Welcome to “Creating Your Brand,” the first in a three-part series on basic marketing for authors. BRANDING If you are like me, a complete novice in the area of promoting yourself, this is the place for you. In 2016, I made it a priority to learn all I could about this subject. I had one-on-one brainstorming session with a published author and marketing specialist, attended workshops with … Continue reading Creating Your Brand
The call. You know exactly which one I’m talking about. It’s the call every unagented writer dreams of. An agent you queried punches in your digits, gushes over your manuscript, and says how much they would love to represent you. I had that day dream frequently. And I hoped, prayed that it would actually happen some day. Most days my phone was silent. The email, … Continue reading When An Agent Calls
Fellow writers! The 8 on Eight contest window is OPEN! Q: I must have missed the announcement. What is 8 on Eight? A monthly contest that provides one lucky kidlit writer with feedback on their opening eight lines! As part of our ongoing mission to support writers, we’ll give a PB, CB, MG, or YA writer feedback on their work from at least 8 of The Winged … Continue reading 8 on Eight Contest Window is Now Open!
I love creepy. Stephen King is one of my favorite authors, I am obsessed with The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and my most prized possession is an eyeball signed by Anne Rice. You’ll notice, those all involve books. Okay, confession time. I am not as brave when it comes to creepy in other types of media. I am too scared to watch The Amityville Horror, I … Continue reading Kidlit Halloween Quiz
We are excited to reveal the cover for Karma Khullar’s Mustache. The debut middle grade novel by The Winged Pen’s Kristi Wientge. Karma is entering middle school and is super nervous. Not just because it seems like her best friend has found a newer, blonder best friend, or the fact that her home life is shaken up by the death of dadima, or that her … Continue reading Cover Reveal! Karma Khullar’s Mustache
Linda Vigen Phillips is the author of Crazy, a young adult book written in verse which tells the story of a teenage girl coming to terms with her mother’s mental illness. Before Linda became a published author, she was a stay-at-home mom of twin boys, and a teacher in North Carolina. She found the years working with the learning disabled population extremely rewarding and humbling. Let’s … Continue reading Linda Vigen Phillips Talks Books and Mental Health
In my first yoga class of each new year, I set an intention. Yes I tell myself to focus on the present and not get frustrated if I fall on my face during crow pose (which has happened), but I also set one for the entire year. A kind of mental regroup statement to put me back on the right path when I sway, … Continue reading Set an Intention to Reject Rejection
In my other life, as a police intelligence analyst, I stalked bad guys. Not the “ruggedly handsome new kid in high school with eyes as dark as his mysterious past” kind. These were real-life bad guys. Robbers. Rapists. Murderers. So when a tweet showed up on my Twitter feed about a novel with a female protagonist obsessed with forensic medicine stalking one of the most infamous murderers … Continue reading Stalking Jack the Ripper
Unfortunately, there have been numerous tragedies across the globe this year, both nature-made and man-made. And I know I speak for most people when I wonder what can be done to help. Two authors, Sharon Johnston and Em Shotwell, have done more than just wonder. They started a website called Literary LoveFest and host auctions to raise funds for people in need. They put the … Continue reading LITERARY LOVEFEST – Louisiana Flood Victims
Or as I like to say, how I made the most of interrupted time. Think back to June. Was this you? “I have an incredible writing project planned for this summer. I’ll write a first draft. Complete revisions. Write, query, get the book published, and go on a worldwide book tour. All before school starts in September.” Well, that did sound a bit like me … Continue reading How I had a Productive Summer
I’ve always been intrigued by a book’s title. I mean, how awesome is AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie. For most of my life, that’s how I chose books. Or so I thought. One day I stopped drooling over the shelves and shelves of books at my local bookstore and paid attention to my surroundings. I was smack dab in the middle of … Continue reading The Confusing World of Genres
There are literally a million books on the craft of novel writing (tsk-tsk anyone who accuses me of exaggerating.) So what makes this one so special? The first, and most obvious, reason is because Stephen King wrote it. Second, not only do you get a craft book, but you are also treated to an autobiography. He gives us a matter-of-fact description of his writing journey, … Continue reading On Writing by Stephen King
