It’s a jungle out there – watch out for the vanity presses #wwwblogs #amwriting #selfpublishing

Read this very important post, written by Alison Williams on vanity presses.

Alison Williams Writing

I had a phone call the other day from an elderly gentleman who was trying to find an agent. I explained the process to him and then he said that he’d already published a book, but he still couldn’t get an agent. Digging deeper, it seemed that he was under the impression that if he had a book out on Amazon, an agent would come calling.

He’s published with a small press. I took a look on Amazon. His book has been out for almost three years. The blurb and the cover are terrible. He has zero sales and zero reviews. Getting a little bit cross now, I decided to dig a bit further.

It turns out that he paid money to a vanity press that seems to masquerade as a publisher. This organisation states on their website that they open to submissions. They give the impression that they are…

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#Authors: Get Real on #SocialMedia and Readers Will Respond #ASMSG #IARTG

Phenomenal Marketing post, written by N. N. Light. Tanks so much for this amazing article!!

12 Things Writers Need To Pack For Their 2017 Writing Journey #SundayBlogShare #Writer #NewYear

Lucy Mitchell of Blonde Write More has published a list of things writers should pack for their 2017 writing journey. Thanks so much for the humor Lucy!

BlondeWriteMore

Before we all buckle up and head off on our 2017 writing journey, let’s agree on some useful stuff to pack. I don’t want us to get into our journey and discover we forgot some important items. We don’t have time for tears!

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The Writer Friend Job Description #AmWriting #Writer

You want to be the friend of a writer? – There is a job description! Lucy Mitchell published it on her blog “Blonde Write More”. Thanks Lucy! I’m sure this will help us writers to be surrounded with friends. 😀

BlondeWriteMore

The job description for a writer friendmight gosomething like this…

About The Role

Writer friend needed to provide long-term creative and emotional support to a fellow writer.

Hours: Can vary each week. Dependent upon a number of factors:

• The mental state of the writer
• The stage the writer is at with their latest project.
• The writer’s view of their current project.
• The writer’s view of their own creative abilities

Location: Can be based anywhere in the world as long as there is Wi-Fi access.

Key Duties / Responsibilities:

• Must be on hand to provide email, text or phone support to the writer. This will include evening, late night and weekend shifts.
• Must be able to provide a quick literary assessment of the writer’s new story idea which might be written in the form of a brief text or a photo of a diagram involving arrows, stick people and…

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How to make your own video

Jean M. Cogdell published a video on her blog to demonstrate her process on how to make your own video. I think there’s quite a lot to learn from her. Thank you Jean!

Jean's Writing

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I’ve made a little video to explain the program I use for my tutorials.

A few readers have asked about my process.

My videos may not be Emmy-ready, but they get the job done, so here you go.

Did this help anyone?

Let me know if you’ve found a better mousetrap for making videos.

I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.

Keep reading for more tips!

5 Tips for Making a High Quality Video for Your Website

28 Tips To Start A Vlog And Make Videos Like YouTube Stars

How to Make Your First Video

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What would happen to your story in a fire?

Jean M. Cogdell asks us an important question: What would happen to your story in a fire? – Read what important advice she is giving us.

Jean's Writing

Or a flood, or should someone steal your computer?

I don’t know about you but, I’d have a freaking heart attack!

We’ve all know to back up our work. I do this religiously to an external hard drive. A hard drive that is in my closet, that would burn up with my laptop and house in a fire.

Geesh! Give me a minute while I bang my head on table.

September 15, 2016, the Associated Press reported about a fire. Nothing unusual about fires, they happen every day. Unless you are the victim. As was the case for Gideon Hodge a  novelist that realized his only copies  were on a laptop inside.

Mr. Hodge rushed past firefighters into the blazing inferno to save his computer.

Man dashes into house to save laptop, 2 completed novels from fire in New Orleans’ Broadmoor neighborhood BY MATT SLEDGE

So all of this got me…

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You Asked: What the Heck is a Beta Reader? Do I Need One?

Sheila M. Good published a great post about Beta Readers. Thank you very much for reminding me! That’s another task ahead of me!

COW PASTURE CHRONICLES

Welcome to another,  You Asked, the Experts Answer, segment.  This week’s question is: What are Beta Readers and do I need one?

A Beta Reader is someone who reads your manuscript before you release it and provides feedback.

Similar to technology companies who release software updates to Beta Testers for the purpose of identifying any bugs before releasing the software to everyone.

A Beta Reader does the same sort of thing for you. It’s a test run of your manuscript.

Is it the Same as a Critique?

No. Critiques, are more in-depth and focused on grammar, plot holes, and the mechanics of writing.

A Beta Reader focuses on reading your manuscript. Feedback received includes their overall impression and any glaring mistakes. They will also provide a review after the release of your book.

Do I Need One?

Based on what publishers and other experts say, yes. For those who choose…

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