Publishing My First Book: Diana Holquist

I always knew there was a secret key as to who got published and who didn’t. It obviously wasn’t about good writing or perseverance or who had the best web site. Finally, I learned the answer and decided to live by it...

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Meet The Author: Catherine Johnson

Like many authors, writing a novel was always an aspiration. When I finally started the process with SHADES OF DARKNESS, SHADES OF GRACE I had a terrific story that had evolved from real-life events. Completing the process took much longer than I...

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Read A Good Book

Summer is slowly creeping to an end and there isn't much time left for enjoying those relaxing "beach reads." If you're looking for a good book to read, or maybe want to step outside your comfort zone and try something you've never read before, you might want to check out the Harvard Bookstore. Their staff has compiled a list of the Top 100 Books.

Want to comment on the list? Join our discussion over at The Writers Network.

Clear Your Own Space

If you're interested in pursuing the idea of clearing your own space, you can do no better than to check out Karen Kingston's book, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui.

Long-time subscribers of Writing Sparks will probably recall I've mentioned Karen Kingston before. She's is my own personal hero when it comes to Space Clearing. I've had her book for a number of years, and whenever I'm feeling particularly blocked, I pick it up, flip to the section where I need most help and instantly feel motivated. I usually don't read more than a page or two before I put the book down and start clearing something out.

I've tossed out stacks and stacks (and stacks) of magazines thanks to her. Even some of my prized books have made it to the charity box. Never mind the piles of clothes, trade show gifts and assorted other detritus. I'm don't yet have the uncluttered home I'd like, but I'm a lot closer than I have ever been, thanks in large part to this book.

Instead of getting the book, you can also visit her website at www.spaceclearing.com. Truth be told, however, I don't think her site really indicates how great her book is, so you may just want to trust me, and add this book to your personal collection.

Publishing My First Book: Jasmin Rosemberg

Some people think I’m financial analyst who decided to write a novel. I say I’m a writer who, for a short while, masqueraded as a financial analyst.

For, ever since fourth grade, I knew I would be a novelist. It was the profession I...

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Meet The Author: Cindy Lynn Speer

They call writing a habit…which makes it sound more like chewing your fingernails or checking to make sure the door is locked and the stove is off before you go to bed, rather than an obsession, a have to have…but it’s one of those have to haves I...

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We're giving away free books

Murder, Madness & Love
Yolanda Renee
Genre: Mystery
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I Can Fly, But Only at Night
Tristan Moorhen
Genre: Spiritual Fiction
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The Dark Druids
Tim Newman
Genre: Historical Fantasy
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Shades of Darkness, Shades of Grace
Catherine Johnson
Genre: General Fiction
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WILFRED: The Devil's Disciple
Edward T. Duranty
Genre: Fantasy
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The Vagabonds' Bordello
G.P. Marcello
Genre: General Fiction
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Fun and Games with Math
Ouida Simmons
Genre: Children's
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What's Wrong With Mormons?
Jay Gladwell
Genre: Religion & Spirituality
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Calbraith
K.A. Liedel
Genre: Historical Fiction
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Clyde Edgerton
Genre: Action/Adventure
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George Pelecanos
Genre: Mystery
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Keep the Faith
Faith Evans
Genre: Biography / Memoir
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Publishing My First Book: Jennifer Cody Epstein

I’ve wanted to be a published author pretty much from the time I was published in Brown Middle School’s “Author’s Corner”, and had my short story (painstakingly copied, in pencil, on yellow legal paper) stapled to the wall outside the principal’s...

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Meet The Author: Yolanda Renée

I am a writer, I can tell a story – a good story – actually an excellent story. What I cannot do is grammar. I wrote an essay in 10th grade, and won third place. The essay came back with the words, wonderful story, but atrocious grammar. Things have...

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Publishing My First Book: Joseph "Wambaugh

Joseph Wambaugh, an ex-cop turned #1 New York Times bestselling writer, forged a new kind of literature with his early police procedurals. When asked about two novels that marked the beginning of his legendary career—THE NEW CENTURIONS and THE...

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Meet the Author: Mary Cunningham

Brick-By-Brick: One author's approach to series writing

The final proof for Cynthia's Attic: Curse of the Bayou, book three in my 'tween fantasy series, was finally ready to be e-mailed to the publisher. The moment I hit...

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We're Giving Away Free Books

Free Food for Millionaires
Min Jin Lee
Genre: General Fiction
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Some Glad Morning
Irene Steele
Genre: Historical Fiction
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Tainted Hero
Michael Davis
Genre: Mystery
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If I Were an Eagle: Book 1
D.L. Hale
Genre: Romantic Suspense
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If I Were an Eagle: Book 2
D.L. Hale
Genre: Romantic Suspense
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Writing as a Small Business
Nash Black
Genre: Business
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The Shaman and the Rose
Bill Haynes
Genre: Fantasy
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Hollywood Crows
Joseph Wambaugh
Genre: Police Procedurals
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Names My Sisters Call Me
Megan Crane
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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A Guitar and a Pen: Stories by Country Music's Greatest Songwriters
John Bohlinger
Genre: Short Stories
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Scream for Me
Karen Rose
Genre: Suspense
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Seafood Without a Doubt
Rick Moonen, Roy Finamore
Genre: Cook Book
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Tara Yellen: Publishing My First Book

I wrote AFTER HOURS AT THE ALMOST HOME in three days—and spent the next eight years revising it.

The novel began as my Masters thesis for the writing program at the University of Colorado—though it wasn’t my original thesis. Two months before the due date, I was working on a collection of short stories. I was also working at two bars—one an upscale martini bar, where I lied to get the job...

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J. Kelley Carlson: Meet the Author

I remember English Composition 101 well. It was there that I discovered I could write material worth reading. That might not have been so strange if I hadn’t been 41 years old at the time and had not been inside a classroom for twenty years. I owe many thanks to the school superintendent for forcing my return to school.

In 1988 the superintendent decided that the nurses working for the school system should have a four-year degree.

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The Best of the Best

Every year Writers Digest Magazine releases a list of the 101 websites that they consider to be the best sites for writers. Categorized by Agent Blogs, Challenges/Creativity, General Resources, Genre/Niche, Protect Yourself, Publishing Resources, and Writing Communities, these sites offer a huge amount of information and resources, no matter where your struggles might be. Check out the best and the brightest now at Writers Digest's fabulously re-designed website. www.writersdigest.com/101BestSites

We're Giving Away Free Books

OnceWritten.com April Book GiveAways

You can't win if you don't enter. To sign up, visit our Win Free Books page now.

Free Food for Millionaires
Min Jin Lee
Genre: General Fiction
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Some Glad Morning
Irene Steele
Genre: Historical Fiction
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If I Were an Eagle: Book 1
D.L. Hale
Genre: Romantic Suspense
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If I Were an Eagle: Book 2
D.L. Hale
Genre: Romantic Suspense
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Writing as a Small Business
Nash Black
Genre: Business
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The Shaman and the Rose
Bill Haynes
Genre: Fantasy
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Girls in Trucks
Katie Crouch
Genre: General Fiction
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The Lost Dog
Michelle de Kretser
Genre: General Fiction
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Lady and the Vamp
Michelle Rowen
Genre: Vampire Romance
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Pursuit
Elizabeth Jennings
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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Keri Arthur: Publishing My First Book

My journey to publication is one of persistence. DANCING WITH THE DEVIL was the fourth book I’d written, but the first book I actually believed might have had a chance of being published. Unfortunately for me, none of the publishers I submitted to liked it. It was a paranormal romance, and written at a time when paranormal romance wasn’t the ‘it’ genre. Getting a publisher to take a chance on such a story when the author was an unknown was...

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Bill Haynes: Meet the Author

My road to the publication of THE SHAMAN AND THE ROSE was anything but average. The framework of the novel came about from two self-published titles where I explored the depths of Dante’s Inferno. Those first two books were a valuable learning experience. The most important lesson I learned was that as an author, I had a great deal to learn about publishing and writing. I discovered that working with an editor can be a godsend to any writer.

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Hailing all Taxes

Somehow another year has passed us by and it's already time to start getting our receipts in order. The tax man cometh whether or not we're ready. Writers receiving "independent contractor" income, reported on a 1099 form, should be using extra care with their record keeping. The high-cost of self-employment taxes means that you'd better be taking all the legal deductions you can.

Need extra help? Nash Black has published the book Writing as a Small Business which offers advice specifically geared towards writers.

Peter Balaskas: Meet the Author

I soon realized that they were the wrong type of competitions to enter “The Grandmaster.” They were literary competitions; “The Grandmaster” would normally be considered as a genre work. Specifically, it was a supernatural thriller. . . .

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