Alexander M. Zoltai's Blog, page 187

Taking Risks ~ Do Writers Dare Do It?

Let me be candid—a writer who takes no risks is more than likely a writer who hasn’t found their “Voice“. And, even though some writers follow “Formulas” (being “safe”) and make millions, I feel the money will be the worst burden they’ve ever had… So, if what I’ve just said is true, a writer must [...]

Author Interview ~ Nia Holden

Today’s post gives us 42 Author Interviews :-) It also introduces another author I’ve met in my work as Events Manager for Book Island in the virtual world Second Life. We have an Open Mic at Book Island’s library every Sunday and that’s where I was introduced to Nia’s writing—deeply meaningful poetry, often dark, [...]

Book Designing ~ Content Becomes Form

Putting words together can create Forms in a reader’s mind. Yet, before the reader’s mind creates the Forms, the words are Content. Reader’s would like to get a feeling of what the Content can potentially Form in their mind. The cover of a book is the first connection between the author and the reader. Book [...]

FUN With Words ~ 9 Free Ways To Make Word-Clouds

Folks who read blogs regularly are usually familiar with Tag-Clouds. If you scroll down a bit in the left side-panel you’ll see an example of a Tag-Cloud called “Top Tags”. That particular Cloud is very handy for finding a group of posts that share certain key concepts. In fact, if you put your cursor over [...]

Education, Music, and Writing

“We don’t need no education” are words from Pink Floyd’s Another Brick In The Wall. They’re followed by “We don’t need no thought-control”. Equating education and thought-control is easy in our current world-culture. Plus, thought-control doesn’t only happen in the classroom—film, TV shows, mainstream media, clergy, and advertising all attempt various forms of “education”… And, [...]

Author and Book Trivia ~ Consume At Your Own Risk :-)

Since this blog is dedicated to serious posts about Reading, Writing, and Publishing (even when I have a bit of fun in my treatment of certain topics), you won’t see many “fluff” articles… Except for today :-) I collect articles from many other WebSites and store them for potential future use. I built-up a collection [...]

Author Interview ~ Pat Bertram

This blog has over 40 authors interviews—authors still working on their first book as well as those with many books to their credit. They range in age from their teens to their seventies. Today we’re talking with Pat Bertram :-) ~~~ Pat, when did you begin writing creatively and what prompted you to begin? When [...]

HOPE, for Readers, Writers, and Publishers . . .

Today is Thanksgiving in the United States, though there are related thanksgiving celebrations in other countries. I must say my greatest Thanks today is that I still have Hope… Much of my Reading helps sustain my hope. I wouldn’t still be Writing if I hadn’t regained my hope. My Publishing is intended to generate hope. [...]

Literary Magazines On Twitter

My best friend is a true fan of Poets & Writers magazine. Here’s what they say about themselves: “Poets & Writers, Inc., is the primary source of information, support, and guidance for creative writers. Founded in 1970, it is the nation’s largest nonprofit literary organization serving poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers.” And, here’s [...]

Are You Hunting A Radically Different Read? ~ Then Don’t Search The Sea of Sameness . . .

Far too many books are nearly identical to far too many other books… Why do folks want something in a well-defined genre that’s promoted to be just like other books? “Blah from Blah IsJohn Grisham Wrapped In Clive Cussler! “ Are they after reading comfort? Can they take no differentness in their lives? Do unusual [...]