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Readers aren’t buying your books. They’re buying you.
People don't buy products. They buy people.

julienavickasautho
Jun 103 min read


How to write banter that sparks and sizzles: 10 tips
Here are my top tips for writing banter that truly pops.

julienavickasautho
May 93 min read


Social media is a lie: A blog about transparency
Being an author isn’t about a two-hour sales window. It’s about trusting your voice, believing in your stories, and continuing to share them, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

julienavickasautho
Apr 103 min read


Always “Most Improved”, Never “Most Valuable”
Being the most improved player isn’t a throw-away award. In fact, I would argue that it’s the most valuable award I could have ever received

julienavickasautho
Mar 134 min read


5 things to expect when writing your first book
I took a step back and reflected on how I felt writing my first book and identified five things you can expect from the inaugural process.

julienavickasautho
Feb 133 min read


From plotter to pantser: 2025 author goals (sans the vision board)
Don't get me started on vision boards, but I do have 5 goals for 2025.

julienavickasautho
Jan 14 min read


Build a query package: 10 essential components
BEFORE you begin querying your list of literary agents, I strongly recommend that you take the time to build a strong query package.

julienavickasautho
Dec 23, 20244 min read


2024: The year I published 3 books (and what I learned)
“If this is book one of a trilogy, why don’t we also pencil in publishing dates for book 2 and book 3?"

julienavickasautho
Nov 20, 20244 min read


Build a social media strategy for your author brand
If you want to build a social media strategy for your author brand, here’s what you have to do...

julienavickasautho
Oct 28, 20244 min read


Top 10 tips for self-editing
Every story needs an editor. Whether it’s a copy edit, line edit, or developmental edit, a story becomes stronger if a professional...

julienavickasautho
Sep 19, 20244 min read


10 tips to improve your beta reading effectiveness
I’ve compiled a list of things I’ve found along the way that can really help an author after a beta read.

julienavickasautho
Aug 12, 20244 min read


Attending a multi-author book signing? Here are 5 tips for attending readers
On July 20, 2024, I attended the 9th annual Writers on the River multi-author event in Peoria, Illinois. I shared a table with my friend and

julienavickasautho
Jul 24, 20244 min read


10 universal storylines: How they can help you write your next book
Universal storylines help us tell effective and engaging stories.

julienavickasautho
Jun 21, 20243 min read


The power of place: 6 tips to craft a strong story setting
“But you don’t have to be a David Bowie fan to appreciate the power of the setting.” Last fall, I instructed a course at my local...

julienavickasautho
May 23, 20244 min read


Building an author newsletter: 5 practical tips for success
“It takes time and skill, but the cornerstone of every author’s brand begins with a newsletter.” Prior to the launch of my first novel, I...

julienavickasautho
Apr 10, 20243 min read


Writing a successful book series: 10 quick tips
“The end of book one is the most crucial place in the entire series; it’s the catalyst for everything else to begin.” When I wrote my...

julienavickasautho
Mar 15, 20245 min read


How meta: A blog about blogs
“Blogging teaches me something every month. It’s not just about the writing practice or the knowledge I choose to research and share,...

julienavickasautho
Feb 9, 20243 min read


Level up your author brand: 5 tools you need for social media
“The bottom line is that posting on social media doesn’t have to be a shot in the dark.” I am a social media junkie. It’s embarrassing to...

julienavickasautho
Jan 11, 20244 min read


5 tips for leaving a strong book review
“Readers, take the time to leave a review. They mean more to an author than anything else.” It’s the season of giving! When I opened...

julienavickasautho
Dec 18, 20233 min read


10 tips to level up your writing
On November 8, 2023, Julie spoke to students in the School of Communication at Illinois State University about writing. I recently had...

julienavickasautho
Nov 21, 20236 min read
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