Category: Staff Articles

The importance of writing (to the writer) is a frequent subject of discussion among authors. I have had interviews that asked some variation of the question, “What would you do if you couldn’t write?” I’ve seen authors go so far as to say they would just simply die if they couldn’t write. Many authors seem to regard writing as a calling to some high work. It defines them. It is who they are. Continue reading “Confessions of an Apostate in the High Priesthood”

Not every antagonist is a guy whose face is contorted in an evil sneer as he twirls his waxed mustache. Sometimes the threat comes in the form of an immutable force of nature.  That form may be tiny.

Those are germs—a new variety discovered by the research team in your book. Tell me what these germs are going to do the the characters in your world, and how the scientists who created or identified it feel about what is going to happen.

Strut your stuff. Give me two or three paragraphs in the comment section that lay out a premise that will hook your reader.

It’s no secret that I’m the President of the Cathy Speight fan club. Part of the reason for that is Cathy doesn’t just review, she teaches authors with her reviews. I think the highest purpose of reviewing is to improve authors.

As the gatekeepers of the traditional publishing world run for their lives to escape the tsunami of independent authors headed toward them, more and more authors will be seeking reviewers to gain credibility. Not all those reviewers will be as thorough and helpful as Cathy Speight.

What should an author (or for that matter, a prospective reader) expect to see in a well-rounded review of a book? Cathy was nice enough to share her thoughts about the essential ingredients of a thorough review: Continue reading “Cathy Speight’s Tips on Reviewing”

Grace Guerra is the brains behind Book Junkies Library, an online resource for indie authors and readers. I asked Grace when and how she first became interested in independent authors. She said, “That’s like trying to remember becoming interested in breathing. After being frustrated with my favorite ‘published’ authors and their inability to keep my attention, I went looking for groups on Facebook that strictly dealt with books. I found the Book Junkies and joined, not knowing this group was made up of Indie (I had to look it up) authors and readers. The first book I read was not a recommendation from the group but the author was asking for reviews, so I thought what the heck…it’s only 99 cents. It turned out the book was just this side of bad; I didn’t leave a review, in case you’re wondering. I decided to try again, the second book was not polished; there were many typos and grammar errors. But even unpolished, the story was a good one. Since I don’t give up that easily, I tried again. The third book was one of the group’s monthly reads…I fell in love with the characters, with the author and with Indies. I’ve became a beta reader for a couple of the authors and I’m proud to say I’m a full fledged Indie reader/stalker only.” Continue reading “Grace Guerra and the Book Junkies Library”