Confessions of a Non-Voracious Reader
Standard advice to novelists is to read a lot. Of course, it would be ironic to find a writer who does not like to read. It’s the “a lot” where I get hung up. Unlike many of my writing colleagues,…
Interview with Literary Agent Patricia Nelson of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
There’s a reason why Patricia Nelson receives top billing in my acknowledgments. Her editorial eye and support have been critical on the journey to publishing my debut novel, COTTONMOUTHS, out next month. I spoke with Patricia Nelson recently about her…
An Interview with Pamela Wechsler, author of The Graves
Pamela Wechsler’s new novel The Graves, the second in the Abby Endicott series, was published on May 2. It has garnered advance praise from Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus Reviews, with the latter writing: “Catnip for readers attached to Boston, believably…
Bonding with my Protagonist over a Dirty Secret
I love the time of year when my fingernails are always dirty. Really dirty. Deep under my nails, crusted in my cuticles, embedded in every crease on my knuckles. I love dirt. To be more precise, I love soil. In the…
These 26 Query Letter Rules Will Change Your Life
When writing your query letter, always remember: 1) Tell the agent the ending, but don’t tell them how it ends. 2) Follow all the rules, but be original. 3) There are no rules, but still look formulaic.
Publishing and Marketing a Book in the Time of Trump
I follow a lot of authors, publishers, book editors, reviewers, libraries and bookstores in social media. This is important because I’m a writer with a debut book about the world’s first gourmand, FEAST OF SORROW, out TODAY (YAY!). Aside from…