Hard-boiled fiction, also known as noir fiction, includes gritty, graphic crime writing with deeply conflicted characters. Often times the main character is an anti-hero, lacking conventional hero attributes. Author and professional book editor Elaine...

Author and professional book editor Elaine Ash has helped many writers prepare and polish their manuscripts for submission to agents and publishers. There are three common mistakes that she sees writers making in the process. The first mistake is not...

Hard-boiled fiction, also known as noir fiction, includes gritty, graphic crime writing with deeply conflicted characters. Often times the main character is an anti-hero, lacking conventional hero attributes. Author and professional book editor Elaine...

When comparing two of the largest cultural centers in the United States, Los Angeles and New York City, author and educator Tara Botel Doherty believes LA is more creative. Along with the light and the ocean one finds in Los Angeles, Doherty points to...

Are you considering adapting your book for film or television? Morris Ruskin, CEO of Shoreline Entertainment, discusses how Hollywood producers find the best cast for a movie and offers tips for casting a film for new directors. He says that when you...

Hosting an online blog is a huge trend, and while it's only a hobby for some, there are others who have made a professional career out of blogging. To host a successful blog, author and blogger, Jennifer Brody, suggests starting with a topic that you...

As much as she hates to say it, professor and author Donna Arthur Downs believes social media is crucial for writers. If you don't have a following, she says, it will be difficult to get attention from traditional publishers. Downs herself recently took...

Managing a busy schedule is tough for anyone, and authors are no different. To be a successful author, it's critical to be a self-marketer as well as an excellent writer. Literary agent Laurie McLean provides tips on balancing writing and marketing,...

Some authors are so well-known and prolific they evolve into a brand. Literary agent Amy Levenson gives us some insight into writing for well-known authors and brands. When working with a brand, it's important to remember that the secret to their success...

It's common for all types of writers to hear "No" many times throughout their career, whether it's from agents, publishers, or Hollywood executives. Because the reasons for these "Nos" are often out of your control, don't try to control it. Per former...