queries

Pitch Prep: How to Write a Pitch

January 3, 2012 Writing Stuff
Thumbnail image for Pitch Prep: How to Write a Pitch

This week we’re preparing for the Pitch Your Shorts pitch session coming here January 10th.  Even if you’re not pitching this time, stick around.  Today we have The Ultimate Guide to Pitch Writing.  (Thursday’s post will cover story openings.) The Ultimate Guide to Pitch Writing Pitches fall into many categories, from loglines and elevator pitches to queries [...]

Tagged as: advice for writers, antagonist, character archetypes, character flaws, Jami Gold, Janice Hardy, paranormal author, pitch session, queries

Click here to read more

What Writing Skill Do You Suck At?

December 1, 2011 Writing Stuff
Thumbnail image for What Writing Skill Do You Suck At?

That’s right.  I’m asking you to expose your biggest weakness.  *locks the door so no one can escape*  *evil grin* We all have weaknesses.  I’m one of the biggest perfectionists around, but that doesn’t prevent me from having oodles of imperfections.  It’s only by knowing where we need more work that we can improve. In [...]

Tagged as: advice for writers, editing, Jami Gold, organized, paranormal author, perfectionism, premise, queries, synopsis

Click here to read more

Are All Distractions Bad?

August 30, 2011 Writing Stuff
Thumbnail image for Are All Distractions Bad?

Most writers have day jobs and families to take care of, so our writing time is precious.  Yet the hour we had set aside for writing instead often goes to…something else. I’m no exception.  I’ve spent too much “writing time” playing on Twitter or reading blog posts, etc. Sometimes I beat myself up about it. [...]

Tagged as: advice for writers, blogging, branding, contracts, Jami Gold, life balance, mobile website, paranormal author, perfectionism, queries, social media, Twitter, website, workshops

Click here to read more

What Does Your Author Bio Say about You?

August 16, 2011 Writing Stuff
Thumbnail image for What Does Your Author Bio Say about You?

I’ll be going on the road for some upcoming blog posts while I endure enjoy time with extended family.  Wish me luck. One of my guest blog hosts also asked me to provide my “author bio.”  Uh-oh.  I thought I wouldn’t need that until I was published. But if we think about it, we have [...]

Tagged as: advice for writers, agents, authors, blogging, branding, Jami Gold, Jami is insane, paranormal author, professionalism, queries, social media, Susan Bischoff, Tech Guy, Twitter

Click here to read more

“What’s Your Book About?”

April 21, 2011 Writing Stuff
Thumbnail image for “What’s Your Book About?”

Do you dread that question?  If you tell the cashier at the grocery store you’re a writer and they ask what your book is about, do you have an answer? All writers who want readers have to be able to answer that question.  Whether it’s our brother-in-law at a holiday dinner or an agent at [...]

Tagged as: advice for writers, agents, beta reader, conferences, feedback, genre, Jami Gold, Janice Hardy, paranormal author, queries, risk, tension, The Resurrected

Click here to read more

When Shouldn’t You Self Publish?

April 12, 2011 Writing Stuff
Thumbnail image for When Shouldn’t You Self Publish?

Many articles have been written about traditional vs. self publishing (this blog is no exception, as my articles here and here prove), and agent Rachelle Gardner’s recent post added an intriguing twist to the conversation.  She asked her readers who are sticking with traditional publishing to explain their reasons why. Good question.  And I don’t [...]

Tagged as: agents, beta reader, feedback, Jami Gold, Jami's rants, paranormal author, professionalism, queries, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing contests

Click here to read more

Is a Blog Like a Query Letter?

December 21, 2010 Writing Stuff
Thumbnail image for Is a Blog Like a Query Letter?

Today’s post is the unofficial “part three” of the results from my poll.  I hadn’t planned this post, but the comments from last time inspired a new thought. In part one, we talked about how to help your blog readers find you.  And in part two, we discussed the things that turn people off from [...]

Tagged as: agents, blogging, branding, professionalism, queries, website

Click here to read more

What Agents *Really* Want in a Query Letter

August 11, 2010 Writing Stuff
Thumbnail image for What Agents *Really* Want in a Query Letter

First of all, if you weren’t at the RWA conference, check out my contest for a free book from the RWA registration bags. The deadline to enter is midnight, August 16th. So my new RWA-buddy, Roni Loren, posted a great article on her blog about the QueryFest workshop.  When I kept finding myself wanting to [...]

Tagged as: advice for writers, agents, conferences, feedback, high-concept hooks, queries, Roni Loren, RWA, workshops

Click here to read more

Are Writers Conferences Worth It?

August 4, 2010 Writing Stuff
Thumbnail image for Are Writers Conferences Worth It?

I’ve now recovered enough from the RWA National Conference to talk about my experience.  *takes deep breath*  Er, or not… The word “overwhelming” was invented for experiences like this.  I can try to describe it, but I fear I’ll run out of words (a horrifying thought for a writer!).  It was fabulous to meet so [...]

Tagged as: agents, authors, conferences, dreams, high-concept hooks, Jami's rants, queries, risk, RWA, sacrifices, Twitter

Click here to read more