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Featured Author
Michael Bishop’s novels No Enemy But Time and Brittle Innings have won the Nebula Award and the Locus Award, respectively. He lives in Georgia.
Featured Book
Ms. Carriger began writing in order to cope with being raised
in obscurity by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. Book the First in the Parasol Protectorate Series
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Awards for excellence in genre-themed writing and dramatic media. (visit site)
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Networking and Self-Promotion
Authors! 8 Tips For Your Website’s Usability and Design
Some tips to consider when you’re reviewing your current website or when you’re thinking about creating one. Let’s take a look at these tips for your website’s design and usability.
Tags: beginners, business, Monica Valentinelli, web
The Networks Around us
This article, reprinted from the Bulletin, explores the various aspects of social networking and how a writer can use them to help promote herself.
Tags: Bulletin, cat rambo, networking, social media
Conventions and writing, or Schmoozing 101
A set of six basic ideas with which to approach conventions. Networking is all about being charming and that will vary somewhat depending on the situation. So, here are the basic ideas.
Tags: business, convention, Mary Robinette Kowal
Thoughts on Self-Promotion
As I close in on the end of my current writing project, the issue of self-promotion is much on my mind. I don’t mind admitting that it’s a prospect I contemplate with dread. I’m one of those I-just-want-to-sit-in-my-room-with-my-laptop writers who really is not constitutionally suited for a world in which the definition of “author” also includes “huckster” (or, if you want to be a bit more diplomatic about it, “entrepreneur”).
Tags: victoria strauss, Writer Beware
Thinking About Your Writer’s Platform? Consider Your Online Reputation First.
You’ve probably heard about the importance of developing a writer’s platform. Before you start thinking about your writer’s platform, consider what your overall online reputation is first.
Tags: Monica Valentinelli
The Pros and Cons of Having Your Own Website
Do you need to have you own website? It depends on what you want to use the website for. Having an online presence may or may not translate to your desired action, in part because your presence really is about “you” as a person rather than “you” the author. With today’s technology, the two are not mutually exclusive.
Tags: Monica Valentinelli, web
Resource: The Convention Finder
The Convention Finder searches a database of cons based on location, making it easy to find the convention nearest you.
Tags: convention, John Joseph Adams, Nathan Lilly, resource
Reading Aloud
There are few things that can destroy a good story faster than a bad reading. At the same time, a really good reading can make an audience excited and drive sales. Short of a background in theater, how can authors improve their reading skills?
Tags: Mary Robinette Kowal, reading aloud
Get Personal with your Marketing Efforts
The words “online marketing” are fairly generic, since there are quite a few components involved with this business practice. Marketers (like myself) often utilize web analytics, social media, blogging, natural and paid search, online advertising, etc. For authors, online marketing may be a little more targeted to our writing and publishing efforts via social media and blogging platforms.
Tags: business, Monica Valentinelli, Publishing
Networking 201: How to “work a room”
When attending a social function–whether it’s a small gathering at someone’s home, or a political fundraiser, or a room party at a convention–you are being gifted with the opportunity to meet, mingle, and make contact with a wide variety of people. What I intend to do here is give some pointers on how to get the most out of any social gathering, whether you’re there for business or for pleasure.
Tags: diana rowland