 To Blog or Not to Blog???!!!But mom, everybody’s doin’ it!!
And mom said, “If everyone was jumping off a cliff, would you do it, too?!” In the Author Nation family however, jumping off imaginative cliffs to explore new horizons is strongly encouraged. So we’re jumping off the cyber cliff and leaping into the crazy, creative and gleefully controversial realm of blogging.
Point & Counterpoint introduces one conjoined blog debating two sides of a shiny coin (prominent issue)—the Point, offered by John F. Harnish (John) and Counterpoint, by LinDee Rochelle (Irishwriter)—to which you can add your gleaming two cents’ worth in the Comments section.
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Authors' Conferences Differ Greatly from Writers' Conferences Authors’ conferences are for the benefit of all authors—regardless of how or with whom they’ve published. The primary focus is on teaching published authors how to be more successful promoting and selling their books. These authors are more proactive in getting exposure for their books and harvest the fruits of their creative labors. Boring book proposals pale in the dazzling directness of the authors’ well crafted elevator pitches, query letters quiver in the wake of compelling sell copy for the end reader—so to speak. Authors attend the conference seeking an answer to the burning question, “My Book’s Published – Now What???” -John F. Harnish
Writers’ Conferences Beget the Author You must learn how to walk before you can run (writer). But if you’re smart, you don’t take off running without knowing which way to go (emerging author). And if you’re wise, you always seek new and better paths, while helping others who are following in your footsteps (accomplished, published author). Not all of you reading this are published authors—but you’re working hard at getting there and that’s why we like you! Those of you who are published, did you go overnight from writer to author? Likely not. And before we go any farther down this path, although John touched on the differences, let’s truly define “writer” and “author.” -LinDee Rochelle |
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How Do I Find A Literary Agent??? Why bother!!! It’s really easy to find an agent – just Google “Literary Agent” and the almighty search engine will pop up with page after page of search results that will suddenly appear on your monitor. The more challenging problem is finding an agent willing to represent you and champion your unpublished book. Your perfectly crafted query letter might capture momentary interest that passes so quickly as the always busy agent responds to the demand of the ringing phone. The letter you worked for hours on to get each and every word just right, now flutters into the rejection pile after less than a fraction of minute under the eyes of the agent. - John F. Harnish Agent, schmagent—who gives a hoot, right? Wrong! Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can make the NY Times best seller list without an agent and traditional publisher. Yes, I know you’ve been submitting your book for months. And yes, I know you’re practically redecorating your office with rejection slips. Misery loves company, right? We’re all right there with ya. - LinDee Rochelle |
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Ponder the creative challenges confronting non-fiction authors and novelists to determine if you write with your brain or from your heart – or both!!!Once again, for your enlightened enjoyment, we explore the differences between writing non-fiction and fiction from diverse viewpoints. We both feel the other has the easier task when it comes to writing a book. Indeed we go head on with our freely offered opinions as who has the most tedious task. Points are merrily made and amazingly answered regarding glorious grey matter usage as opposed to the ever gushing heart. Naturally we word play a bit as we banter thought balls all about the topic while lifting mind over matter. John boldly expresses non-fiction points to LinDee’s puffy portrayal of fiction counterpoints. But of course we welcome your comments as part of the civil discourse encouraged on this blog. |
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P&C debuts this month with Americans’ penchant for burdening oneself with lofty resolutions, often “broken” before the first blush of Spring. Do you make resolutions for you and your book? Do you keep them (for more than a month)? Do you plan on a business level, but leave the personal path to fate? Or do you eschew any kind of restrictive structure?
Enjoy the inaugural and diverse viewpoints of New Year’s Resolutions by “he”—John, and “she”—LinDee, to help make your authorship “Great in 2008”! Then jump in with your POV …
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