Mark O'Neill's Blog, page 2

The Only People Who Hate Free Speech Are the Ones Who Can’t Win an Argument

You ever notice the people screaming loudest for censorship are the ones who’d get their asses handed to them in a debate? It’s not a coincidence. The only people who truly despise free speech are the ones who can’t win an argument. If you had facts, logic, and charisma, you’d want more speech. If all...

The post The Only People Who Hate Free Speech Are the Ones Who Can’t Win an Argument appeared first on Mark O'Neill.

Cancel Culture Isn’t Justice, It’s Mob Rule

Remember when justice used to involve trials, evidence, and the presumption of innocence? Cute, wasn’t it? Now we’ve got something much faster, more efficient, and infinitely dumber: cancel culture. Forget nuance, forget the idea that maybe — just maybe — human beings are flawed but redeemable. In the 21st century, we’ve outsourced morality to online...

The post Cancel Culture Isn’t Justice, It’s Mob Rule appeared first on Mark O'Neill.

The Infantilisation of Adults: How Society Is Turning Everyone Into Children

There was a time when being an adult actually meant something. You worked. You drank. You fought. You raised kids who, shock horror, sometimes survived into adulthood without being wrapped in bubble wrap. You could handle harsh truths, offensive jokes, and the knowledge that life isn’t fair. Fast forward to today, and it feels like...

The post The Infantilisation of Adults: How Society Is Turning Everyone Into Children appeared first on Mark O'Neill.

Designing your book cover for your self-published novel

Never underestimate the power of a great cover. Your cover is your chance to captivate readers and make a lasting impression. Draw them in with a compelling design that speaks to the heart of your story. Remember, a well-crafted cover can open doors to endless possibilities. Designing your book cover is something you need to […]

The post Designing your book cover for your self-published novel appeared first on Mark O'Neill.

Setting Up Your Author Website to Promote Your Brand

Now that you have your mailing list set up (did you ask your friends and family to sign up?), the next step is to establish your online presence in the form of an author website. I’m quite often stunned at the number of self-published authors who don’t bother with a website. But this should be […]

The post Setting Up Your Author Website to Promote Your Brand appeared first on Mark O'Neill.

Building An Author Email Newsletter List

While you’re hard at work crafting the first draft of your manuscript, it’s essential to start thinking about the other crucial components that contribute to self-publishing success. Writing a book is just one piece of the puzzle. Another is an author email newsletter. Imagine your book as a building. The manuscript is the foundation, but […]

The post Building An Author Email Newsletter List appeared first on Mark O'Neill.

East Germany just can’t kick the desire for a strong leader

I’m sitting here watching the local election results in Thuringia and Saxony, in what was the former East Germany. And for reasons I still cannot fathom, they once again seem to be gravitating to the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Or as I like to call them, “Smiling Nazis in good suits.” It’s almost as if, […]

The post East Germany just can’t kick the desire for a strong leader appeared first on Mark O'Neill.

Delving Deeper into the Writing Process: A Guide for Aspiring Thriller Writers

Writing a thriller calls upon your creativity, challenges your ability to craft gripping narratives, and demands a keen understanding of human psychology. If you aspire to write thrillers that keep readers on the edge of their seats, it’s imperative to explore the depths of the book writing process and unravel the secrets that make this […]

The post Delving Deeper into the Writing Process: A Guide for Aspiring Thriller Writers appeared first on Mark O'Neill.

Waking up at 4.30am is For Psychos

I’ll let you into a little secret. Are you ready? I don’t start work until 3.00pm. Not because I’m lazy. But I am simply not able to, mentally. I’ve tried working in the mornings, but I am so lethargic, uninspired, and sick that nothing gets done (I have epilepsy and clinical depression). I hardly ever […]

The post Waking up at 4.30am is For Psychos appeared first on Mark O'Neill.

The Self-Publishing Success Book

I usually don’t attempt to design book covers. I know my limitations. But today I decided to make an exception. I am starting to write my first non-fiction book about self-publishing. Doing the cover design for a non-fiction book is much easier than fiction. There are so many variables with fiction novel covers that they […]

The post The Self-Publishing Success Book appeared first on Mark O'Neill.