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“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...

“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...

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

“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...

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

“Reflecting back on some of my first book signing events, I can recall how clueless and unprepared I felt.” About a week ago, I was...

“Master the craft of writing your fictional friends well and your story will jump from the page.” Which came first, the chicken or the...

“Every role is important. Every reader and early insight are critical to the release of a strong story.” The further I get into this...

“Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings .” – William...

“The algorithm changed. The platform grew. What used to work, no longer does. And as an author looking to connect with readers,...

I’m an avid reader. Like most authors, it’s only natural to want to consume words, stories, plots, and characters written by others....

“A book description on Amazon will make or break a sale, which means authors must do more than just simply copy and paste the back clover...

“Any element in the prologue that advances the story should be written in the story itself.” The most edited page of an entire...

“You are your own brand. You are selling yourself as an author just as much as you are selling your novels or stories.” Launch days are...

“ There are no other words for it. I was, quite simply, suffering from writer’s block. ” I cannot pretend that there are not already a...

“Once you decide to pursue your passion, document the struggles and successes. It’s about the journey. It’s about the growth. It’s about...

“What you think might snag a reader may turn out to just be a tiny nibble. And what you need is the hook, line, and sinker. Keep fishing...

“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...

“I did all the wrong things first and learned from my mistakes.” My stomach still clenches thinking about the painstaking task of writing...