“Your mom is not a beta reader; she will not provide you with critical feedback because… well, she’s your mom!” Picture it. It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. After days – weeks – months – maybe even years, you’re ready to type THE END on your manuscript. And while I want you to revelContinue reading “Beta Reading: It’s More Than, “Did You Like It?””
Author Archives: julienavickas
Nail the Synopsis: How to Write Your Entire Novel in a Single Page
“I did all the wrong things first and learned from my mistakes.” My stomach still clenches thinking about the painstaking task of writing a synopsis. You know – that single page document that forces an author to take their beautiful 75,000-word masterpiece and condense it down into a dismal play-by-play of what happens? Yeah –Continue reading “Nail the Synopsis: How to Write Your Entire Novel in a Single Page”
How to Jumpstart Your Author PR in 3 Easy Steps
“If you’re an author looking to jumpstart your PR efforts, you’ll be well served to follow these three pieces of advice.” Back in 2006, I transferred as an undergraduate student to Illinois State University. And to be quite honest, I had no rhyme or reason for choosing ISU outside of the fact that some ofContinue reading “How to Jumpstart Your Author PR in 3 Easy Steps”
The Top 5 Mistakes New Writers Make
“Like everything else in life, we learn from the mistakes we make. And writing is no different.” I remember the day I said, “I’m going to write a book”. I had just finished up a five-day virtual workshop with Burning Soul Press called From Blank Pages to a Writing Machine. I left the workshop energized,Continue reading “The Top 5 Mistakes New Writers Make”
Give Yourself Permission
Guest Post on Trending, The Association for Women in Communications 12.16.21 “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” – Bilbo Baggins I’ve never been much of a risk-taker. I’m the “play-it-safe”Continue reading “Give Yourself Permission”
From Manuscript to Printed Book: the Evolution of Marketing Practices
“You’re just an Instagram post away from finding an ideal reader – not busting out a ballad in the public square.” Goodreads. Book Bub. Story Origin. Book Funnel. If you’re in the book world and giving it a go at marketing your own books, these apps, accounts, and subscriptions are nothing new to you. Oh,Continue reading “From Manuscript to Printed Book: the Evolution of Marketing Practices”
Drafting a Query Letter: How to Find Success Pitching an Agent
“Writing about your writing… is harder than the actual writing.” True or False? The hardest part of the publishing process is writing your book. At least from my experience, my answer is a big fat FALSE. Throughout my author and publishing journey, I learned quickly that, “writing about your writing… is harder than theContinue reading “Drafting a Query Letter: How to Find Success Pitching an Agent”
Writing Romance: Five Simple Rules
“By the time the bedroom door closes, the reader feels the soul, not the sheets.” “Oh, you write those kinds of books?” Yeah, I do. But honestly… it’s not what you think. Writing a romance novel is no easy task. And there’s a lot more going on than just what you’re picturing beneath the bedsheets.Continue reading “Writing Romance: Five Simple Rules”
Maximize your SEO: 6 Strategies to Optimize your Blog
First Appeared on the Burning Soul Press Blog 9.21.21. “Let your words do the work for you… and bring ideal readers to your page.” You’ve written a book. Congratulations! The hard work is done, right? Well… true and false. You may have put your words down on paper, but now that story needs to meetContinue reading “Maximize your SEO: 6 Strategies to Optimize your Blog”
How to Fit Writing into Life: Top Five Strategies for Making Writing a Daily Reality
“If you want to be an author. Be an author.” “You’re not human, right?” “Do you sleep?” “How do you find the time?” “But don’t you have children?” I kid you not – I’ve been asked these exact questions more times than I can count. And my answers are: “I disagree. I am most certainlyContinue reading “How to Fit Writing into Life: Top Five Strategies for Making Writing a Daily Reality “