Anne R. Allen's Blog, page 18

Chapter Titles Are a Great Marketing Tool in the Age of E-Books

by Anne R. Allen “Chapter titles!?” sez you. What is this, the 18th century? What am I supposed to write? Something like this? Chapter the first, in which our hero is born, discovers that fire is hot, learns to pull up his own breeches, and slays a smallish dragon. Hey, those 18th century writers knew […]

The post Chapter Titles Are a Great Marketing Tool in the Age of E-Books appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.

5 Indie Author Mistakes That Can Tank Book Sales

by Barb Drozdowich Hi there and welcome.  I come to the publishing world from the realm of technical training, not from a creative mindset. I look at the author world, the world of books, differently than many authors. Because of this, I see common errors that indie authors make which can result in loss of […]

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What is Upmarket Fiction? And Book Club Fiction? Are They New Genres?

By Anne R. Allen Most writers have probably heard of “Upmarket fiction.” But you may have questions about it. Like, when should you use the term? And how do you figure out if your novel fits in the category? Is it considered a genre, like Romance or Mystery? And is it the same as “Book […]

The post What is Upmarket Fiction? And Book Club Fiction? Are They New Genres? appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.

4 Deadly Writer Sins—and How to Avoid Them. Plus a Top-Secret Pro Tip for Writing a Book Readers Can’t Put Down

by Ruth Harris You worked hard. You pored through reference books, consulted Google and maybe even — gasp! — went to the library to do research. And you made certain the characters were dimensional and well drawn. You spent time creating a solid, intriguing plot and writing zingy dialogue. You paid attention to your beta […]

The post 4 Deadly Writer Sins—and How to Avoid Them. Plus a Top-Secret Pro Tip for Writing a Book Readers Can’t Put Down appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.

Warning to Writers: You Won’t See This New Publishing Scam Coming

by Anne R. Allen Yes, I’ve already written a warning to writers about publishing scams this month. But I heard about a new, diabolical one only a few days ago. This can affect both traditionally published and indie authors. And everybody needs to help spread the word. That’s because the author won’t know it’s happening. […]

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How to Snag the Best Freelance Editor for Your Writing Project

by Jodie Renner With so many authors self-publishing these days, the best freelance editors are in high demand. So if you’re looking for a knowledgeable, experienced professional editor to help you make your manuscript the best it can be – and improve your overall writing skills in the process – be sure to take some […]

The post How to Snag the Best Freelance Editor for Your Writing Project appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.

Publishing Scammers are Proliferating like Tribbles: How to Stay Safe

by Anne R. Allen On Friday morning at 7 AM a couple of weeks ago, the landline phone woke me with a call from a woman who wanted to know if I was the author of Food of Love. I said yes, it’s one of my titles, along with 14 other books. Why did she […]

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Some Unconventional Advice About How to Write the D*mn Blurb

by Ruth Harris Your blurb (aka Production Description on Amazon) has one — and only one — purpose:  to make the reader an offer s/he can’t refuse. How do I know? Because over the years, I’ve written hundreds — more likely thousands — of blurbs. From the slush pile to the editor’s office. When I started […]

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5 Tips for Authors When Negotiating their Author Agreements

Writers, what do you know about author agreements? by Joseph Perry Author Agreements: Know the Legal Terms For authors who are given a book contract and may not have an agent or attorney, here are a few tips that may help you in negotiating against the publisher. 1) Grant of Rights When reading the grant […]

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How to Start Your Novel or Memoir and 11 Clichéd Openers to Avoid

by Anne R. Allen Clichés exist for a reason. A whole lot of people like them. That means they get over-exposed. Clichés represent a natural way of thinking. So don’t feel bad if your first draft has a clichéd opener. It’s part of the process. Here’s the most important thing for a new writer to […]

The post How to Start Your Novel or Memoir and 11 Clichéd Openers to Avoid appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.