Lee & Low Survey: Publishing Industry Takes Baby Steps Toward Improving Diversity
For all the talk about increasing diversity in the publishing industry, there’s been little progress in the past four years, according to the latest Lee & Low survey.
Top 5 Reasons to Attend ThrillerFest
Let’s face it: attending an in-person writing conference is expensive. That’s why it’s crucial to choose the right conference. After my debut thriller, MULTO, was acquired, ThrillerFest was at the top of my short list of conferences to attend.
Writing Genre Fiction to Say Something Other Than the Plot
A good thriller is like a layer cake—stack upon stack of delicious goodness that infuses social meaning apart from the plot. I learned to write my debut thriller, MULTO, like a layer cake the hard way.
Thinking of Writing in Multiple Genres? 3 Things to Remember
Most writing teachers advise newcomers to stick to one genre. That’s a great rule to follow if your book is a hit. I discovered that if you don’t make it in one genre, trying another is the wiser choice.
The MacArthur Affair: An Intimate Portrait of Power Imbalance
Power imbalance between men and women in intimate relationships often manifests when there’s a huge difference in their ages, incomes, or cultural backgrounds. What happens when two people are in love but they are vastly different in all three areas? In the case of General Douglas MacArthur’s little-known affair with a young Filipino actress, it was a calamity.
Top 10 May-December Relationships
Bogey and Bacall. JFK and Jackie. McQueen and MacGraw. These famous couples had wide age gaps. Add to that list Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the Filipino actress Isabel Rosario Cooper, whose romantic affair in the 1930s broke all taboos. In this article, I rounded up 10 of the most captivating May-December relationships over the years.
What Got Me Published Could Be the Very Thing You Need
What does it take to be a traditionally published author? Twenty years ago, I would have said talent and connections. Today, only one word comes to mind—grit. If your field is as cutthroat as publishing, here are four ways that helped me develop mental toughness, which could be the very thing you need.
6 Myths About Being A Published Author
If you’re wondering whether to pursue writing, we can go over some of the most common myths about publication to help you make your decision.
Best-Selling Author Bret Lott Explains How Rejections Can Make or Break a Writer’s Career
I met Bret Lott, the best-selling author of Jewel, during my first ever fiction-writing workshop. I chose his class because I loved Jewel. Guess who else loved it? Oprah. Lott is the first best-selling author I’ve interacted with.
How to Counter the Surge in Book Bans
There’s an alarming surge in book bans in America, with school libraries in at least seven states removing books at the behest of community members. Twenty-nine states have introduced bills or taken other steps to restrict the teaching or discussion of racism and sexism. What to do? The Authors Guild lists three ways to help counter the trend.