Fiction & Fables

Stay tuned for the end for my list of resources to stay on top of content creation. AI use for creators has become a controversial topic, with some claiming that if you don’t use it, you’ll be left behind (I’m not saying they don’t have a point, but these also tend to be the same people selling templates, masterclasses, or coaching services). Others tell you that if you use AI, you’re not a real writer (and I won’t disagree with this camp if you write with AI and try to pass it off as your...

As a creator, keeping organized notes is essential to keep from losing your mind resources. Where do you keep track of all those helpful sites, articles, reference images, your to-do list, inspiration, and ideas to revisit? Notebooks are great for journaling or jotting down ideas before they float away to the memory dump, but they’re not ideal for things like calendar events or copying links. As far as free note-taking sites, you have options—Microsoft OneNote (part of Microsoft 365 online),...

Welcome back to marketing for authors. If you missed part 1, you can find it here. Last time we discussed steps 1-6, from making a plan to implementing it across several platforms. This week we'll dive right into step 7. 7. Book Reviews & ARC (Advanced Review Copies) Traditional publishers send out free books to social media influencers, bloggers, book reviewers, etc. This has a dual purpose: it helps create buzz around a new release, and it gives your book social proof. Reach out to book...

Welcome to marketing for authors. If you've written a book, or you're an aspiring author, you're in the right spot. Book marketing is… tough. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. You’ve spent countless hours writing, and after all the editing, formatting, and back and forth with the design, you’ve finally hit publish. You’re standing with your book in hand, proud of your finished product, but that new book feeling starts to wear off when you notice your sales—or lack thereof. Don’t get me wrong,...

We're at the final email for the mini-series on writing, publishing, and marketing your book. In this edition, we'll be focusing on part 3. In case you missed parts 1 or 2, you can click on them below to review. Make sure to stick around to the end for my new giveaway. Part 1: Research, Planning, and Writing Part 2: Self-Editing, Beta Readers, Getting a Professional Editor, and Choosing a Publishing Path This Week: Part 3: Cover Design & Blurb, Formatting & Distribution, and Marketing &...

Welcome back! Last week we discussed the early stages of writing a novel, the research and planning that goes into writing. This week, we'll focus on everything that goes into preparing the written contents of a novel for publishing. Last week: Part 1: Research, Planning, and Writing This week: Part 2: Self-Editing, Beta Readers, Getting a Professional Editor, and Choosing a Publishing Path Next week: Part 3: Cover Design & Blurb, Formatting & Distribution, and Marketing & Promotion...

“I want to keep publishing books, and writing and spreading my heartsong through the world.” —Mattie Stepanek The entirety of publishing your first novel step-by-step is a bit lengthy, so I'll be splitting it up into three parts. Part 1: Research, Planning, and Writing Part 2: Self-Editing, Beta Readers, Getting a Professional Editor, and Choosing a Publishing Path Part 3: Cover Design & Blurb, Formatting & Distribution, and Marketing & Promotion Think of this as your roadmap to publishing...

Have you ever dreamt of writing your own novel but don’t know where to start? Staring down a blank page can be daunting—but it doesn’t have to be! While it’s always easier to picture a scene or story in your mind than to actually realize it on the page, these tips can help you get started. Start anywhere—you don't have to start with chapter one. You can write in any order and rearrange your chapters and scenes at the end. Do you already have the end in mind? Start there.Tip: If you're looking...