As You Complete Revision, Here Are 20+ Elements to Complete Your Book

As you near the second revision of your manuscript, it’s time to refocus on a couple dozen elements of your book from front cover to back matter. Here are 20+ items for you to complete on the publishing journey. Cover, comp titles, copyright, your elevator pitch and more. Compiled by Mark Mathes.

How to Use a Decision Tree to Sharpen Your Stories

Writer’s Relief: Navigating a new story idea can feel like following a blank map. You’re not sure how to get where you’re going—or even where to start. Does your character walk or drive to reach a destination? Should the protagonist face an obstacle head-on or ignore it? Will a scoundrel get a punch in the nose or a kiss? Every choice you make carries weight, so each decision matters. The experts at Writer’s Relief know a writing technique that can help you whittle down your options and improve your focus: Create a decision tree.

Bare Bones Publishing for Indie Authors Just Starting

Bare Bones Publishing for Beginning Indie Authors In this month's #AskALLi Foundational Self-Publishing Podcast, Orna Ross and Sacha Black how to get started modestly, time and money investment, publishing widely and deeply, as well as various formats. Learning from mistakes. The small business side of publishing. The importance of editing and what you can afford. Design and formatting. Proofreading. The AskALLi Foundational Self-Publishing podcast is sponsored by Dartfrog Books, providing indie authors with bookstore placement and promotion opportunities to more than 27,000 book clubs. Podcast here. 42:02 minutes

Two Minutes to Impress a Publisher, Editor or Agent

You have maybe two minutes before an agent or junior editor scans your submission cover letter. They’re looking for a reason to say no.

Here are some tips for authors from the other side of the editor’s desk. I’ve read thousands of pitches for books, puzzles, columns, comic strips, editorial cartoons, news services and more.

As editor of international syndication at Tribune in Chicago, I faced as many as a hundred submissions each week. I tried to send a short, personal rejection letter to as many creators as possible.*

As editor at Pelican Publishing Company, New Orleans, the largest independent regional publisher in the Southeast, the submissions were fewer yet took more time.

These days you may not even get a form letter acknowledging the rejection.

—Know your publishing house/agency. What do they publish? And just as important, what don’t they publish? Why is your book right for them?

—Know the editor or agent. Find the types of authors they work with. Tell them how you’re the best person to write their next book. Can you get an introduction from one of their authors?

—Follow their submission guidelines. They’ll look for easy excuses to reject you.

—Every word counts. You have one page. More tips by Mark Mathes here.