Roz Morris's Blog, page 6

Six common publishing and book marketing hustles of 2024 – and what we can do

It’s really tough for authors to sell their books at the moment. And there are people who are hoping to make money from this. I get approached almost daily by people on Linked In or Facebook who ask to connect with me, then try to sell marketing services of dubious value. Or I get emails… Continue reading Six common publishing and book marketing hustles of 2024 – and what we can do

The keysafe murder

Mindgames for a weekend away: the keysafe murder. Last chance to WIN A PUBLISHING DEAL (memoir, poetry collections, personal essays). She did not turn - appreciating David Inshaw. A little horse. All in my newsletter https://mailchi.mp/5e8442d28b87/mindg...

Me, me, dear me: how to market your memoir (guest post at the Alliance of Independent Authors)

You’ve written a memoir. How do you market it? A few years ago I published a humorous travel memoir, Not Quite Lost. It was a real departure from my previous work and I had to look for an audience in places I wouldn’t have previously considered. It also turned into a huge and enjoyable adventure.… Continue reading Me, me, dear me: how to market your memoir (guest post at the Alliance of Independent Authors)

Finding stories and characters in drama games – author and actor Elizabeth Bruce @EbruceTexasDC

Elizabeth Bruce is a storyteller on the page and on the stage. She began acting at the age of 25, began writing in her 40s and has continued productively on these two creative channels ever since. She’s founded a theatre group and theatre workshops that teach writers drama techniques to create truthful characters and plots.… Continue reading Finding stories and characters in drama games – author and actor Elizabeth Bruce @EbruceTexasDC

How to make a true-life account into a compelling story, or how to make Masters of Sex from Masters of Sex

I thoroughly enjoyed the Channel 4 series Masters of Sex, about Dr William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the pioneers of sexual research in the 1950s and 1960s. I then read the factual book it’s based on by Thomas Maier and was surprised by how different it is. While the drama feels very faithful to the… Continue reading How to make a true-life account into a compelling story, or how to make Masters of Sex from Masters of Sex

Pictures or it didn't happen

Pictures or it didn't happen. A reading from Not Quite Lost. Bring me your memoirs (win a publishing deal!). A little horse. All in my newsletter https://mailchi.mp/7131e0d7570b/pictu...

Making fiction from family memories – Charlie Young

‘I realised I came from an unusual family,’ says Charlie Young, and in that moment came another realisation – there was a story to be uncovered and told. That story became a historical novel, Houdini’s Last Handcuffs, co-written with his sister Cheryl. But to begin at the beginning, I asked Charlie where the idea of… Continue reading Making fiction from family memories – Charlie Young

Five ways to finally finish: how novelists revise their work

Here’s a thing you learn as a novelist: stamina. Revising a novel is often a lengthy process and a real test of motivation and dedication. When you’ve gone as far as you can with your own edits, comments from beta readers and editors can derail you all over again. Sometimes they’re revelatory – you knew… Continue reading Five ways to finally finish: how novelists revise their work

A little bit of Not Quite Lost – free short story and other pieces from @VineLeavesPress

Earlier this week I took part in an event to showcase a few authors from Vine Leaves Press. I’ve never done an online reading before so this was a first. Usually at readings, one can’t see the audience members’ faces so close. Sometimes what I saw wasn’t faces, but ceilings or thumbs or travelling ground.… Continue reading A little bit of Not Quite Lost – free short story and other pieces from @VineLeavesPress

Can SEO writing ruin your prose style? And why Bill Bryson can call a book Wubberhumptimuph and you can’t

I’ve had this question from Mark…. This question has been bouncing in my brain ever since the digital revolution began and especially after working for various publishers that asked me to help them with social media and website text.  Do you think that being forced to focus on SEO when writing articles, promos, headlines etc… Continue reading Can SEO writing ruin your prose style? And why Bill Bryson can call a book Wubberhumptimuph and you can’t