Heather Sunseri's Blog, page 15

Writerly Career Advice from Donald Maass and Me

So… Deceived is with the editor. This is the week or so that I get to breathe just a little. And by “breathe” I mean start plotting and writing the next book, create marketing materials for the launch of theDeceived release, update my accounting, my website, etc., etc., etc.!

Also, I spend some time thinking about the business of writing and publishing, and I analyze the current state of my business. What’s working? What’s not?

Part of my routine for gearing up to writemy next book, especiall...

How Did I Not Know That Maggie Stiefvater Gave a Tedx Talk?

In light of a very spirited talk on my Facebook profile yesterday about teens and the pressures they’re feeling in middle and high school these days, I present to you one of my favorite authors, Maggie Stiefvater, giving a Ted Talk titled: How Bad Teens Become Famous People.

There are many great messages to be heard within this talk, particularly about the dangers of putting labels on teens, or trying to fit them inside a box they don’t quite fit into.

And if you’ve never read Maggie’s work,...

The Ultimate Collection of Book Marketing Examples

BookBub released a new marketing tool yesterday, and I’m deeply humbledthat my website was included as an example of a site that does the job it’s supposed to do in the area of marketing. The reason I’m so excited I was included?I built and maintain my website for less than $100 a year, and I had zero web design or coding experience before I took on the challenge to build my own site. Thisis proof that literally anyone who sets their mind to it can have a nice looking website that adds to hi...

Deceived Cover Reveal

Good Monday morning! I have a cover and story blurb to reveal to you today. Mike Sunseri, cover designer extraordinaire, did an amazing job with Deceived. But don’t take my word for it, see for yourself (And don’t forget to notice how on-fire her hair is. Every PhotoShop user who works with humans will tell you that messing with hair is near impossible.):

PREORDER DECEIVED: iBOOKS AMAZON (all countries) KOBO

The passionate, impulsive Briana Howard and the sly, snarky Jonas Whitmeyer, make a...

Writing Multiple Books a Year and Tweaking Your Writing Routine

Happy Friday! I’m in crazy editing mode. Deceived(Mindspeak #5) is coming along and I hope to send out the newsletter with the big cover reveal VERY SOON! (Go sign up!!)

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For many years, as a reader, I’ve always been amazed at how long I must wait between books from my favorite authors. Then I wrote my first novel and understood why.

Writing a novelhard! And takes time.

Until it isn’t. And it doesn’t.

As with all things, writers get better at what they do. And if writers want to write fa...

Things I’m Researching: Can You REALLY Escape Police Grade Handcuffs With a Paperclip?

In the scene I’m writing today, Briana, Jonas, and Addison find themselves trapped in handcuffs. With a little help from a young clone, Addison must figure out a way to get out of the handcuffs.

This made me ask the question: Can a person reallyescape professional handcuffs with a simple paperclip?

See for yourself…

P.S. Be sure you’re signed up for the newsletter! The cover to Deceived is coming in the April newsletter! And if you’re not caught up with the stories in the Mindspeak series,...

“Twenty Years From Now Human-Like Robots Will Walk Among Us.”

I continue to wrap my brain around what it would be like to have a humanlike robot around to help with everyday activities. It’s Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Echo in robot form that is capable of conversations and everyday tasks like unloading groceries, according to Dr. David Hanson of Hanson Robotics in the article: Could You Fall In Love With This Robot?And in the video below.

“The artificial intelligence will evolve to the point where they will truly be our friends,” he said. “Not in ways th...

You’ve Got Mail: How Do Authors Get Noticed?

I’ve heard time and time again that an author’s biggest enemy is obscurity. And while there is probably some truth to that, I have refused to acceptit. Mainly because I think authors have all the tools to fight obscurity.

So, when a reader sent me an email earlier this week asking for advice on getting the word out after publishing a book, I thought we could discuss it here.

First, the email:

Heather,
I have really enjoyed reading your books. I read the Mindspeak series last year, and ju...

How Nora Roberts Taught Me To Be More Prolific

Good Tuesday morning!

When you’re in the publishing business (as I am when I’m not pretending to be a scientist or neurologist trying to change the world with human cloning), your eye is trained to notice big news items that “might” affect your tiny little world of writing.

Well, one such item of news caught my eye last week. It may have caught your eye, as well, but I wonder if you and I analyzed it the same way…

The headline:St. Martin’s Signs Nora Roberts

The announcement from Publisher’s...

Winner of Complete Set of Emerge Series Books

Good Monday morning! And Happy Daylight Savings. My body feel like it’s still the middle of the night. Why is it that losing one hour feels like losing an entire night of sleep?

First order of business:I totally forgot to announce the winner of the set of Emerge series books on Friday (like I promised in this month’s newsletter). The winner is:

Jena Smith

Congrats, Jena. And thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway! And thank you for the beautiful reviews you left for Renaissance. You h...