases from my brand. (But as I see the first…
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A visit to Firefly in Kutztown
Yesterday, my daughter and I made the 45-minute drive to Kutztown, Pa. (which took an hour because of a fatal accident) to meet a writer friend for a coffee and a visit to Firefly Bookstore. Now, I know Firefly is a local favorite, even for those of us in the…
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Free writers resources
I budget a regular amount of time to read other people’s newsletters, download their reader magnets and attend free webinars. As a member of Behind Our Eyes, the email-based writing group for people with disabilities, I receive information from other writers about resources and opportunities. Clenell Anthony, the author of the romantic thriller Fractured (which I…
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The Newsroom
Sometimes I have to escape the written word. Sometimes my eyes hurt, or my brain runs out of juice. Sometimes I don’t even have it left in me to read for pleasure. So I watch some TV. I love documentaries, and anything about fashion, and stand-up comedy. (I made my…
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14 Day Author Profit Challenge with Bryan Cohen
It happened one week into my 14-day author profit challenge with Amazon Ad guru Bryan Cohen. I had my first click and my impressions doubled. I am the world’s most pragmatic optimist— I want to believe that things turn out for the best but am always planning for the worst. I…
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Poetry Rocks!
A while ago Art Director Gayle Hendricks (who teaches graphic design at Northampton Community College) asked me if I wanted to join her for a poetry walk. These were the details: All are welcome to enjoy a unique experience blending nature, poetry, and mindfulness at the Bethlehem campus’ beautiful acreage,…
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There is no art without story
As a journalist, I know there is always a story. If two people are in a room, I used to tell my interns and new reporters, there is a story. If a meeting gets canceled, there’s a story why. As humans, we cherish story. We may live in day-to-day routines but our entertainment,…
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I went to a writing conference and came home with the keynote’s haircut
I have a “Networking for Writers” talk which I presented at the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group a few weeks ago to help prepare members for the conference that happened March 13-15. (You can see the slides as a paid subscriber to my Substack.) In that talk, I assume that everyone listening…
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It’s the Universe that matters
If I learned one lesson recently while reading Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, those books have reminded me that the absolute most important aspect of writing (and reading) is the universe. Readers deserve a universe that is rich, complicated and full of the right details, complex characters and a setting that comes alive. And sure—…
Parisian Phoenix Publishing 