The other day, our campus security guard watched me enter a room wearing a shirt and tie only to emerge moments later in running clothes. He said something about Superman as I ran by him. I waved and laughed at the idea. The truth is, I do live a secret life. My coworkers don't know. … Continue reading The Secret Lives of Writers
Welcome to the Monster Opera: Chatting with Nancy Stohlman About Relationships, Writing, and Flashing
A few months ago, Bartleby Snopes Press announced its call for Flash Novels. This was an idea that had been brewing in my mind for a couple years, but I wasn't quite sure how to do it. When the idea for Flash Novels just wouldn't go away, I decided it was time to go for … Continue reading Welcome to the Monster Opera: Chatting with Nancy Stohlman About Relationships, Writing, and Flashing
Writing from the Heart
As a writer of fiction, it may seem easy to escape from reality, to hide behind the characters and the plots we imagine. For me especially, with my tendency to write absurd and bizarre and surreal stories. Surely there's no truth, no personal element, in a story about a boy born with hands made out … Continue reading Writing from the Heart
7 Editing Tips to Make Your Stories Better
For many writers, the editing process produces mixed feelings. Okay, perhaps that was an understatement. Editing is often a tedious chore that takes us away from accomplishing other things (like writing more stories). On the other hand, this necessary chore can often be an enjoyable experience. It allows us to relive the story, to experience … Continue reading 7 Editing Tips to Make Your Stories Better
Grinding It Out: Nathaniel Tower Interviews the Masterminds Behind The (Submission) Grinder
A few days ago, thanks to a post on the Write 1 Sub 1 page, I learned of a great new resource for writers called The Grinder. The (Submission) Grinder, as it is more properly called, carries the slogan "Milling your submissions into something useful," and it follows in the footsteps of the acclaimed Duotrope's … Continue reading Grinding It Out: Nathaniel Tower Interviews the Masterminds Behind The (Submission) Grinder
Unmasking a Liar: Nathaniel Tower Interviews CS DeWildt
Today I have the pleasure of uncovering some details about one of my favorite writers. CS DeWildt has been on my reading list ever since he first submitted "The Bull" to Bartleby Snopes a little over three years ago. After reading his novella Candy and Cigarettes (Vagabond Press, 2011), I was hooked and had to … Continue reading Unmasking a Liar: Nathaniel Tower Interviews CS DeWildt
Publishing Dreams and Nightmares: Susan Tepper v. The Big Six
Most writers dream of making it big, of signing that book deal that will let them quit their day jobs and do nothing but sit around and write. Many writers have the delusion that once they get a foot in the door of a big publisher, the rest will be gravy. Those big-time publishers do … Continue reading Publishing Dreams and Nightmares: Susan Tepper v. The Big Six
Self-Publishing Success: Alex M. Pruteanu Discusses Writing Promotion
One of the most difficult tasks as a writer, perhaps even more difficult than writing, editing, submitting, or getting accepted, is the art of promotion. In today's publishing world, whether you self-publish or are lucky enough to catch a break with a bigger publishing house, most of the promotion is on you, the writer. So … Continue reading Self-Publishing Success: Alex M. Pruteanu Discusses Writing Promotion
Grammar and Language Problems Every Writer Should Avoid
Whenever I think of grammar and the English language, I picture John Goodman's character from The Big Lebowski shouting, "Am I the only one around here who gives a shit about the rules?" Now, I'm not one to threaten someone with a gun over a little mistake, but I do have my fair share of … Continue reading Grammar and Language Problems Every Writer Should Avoid
Subscription Success! An Interview with Duotrope’s Digest
If you have much familiarity with the business of writing and submitting, you know that Duotrope's Digest, one of the most popular resources for writers, recently switched to a paid subscription model for most of its services. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with the Duotrope staff regarding the success of this shift, as … Continue reading Subscription Success! An Interview with Duotrope’s Digest