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Question: I'm currently struggling with why I should write my book and why anyone other than family would want to read it.   Answer: First, please know you are not alone in feeling this way. Most writers go through periods of serious self-doubt,...

Question: I am considering writing a novel based on my traveling experiences but not as an autobiography. Do you have any advice on how I can formulate my experiences into a fictional format?   Answer: It is very common for writers to use real l...

Question: How can we get a review in a newspaper or magazine? Libraries rely on these reviews before choosing to order copies of my books.   Answer: Book reviews are an essential element when trying to increase interest in your book, whether bui...

Question: What is the best way to find information and answers on the Author Learning Center website?   Answer: The Author Learning Center offers a vast library of resources covering topics related to writing, editing, publishing, and marketing....

Question: What can I do to get my book out there? What are some great, affordable methods of advertising?   Answer: To advertise something means to pay an outlet to publically promote your product. While there are plenty of free ways to promote ...

Question: What are the 3 best speech recognition tools for authors?   Answer: Adding a speech recognition tool to your writing toolbox can be beneficial for many reasons. Also known as “dictation software”, this technology converts s...

Question: What is the best source of information for someone who has never made a podcast? A step-by-step process would be great.   Answer: Podcasts are a fast-growing communication medium and can be a great way for authors to connect with reade...

Question: What is the best introduction for the next book when continuing the story from your first book?   Answer: It sounds like you are writing a sequel. By definition, a sequel is a publication that continues the story or develops the theme ...

Question: I have a book for children published on Amazon for age 6 to 12, what is the best way to promote it?   Answer: Book marketing can present some unique challenges for children’s authors because your book has to appeal to two groups ...

Question: I have had a severe hiatus from my writing schedule because of a crisis in my life. What are some best practices to get back on track and get my mind back into the game?   Answer: It’s not uncommon for writers to hit serious road...

Question: I have a self-published book that needs a marketing plan. What’s the number one, foolproof, best first step?   Answer: Two words – target audience. According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultur...

Question: I have two nearly completed manuscripts and I’m only interested getting them out as eBooks. How can I set about accomplishing this?   Answer: It’s no secret that eBooks have experienced growing popularity in recent years. T...

Bi-weekly, ALC President Keith candidly weighs in on questions asked by you, the ALC community. He's tackling it all — pen names, character development, editing tips, publishing options, marketing considerations...and more! Got a question ...

Question: How do you figure out which literary agent to go with? Are some better than others for the subject matter you are writing about?   Answer: The relationship between author and agent is symbiotic and represents a partnership, so it needs...

Question: I would like your advice on how to organize research when writing a novel.   Answer: Fiction writers are tasked with making their creations as authentic and relatable as possible, while also making them fun and engaging. The stori...

Question: How can I get my book edited without shelling out a fortune?   Answer: A well-crafted, polished manuscript won’t happen in the first draft. Period. Getting your story ready for readers requires thorough editing and revision. Give...

Question: How can an author use Kickstarter to fund a self-published book best?   Answer: From start-up companies to music, films to books, people use crowdfunding to finance their passions and creative projects. Authors can use crowdfunding sit...

Question: I would like to see a more comprehensive webinar on writing CONFLICT in fiction.   Answer: Thank you for the suggestion. This is something we will consider, as conflict is an essential element in any good story. Conflict arises wh...

QUESTION: I have written and published 4 books and I'm working on fifth. I have no idea on how to write a book outline.   ANSWER: Spoiler alert - Not all writers use outlines. Some prefer to swing from the hip. This method of winging it or ...

QUESTION: I don’t know anyone who personally believes they can write a “perfect” query letter. Can you give some guidance, with examples of good vs. bad?   ANSWER: If you’re struggling with crafting the “perfec...

QUESTION: I am a new author. Are there tax deductions available to authors?   Disclaimer: This article provides general self-employment tax information that may apply to writers and authors in the United States, depending on tax filing stat...

QUESTION: When should one use an addendum?   ANSWER: The front and back matter of a book contain important information about the author, publisher, and subject matter. These elements make a book appear more professional. They also provide reader...

QUESTION: How do you write a hook strong enough to make an agent fall in love with your characters and/or plot in the first five pages?   ANSWER: Literary agents receive an overwhelming amount of manuscript submissions on a weekly basis and lack...

QUESTION: Like many writers, I hate to grapple with the synopsis. I can write an interesting novel, I can almost manage an intriguing query, but the synopsis is torture…Are there any tricks to getting a synopsis as short and meaningful as poss...

QUESTION: Is it wise to use some tools from writing fiction while writing non-fiction?   ANSWER: There is a definitely a place for fiction writing elements and techniques in certain types of nonfiction. Creative nonfiction (CNF), also called nar...

QUESTION: I am writing a book for 6-8 year olds. I would appreciate any tips for a terrific book cover design. And, also any advice on book title choice.   ANSWER: Books that target children ages 6 to 8 typically fall into the “early reade...

Bi-weekly, ALC President Keith candidly weighs in on questions asked by you, the ALC community. He's tackling it all — pen names, character development, editing tips, publishing options, marketing considerations...and more! Got a quest...

Question: How do I oversee a work that has essays from contributing authors?   Answer: Personal essay, poetry, and story collections can be great avenues for publishing short form writing. Whether you’re pulling together a collection of ju...

Disclaimer: This article provides an overview of the basic principles of copyright in the United States. The material contained in this article is NOT legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client or other confidential relationship between the...

Question: I just published my first little poetry book. I am not sure how I have to promote my book to people so they can buy it.   Answer: When it comes to book marketing and selling, poetry books are no different from fiction novels or nonfict...

Question: How can I get a review of a couple chapters of my book so that I know I am on the right track?   Answer: Getting feedback on your manuscript is a critical part of the writing and editing process. While it can be intimidating to have ot...

Question: What are the basic steps to be successful at the beginning of writing your first book and autobiography?  Answer: I often say to writers, “Having an idea for a book is easy, but writing a good book to the finish and marketing it ...

Question: I have received several calls about converting my book to a movie, people claiming to have reviewed it and with connections to producers can advance it to film – for a fee of several thousand dollars.  Are all of these a scam?&nb...

Question: I have nearly finished draft 1 of my novel. I often hear people do multiple drafts. Is there a particular approach that seems to work best in editing each draft?  Answer: The book editing process can differ greatly for every auth...

Question: I seem to have trouble with character description at times. I would like to know how to build strong characters in my novels.  Answer: All great stories include several essential elements including a well-structured plot, an opening h...

Question: Are writing contests a realistic way to get published? How can you tell which ones are legit?  Answer: It’s always nice to have someone acknowledge your hard work, and it’s especially encouraging to be recognized with an a...

Question: Pros and cons of using a pen name. How would you actually do that?  Answer: A pen name is a fictitious author name that is used in place of a writer’s real name. Many writers consider using a pen name (also known as a “pse...

Question: As an author, what are some things you should pay close attention to as you revise your manuscript?  Answer: The manuscript revision process can be long, daunting, and frustrating, but is so important to the overall quality and succes...

Question: If you self-publish a manuscript, can that manuscript later be sold to a publisher and be re-published?  Answer: This question comes up in almost every traditional publishing-related webinar or workshop that I present. It’s...

Question: What are the three most typical mistakes authors make in the publishing process?   Answer: Mistake #1: Not understanding your publishing options There are more choices and opportunities than ever before to get a book into the hands of ...