Ryan Lanz's Blog, page 191

Seeking Beta Readers

Hello everyone! I’m looking to put together a group of beta readers that will make up a “Launch Team.” I have in mind the goal of around a dozen, but I’m open to more. A member of the Launch Team will be able to read my books for free before anyone else can, and … Continue reading Seeking Beta Readers

Are Likable Characters Important in Women’s Fiction?

When the moderator of a recent women’s fiction panel asked me if I expected to be friends with the protagonists in the women’s fiction I read, I had the oddest reaction: my mind went blank. Madly scanning my mental spreadsheet of great fiction in an effort to be truthful, in front of an auditorium … Continue reading Are Likable Characters Important in Women’s Fiction?

Assassin’s Curse – Book Review

Originally posted on The Book Review Directory:
? The Assassin’s Curseby Cassandra Rose Clarke Release date: October 2012 Borrowed from local library My rating: 5/5 stars The vendor shouted behind me, angry curses that would’ve made a real lady blush. Then Tarrin joined in, screaming at me to come back, hollering that he hadn’t been…

One Old Rule to Start a Story

When I was about sixteen or seventeen and getting back into writing prose fiction for either the second or third time in my life, I had a rule for how to begin my stories. It was basically something like: “Write the first draft and then delete the first paragraph”. Until I got better at … Continue reading One Old Rule to Start a Story

Mixed Signals From Three Publishers

First-quarter reports from three of the largest U.S. trade houses gave mixed messages about the state of book publishing at the start of 2015. Sales rose at HarperCollins and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt trade division, but fell at Simon & Schuster, compared to the first quarter of 2014. Revenue at HC, however, fell 5% if … Continue reading Mixed Signals From Three Publishers

From The First To The Last Chapter – 5 Things To Keep In Mind

The ability to write a novel from start to finish doesn’t own any kind of magical formula. Like anything we try to accomplish in life, certain things can hinder the process. Some of them can’t be avoided, like the condition of your own health. If you’re coughing, wheezing, taking serious medication that can affect … Continue reading From The First To The Last Chapter – 5 Things To Keep In Mind

Ten Quote Tuesday (#48)

Welcome to another installment of Ten Quote Tuesday! If your creative juices have trouble flowing today, then read these quotes to nudge awake the sleeping muse. If there is a particular quote you enjoyed, let us all know with your comments below. Check out last week’s episode here. Quotes “It took me fifteen … Continue reading Ten Quote Tuesday (#48)

Does 2015 Hold Slow Growth For Authors?

[Although this article was written last January, it’s interesting to see what has/hasn’t already come true.] Welcome to my annual publishing industry predictions for the year ahead. This year I share 12 predictions. Before I speculate about what 2015 holds for authors, publishers and readers, let’s reflect for a moment about how self publishing … Continue reading Does 2015 Hold Slow Growth For Authors?

Throne of Glass – Book Review

Originally posted on The Book Review Directory:
? Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – Book #1 Individual book rating: 4 out of 5 “Meet Celaena Sardothien. Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness. In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the…

Why Jamie McGuire Returned to Self-Publishing

Author Jamie McGuire first hit the New York Times bestseller lists as a self-published author with her breakout, new adult romance novel, Beautiful Disaster. Traditional publishers came knocking with a two-book deal she couldn’t refuse. In July 2012, she sold the book’s rights to Atria, a division of Simon & Schuster. Atria republished Beautiful … Continue reading Why Jamie McGuire Returned to Self-Publishing