The outline is one of my favorite writing tools. You might want to consider writing an outline if, like me, you get stuck in the process of bringing your story to fruition.

One of the questions I get most frequently from authors is this: “There are so many possible marketing and outreach activities, how do I decide which to do?”

There's a big problem with most writing groups. They don't actually help people become better writers.

While editing and re-writes are required after a first draft, I have some tips and tricks that will help you overcome the blocks of a first draft (and move onto your second draft) by clearing a path toward a great story.

How well do you know your secondary and tertiary characters? A common early-draft issue is minor characters who act as mere props for the protagonist’s arc.

If you’re confused about the different types of editors (which to hire and when), rest assured that you’re not alone.

Start by considering your proposed female character as if she were a real human being. Even if she’s a secondary character, take time to sketch a little history for her.

Publishing companies no longer rely on in-house editors for improving acquired works. Manuscripts are now expected to be professionally edited before they are sent to agents and publishing houses for review.

If you already know you need to be growing an email list and sending out regular content to your subscribers — Bravo! But if you’re stuck on how to actually execute an author newsletter, read on for some dos and don’ts.

Here are just a few of the books that have made my editing colleagues and me better writers at every stage of the process.

When you work hard and write hard for months or years, your book really deserves a chance to succeed. And the only way it’s going to get that chance is through a sound marketing strategy.

So many authors spend endless hours trying to figure out how to grow their personal social following — only to find that, ultimately, social media doesn’t sell books very well at all.

Taking a close look at what you value in a newsletter is one of the best ways to help you figure out what kind of sign-up you should offer to your subscribers and what your ongoing newsletter content should be.

Good habits generally help you be more productive than flying by the seat of your pants, but a little flexibility never hurts.

The single best way to build your email list is to offer something of value to your potential subscribers. They sign up, they get a special gift from you that somehow makes their day (or even their life) a little bit better.

I’m going to be blunt here. If you’re sitting alone in a room day after day putting words on the page but never showing anyone because you don’t think the work is “ready,” you’re doing it wrong.

I recently discovered something that has made all the difference for me in terms of understand how different people meet or don’t meet their writing and marketing goals.

When you’re blocked creatively, it’s tempting to think you just need a break. The force of Resistance is very cunning and will use any tactic it can to get you to quit writing.

Fear doesn’t have to be a creativity killer. With some self-awareness and courage, we can push through and do our work in the face of fear.

These days, if you’re hoping to get a traditional publishing deal, especially for nonfiction, you need a platform. Your publisher wants to know you have a built-in audience.