Every so often, someone will start a conversation about wanting to start a lit mag. It usually begins something like this: I think I really want to start my own lit mag, but I have no idea how to do it. The conversation will then morph into Is it really worth it to start my own … Continue reading Do You Want to Build a Lit Mag? Get Tips from the Experts
There is a plethora of advice out there on how writers must follow the rules of the game if they want to get published in lit mags. Last week, I posted 10 things writers do that piss off editors. This week, I'm turning the tables and looking at all the things the editors do that … Continue reading 10 Things Editors Do That Piss Off Writers
Writers are the second hardest working people in the lit mag industry. The hardest working? You guessed it: the editors. And guess what? They get a lot less "reward" out of it than the writers do. Yes, writers spend hours and hours writing, editing, researching, and submitting. Add in the countless hours of bitching and … Continue reading 10 Things You Are Doing As a Writer That Piss Off Editors (And Could Get You Blacklisted)
As a writer, I've never been a fan of censorship. As an English teacher, I wasn't a fan of it either. I've said just about everything in the classroom, including "shit", "fuck", and more. Hell, I once told a student to "scissor me" (disclaimer: I was asking her to hand me the scissors and had … Continue reading The Dangers of Being a School Teacher and a Writer
Let's get straight to the point: if you're reading this, then you aren't a best-selling author. Heck, you might not have even made your first sale yet. Luckily, there's still plenty of time for you to turn your writing career around. You might blame the publishers, the industry, or maybe even James Franco for your … Continue reading 5 Ways You Are Sabotaging Your Writing Career
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the kilt-wearing, novel-writing bad-ass Samuel Snoek-Brown. We chatted about his affinity for kilts, why fiction writers do research, and some book that's coming out soon. NT: Let's get straight to what everyone wants to know: how much of Hagridden did you write while wearing a kilt? … Continue reading Kilts and Historical Fiction: An Interview with Sam Snoek-Brown
In the past, I only published good book reviews. If I really liked a book, I gave it 5 stars. If I kind of liked it, 4 stars. If I didn't like it, then I didn't post a review. Okay, I have left a few bad reviews. Just not for small presses. I've never minded … Continue reading Why You Need to Leave More Bad Book Reviews
In the literary world, editors have a big job. Or at least they are supposed to. They are responsible for proofing, editing, formatting, and more. Sure, you did all the hard work when you wrote the story, but they make the story presentable. A great story can be marred by typos and other errors that … Continue reading 5 Signs of a Bad Editor: How to Spot a Sucky Editor
Jason E. Rolfe recently challenged me to discuss some things I do and don't write. Of course, when I say recently, I mean several weeks ago to the point where this might not be relevant anymore. But it's never too late for a blog post, right? Three Things I Don't Write 1. Pretty descriptions. I … Continue reading Three Things I Don’t Write, and Three Things I Do
As writers, we jump for joy at the news of every acceptance. When the story is published, we rush to promote it on social media. Many times, we put a link on our own blog or website. But if you visit any writer's publication list, you are bound to find some dead links. One of … Continue reading Finding Sustainable Lit Mags
