Friday Roundup – 18th August

1.  Melissa Donovan gives 42 fiction writing tips:

http://www.writingforward.com/storytelling/42-fiction-writing-tips-for-novelists

2.  Thanks to Book Marketing Tools for this guide for authors on attracting media attention:

http://bookmarketingtools.com/blog/a-step-by-step-indie-authors-guide-for-attracting-media-attention/#

3.  Megan Morgan answers one of the questions that people ask authors:

Show, Don’t Tell

4. The Content Fair gives 10 best writing tips from Stephen King:

10 Best Writing Tips From Stephen King

5.  Thanks to Suzanne Bowditch for these 5 tips to deal with writer’s block:

https://suzannebowditch.wordpress.com/2017/08/13/5-tips-for-dealing-with-writers-block/

6.  Alison Baverstock gives 10 marketing tips for self-published authors:

http://www.publishingtalk.eu/marketing/10-marketing-tips-for-self-published-authors/

7.  Myths of the Mirror gives 7 steps to a user-friendly blog:

7 Steps to a User-Friendly Blog

8.  Don Massenzio writes about the ending of a book:

https://donmassenzio.wordpress.com/2017/08/16/endings-how-important-are-they/

9.  Rachel Poli gives advice on writing about characters with unique sensory quirks:

How To Write Characters With Unique Sensory Quirks

10.  Here’s a good one from Libro Editing – irrupt or erupt?

irrupt or erupt?

Thanks to Chris, the Story Reading Ape, Suzanne Bowditch, Retired? No-one Told Me! Don Massenzio, and How To EBook for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 11th August

1.  Melinda Clayton at Indies Unlimited tells us of the importance of categories and keywords:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/07/18/the-importance-of-categories-and-keywords-for-your-books-on-kdp/

2.  Jennifer Scott, guest writer on Nicholas C. Rossis’ blog, gives 8 tips to create the perfect writer’s resume:

https://nicholasrossis.wordpress.com/2017/08/05/8-tips-to-create-the-perfect-writers-resume/

3.  Janice Wald at Mostly Blogging gives the 4 worst blogging mistakes:

http://www.mostlyblogging.com/worst-blogging-mistakes/

4.  Peter Adewumi writes of how to induce a spike in your blog stats:

https://adewumipeterblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/06/how-to-induce-a-spike-in-your-blog-stat/

5.  Joel Friedlander at The Book Designer gives advice on finding your first 10,000 readers:

https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2017/06/find-first-10000-readers/

6.  Cynthia Hilston on A Writer’s Path tells of the benefits of joining a writer’s group:

The Benefits of Joining a Writers Group

7.  Derek Haines on Just Publishing Advice reminds us that publishing is not just Amazon KDP and Kindle:

https://www.justpublishingadvice.com/self-publishing-is-not-just-amazon-kdp-and-kindle/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JustPublishing+%28Just+Publishing%29

8.  Capital Nerd tells us how to get ARCs:

https://mccullum001.wordpress.com/2017/08/07/how-to-get-arcs-a-step-by-step-guide/

9.  Jason B. Ladd, guest author at The Creative Penn, gives advice on how to get book reviews:

https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2017/07/29/how-to-get-book-reviews-as-an-unknown-author/

10.  Matt Aird at The Book Designer advises on why we should grow our author platform instead of trying to sell books:

https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2017/07/matt-aird/

11. D.E Haggerty gives new writers some formatting tips and tricks:

https://dehaggerty.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/formatting-tips-and-tricks-for-the-newbie-writingwednesday-amwriting/

Thanks to Chris, the Story Reading Ape, When Angels Fly, Don Massenzio, How to EBook, and AllTheAbove for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 4th August

1.  Morgan S. Hazlewood on A Writer’s Path gives us 3 things that make a great first line:

3 Things That Make a Great 1st Line

2.  Alicia Honeycutt on Kobo Writing Life gives advice on writing an author bio:

Writing an Author Bio

3.  Felicia Denise gives us 5 things authors should remember when planning a book tour:

5 Things Authors Should Remember When Planning a Book Tour #MondayBlog

4.  Janice Wald at Mostly Blogging gives the 7 best WordPress resources for blogging:

http://www.mostlyblogging.com/best-wordpress-resources/

5.  Jacqueline Obyikocha gives 31 blog post ideas:

http://theartofbeautifulexpressions.com/31-blog-post-ideas-bite-sized-tips/

6.  BadRedheadMedia gives advice on the best platform for beginner bloggers:

http://badredheadmedia.com/2017/01/29/do-you-need-to-blog-what-authors-need-to-know-now/

7.  Secret Diary of Porter Girl blogs about being a writer:

So You Want To Be A Writer

8.  Thanks to Wendy Van Camp at No Wasted Ink for these author / reader hashtags:

Author #Hashtags for Twitter

9.  Donatella Petitti at Millionaire’s Digest gives advice on how to be an efficient blogger:

How to Be an Efficient Blogger (2 min read)

10.  Lysa Grant gives us 20 free book marketing sites:

http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2017/07/best-free-book-marketing-sites/

11.  Alison Williams gives advice on how to approach an agent:

https://alisonwilliamswriting.wordpress.com/2017/08/03/how-to-approach-an-agent-the-query-letter-publishing-writinganovel/

12.  Steven Capps gives 7 signs of an awesome submission:

7 Signs of an Awesome Submission

Thanks to Chris, the Story Reading Ape, Didi Oviatt, Don Massenzio, Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung, Jean M. Cogdell, HowToEBook, and A Cooking Pot and Twisted Tales for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 28th July

This is the last blog for a few days (I tell a lie – I’ve scheduled a couple now), as we’re away to the Island with our granddaughters later on today until Tuesday evening.  I find that every now and then it’s nice to have a little break from social media! See you all next week. x

1.  Hugh’s Views and News gives advice on what to do when one of our posts is re-blogged:

What To Do When One Of Your Blog Posts Is Reblogged #bloggingtips

2.  Sue Vincent gives us a beginner’s guide to spam and how to spot it:

Take control – A beginner’s guide to spam and how to spot it …

3.  Enjoyed this interview of editor Mary Cool, guest on Damyanti Biswas’ blog Daily Write:

http://www.damyantiwrites.com/2017/07/21/magazine-questions-mary-cool/

4.  Dan Alatorre shows us how to critique and edit our own writing:

How To Critique and Edit Your OWN Writing

5.  Anne R. Allen gives advice on how to write contemporary fiction:

http://annerallen.com/2017/07/write-contemporary-fiction/

6.  Interesting info from Michael Kozlowski at Good E Reader on e-book sales:

https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/e-book-sales-decline-13-9-in-2016

7.  Thanks to Millionaire’s Digest for this advice on how to promote a blog:

How to Promote a Blog, Online and Off in 10 Ways (2 min read)

8.  Amy Collins at The Book Designer writes regarding publishing exclusively on Amazon:

https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2017/07/book-promotion-do-this-not-that-july-2017/

9.  Author Marketing Experts write about Goodreads’ Listopia:

https://www.amarketingexpert.com/how-to-be-a-top-book-on-goodreads/

10.  Martin Cavannagh at Reedsy shares this blog/infographic about the theme of a book:

https://blog.reedsy.com/what-is-the-theme-of-a-book/

Thanks to  Felicia Denise, Chris, the Story Reading Ape, How To EBook, A Writer’s Path, Don Massenzio, and Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 21st July

1.  Lisa Brown at Just Publishing Advice tells us why good grammar is so important:

goo.gl/JwDFgM

2.  Harini at Books and Readers gives some info on how to obtain ARC and review copies of books:

https://booksandreaderssite.wordpress.com/2017/07/10/how-to-get-arc-and-review-copies-of-books-all-you-need-to-know/

3.  Dan Alatorre writes about book pricing:

Got questions about pricing YOUR book?

4.  Thanks to Jane Friedman for this information on permissions:

https://janefriedman.com/sample-permission-letter/

5.  Sergey Aliokhin’s guest spot on Jacqueline Liyana’s blog gives 6 steps to identifying your target audience:

http://www.onlinelivingblog.com/2017/04/how-to-identify-and-attract-targeted-audience.html

6.  Thanks to Rachel Poli for these July/August writing contests:

July/August 2017 Writing Contests

7.  Ryan Lanz, guest on Alison Maruska’s blog, gives advice on dialogue tags:

Guest Post: The Dos and Don’ts to Dialogue Tags

8.  Jean M. Cogdell tells us how to make our Amazon description stand out:

Learn how to make your Amazon description stand out

9.  Joe Elliott on Jeffbullas.com gives advice on how to build influential connections:

http://www.jeffbullas.com/build-connections-with-influencers/

10.  Kristina Stanley gives advice on self-editing:

Learn How To Self-Edit #AuthorToolboxBlogHop Opening A Scene

 

Thanks to Don Massenzio, How To EBook,  and Just Olga for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 14th July

1.  Autocrit gives us tips on catching mistakes in a manuscript before submitting:

https://www.autocrit.com/blog/2017/06/28/catch-mistakes-diy-proofreading-techniques/

2.  Thanks to Ryan Biddulph on Mostly Blogging for these 10 tips on blogging and time management:

http://www.mostlyblogging.com/blogging-time-management/

3.  Rachel Poli gives advice on how to write a book review that matters:

How To Write A Book Review That Matters

4.  Thanks to Nicholas C. Rossis for these 5 tips on tweeting:

https://nicholasrossis.wordpress.com/2017/07/09/5-tips-to-get-you-tweeting-like-a-pro/

5.  Writing Insight Success gives advice on using collective nouns:

https://aclark2831.wordpress.com/2017/07/10/collective-nouns-a-singular-or-plural-puzzle/

6.  Jean M. Cogdell gives advice on how to make a podcast:

Do you want to learn the next big thing in writing?

7.  Anne R. Allen gives advice on hiring an editor:

http://annerallen.com/2017/06/hiring-an-editor-who-when-avoid-scams/

8.  Thanks to Christina DesMarais on Chris, the Story Reading Ape’s blog for these 43 embarrassing grammar mistakes:

43 Embarrassing Grammar Mistakes Even Smart People Make…

9.  Jan R at Writing Your First Novel blog gives 10 tips for publishing on Kindle:

Top 10 Tips For Publishing On Kindle

10.  Dan Alatorre’s interview of Sally Cronin is a good read, especially if you’re an Indie author:

Author Profile: 20 Questions (more or less) With Sally Cronin

Thanks to Chris, the Story Reading Ape, Debby Gies, Sylvia Hubbard, Musings on Life & Experience, Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie, and Cow Pasture Chronicles for the re-blogs.

 

Friday Roundup – 7th July

1.  Thanks to guest M.J Moores on Sacha Black’s blog for this info on how to get an agent:

http://sachablack.co.uk/2017/06/30/how-to-get-an-agent/

2. WordPress.com give us 5 blogging tricks:

https://en.blog.wordpress.com/2017/06/29/five-tricks/

3.  Lucy Benton, guest writer on Nicholas C. Rossis’ blog, gives 10 essential skills that every writer should have:

https://nicholasrossis.wordpress.com/2017/07/03/10-essential-skills-for-every-writer/

4.  Thanks to Reedsy for this blog on irony and how to use it in your novel:

https://blog.reedsy.com/what-is-irony

5.  Emily Nemchick on ‘A Writer’s Path’ gives these tips for self-editing:

Useful Tips for Self-Editing a Manuscript

6.  Victoria Greene gives advice on how to write great content fast:

http://marshajustwrites.com/write-great-content-fast/

7.  Suzanne Bowditch gives these 6 tips for writing a novel, based on Jonny Geller’s blog at Curtis Brown Creative:

https://suzannebowditch.wordpress.com/2017/07/04/6-tips-for-anyone-writing-a-novel/

8.  Kristen Kieffer at Well-Storied gives us the pros and cons of self-publishing:

https://www.well-storied.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-self-publishing

9.  Thanks to M.G Wells on Chris, the Story Reading Ape’s blog for this infographic on punctuation:

15 PUNCTUATION MARKS

10.  Chris, the Story Reading ape gives us 10 novel writing tips via this infographic:

Ten Vital Novel Writing Tips Infographic

11.  Here’s a new widget from WordPress:

https://en.blog.wordpress.com/2017/07/06/social-icons-widget/

 

Thanks to Don Massenzio, Chris, the Story Reading Ape, and Kim’s Author Support Blog for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 30th June

1.  Teagan Berry on ‘A Writer’s Path’ writes about the benefits of Pinterest for authors:

Why Pinterest May Be The Greatest Website For Writers

2. Gary Smailes at Bubblecow shows how a novel gets made into a film.

https://bubblecow.com/blog/how-to-get-your-novel-made-into-a-film

3.  Thanks to Caleb Clayton at Indies Unlimited for this book formatting info:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/06/26/our-new-book-formatting-resource-page/

4.  Here’s 7 book launch lessons from Sacha Black:

http://sachablack.co.uk/2017/06/26/7-book-launch-lessons-book-marketing-mindset/

5.  S.T Sanchez on A Writer’s Path gives 5 tips for new writers:

5 tips for New Writers

6.  Carrie Rubin tells us why she probably won’t be running another Goodreads Giveaway:

Why I’ll Never Run Another Goodreads Giveaway Again … Probably … Maybe

7.  Kendra Elliot on Writer’s Digest gives 6 ways to improve your romantic thriller:

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/6-ways-improve-romantic-thriller-novel?utm_source=wir&utm_campaign=wir-nl-bak&utm_content=953189_EDT_WD170627&utm_medium=email

8.  Alison Maruska asks whether female authors should use initials rather than their full name:

Do Women Authors Benefit From Using Initials?

9.  Some writing tips on filter words by Kathy Steinemann on D.G Kaye’s blog:

https://dgkayewriter.com/filter-words-phrases-avoid-writing-fiction/

Thanks to  Chris, the Story Reading Ape, Don Massenzio, Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie, and Kim’s Author Support Blog for the re-blogs.

Friday Roundup – 23rd June

I’m off to the Island for the weekend, so I’ll leave you with these 11 links to check out.  See you all again on Monday!

1.  Jessica Bakkers reminds us not to judge a book by its cover:

Don’t judge me

2.  Have a read of these winning stories from the Bloggers Bash writing competition. Well done to all!

http://sachablack.co.uk/2017/06/17/winners-of-the-2017-bloggers-bash-writing-competition/

3.  Julianne Q. Johnson on a Writer’s Path confirms what I was told by an agent- don’t start your novel with a back story:

Starting Your Story With Backstory? Don’t

4.  Thanks to Nicholas C. Rossis for this blog on the new Amazon KDP Reports tool:

https://nicholasrossis.wordpress.com/2017/06/17/amazon-is-changing-its-kdp-reports-tool/

5.  Author Marketing Experts give advice on using Amazon keywords:

https://www.amarketingexpert.com/amazon-keywords-more-buyers/

6.  D.A Bale on Book Daily gives 8 ways to convince bloggers to review your book:

http://www.bookdaily.com/authorresource/blog/post/1966703

7.  Janice Wald gives us 25 ways to avoid writer’s block when blogging:

http://www.mostlyblogging.com/avoid-writers-block/

8. Thanks to Wendy Janes for these 5 proofreading checks:

https://85k90.com/five-final-proofreading-checks-help-writing-shine-wendy-janes/

9.  Meg Dowell at A Writer’s Path gives 22 ways to impress a first time blog reader:

22 Ways to Impress a First-Time Blog Reader With Any Post

10.  Guest author Gloria Kopp on Chris, the Story Reading Ape’s blog gives 7 tips for promoting your first self-published book:

7 Tips to Help Promote Your First Self-Published Book – by Gloria Kopp…

11.  Thanks to Hugh W. Roberts and Suzanne Bowditch for this info on backing up your WordPress blog:

https://suzannebowditch.wordpress.com/2017/06/16/backing-up-your-blog-content/

 

Thanks to Chris, the Story Reading Ape, Nikki McDonagh, OIKOS – Redaktion, BlondieAKA, How To eBook, A Writer’s Path, Don Massenzio, and Olga Nunez Miret for the re-blogs.

 

 

 

Friday Roundup – 16th June

1.  Thanks to Indies Unlimited for the opportunity to join in this Amazon Author Page Follow Fest:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/06/09/amazon-author-page-follow-fest-june-2017/

2  Dan Alatorre gives advice on gaining more Facebook author page likes.

How To Get More Facebook Author Page Likes

3. Raymond Crain on Mostly Blogging writes of ways to increase traffic to your blog:

http://www.mostlyblogging.com/generate-better-traffic/

4.  Lauren Sapala’s guest post on A Writer’s Path gives the most sensible advice on not comparing yourself to other writers:

Why We Compare Ourselves to Other Writers (and How We Can Stop)

5.  Blonde Write More gives some good advice here for writers:

How To Accept Literary Success Might Take Years To Achieve #SundayBlogShare #Writer

6. Thanks to Indies Unlimited for this advice regarding Vanity/Indie/Traditional publishers.

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/06/12/vanity-predatory-indie-trad-what-does-that-mean-again/

7.  Thanks to AuroraJeanAlexander on Writer’s Treasure Chest for this blog on writing a book blurb:

https://aurorajalexander.wordpress.com/2016/08/24/me-and-my-book-blurb/

8.  Pekoeblaze gives 4 things learned from four years of blogging:

Four Things I’ve Learnt From Running A Blog For Four Years

9.  Michael Cristiano gives advice on how to write a novel worthy of publishing:

Throwback Thursday: How to Write a Novel That Will Actually Be Worthy of Publishing

10.  If you have enjoyed this week’s Friday Roundup, please could you click on the link below and give me a vote for my Kindle Scout campaign.  Thank you!

https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/3IQ62RDNCFI3F

Thanks to Don Massenzio, Kim’s Author Support Blog, A Writer’s Path, Jean M.Cogdell, and Jessica Bakkers for the re-blogs.