February 2012
3 posts
Blog has moved!
I decided to make the switch to Wordpress for more customizability. Tumblr is great, but my content was starting to run beyond what Tumblr is designed for.
So, check out the new site at http://www.emmacunningham.ca !
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Boilerplates
When a publisher makes an offer to buy your book, they send you what they call a boilerplate - a standard contract with their usual terms.Some common things you’ll need to look for are:
- your correct legal name
- your correct pen name, if you’re using one
- correct title and series name
- that you are granting the correct rights (usually publishers ask for an exclusive on...
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Book review: Hidden by Kelley Armstrong
I’ve decided to do a book review every Wednesday. It may be an old book, a galley, or a new book. Whatever I’ve just finished reading at the moment!
I am a dedicated ebook reader, but I can’t resist buying limited edition hardcovers from Subterranean Press, simply because they are beautiful. Of course, I buy the ebook versions too! ;)
Hidden by Kelley Armstrong is no exception,...
January 2012
2 posts
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Foursquare and safety
It’s no secret that I am not a fan of anything that require users to “check in” to various locations. Why? Two reasons:
1) It tells people where you’re not - at home. If anyone is looking to rob your house, this would be the time to do it.
2) It tells people where you are - and if anyone is looking to cause problems for you personally, they know how to find you.
However,...
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Networking 101
by J.A. Campbell
Word of mouth and personal connections can make a sale for an indy author. Or any author really. I’ve bought books based on blog posts I’ve read, or online connections I’ve made with authors. It does work. It’s not a super fast process, a book here or there is probably what you will sell, but that increases the chance that people will talk about your book. When people talk about...
December 2011
2 posts
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Blog strategy
If you just decide what to write on your blog spur-of-the-moment, you could benefit from a strategy. Things to think about include:
- What is your blog’s subject? - How often will you update? (min 1x a week) KEEP IT REGULAR! - What can you offer fans? New readers? - How will you promote your blog? - How much time can you spend reading/commenting on other blogs? - What is your balance between...
November 2011
14 posts
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Making it “Real”?
by Kelley Armstrong
So you’ve just completed your NaNoWriMo novel and you think it’s ready to go out to publishers? Not so fast. I’ve done NaNo every year since 2005, and what I produce in that month is nowhere near ready to show to my editors. It’s only the first step in many. Here’s a crash course in getting that NaNo work up to snuff…
Finish it. Unless you’re writing category romance or...
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NaNoWriMo - Keep your eye on the finish line
With so few days left to write, this is crunch time. This is not time for a spa day with your mom or any other distractions. Write write write!
Of course, you may be one of those non-procrastinators who’s ahead of the game and already won! In which case, tell the world, but don’t brag tooooo much - everyone else is still stressed out trying to finish!
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NaNoWriMo - Outlining
Today, you’re going to split your mind into two tasks.
1) Continue work on your word count.
2) Think of what you’re going to do in December.
If you’ve planned a full story in 50k words, keep in mind that this will be published as a novella, not a novel, unless you’re writing category romance. If you want to publish this as a novel, you’ll need to spend December...
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How to be a writer
by Lauren Dane
The best writing tip I can possibly ever give, the best I’ve ever received, is pretty simple: Put your butt in that chair and get those hands on a keyboard (or pen and paper, whatever)
This is hard. You might realize it’s harder than you ever imagined. Don’t quit. Quitting only hurts you and your writing. Don’t do it. PUSH THROUGH and keep on keeping on.
Everyone will have a...
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NaNoWriMo - Leverage social media
If you haven’t already, tell the world you’re Nano-ing and in need of encouragement. The more people who know you’re out to write 50k words this month, the less likely you are to give up.
Use the #NaNoWriMo hashtag on Twitter. Post your wordcount on any site you’re on. Do anything to keep you feeling like you HAVE to win.
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NaNoWriMo - Almost there!
With a week and a half left to go, you should be getting there. But if you’re falling behind, that’s okay. This is your chance to fix it! Plan on catching up with your word count this weekend. If you’re American, this is your last chance to catch up before family descends on you for Thanksgiving next weekend. If you’re not (and I’m not), then just plow through because...
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NaNoWriMo - Communities
NaNoWriMo offers a bunch of different ways to connect with other NaNo-ers. There are forums, where you can talk with people writing in your neighbourhood, in your genre, in your age group…you name it. There are local meetups, where you can write to your heart’s content surrounded by others doing the same thing to cheer each other on. You can make friends and exchange facebook/IM...
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NaNoWriMo - Get competitive
Grab a couple of your Nano-ing friends, and head to a local coffee shop. Stock up on caffeine, and get ready to do Competitive Sprinting!
Step one: Choose a sprint length (10-20 minute sprints are ideal)
Step two: Set the clock and get writing!
Step three: Whoever wrote the most words earns a point.
Step four: At the end of an hour (or two) whoever has the least amount of points purchases the...
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NaNoWriMo - How You, Too, Can Write 50k Words In a...
by Stephanie Dray / Stephanie Draven
In one sense, I’m the worst possible person to be giving advice about how to write NaNoWriMo-style because I’m one of the slowest writers I know. I have a brutal internal editor who won’t shut up long enough to let me hear my next thought. I regularly get sidetracked while I’m writing, and I’ve lost just about every word war I’ve ever been in. That said, I...
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NaNoWriMo - Writing spurts
Writing spurts will keep your word count up when you’re feeling easily distracted. Spend ten to fifteen minutes writing distraction-free, and then reward yourself with five to ten minutes of Internet searching, reading, or whatever other hobby is calling your attention. Writing spurts go by really quickly and get your word count to where it needs to be without making you feel listless and...
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NaNoWriMo - Bribe yourself
The promise of rewards make it easier to push through the month. Promise yourself little things for making your word count each week, like a pedicure or a date night at your favourite restaurant. Think of a big prize to reward yourself with at the end, whether it’s a Netbook, night at a hotel, or a spa day. Lastly, decide on a prize for yourself when you finish the revisions in 2012.
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NaNoWriMo - Character building
Here are some questions to ask your characters to get to know them better…
1. What is your middle name?
2. Do you like children?
3. Are you afraid of the dark?
4. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
5. What would your dream job be?
6. What is your dream husband/wife like?
7. How would you design your dream home?
8. What do you like to read?
9. Do you...
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NaNoWriMo - Get writing!
Your NaNoWriMo motivation should still be high, so take advantage of it. Try to get more words in than you have to - that way, when motivation starts lagging mid-month, you’ll have a little more flexibility to slack off before you kick your butt to get back on track.
October 2011
12 posts
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Brainstorming for NaNoWriMo: What makes a good...
Guest post by Shanen Crandon
A good horror novel is not unlike a roller coaster. It starts out with a sense of anticipation and a slow build before a big drop that leaves your head spinning and your heart pounding by the time you’re done. The basics of a good horror novel are really no different from what you want in any good book, but with one simple difference: it’s scary. That’s why a person...
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Do you allow comments on your blog?
Always respond to comments on your blog. Try checking back on posts you’ve made for 48 – 72 hours after posting to see who has commented and how you can engage them in conversation.
Don’t delete negative reviews. Show readers that you can deal with complaints in a good way. Think how you would respond if someone said that to you face-to-face. Any publicity is good publicity!
Amy Wilkins: Where Can I Find Copyright-Free... →
amy-wilkins:
I got this question above yesterday in a blogging webinar I was giving — where can someone find free use or copyright free images for blog posts? What you want to look for is either public domain images or images that the creator has allowed others to under a “Creative Commons” license. You have a…
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Different blogsites
Want to start a blog but aren’t sure where?
Wordpress is great if you want long-form blogs with a highly customizable interface. There are tons of free themes to choose from, but having a custom-designed one is much more affordable than a custom-designed webpage and you can actually move your entire website onto Wordpress.
Tumblr is easier to use, but somewhat less customizable. It works...
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What to do if your account gets hacked
Oh no! Your email/facebook/twitter got hacked and spammed all your followers. What do you do!?
First, change all your passwords and hint questions. Choose something nobody would guess, like the name of your childhood imaginary friend, or even better, use a random password generator. Don’t use the same password you use for anything else.
Next, do some damage control. Send out messages...
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Writer beware!
Are you shopping around for agents and publishers? If so, you need to check out Writer Beware, a website that lists known scams and scammers.
Some tips…
1. You should never have to pay an editing fee (unless you choose to hire a FREELANCE editor to clean up your manuscript before submission).
2.You should never have to pay a reading fee for an agent or editor to evaluate your manuscript.
...
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Social media: Things to think about
What is the message you wish to give people? - Be genuine - Be consistent - Listen and engage - 12 to 1 rule: - 12 responses/posts about someone else - 1 post about you
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Variety in Promo
Guest post by PJ Schnyder
“A little bit of naughty is a little bit nice She’s a whole lot of glam, sweat, sugar, sex, spice” ~ Show Me How You Burlesque
Variety is good. It’s spicy. It’s interesting.
When putting together my marketing and promotional plan, I look for the best investments of my time and effort.
There’s Social Media:
PJ’s FaceBook...
Amy Wilkins: Angela James's #Editreport →
amy-wilkins:
Yesterday, Carina Press executive editor Angela James did another #editreport event on Twitter. That’s where she tweets quotes from Carina Press’s freelance editors’ reports that show why some submissions are rejected and others are acquired. Angela has gathered all the tweets on Storify and…
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Why do you need social media?
- Your fans are on there - Your potential readers are on there - Agents and editors are on there - Get more marketing value for less money - Get the most out of your valuable time - Use your strengths to: - Build relationships - Make connections - Form long-term engagement with your fan base
September 2011
13 posts
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Contest a contest!
Everyone likes free stuff, right?
You could win a free ebook (up to $15CAD) at either Kobo or Kindle (if there’s another ebookstore you prefer that allows gifting, I’d be willing to look at that too…but I don’t know any).
How do you win?
1. Tweet your best social media tip, linking back to emmacunningham.ca 2. Post a link to your Tweet here in the comments section,...
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Why a well-designed web presence is important for...
Today’s guest post is by Frauke Spanuth of Croco Designs, where I will be working this December as a Content Manager!
Hi everyone!
Emma invited me today over to talk about author websites. Not only as designer but especially for me as reader they are a must-have. I don’t live in the States and even if I did, I wouldn’t be able to always attend signings and conventions. So a...
“When querying, the focus of your letter should be what your book is about. If we...”
– Harlequin Desire Assistant Editor Shana Smith
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Twitter hashtags
Want to start a new hashtag? The first thing you should do is see if anybody else is doing it.
For example, the hashtag #TTC is currently used by: Toronto Transit Commission, Trying to Conceive, and The Tweet Cirque. Possibly more.
If your new book was called The Twin Counties, you might think about using #TTC as a hashtag to accompany your new book, but your tweets would get lost in a stream of...
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You need to reach your readers, she said.
Today’s post is a guest post, brought to you by the supremely talented Anne Michaud.
I’m the first one to admit it: I am one of the technology challenged. The very mention of Twitter used to give me a queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, social networking such a dread for the shy writer that is me.
I asked for help, because there was no way I was tackling this Twitter thing by...
Maisey Yates: A Small-ish Rant →
maiseyyates:
Reducing romance down to the sex scenes is like giggling when someone says they’re a doctor. Because doctors have to look at naked people. Why don’t you do a job where people aren’t naked?
Of course people don’t do that. It would be stupid. And shortsighted.
But for some reason, there are…
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“My first round edits on this title consisted of “This sucks so bad I’m not even...”
– What are edits like? by Shannon Stacey
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Amy Wilkins: 5 Tips on How to Get Retweeted →
amy-wilkins:
One of the most common questions I receive is, “How do I get more Twitter followers?” One of the best answers is, “Get retweeted.” It’s the “and they tell two friends…” method of getting your name out there in social media.
So how do you get your messages retweeted? Here are my five top tips —…
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Fictional Novels
slushpilehell:
I hope you’ll represent my fictional novel.
To you and the other countless authors who refer to your books as “fictional novels,” will you please, for the love of all that’s holy and good in this world, stop it. Besides, I don’t represent fictional novels. I represent only poetic poetry, nonfictional true stories, how-to-cook-stuff cookbooks, and children’s books for children.
August 2011
17 posts
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Industry blogs
In the same vein as the last post, here are some of my favourite publishing-industry blogs. Mostly agents, but some magazines and tip-blogs too.
Publishers Weekly News This is “the” industry magazine BookEnds Literary Agency Jessica has some of the best advice out there Query Shark Query letter critiques, often a bit snarky (in a good way) Janet Reid Tips from a literary agent...
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Author blogs
I do read author blogs. Although these blogs aren’t the most-updated out there, they’re the ones I find interesting, informative, and…happen to be written by some of my favourite authors.
Kit Whitfield writes socially-conscious articles and hilarious cat anecdotes Diana Gabaldon talks about all things Scottish Tess Gerritsen has one of the best-designed blogs out there Nathan...
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Connecting with your readers
It’s good to remember that you don’t always have to talk about books on your various social media platforms. Talk about your other interests, too. Your readers are three-dimensional people who like TV, fashion, politics, technology, science…they’ll likely have varied interests. So don’t be afraid to chat about last night’s episode of So You Think You Can Dance...
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WatchThis comes out on my birthday…AND I AM SO EXCITED.