Helping authors to make their stories shine … Editing Services for fiction and memoir
As you may know, Barto and have a country escape near Mansfield. Barto is in big-kid heaven there with grown-up Tonka toys such as a tractor, ride-on mower and log splitter, while I’ve become chief gardener. The previous owners planted a garden across the length of the house with 45 roses. Last autumn and winter, … Continue reading The Case of the Mysterious Rose Saboteur
Over one million new titles are released each year in the US alone. Authors strive to make their books stand out by attending book launches, book clubs, book readings and other functions. They also aim to get book reviews on sites such as Amazon and Goodreads, as that improves the visibility of their books. Here’s how to help your favorite authors. Continue reading How to Write a Book Review
Last week, I discussed websites and blogs for writers. This week, my focus is on social media. Beyond personal use, authors can use social media to promote their writing and to connect with the writing community. There are a myriad of different apps available, each with a slightly different focus, so where should you start? … Continue reading A Beginner’s Guide to Social Media for Writers
Tweets, blogs, posts, comments … social media can become overwhelming. But writers, whether they like it or not, are in the business of book sales, and few businesses can thrive without an online presence. Social media apps are more than a means to connect with friends, they’re a valuable marketing tool. I’ve heard unpublished writers … Continue reading A Beginner’s Guide to Websites and Blogs for Writers
It’s important to understand the difference between an agent and a publisher. The publisher edits, produces and distributes the book. An agent finds a publisher and manages the author’s career. Some authors deal directly with their publisher (more common in Australia than the USA or UK), but many prefer to have a middleman. Continue reading Five Reasons to Sign With a Literary Agent
(Photo of dancer Ukalina, Lilian and Zara.) Continued from Malaria, Kidnapping, Jewels … The day before I moved from Lagos to Houston, Buddy came to say goodbye. There was a very real possibility I’d never see him again. It was different with our expat friends—we’d likely meet up again somewhere on the international circuit—but this felt permanent. … Continue reading A Week in Lagos
After Music & Dance on the Lagoon, Buddy and I were full of energy and couldn’t wait to design our next production. My goal was to write a showcase for dancers—singers had musicals, classical dancers had ballet, but where were the stories for ballroom/Latin dancers[1]? Buddy was insistent that we incorporate a social message over … Continue reading Malaria, Kidnapping, Jewels
This Winding Narrative interview is with my friend and collaborator, Whitney Van Nuis. A lawyer by training, she gave up her profession when she became an expat spouse. Instead, she took up painting. She is now a successful artist who specializes in pet portraits, but also does family portraits, abstracts and illustrated Sam and the … Continue reading Whitney Van Nuis, From Lawyer to Artist
One of the reasons I started a blog was that the protagonist in my novel was a blogger, so I needed first-hand experience. Eight months in, what have I learnt? Did I describe her experience accurately? What will I change as a result? Followers. I made my fictional blogger an overnight sensation, but in real … Continue reading Real Versus Fictional Blogs
The previous owners of our Mansfield property left behind some junk—old car tyres, fencing wire, roof riles—so I’ve taken an interest in re-purposing old things. These creative endeavours have the triple goal of being practical, frugal and clearing the scrap heap. Normally, I leave handyman matters to Barto, but our to-do list is so long, … Continue reading DIY Tyre Coffee Table
Brightside Story Studio 