Once you have a shiny piece of work (novel, self-help book, article, etc.), you are ready to seek representation or a publisher. A query letter serves as an introduction letter to agents and publishers. This letter has three specific objectives. 1...

There are more publishing options than ever before for authors, so it's important to be aware of the pros and cons of each option. Morgan James Publishing founder David Hancock says there are three primary paths authors can take: 1) Traditional 2)...

Self-editing is the practice of editing your own manuscript to the best of your ability, prior to submitting it to a freelance editor, agent, or publisher. Every author approaches self-editing differently depending on skill level, but any self-editing...

James Breakwell has learned that internet fame is quite different from traditional fame or celebrity. When the comedy writer's Twitter account ( @XplodingUnicorn ) went viral due to a Buzzfeed article in 2016, Breakwell already had a solid writing...

When you write, are you a plotter or a pantser? Plotters plan out the logistics of a story before writing it. Pantsers let the story unfold as they write it, surprising themselves along with the readers. Tony N. Todaro, author, Executive Director of...

Many writers believe that self-editing their manuscript or having a friend or family member review it is enough prior to publication. It’s usually not. Without professional editing, your manuscript will likely contain several grammatical errors and maybe...

One savvy author skill is the ability to deliver your book’s elevator pitch . Every author needs to be able to showcase their book in about 30 to 60 seconds, which is the traditional length of an elevator ride. The elevator pitch is part hook and part...

The opening pages of a book or screenplay are a critical part of the story. Whether or not your audience (studio executive, literary agent, or reader) will continue turning the pages depends on your opening scene. So how do you write a beginning that...

Author, comedy writer, and columnist James Breakwell started writing long before he became an internet sensation through his @XplodingUnicorn Twitter handle. In high school, he shared his humorous stories with classmates and then wrote for his college...

The rapidly evolving publishing industry has changed how books are written, marketed, and published. The change has also altered how they’re edited. There are some universal manuscript needs, and authors need to know what those are before they hire...