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# The Writer's Ally

Helping You Put Your Best Word Forward

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## Posts

- [Articles](https://thewritersally.com/articles/) - Read articles from The Writer’s Ally™ on writing, publishing, and book marketing—practical guidance to help authors build visibility and publish with confidence.
- [Good Book, Wrong Book—Ally Machate speaks for Scrivener Webinar Series](https://thewritersally.com/articles/good-book-wrong-book-ally-machate-speaks-for-scrivener-webinar-series/) - Most authors believe marketing is something they'll figure out after the manuscript is done. It's not. The marketing decisions that matter most are being made right now—inside the book itself. Who is the book for? What does the reader walk away knowing how to do? Does this book fit where it's supposed to live in
- [Write the RIGHT Book with Ally Machate at the Build-a-Book Community Clinic  ](https://thewritersally.com/articles/write-the-right-book-with-ally-machate-at-the-build-a-book-community-clinic/) - If you are writing a book (or planning to write a book), then chances are you are asking yourself almost all of the right questions. The one question you might not be asking, however, is “am I writing the RIGHT book?”. The right book will have a sound premise and a defined audience, and Ally
- [“Heart-Led Publishing Secrets with Ally Machate” on The Heart-Led Business Show](https://thewritersally.com/articles/heart-led-publishing-secrets-with-ally-machate-on-the-heart-led-business-show/) - Ally Machate transitioned from corporate publishing to running her own heart-driven enterprise, and she joins host Tom Jackobs on the HeartLed Business Show for a deep and inspiring conversation centering on the concept of a “heart-led” business. A heart-led business prioritizes passion, care, and genuine interest in helping people over pure profit, and Ally has
- [Am I Ready to Publish My Book? (Why That's the Wrong Question)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/am-i-ready-to-publish-my-book-why-thats-the-wrong-question/) - Asking yourself "Am I ready to publish my book?" That's the wrong question. Here's what delay is actually costing you and what to ask instead.
- [How to Know When Your Book Is Really Ready for an Editor](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-know-when-your-book-is-really-ready-for-an-editor/) - Wondering "when is my book ready for an editor?" The answer is: probably sooner than you think. Here's what developmental editing requires—and what it doesn't.
- ["Launch Strategies That Fit You" with Ally Machate on the Twin Flames Studios Expert Panel](https://thewritersally.com/articles/launch-strategies-that-fit-you-with-ally-machate-on-the-twin-flames-studios-expert-panel/) - Your book represents a significant investment of your time, energy, and money, and lends authority to your unique voice: Launching your book shouldn’t involve a one-size-fits-all approach! Join Ally Machate of The Writer’s Ally for “Launch Strategies That Fit You”, a Twin Flames Studios expert panel, live on Tuesday, April 14 at 2PM Eastern. Twin
- [“From Draft To Demand: Publishing Strategies That Grow Your Business" With Ally Machate on Between 2 Coaches Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/from-draft-to-demand-publishing-strategies-that-grow-your-business-with-ally-machate-on-between-2-coaches-podcast/) - A book can be an immensely powerful business asset, but only when you write the right book. Ally Machate brings her 25 years of industry experience to a conversation with the Between 2 Coaches Podcast, where she sits down with host Norbert Orlewicz to explain how to write a powerful book that builds authority, drives
- [Why Your Book Marketing Strategy Isn't Working (And What to Fix First)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/why-your-book-marketing-strategy-isnt-working-and-what-to-fix-first/) - Your book marketing strategy is only as strong as its foundation. Here's the five-layer hierarchy that explains why tactics fail—and what to build first.
- [The Right Book is Your Best Business Asset! Ally Machate on the Authors on a Mission Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-right-book-is-your-best-business-asset-ally-machate-on-the-authors-on-a-mission-podcast/) - Ally Machate transformed her lifelong passion into her life’s work, and she understands the importance of both vision and strategy for any endeavor. In this episode of the Authors on a Mission Podcast, Ally joins host Danielle Hutchinson to talk about her journey in the publishing world; from her earliest days as a book-devouring toddler, to the
- [Turning Books into Strategic Business Assets with Ally Machate on The COO Solution Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/turning-books-into-strategic-business-assets-with-ally-machate-on-the-coo-solution-podcast/) - Seasoned publishing professional Ally Machate joins host Derek Fredrickson on this episode of The COO Solution Podcast for a conversation focusing on the myths and realities of writing a book as a business growth strategy. Ally specializes in help entrepreneurs, business owners, and experts write purpose-driven books that elevate their authority, visibility, and business growth; she emphasizes
- [How to Write an Authority Book That Stands Out in a Crowded Category](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-write-an-authority-book-that-stands-out-in-a-crowded-category/) - Crowded category? Write an authority book by challenging “everybody knows” ideas. Use depth—not more frameworks—to stand out and build trust.
- ["From Shy to Sold" with the MWA PG County Chapter | March 10, 2026](https://thewritersally.com/articles/from-shy-to-sold-with-the-mwa-pg-county-chapter-march-10-2026/) - If you ever want anyone to read your work outside of your immediate circle of family and friends, you’ll need to get published. Self-publishing is always an option, but Ally Machate will break down how writers generally approach the submission process in “From Shy to Sold”. Join the Prince George’s County Chapter of the Maryland
- [Write the RIGHT Book at The Conscious Leader's Book Writing Summit March 11, 2026](https://thewritersally.com/articles/write-the-right-book-at-the-conscious-leaders-book-writing-summit-march-11-2026/) - If you’ve been thinking about writing a book—or you already have one in mind—you know it’s not just about getting words on the page. It’s about making sure you’re writing the right book and aligning your content with your business goals. That's even more true when you are a conscious leader, heart-led and invested in helping others,
- [How Ally Machate Turns Books into Powerful Business Tools with The Entrepreneur's Enigma Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-ally-machate-turns-books-into-powerful-business-tools-with-the-entrepreneurs-enigma-podcast/) - Building a business from the ground up takes grit, but Ally Machate is an expert entrepreneur. She joins host Seth Goldstein on an episode of the Entrepreneur’s Enigma Podcast for a conversation about her transition from corporate publishing to business ownership, providing insight into her journey and the path to success. Ally values the direct, hands-on involvement
- [“Write Your Own Path” with Ally Machate on the Success Matters Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/write-your-own-path-with-ally-machate-on-the-success-matters-podcast/) - Ally joins host Sanjai Mehta on the ‘’Success Matters” podcast for in-depth conversation about the transformative power of books and the modern landscape of book publishing (particularly, self-publishing!). Ally discusses her lifelong passion for reading and publishing and details her journey in the publishing world, providing insights into the detailed process of writing and publishing
- [“Building Author Success: Vision and Strategy” on the Vision Pros Live Podcast ](https://thewritersally.com/articles/building-author-success-vision-and-strategy-on-the-vision-pros-live-podcast/) - The Writer’s Ally helps serious authors, write, publish, and market high-quality books that achieve tangible results. Founder and CEO Ally Machate has a lot of insight to offer on the Vision Pros Live podcast, where she joins host Sue Anderson to discuss the evolving publishing landscape. Ally details many of the challenges authors face on
- [Good Book Idea vs. the Right Book Idea: A Practical Diagnostic](https://thewritersally.com/articles/good-book-idea-vs-the-right-book-idea-a-practical-diagnostic/) - Not sure if you’re writing the right book idea? Use this practical diagnostic to evaluate your book idea, audience, timing, and positioning before you draft.
- ["How to Write a Book That Grows Your Business, Income, & Authority"—Ally Machate on the ReLaunch to a Rich Life Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-write-a-book-that-grows-your-business-income-authority-ally-machate-on-the-relaunch-to-a-rich-life-podcast/) - Ally Machate shares expert insights on how writing a book can serve as a powerful business tool (rather than merely a product to sell) on the episode of ReLaunch to a Rich Life. Joining host Hilary DeCesare, Ally emphasizes that business owners should view books as strategic assets that drive business growth rather than focusing solely on
- [Books That Build Empires: Ally Machate on the Amazing Authorities Podcast ](https://thewritersally.com/articles/books-that-build-empires-ally-machate-talks-your-book-and-your-business-on-the-amazing-authorities-podcast/) - Ally joins Mitch Carson, media strategist and creator of the Instant Authority System, on the Amazing Authorities Podcast for “The Business Behind the Book: Ally Machate on Writing That Builds Empires, Not Just Libraries”. While everyone is capable of writing a book, writing a book isn’t necessarily the best move for everyone… In this episode,
- [Strategic Book Publishing with Ally Machate on the Unscripted SEO Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/strategic-book-publishing-with-ally-machate-on-the-unscripted-seo-podcast/) - Recently, Ally joined host Daniel Hill on the Unscripted SEO Podcast to discuss strategic book publishing and we want to offer you a glimpse of their conversation before the podcast goes live: We hope you will check out the full interview, but the following transcript offers a rare preview of a creative exchange! Unscripted SEO
- [Overcoming Publishing Myths with Ally Machate on the Experts Speak Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/overcoming-publishing-myths-with-ally-machate-on-the-experts-speak-podcast/) - When it comes to the intricacies of the publishing process, Ally knows her stuff! She sits down with host Michael DeLon of Paperback Expert on the “Experts Speak” podcast to outline the journey of a book, from idea to page to published work. She understands that knowing when to publish a book—or even knowing whether
- [Don’t Write the Wrong Book: Ally Machate on KAJ Masterclass ](https://thewritersally.com/articles/dont-write-the-wrong-book-ally-machate-on-kaj-masterclass/) - Ally joins host and podcast creator Khudania Ajay for a special edition of KAJ Masterclass Live: “How to Write the Right Book | Ally Machate on Publishing for Profit, Visibility & Business Impact.” In this episode, Ally shares deep insights into writing and publishing the right book to elevate authority, attract ideal clients, and grow a business effectively.
- [The Wrong Book Is Expensive: Why Choosing the Right Book Is a Strategic Decision](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-wrong-book-is-expensive-why-choosing-the-right-book-is-a-strategic-decision/) - A book’s real cost isn’t price or sales. It’s misalignment. Learn how choosing the right book strategy protects your credibility and future opportunities.
- [“Covers, Tropes and Trust: Keys to Author Success” with Ally Machate and the Online for Authors Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/covers-tropes-and-trust-keys-to-author-success-with-ally-machate-and-the-online-for-authors-podcast/) - In the highly competitive modern book market, it isn’t enough to simply write a book! Ally joins host Teri Brown on the Online for Authors Podcast to discuss the keys to author success, imparting strategies for building a loyal fan base and establishing long-term brand equity. In this episode, Ally explains that the current publishing
- [Write the RIGHT Book with Ally Machate on the Client Code Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/write-the-right-book-with-ally-machate-on-the-client-code-podcast/) - Ally joins host and creator of the Client Code Podcast, Carol Kabaale, to talk all about books—more specifically, about writing and publishing the RIGHT book for your business and goals! This thought-provoking conversation breaks down the strategy behind crafting a bestselling book that will establish your authority, foster business growth, and expand your reach. The
- [Ally Machate on the Biz Book Publishing Hub Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-machate-on-the-biz-book-publishing-hub-podcast/) - Ready to navigate the intricate world of book publishing? Ally Machate joins creator and host Robbie Samuels on the Biz Book Publishing Hub podcast to share her journey from book-loving child to a successful publishing consultant. Ally highlights the importance of strategic planning and authenticity in book publishing, providing expert advice for achieving publishing success. Key insights
- [Book Marketing Strategy for Authors Who Want Visibility Without Burnout](https://thewritersally.com/articles/book-marketing-strategy-for-authors-who-want-visibility-without-burnout/) - Discover a smarter book marketing strategy for authors that builds visibility without burnout. Learn what to ditch—and what actually works.
- [Books Bring Clarity — Ally Machate on Spark & Ignite Your Marketing](https://thewritersally.com/articles/books-bring-clarity-ally-machate-on-spark-ignite-your-marketing/) - Ally Machate, founder and CEO of The Writer’s Ally, recently joined Beverly Cornell on Spark & Ignite Your Marketing—the podcast where real conversations meet real strategies—to discuss the strategic power of publishing. In this two-part series of episodes, Ally shares her own passion for helping authors build their businesses with meaningful books, and explains how
- [Want a Stronger Book Launch? Fix These 5 Things](https://thewritersally.com/articles/want-a-stronger-book-launch-fix-these-5-things/) - Learn why a strong book marketing strategy starts before launch—and how to recover if you’ve already published. Avoid regret and build long-term results.
- [Ally Machate on Book 101 Review: Publishing Books That Sell!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-machate-on-book-101-review-publishing-books-that-sell/) - Ally Machate, founder and CEO of The Writer’s Ally, recently appeared on Book 101 Review, hosted by Daniel Lucas. Now in its fifth season, the podcast continues to spotlight voices in the publishing world, and Ally brought her deep industry experience to the conversation. In this episode, Ally shares how authors can publish successful books that don’t
- [How to Best Spend Your Self-Publishing Budget for Serious Impact](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-best-spend-your-self-publishing-budget-for-serious-impact/) - Publishing a book? Learn how to allocate your self-publishing budget for maximum impact—editing, design, strategy, and support that actually move the needle.
- [“How Book Editing Can Make or Break Your Success” Expert Panel with Ally Machate and Twin Flames Studios](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-book-editing-can-make-or-break-your-success-expert-panel-with-ally-machate-and-twin-flames-studios/) - Watch now! This panel is available for replay on demand via The Twin Flames Studio website. Great books aren’t just written; they’re created! And rarely without a collaborative effort with the right editorial team. Because while the author might be at the heart of great literary works, book editors are the backbone of the publishing process. Compelling content—and
- [How to Publish a Book on a Budget (Without Sacrificing Quality)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-publish-a-book-on-a-budget-without-sacrificing-quality/) - Learn how to self-publish a book on a budget without sacrificing quality. Discover smart investments, budget-friendly tools, and pitfalls to avoid.
- [Build Community With Your Book with Ally Machate on The Biz Book Broadcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/build-community-with-your-book-with-ally-machate-on-the-biz-book-broadcast/) - Ally joins host Liz Scully on The Biz Book Broadcast for “Build Community With Your Book,” revealing how your book can function as a rallying cry to build your community—or even a movement! In the course of this conversation, Ally walks us through the main ways you can use your book: From a book funnel to grow your
- [Who Should Help You Publish Your Book? A Guide to Choosing the Right Support](https://thewritersally.com/articles/who-should-help-you-publish-your-book-a-guide-to-choosing-the-right-support/) - Not sure who to hire to publish your book? Learn the roles of book coaches, editors, VAs, and publishers—and how to choose the support that fits your goals.
- ["Publish Books That Open Real Doors" with Ally Machate on Business Growth Trailblazers ](https://thewritersally.com/articles/publish-books-that-open-real-doors-with-ally-machate-on-business-growth-trailblazers/) - Ally joins host Alicia Hill of the Business Growth Trailblazers podcast on the episode “Serious About Success? Publish Books That Open Real Doors” to chat about actionable paths towards publication—for serious authors looking to publish professional-quality books that stand out and sell! Ally is a publishing strategist, an author services expert, and the founder of The Writer’s
- [“Don’t Write the Wrong Book: Nonfiction Publishing Strategy That Works” with Ally Machate on The Social Media Takeaway](https://thewritersally.com/articles/dont-write-the-wrong-book-nonfiction-publishing-strategy-that-works-with-ally-machate-on-the-social-media-takeaway/) - Ally puts all of her industry expertise to work when she joins host Louise McDonnell for an episode of The Social Media Takeaway podcast. In this episode of The Social Media Takeaway, Ally advises listeners on how not to write the “wrong” book; sharing instead how to write, publish, and market a book that will actually align with your
- [“The #1 Mistake New Authors Make” with Ally Machate on the Beyond Ordinary Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-1-mistake-new-authors-make-with-ally-machate-on-the-beyond-ordinary-podcast/) - Are you an aspiring author struggling to finish your book—or unsure how to publish it successfully? Tune in to the Beyond Ordinary podcast as Ally joins host Myles Youngblood to discuss the greatest pitfalls facing new authors on their journey towards publication, and how to overcome the obstacles to your success. In this value-packed episode, Ally offers
- [Crafting Books That Open Doors with Ally Machate on “STORYTELLHER”](https://thewritersally.com/articles/pen-to-published-crafting-books-that-open-doors-with-ally-machate-on-storytellher/) - Your book holds incredible power, but only if you know how to unlock it! Ally helps authors turn their books into tools that open doors and fuel business growth, and she joins host Deborah Kevin on an episode of “StorytellHER” to discuss how to leverage your book to achieve your business goals. Ally left the corporate world to
- [Not Everyone Should Write a Book—Is It the Right Move for Your Business?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/not-everyone-should-write-a-book-is-it-the-right-move-for-your-business/) - Wondering if a book is right for your business? Discover the signs you’re ready—and the ones you’re not—so you can make a smart, strategic decision.
- [Choosing the Best Publishing Path for Your Book (and Business) Success](https://thewritersally.com/articles/choosing-the-best-publishing-path-for-your-book-and-business-success/) - Choosing the right publishing path is one of the most important decisions an author can make—and one that directly impacts your book’s success, your business goals, and your creative control. With multiple routes to consider—Self-Publishing, Hybrid Publishing, Traditional Publishing, and Supported Indie Publishing—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But each path comes with its own trade-offs,
- [The Hidden Costs of Doing It All: Why Delegation is an Author’s Best Productivity Tip](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-hidden-costs-of-doing-it-all-an-authors-best-productivity-tip/) - Looking for author productivity tips that actually work? Discover how delegation can free your time, spark creativity, and accelerate your book's success.
- [How to Build An Audience for a Book Before You Launch](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-build-an-audience-for-a-book-before-you-launch/) - Launching a book without an audience is like throwing a party without guests. Learn how to build an audience for a book before publication to maximize results.
- [5 Steps To Self-Publishing Success with MWA PG County Chapter, Feb. 26, 2025](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-steps-to-self-publishing-success-with-mwa-pg-county-chapter-feb-26-2025/) - With so many options, it can be difficult to navigate your way to self-publishing success. But if you want great results, you need to get real! Just copying what indie phenoms like Amanda Hocking or J.A. Konrath are doing may not work for you—you need a plan designed for your type of book and your
- [3 Costly Mistakes Authors Make When Publishing (And How to Avoid Them)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/3-costly-mistakes-authors-make-when-publishing-and-how-to-avoid-them/) - Publishing a book is an exciting milestone, but rushing through the process or making uninformed decisions can lead to unnecessary setbacks. Many authors make common publishing mistakes that hurt their book’s success. Some can be great learning experiences, there are some mistakes you just can’t come back from or make “go away.” Your corrected or
- [A 4-Step Guide to Mastering the Book Publishing Process](https://thewritersally.com/articles/from-blank-page-to-bestseller-a-4-step-guide-to-mastering-the-publishing-process/) - Overwhelmed by the book publishing process? Learn the 4 essential steps to writing, editing, designing, and marketing your book with this actionable guide.
- [Building Conflict, Tension, and Character with the Children’s Book Guild--Nov. 21, 2024](https://thewritersally.com/articles/building-conflict-tension-and-character-with-the-childrens-book-guild-nov-21-2024/) - Join Harrison Demchick and the Children’s Book Guild of Washington, DC. at the K Street Busboys and Poets for the next installment in the Guild’s Speaker Series; “It’s the End of the World as We Know It and I Feel Fine: Why Character, Consequence, and Reaction are Necessary for Conflict and Tension.” Harrison is a
- [Join Ally at the Delight in Writing Retreat--Monkton, Maryland, Nov. 16, 2024](https://thewritersally.com/articles/join-ally-at-the-delight-in-writing-retreat-in-maryland-nov-16-2024/) - If you’re a dedicated writer—local to the Maryland area—looking to shake things up in this season of transition, then you might want to consider joining Ally for a day dedicated to writing at the historic Manor Mill in Baltimore County, Maryland, on November 16th, 2024. The “DELIGHT in WRITING: A DAY of ONE’S OWN” Writer’s
- [Overcoming Fear in Writing: Insights from Neuroscience](https://thewritersally.com/articles/overcoming-fear-in-writing-insights-from-neuroscience-coaching/) - As a writer, growth is rarely a straightforward or simple process. Navigating the challenges that arise in pursuit of any goal—personal or professional—requires courage and resilience, and very few succeed to the utmost extent without a willingness to both seek out and accept support. Ally has spent many years working tirelessly towards her own goals,
- [Self-Publishing Success with Ally Machate and the MWA North Baltimore Chapter – Aug. 24, 2024](https://thewritersally.com/articles/self-publishing-success-with-ally-machate-and-the-mwa-north-baltimore-chapter-aug-24-2024/) - With so many options, it can be difficult to navigate your way to self-publishing success. But if you want great results, you need to get real! Ally Machate joins the North Baltimore Chapter of the Maryland Writer’s Association on August 24th to present “5 Steps to Self-Publishing Success: Creating a Plan that’s Right for You” Ally Machate joins the North Baltimore Chapter of the MWA on August 24th to present “5 Steps to Self-Publishing Success."
- [3 Keys To Sell More Books with Ally Machate and the MWA Lower Eastern Shore](https://thewritersally.com/articles/3-keys-to-sell-more-books-with-ally-machate-and-the-mwa-lower-eastern-shore/) - When you have big dreams, the right plan is essential. You don’t want to just try every book marketing tactic you read about and “see what sticks.” You can’t copy other authors and expect the same results. And if you don’t have the right pieces in place first—if you don’t have a strong “conversion funnel”
- [Sell More Books with Ally Machate and the MWA Cumberland Chapter - Sept. 20, 2023](https://thewritersally.com/articles/sell-more-books-with-ally-machate-and-the-mwa-cumberland-chapter-sept-20-2023/) - Are you a motivated author struggling to expand your book sales? Do you have ideas that just don’t seem to reach your ideal audience or are you attempting to turn your audience into customers with frustratingly little success? Are you interested in learning how to market yourself and your work in a way that sells?
- [Writing the right book on "Gina Gardiner & Friends"](https://thewritersally.com/articles/writing-the-right-book-on-gina-gardiner-friends/) - If you're thinking about writing a book to help grow your business, follow this link to visit Gina’s website and give her podcast a listen.
- [From Ideas to Stories at AwesomeCon 2023](https://thewritersally.com/articles/from-ideas-to-stories-at-awesomecon-2023/) - The muse. The spark. The light bulb. Often the idea of conceiving a story is boiled down to these moments of inspiration--these ideas. An idea, though, is not a story--it's only the starting point. And the great challenge any writer faces is learning not only how to come up with these ideas, but then how to craft, build, and shape them into fleshed-out, fully formed, start-to-finish stories. Returning for a fourth year to AwesomeCon 2023, the editors and authors at The Writer's Ally bring you a panel discussion on the process by which those original concepts grow and develop into the books, films, graphic novels, and plays--the stories--we all know and love. (READ MORE)
- [How to Write a Winning Book Proposal with Ally Machate and MWA South Baltimore - Aug. 9, 2023](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-write-a-winning-book-proposal-with-ally-machate-and-mwa-south-baltimore-aug-9-2023/) - It has long been the case that nonfiction writers, instead of penning a complete manuscript, could sell their ideas based solely on well-developed book proposals. An extended marketing pitch, the book proposal is a unique document that any writer of nonfiction must master. Join Ally Machate and learn how editors and agents evaluate potential acquisitions and what your proposal must contain to get the coveted attention of these publishing professionals. This talk will teach you what goes into a contract-winning book proposal, where to find important information, and how to evaluate your own material to ensure you’re presenting your project—and yourself—in the best possible light. (READ MORE)
- [Ally Helps you Flourish as an Editorial Entrepreneur at the 2023 EFA Conference!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-helps-you-flourish-as-an-editorial-entrepreneur-at-the-2023-efa-conference/) - Calling all freelance editorial professionals and entrepreneurs! The Editorial Freelancers Association Conference arrives in Washington, DC August 17th-19th, offering particpants an engaging assortment of experienced presenters and panelists and a unique opportunity for professional development. Solo presentations and discussions panels alike will cover a vast array of topic areas, and Ally Machate of The Writer’s Ally is pleased to participate in two sessions this year, both of which are open to all Conference attendees. (READ MORE)
- [Ally Machate on "Blowing Up" by Mirasee FM](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-machate-on-blowing-up-by-mirasee-fm/) - Interested in learning about all the different ways a book can bring in revenue? Well, we have the perfect listen for you! Tune in to this interview with our Founder & CEO Ally Machate on Blowing Up by Mirasee FM, a podcast that explores how successful entrepreneurs find and turn that one key to ignite their business growth. (READ MORE)
- ["Which Editor Do You Need?" at the Washington Writers Conference - May 13, 2023](https://thewritersally.com/articles/which-editor-do-you-need-at-the-washington-writers-conference-may-13-2023/) - Please join us on Saturday, May 13th, 2023 at 8 am for the Washington Writer's Conference. This event will be held at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center at 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville, MD 20852. We are hosting an amazing panel of experts focusing on the alarming rise in book banning, and what we as authors can do to push back against this trend. One of the panelists includes our very own Ally Machate. (READ MORE)
- [Sell More Books with Targeted Cover Copy](https://thewritersally.com/articles/sell-more-books-with-targeted-cover-copy/) - I recently posted an article about how target audience should influence your book’s cover copy, aimed at nonfiction authors. But novelists and memoirists also need to know how you can sell more books with targeted cover copy, meaning that you are providing an intriguing summary of your book’s plot and themes that takes your target audience into account. Before we dive in, a brief note on why I’m lumping fiction and memoir together, even though memoir is nonfiction. Memoir is a story about something that really happened. Fiction is a story about something made-up. But both types of books involve creating a compelling narrative with themes, story arcs, and character arcs. Prescriptive nonfiction (self-help, business, etc.) might contain some anecdotes but ultimately those books are not narratives. Therefore, you’ll see that copy for fiction and memoir relies on narrative devices or story details to intrigue book browsers, whereas other types of nonfiction typically rely on highlighting benefits to the reader. This is an important distinction to understand. (READ MORE)
- [How Target Audience Should Influence Your Book’s Cover Copy](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-target-audience-should-influence-your-books-cover-copy/) - When I speak to nonfiction writers, I talk a lot about the importance of identifying the correct target audience for your book. Many authors understand that knowing your target audience is a crucial factor in planning your book’s content, but do you know how target audience should influence your book’s cover copy as well? (READ MORE)
- [Get Your Brain on Straight with MWA Annapolis, Feb. 15, 2023](https://thewritersally.com/articles/mwa-annapolis-get-your-brain-on-straight/) - As humans, we’re predisposed to underestimate how long it takes to do something, or how hard it is. Make that human an author, and the degree to which your expectations tend to be out of alignment with reality grows exponentially. In this talk, we’ll explore why the right mindset is your #1 key to having an enjoyable author experience and how getting your brain on straight can make or break the success of your book. You’ll get the skinny on some of the biggest misconceptions about what it takes to write and publish successfully and advice on how to shift into a “success mindset” that will help you achieve all of your dreams and goals. (READ MORE)
- [Your Book, Your Choice: 3 Proven Paths to Publication with the MWA, Feb. 11, 2023](https://thewritersally.com/articles/your-book-your-choice-3-proven-paths-to-publication-with-the-mwa-feb-11-2023/) - Dreaming of “getting published?” With many options for bringing books to market, how do you choose the way that’s most aligned with you and your goals? This in-depth presentation reveals how traditional and self-publishing paths work, what kind of projects are best suited to each (as well as an underappreciated third way to publish), and the decision-making shortcuts that will help you identify which of the 3 proven paths to publication is ideal for you. You’ll also learn insider secrets to getting a book deal (and why you might be better off without one), how to avoid common publishing mistakes that waste your time (and money), why doing everything yourself can either be a mistake or your best option, and more. (READ MORE)
- [How to Write About the Pandemic (or Not)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-write-about-the-pandemic-or-not/) - Harrison Demchick offers insightful tips on how to write about the pandemic without directly writing about masks and shutdowns. (READ MORE)
- [Get Your Brain On Straight: Cultivating A Success Mindset - SelfPubHub, May 8, 2022](https://thewritersally.com/articles/get-your-brain-on-straight-cultivating-a-success-mindset-selfpubhub-may-8-2022/) - It is time to take your vision from Brain to Bookshelf. You've had that wonderful idea for a book percolating in your head, now it’s time to take the steps and learn the skills and tools you need to take it from just an idea to a book beautifully displayed on a bookshelf. (READ MORE)
- [Writing To Market: How to Write Smarter and Sell More Books Easily](https://thewritersally.com/articles/writing-to-market-how-to-write-smarter-and-sell-more-books-easily/) - Whenever an author suggests writing to market in an open forum, you’ll often find some version of “You’re selling out” in the replies. In reality, writing to market is simply considering your audience before you write. This will enable you to release a book to fans and readers who want to pick it up versus launching and hoping for the best. (READ MORE)
- [Plotting Literary Fiction](https://thewritersally.com/articles/quiet-connections-the-role-of-causation-and-plot-structure-in-literary-fiction/) - So many resources you’ll find on writing plot focus on genre fiction, which can be confusing if you're writing a quieter story like with literary fiction. Causation is fundamental in character-driven literary fiction too, but it doesn’t look the same. It’s subtler. It’s quieter. So how do the mechanics of plot relate to plotting literary fiction? (READ MORE)
- [The Best Way to Start Your Story Type](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-best-way-to-start-your-story-type/) - It’s an oversimplification, but also very much a truism, to suggest that starting a story is difficult. But you’re not just beginning a story. You’re beginning your story. What does that mean? What’s the difference?(READ MORE)
- [The Maze: How to Be Specifically Ambiguous in Fiction](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-maze-how-to-be-specifically-ambiguous-in-fiction/) - Sometimes you want to add a little mystery for your readers, but are you being mysterious or just frustratingly vague? Harrison Demchick has written a fantastic piece for Writers Helping Writers that will point you in the right direction and make sure you find the right balance between specific detail and ambiguity. In this blog post titled "The Maze: How to Be Specifically Ambiguous in Fiction," he explains how to be cryptic without being oblique in keeping your writing mysterious. (READ MORE)
- [Get Off Your Draft at AwesomeCon - Aug. 22, 2021](https://thewritersally.com/articles/get-off-your-draft-at-awesomecon-aug-22-2021/) - For the second time, our very own Harrison Demchick was invited to AwesomeCon to moderate a panel presented by The Writer's Ally. Along with a number of fellow editors and author clients, the panel discussion focused on completing your draft and moving forward with the publication of your novel. (READ MORE)
- [Polishing for Publication Webinar -- hosted by AutoCrit, Aug. 2021](https://thewritersally.com/articles/polishing-for-publication-webinar-hosted-by-autocrit-aug-2021/) - Award-winning editor and expert book consultant Ally Machate joins host Autocrit and sponsor BookBaby to examine the most common problems that leave otherwise promising books languishing at the bottom of the slush pile… forever. (READ MORE)
- [How to Write a Great First Sentence and Nail Your Opening](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-write-a-great-first-sentence-and-nail-your-opening/) - In the process of writing a novel or memoir—or anything, really—no single sentence is more outright intimidating than the first. It isn’t easy to figure out how to write a great first sentence. (READ MORE)
- [Polishing Your Work for Publication - Mt. Diablo California Writers Club, Nov. 13, 2021](https://thewritersally.com/articles/mt-diablo-california-writers-club-olishing-your-work-for-publication-nov-13-2021/) - Our very own Ally Machate will be sharing how to Polish your Work for Publication via the California Writer's Club – Mt. Diablo Branch Meeting on November 13th. Join us to explore the most common problems that plague written works and identify simple yet effective ways to resolve them.
- [How to Improve Your First Chapter by Eliminating Hidden Exposition](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-improve-your-first-chapter-by-eliminating-hidden-exposition/) - One of the most common questions novelists have is how to improve your first chapter. And one of the biggest pitfalls in the opening pages of a novel or memoir is exposition. Most exposition comes in the form of explanation or back story—often a dump of information (aka an “info dump”) that, though intended to
- [How to Write a Captivating Book Proposal](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-write-a-captivating-book-proposal/) - Pitching your work to agents and publishers can be easy if you know how to write a captivating book proposal.
- [Building the Perfect Draft - Maryland Writers Conference, Oct. 16, 2021](https://thewritersally.com/articles/building-the-perfect-draft/) - It is time to take your vision from Brain to Bookshelf. You've had that wonderful idea for a book percolating in your head, now it’s time to take the steps and learn the skills and tools you need to take it from just an idea to a book beautifully displayed on a bookshelf. (READ MORE)
- [Why You Don’t Suck: An Editor’s Guide](https://thewritersally.com/articles/an-editors-guide-to-why-you-dont-suck/) - When writing a book, authors are often plagued with the question of does this suck? Do I suck? It is crucial that you remember that is probably not the case. (READ MORE)
- [Book Publicity vs Book Marketing: How to Know the Difference](https://thewritersally.com/articles/book-publicity-vs-book-marketing/) - What is the difference between book publicity and book marketing? You might find yourself asking: aren’t they the same thing? The answer is no—which may be surprising to most authors, as it is one of the most common misconceptions. It’s like saying butter and margarine are the same thing. Looks around the room wide-eyed…which they are not.
- [How to Sell More Books in 2021 - Women in Publishing Summit, Mar. 2021](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-sell-more-books-in-2021-women-in-publishing-summit-mar-2021/) - Our very own Ally Machate will be teaching attendees How to Sell More Books in 2021 via webinar during the Women in Publishing Summit. Come join us March 1-8, 2021 for a wild ride full of content-rich programming, supportive community hobnobbing, and more. (READ MORE)
- [How to Best Devise a Successful Book Marketing Strategy - Book Marketing Mentors Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-best-devise-a-successful-book-marketing-strategy-book-marketing-mentors-podcast/) - Do you want to know how to get successful marketing results? Listen in on this free podcast episode as our very own Ally Machate gives you the inside scoop on book marketing for success. (READ MORE)
- [Selling More Books with Goodreads -- New Hampshire Writers Project, Feb. 10, 2021](https://thewritersally.com/articles/selling-more-books-with-goodreads-new-hampshire-writers-project-feb-10-2021/) - Amazon may be the biggest online retailer of books, but Goodreads is where serious readers go to discover their next choice, share their opinions on what they’ve read, and connect with other fans. And wherever readers are gathering, authors will want to show up, too! (READ MORE)
- [How Authors Go From Shy to Sold -- MWA Cumberland, Feb. 17, 2021](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-authors-go-from-shy-to-sold-mwa-cumberland-feb-17-2021/) - Though self-publishing is always an option, this talk focuses on how writers generally approach the submission process. Find out who really decides what gets published, how to approach them without getting the proverbial door slammed in your face, and what these gatekeepers expect from you besides your very best work. (READ MORE)
- [After the First Draft: An Interview with Ally Machate](https://thewritersally.com/articles/after-the-first-draft-an-interview-with-ally-machate/) - So you've finally finished writing the first draft of your book. Now what comes after the first draft?Kitty Bucholtz of the Write Now Workshop and podcast recently interviewed our very own Ally Machate to find out how a professional editor recommends new writers approach their revision or self-editing process. (READ MORE)
- [Thinking Like an Editor - A Chat hosted by NaNoWriMo and AutoCrit, Nov. 23, 2020](https://thewritersally.com/articles/thinking-like-an-editor-a-chat-hosted-by-nanowrimo-and-autocrit-nov-23-2020/) - Our very own Ally Machate will be joining NaNoWriMo and Autocrit for a fun and informative discussion about how authors participating in National Novel Writing Month can learn to think like an editor when revising their drafts after November has ended. In this live-streamed conversation, you will learn: tips and tricks you can use to
- [How to Sell More Books In 2021 with the Maryland Writers Association - Jan. 23,  2021](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-sell-more-books-in-2021-with-the-maryland-writers-association-jan-23-2021/) - When you have big dreams, the right plan is essential. You don’t want to just try every book marketing tactic you read about and “see what sticks.” You can’t copy other authors and expect the same results. And if you don’t have the right pieces in place first—if you don’t have a strong “conversion funnel” turning browsers into buyers into subscribers who buy your future books—your promotional efforts will never create the results you desire, regardless. This talk will reveal the 3 best ways to start selling more books, with steps you can take right away. It will also help you avoid the biggest mistakes that can keep book sales at a slow trickle, explain what an effective (and simple!) book marketing plan can look like, and offer tips on creating your immediate plan without overwhelm. (READ MORE)
- [How to Market Your Book Minisummit - Nov. 16, 2020](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-market-your-book-minisummit-nov-16-2020/) - Ask most authors what their biggest challenge is, and you’ll hear either time, marketing, or both. Time is what it is—or what you make of it. But when it comes to how to market your book, what are some less-known, highly effective approaches? Cheri Merz at The Write Expert has gathered five experts, including our
- [How to End a Story: Three Ways to Nail Your Book’s Ending](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-end-a-story-three-ways-to-nail-your-books-ending/) - We’re mere weeks away now from the start of a new year. But if January is traditionally a time of new beginnings, December seems like the perfect opportunity to talk about endings, particularly how to end a story. It’s easy to lose sight of resolution when talking about narrative structure, because our focus is frequently on the inciting incident that sets the story into motion, and the rising action that covers the majority of the story, and certainly the excitement of the climax to which the rising action builds. In the process, we might forget about the two final components of narrative: falling action and denouement. Collectively, the resolution. (READ MORE)
- [How to Simplify Your Book Marketing Plan -- The Writer's Journey](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-simplify-your-book-marketing-plan-the-writers-journey/) - As if it weren't hard enough to write a great book, many authors find it a challenge to then learn how to market that book well. And market it, you must. But what does a good marketing plan even look like, and how can authors avoid the common pitfalls that leave so many overwhelmed, burnt out, and frustrated? Our own Ally Machate appeared recently on the December 19th episode of Keystroke Medium's "The Writer's Journey" live streaming show to discuss all this and more. (READ MORE)
- [Four Ways Underwriting Can Hurt Your Story and How to Fix It](https://thewritersally.com/articles/four-ways-underwriting-can-hurt-your-story-and-how-to-fix-it/) - Over the course of this series, we’ve learned what it means to show versus tell. We’ve discussed the significance of “show don’t tell” with respect to conflict and tension. And we’ve seen what happens when you show and tell simultaneously. But what happens when we fail both to show and to tell? (READ MORE)
- [Go from Shy to Sold with Ally and MWA Montgomery -Jan. 11, 2020](https://thewritersally.com/articles/go-from-shy-to-sold-with-ally-and-mwa-montgomery-jan-11-2020/) - The Maryland Writer’s Association chapter in Montgomery county will hold its monthly meeting on January 11, 2020 and our own Ally Machate will be talking with members about traditional publishing routes in her popular presentation, "From Shy to Sold: Querying, Proposing, and Getting Your Book Published." (READ MORE)
- [How to Revise A Book’s First Draft: 4 Helpful Tips](https://thewritersally.com/articles/4-ideas-to-help-authors-revise-a-books-first-draft/) - It would be great if our first drafts were the end of the hard work of writing. Unfortunately, the first draft is often the beginning. Our very own Harrison Demchick offers suggestions to help you revise a book’s first draft and tips for making the revision process easier in his guest post for The Creative Penn. (READ MORE)
- ["Write What You Know" Isn't What You Think](https://thewritersally.com/articles/write-what-you-know-isnt-what-you-think/) - "Write what you know" is one of the most common pieces of advice given to writers, but also one of the most easily misunderstood. Our own Harrison Demchick explores what we really mean, and what we should mean, when it comes to writing what you know in his guest post for Fiction University. (READ MORE)
- [3 Ways to Avoid Overwriting When You Show AND Tell](https://thewritersally.com/articles/three-ways-to-avoid-showing-and-telling/) - We know that it’s wise in writing to show versus tell. But in my experience as a book editor, I’ve long observed that one of the greatest challenges faced by any author is getting outside their own head to determine what and how much information readers need to understand a story as intended.In other words: How much do you show? How much do you tell? How do you know when you’ve shown enough? (READ MORE)
- [Sell More Books with Ally and MWA MoCo - July 13, 2019](https://thewritersally.com/articles/sell-more-books-with-ally-and-mwa-moco-july-13-2019/) - Join Ally and the MWA Montgomery County Chapter as we explore "3 Best Ways to Sell More Books." This talk will reveal three of the best ways to start selling more books, with steps you can take right now. It will also help you avoid the biggest mistakes that can keep book sales at a slow trickle, show you what an effective (and simple!) book marketing plan can look like, and offer tips on creating your plan without overwhelm. (READ MORE)
- [Ally Helps Editors to Help More Authors at EFA Conference - Aug. 21-23, 2019](https://thewritersally.com/articles/efa-conference-2019/) - The 2019 EFA Conference gathers freelance editors, writers, indexers, translators, and other editorial professionals to network with colleagues and develop professionally—a rare opportunity for those who work as solo entrepreneurs. We expect to attract more than 200 editorial freelancers from across North America and abroad. (READ MORE)
- [Sell More Books with Street Teams - Nonfiction Writers Conference - May 8-10, 2019](https://thewritersally.com/articles/sell-more-books-with-street-teams-nonfiction-writers-conference-may-8-10-2019/) - So many writing conferences are heavily weighted toward novelists and memoirists. Not this one. Join Ally and the Nonfiction Authors Association for the 9th annual Nonfiction Writers Conference, happening May 8-10, 2019. (READ MORE)
- [Revising Your NaNoWriMo Manuscript? Just "Ask The Editor"](https://thewritersally.com/articles/revising-your-nanowrimo-manuscript-just-ask-the-editor/) - Once National Novel Writing Month, aka November, is over, what do you do with those 50,000+ words you worked so hard to drop onto the page? How do you go about revising your NaNoWriMo manuscript, which, depending on your experience and approach, may be an extremely raw draft?
- [Choosing the Right Editorial Service for You - Washington Writers Conference - May 11, 2019](https://thewritersally.com/articles/choosing-the-right-editorial-service-for-you-washington-writers-conference-may-11-2019/) - Do you want practical publishing advice but aren’t ready to pitch to agents or meet with experts? Need help with choosing the right editorial service to prepare your draft? This year, the Washington Writers Conference is also for you! (READ MORE)
- [NaNoWriMo Revisions? No Problem.](https://thewritersally.com/articles/nanowrimo-revisions-no-problem/) - Completing a draft in just 30 days is satisfying and thrilling, but for most participants, it’s just the beginning. Even “plotters” who write to an outline during NaNoWriMo will end up with a pretty rough draft—that’s par for the course. Post-NaNoWriMo revisions are key if you want to end up with an actual novel instead of just 50,000 words. (READ MORE)
- [How to Fix Common POV Mistakes](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-fix-common-pov-mistakes/) - There’s no such thing as the best point of view or the correct point of view. There’s only the point of view that best fits the author’s intent for the story they mean to tell. So anything can work, but that doesn’t mean everything does. Want to know how to spot some of the most common POV mistakes and how to fix them? (READ MORE)
- [We're Taking Over AwesomeCon 2019](https://thewritersally.com/articles/were-taking-over-awesomecon-2019/) - It’s that time of year again, let’s get awesome for AwesomeCon! And this year, The Writer's Ally is thrilled to host an entire panel discussion on the revision process that follows the first draft, featuring editors and published authors who have been through it. The panel will be moderated by team editor Harrison Demchick and will also feature team editor Lauren Moore as well as our awesome clients William "Bill" Ray and Lia Mack. (READ MORE)
- [How to Write the Best First Chapter](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-write-the-best-first-chapter/) - Any author of fiction or memoir has wondered how to write the best first chapter. [Writing nonfiction? This other article is for you!] Perhaps the most common answer is one we’ve all heard at one time or another: Start with action. Start fast. Begin with a bang. The rationale is that if your novel doesn’t grab the agent to which you’ve submitted it, or the reader sampling it on Amazon, they probably won’t buy it. In short, if you don't write the best first chapter possible for your story, everything else you’ve written might not even matter. (READ MORE)
- [How to Decide if You Need a Literary Agent and Where to Find One](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-decide-if-you-need-a-literary-agent-and-where-to-find-one/) - The modern world offers us many ways to share our content, but if you’ve been thinking about going the “traditional” publishing route with your book, there are some things you should know. And the first is that you must decide if you need a literary agent to represent you before you even approach publishers. (READ MORE)
- [All About Literary Agents -The SkillBites Show - Feb 2020](https://thewritersally.com/articles/all-about-literary-agents-the-skillbites-show-feb-2020/) - On February 19, 2020, Ally was invited to be the guest expert for an interview on The SkillBites Show podcast. Are you an author seeking a literary agent? Are you hoping to get a book deal with a publisher? Then this podcast episode is for you! (READ MORE)
- [MWA Writing Conference - Mar. 28-29, 2020](https://thewritersally.com/articles/mwa-writing-conference-mar-28-29-2020/) - Ally is part of this year's MWA writing conference and will be speaking on Saturday, March 28th about how to "Get More Book Reviews, Sell More Books." (READ MORE)
- [Harrison to Speak on Panels at Arisia 2020](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-to-speak-on-panels-at-arisia-2020/) - Each January for over 30 years, the Arisia convention has brought together fans from around the world to celebrate the best and brightest stars in the science fiction and fantasy genres. And Arisia 2020 will be bringing our own Harrison Demchick to Boston to share wisdom, advice, and tips on a variety of writing topics. (READ MORE)
- [How to Show Stronger Conflict, Increase Tension, and Write a Better Story](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-show-stronger-conflict-increase-tension-and-write-a-better-story/) - In our series on the nature of cause and effect, we discussed the importance of writing compelling conflict and utilizing techniques that increase tension. We know that conflict and tension provide the energy in a narrative by establishing the obstacles and consequences that give readers cause to wonder,“What happens next?” This is the question that keeps them turning pages. But what makes conflict and tension convincing and credible? And what prevents it from being so? (READ MORE)
- [Point of View Is About More than Pronouns--Maryland Writers Conference, March 29-31](https://thewritersally.com/articles/point-of-view-is-about-more-than-pronouns-maryland-writers-conference-march-29-31/) - The Maryland Writers' Association will hold its Annual Conference in a week and we are happy to announce that our very own Harrison Demchick will be presenting an intensive session on POV and perspective.
- [Fearless Success Summit for Writers Starts Now!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/fearless-success-summit-for-writers-starts-now/) - It’s no secret: becoming a successful writer is one of the most challenging ambitions anyone can have. Enter the Fearless Success Summit for Writers, a free virtual training series that Ally is part of along with 20+ other industry experts. (READ MORE)
- [Show, Don't Tell: How to Exploit it in 3 Practical Ways](https://thewritersally.com/articles/show-dont-tell-how-to-exploit-it-in-3-practical-ways/) - Show, don’t tell. There is no more commonly quoted creative writing rule or guideline. It’s the first lesson given to every novice writer. It’s one of the most frequent comments made by a book editor like me. (READ MORE)
- [RavenCon 2019 Keeping Harrison Busy--April 5-7, 2019](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-ravencon-april-5-7-2019/) - RavenCon, the Convention of Opportunity, returns to Williamsburg, Virginia with over 300 hours of programming in one action-packed weekend! And Harrison will be there dishing out wisdom and tips for authors. (READ MORE)
- [How to Be Clear Without Losing Your Unique Writing Style](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-be-clear-without-losing-your-unique-writing-style/) - There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with trying to be artful and eloquent in your writing style. But as a book editor, I’ve more than once worked with authors who let their need to be literary, or dramatic, or emphatic undercut rather than complement their stories. Like all of us, these are writers seeking out their narrative voice and unique writing style. Yet in the process, they’ve forgotten a basic truism of writing: The primary purpose of all writing is to convey information. It sounds pretty boring when you put it like that, but it’s true. Writing is meant to convey ideas to readers. Writing style conveys information too, but it’s important that you don’t let your stylistic choices confuse the substance of your words or your story.So, here are 5 tips to help you navigate the tightrope between writing style and clarity. (READ MORE)
- [Choosing the Right Editorial Service for You with MWA's Baltimore Chapter -- Feb. 28, 2019](https://thewritersally.com/articles/choosing-the-right-editorial-service-for-you-with-mwas-baltimore-chapter-feb-28-2019/) - Every year, more than a million books are published. To get an edge against these overwhelming odds, many writers hire freelance editors to review their manuscripts. How does one choose the right editorial service?Join Ally as she guides you through "Choosing the Right Editorial Service for You" with the MWA Baltimore Chapter. Read More...
- [Don’t Abandon Your Book – Edit & Revise It! Webinar with NaNoWriMo and AutoCrit](https://thewritersally.com/articles/dont-abandon-your-book-edit-revise-it/) - Join expert publishing consultant Ally Machate for a special webcast hosted jointly by NaNoWriMo and AutoCrit as we explore how to move your manuscript toward completion and publication. We'll talk about taking those next steps with your draft, including how to approach your revision process, what it looks like to work through a book with an aim toward publication, and more. (READ MORE)
- [Get More Book Reviews, Sell More Books with Ally and MWA Carroll County--February 9, 2019](https://thewritersally.com/articles/get-more-book-reviews-sell-more-books-with-ally-and-mwa-carroll-county-february-9-2019/) - It may seem like the first step for any author is to try and sell books, but in fact, if you haven’t already gotten at least 25 4- and 5- star reviews on Amazon, anyone who lands on your sales page is unlikely to take the next step and buy your book. And that’s not the only thing that’s probably keeping you from making more sales. It’s all about having the right approach to listing and promoting your book in its first 30 days, a crucial window for engaging Amazon in promoting your book for you. I’ll show you how to do it. (READ MORE)
- [What Kind of Editor Are You? Celebrate 2018 with Ally and EFA's Maryland Chapter!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/efa-end-of-year-celebration/) - Please join the recently rebooted Maryland chapter of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) on Wednesday, December 19, for their last meeting of 2018. As a special treat, Ally will be leading a discussion about the various levels of editing we can provide to clients (developmental, line, copy, proofing, etc.), where and how we can each draw our own boundaries, and how to communicate that to clients. (READ MORE)
- [5 Undervalued Tips that Will Make Your Dialogue Stronger](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-undervalued-tips-that-will-make-your-dialogue-stronger/) - Dialogue is tricky. Some people happen to have an ear for the rhythm and cadences of human language. Some people don’t. If you want to make your dialogue stronger, though, there are techniques you can rely on to improve your written conversations. Dialogue is not only about the words within the quotation marks or the rhythm that guides them. If you’re looking for ways to make your dialogue stronger on the page, consider these five less-often discussed tips. (READ MORE)
- [Ally to Speak on Panels at Arisia 2019](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-to-speak-on-panels-at-arisia-2019/) - For the first time, Ally will be traveling to speak on panels at Arisia 2019! Arisia is a convention for fans of science fiction and fantasy, in all forms of media, held annually in January on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. They strive to uphold their commitment to creating a space for science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages, ethnicity, genders, abilities, and orientations to explore, learn, and just plain have fun. (READ MORE)
- [How to Make the Theme the Backbone of a Thrilling Story](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-make-theme-the-backbone-of-a-thrilling-story/) - Theme is one of the most nebulous concepts in writing—yet theme can also clarify your story. It can bring disparate concepts together. Some authors even write specifically to communicate a theme or message. As I’ve seen often in my work as a book editor, though, it’s not always easy to understand how to do that and do it effectively. So let’s see if we can wrap our hands and minds around one of writing’s subtlest components and learn how to use theme in your stories. (READ MORE)
- [Chessiecon 2018: The Rules of Writing and More with Harrison](https://thewritersally.com/articles/chessiecon-2018-the-rules-of-writing-and-more-with-harrison/) - Thrilled to return to this friendly and fun scifi/fantasy convention, our own Harrison Demchick attends Chessiecon 2018 to participate in numerous panels and is also returning as a guest judge for the infamous Turkey Awards. You’ll find him at the events below: (READ MORE)
- [How Can a Self-Published Author Get a Book Deal?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-can-a-self-published-author-get-a-book-deal/) - When I wrote my first parenting book in 2008, I was certain of two things: I’d never write anything but nonfiction, and, barring a full-blown miracle, I’d never get picked up by a literary agent or major publishing company. I know my cynical, pitiful attitude at the time is far from inspiring, but I’d been ignored and rejected by enough literary agents to resign myself to defeat. Fast-forward to 2018 and I have not one, but three books signed with a traditional publisher, and novels at that. How can a self-published author get a book deal? There are many factors, but I hope that in sharing my lessons learned I can begin to answer that question. (READ MORE)
- [How to Compile an Anthology That Boosts Your Business](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-compile-an-anthology-that-boosts-your-business/) - Anthologies can be a great way to save time while still publishing a book that achieves all the business-building benefits of any good nonfiction book, benefits like opening the door to more speaking gigs or attracting more ideal clients. But there's a real risk of investing time, energy, and money in a book that doesn’t get you any closer to your goals. In this guest post and the accompanying teleseminar (FREE to NFAA members), I'll guide you through some of the most important aspects of planning to compile an anthology. (READ MORE)
- [How to Compile an Anthology Book: NFAA Teleseminar, 10/3/18](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-compile-an-anthology-book-nfaa-teleseminar-10-3-18/) - Though I've been a professional book editor for many kinds of books, nonfiction has always had a special place in my heart. That's why I felt so honored when Stephanie Chandler of the Nonfiction Authors Association invited me to participate in a teleseminar discussing "How to Compile an Anthology Book." In this teleseminar, we'll discuss important considerations when working on an anthology, or collection, of short works such as... (READ MORE)
- [The Best Way to Use Conflict and Tension in Your Narrative](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-best-way-to-use-conflict-and-tension-in-your-narrative/) - Since the first part of this series back in June, we’ve come to understand that a compelling narrative requires cause and effect. But it needs something else as well: conflict and tension. It all comes back to the same question with which we started: What happens next? (READ MORE)
- [How to Revise and Improve Your Narrative Structure](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-revise-and-improve-your-narrative-structure/) - Through the last couple months, we’ve compared the causation that underlies narrative structure to a massive domino rally, filled with twists, turns, and dramatic moments set into motion through the tipping of a single domino. This is how narrative works: Each plot beat following the inciting incident is the effect of what precedes it and the cause of what follows. But what happens when you need to make changes? (READ MORE)
- [Perfect Your Author Platform at the Bay to Ocean Writers Conference -- March 9, 2019](https://thewritersally.com/articles/bay-to-ocean-writers-conference-march-9-2019/) - Driving down to the Eastern Shore in Maryland is something most people do during the summer. For Ally, it's become a familiar winter/early spring tradition! She's honored to be invited once again to speak at the Bay to Ocean Conference on March 9, 2019. (READ MORE)
- [The Possibilities Conference: Transforming Writers To Authors -- April 7, 2018](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-possibilities-conference-transforming-writers-to-authors-april-7-2018/) - What can you expect at the first annual Possibilities Conference? A full day of workshops and fun activities so you can leave fully equipped with the tools to help you be a more successful author. This conference focuses on what happens after the writing is done, and the focus has shifted to publishing and selling your book. To that end, we're excited to announce that our own Ally Machate will be one of the speakers, giving her popular presentation "5 Steps to Self-Publishing Success." (READ MORE)
- [Editors: Are You Working with Indie Authors Yet? EFA Webinar -- March 29, 2018](https://thewritersally.com/articles/working-with-indie-authors-efa-webinar-march-2018/) - The Editorial Freelancers Association will once again host my webinar, "Successful Self-Publishing from Both Sides." There's still time to register if you act fast! All registrants will receive access to the webinar's recording, so if you can't make it live, don't let that stop you from upping your game if you're working with indie authors already or just thinking about how you can serve a wider variety of clients in the digital age. And don't worry, I'm happy to respond to your questions via email after you've listened ;-) (READ MORE)
- [How to Get the Best Results from 99Designs for Great Book Covers](https://thewritersally.com/articles/99designs-for-great-book-covers/) - When I finished my first book, I was exhausted with the whole project. I put together some simple cover art with the help of a few friends and posted it up for sale. The cover I had was serviceable, but it looked like history, or historical fiction, rather than fantasy, and it didn’t scale well at Amazon’s thumbnail size. Sales were sluggish. With a second book in the series nearly finished, I knew I needed a unified and more professional look. I needed a professional who could design great book covers. That’s where 99Designs came in. (READ MORE)
- [Self-Publishing Success at Maryland Writers Conference - March 2018](https://thewritersally.com/articles/self-publishing-success-maryland-writers-conference-march-2018/) - I’ve been an active member of the Maryland Writers’ Association for several years now, and so it’s with great pleasure that I will be participating as a speaker at this year’s Maryland Writers Conference. The MWA is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a two-day event. That means double the networking, double the fun, and double the amount of excellent information for authors of all levels. This year’s conference features screenwriter and consultant to the stars Michael Hauge, known for his motivational writing workshops; the Poet Laureate of Maryland Stanley Plumly presenting a half-day workshop, and award-winning thriller writer John Gilstrap. Agent pitches, keynote talks at breakfast and lunch on Saturday, panels and workshops. This is one conference you won’t want to miss. (READ MORE)
- [Point of View in Fiction at AwesomeCon 2018](https://thewritersally.com/articles/point-of-view-in-fiction-awesomecon-2018/) - It’s that time of year again—let's get awesome for AwesomeCon! The Washington convention center this year features celebrity guests Ben Savage from the comedy series Dear John and Charisma Carpenter of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, just to name a few. And that makes us doubly excited! Because our very own Harrison Demchick will join these beloved actors and other esteemed panelists when he returns to speak to writers at this year's event giving his popular talk "A Matter of Perspective: Point of View in Fiction." (READ MORE)
- [Howard County Authors Networking Event and Presentation -- April 12, 2018](https://thewritersally.com/articles/howard-county-authors-networking-event-and-presentation/) - One of the most important things any new writer can do is network with other writers. Good thing it's so much fun! Come network and enjoy a potluck evening with drinks at the Power of Three Alumni "Authors' Happy Hour" on Thursday, April 12, 2018 and you'll learn while you linger: Our own Ally Machate will be a guest speaker talking about "Polishing Your Work for Publication." (READ MORE)
- [All About Ghostwriting with MWA Annapolis -- Feb. 21, 2018](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ghostwriting-mwa-annapolis/) - Thinking about other ways to make an income from your writing? Interested in being a part of book projects that can change lives? Maybe ghostwriting is right for you. The Maryland Writers’ Association Annapolis Chapter will hold its first meeting of the year this coming February 21, 2018 and I am happy to announce that I will be talking about this topic in my presentation, "Ghostwriting: Secret and Not-so-secret Collaborations." (READ MORE)
- [3 Keys to the Best Writer's Retreat for You](https://thewritersally.com/articles/3-keys-to-the-best-writers-retreat-for-you/) - When I started writing my first novel, I signed up for a local weekend writer’s retreat. Don’t ask me where I got the nerve, as I had been a “closet writer” up until that point. Yet there I was, out of my closet, sitting with other writers, writing with other writers, learning about the craft of writing with other writers. Even admitting to being a writer! It was a weekend of total writing immersion and a pivotal point in my writing career. I’m not sure where I’d be today if I hadn’t taken that first real step toward taking myself seriously as a writer. Still in my closet? (READ MORE)
- [How to Quickly Boost Holiday Book Sales](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-quickly-boost-holiday-book-sales/) - This month we welcome as our guest blogger TWA pal Tina Dietz, a true ally to writers who are publishing an audio version of their book and a superstar expert on all things audio (and more!). Read on for 13 excellent ideas on how to boost holiday book sales this season and beyond for your books in all formats. Don't forget to share with your friends to earn serious brownie points (with them and with us ) and leave a comment with your thoughts—we want to know your opinion! Holiday marketing is already well underway, but it’s not too late to put into place some simple ways to boost your book sales over the holidays, particularly if you’ve got your books on Amazon. (READ MORE)
- [How to Form and Use a Book Marketing Street Team -- APSS Webinar, 11/14/17](https://thewritersally.com/articles/form-and-use-book-marketing-street-team-webinar-apss/) - Though a lot of our marketing efforts have moved online, many authors still use a "street team" to help promote their books. This collaborative effort can be a powerful way to boost your signal! Join me as I team up with the Association of Publishers for Special Sales (APSS) for a FREE webinar on November 14th, 2017 at 6pm Eastern. I will be presenting a new talk, Forming and Using a Book Marketing "Street Team." In this presentation, you'll learn what a street team is, how to assemble and coordinate the right team for your book, and some best practices and tips on how to leverage this tactic effectively. READ MORE
- [Harrison Returns to ChessieCon - November 2017](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-returns-chessiecon-november-2017/) - ChessieCon is going to have its annual workshop this coming November and we are very excited to announce that our very own Harrison Demchick is one of the guests. Harrison will be participating in numerous panels and is also returning as a guest judge for the Turkey Awards. If you're heading to ChessieCon, check out Harrison at the following sessions: Friday, 24th of November 04:15 PM - 05:15 PM Summoning your muse -- Where Writers Get Ideas Non-writers often ask authors about this, as if writers have access to some secret stash of story fodder. The panel will divulge their methods for coming up with story ideas, and for passing the time until some come along. Harrison will be joined by fellow authors Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Meg Eden, Alanna Morland, and Jay Smith. (READ MORE)
- [Everything Could Possibly Go Wrong in Atlanta - September 30, 2017](https://thewritersally.com/articles/everything-possibly-go-wrong-atlanta-september-30-2017/) - Our very own Harrison Demchick will be visiting with the Atlanta Writers Club on September 30th, 2017. Any aspiring author knows, or learns fast, how difficult it is to complete a manuscript. But it can be easy to overlook the equal challenges--or perhaps even greater challenges--that follow in the course of revision. In "Everything Could Possibly Go Wrong: An Odd but Practical Journey through the Art of Revision," developmental editor, author, and screenwriter Harrison Demchick will explore... (READ MORE)
- [How to Rely on the Unreliable Narrator](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-rely-on-the-unreliable-narrator/) - In the first post of this four-part series, I wrote about focus in point of view and how a first-person narrator often establishes the reader as a confidante of the protagonist—maybe even a friend. But what happens when your friend is lying to you? In such an instance, you may be dealing with what we call an unreliable narrator. An unreliable narrator can be tricky to understand and trickier still to write effectively. The basic concept is this: An unreliable narrator is one capable of lying to the reader or, often, themselves. Either way, they present a worldview that may not be exactly consistent with the objective reality of the story and the world in which they live. (READ MORE)
- [How to Exploit Uncommon Points of View in Your Novel](https://thewritersally.com/articles/exploit-uncommon-points-of-view-novel/) - In the first installment of my series on point of view, I discussed the benefits of limitation. But the truth is, though limitation can be advantageous, there are infinite ways in which a story might be told. This is as true of point of view as it is of any other aspect of writing. So in this fourth and final piece of the series, we’ll look at a few uncommon points of view and consider what they are, why they aren’t discussed as often as other perspectives, and how they might be useful. Back in college, I decided to write a short story in what I called “first-person omniscient point of view.” The concept was that the story would be written from the first-person perspective of, basically, a god—a character who could see and relate the thoughts of those around him. I didn’t do it very well, but a couple contemporary authors have. Marcus Zusak wrote The Book Thief from the perspective of Death. Alice Sebold’s narrator in The Lovely Bones is a ghost. Both characters have the power of omniscience, rare in a first-person narrative, but both authors made it work. (READ MORE)
- [How to Turn the Tables on Your Broken Outline](https://thewritersally.com/articles/broken-outline-outlining-a-book/) - They say the best way to get from where you are to where you want to go is to map it out. For authors, this means outlining a book before you start writing it. But what happens when you do start writing and realize you’re not following the outline, or that you are but the content isn’t coming together the way you thought it would? (READ MORE)
- [Putting the Freedom Back in Freelance: 12th Annual Communication Central Conference - September 2017](https://thewritersally.com/articles/putting-the-freedom-back-in-freelance-communication-central-conference-september-2017/) - I am very happy to announce that I will return once again to speak at the Communication Central Conference. This September marks this wonderful event's 12th year. If you're a freelance editorial professional and you haven't been to Communication Central Conference yet, you're really missing out! In addition to several tracks of useful, actionable information that can help you do more of what you love for better rates and with fewer headaches, the conference is a great opportunity to network with your peers. I always have a great time chatting with old friends and meeting new editors and writers. (READ MORE)
- [How to Write Clear Action for Better Scenes](https://thewritersally.com/articles/write-clear-action-for-better-scenes/) - We're thrilled to announce the publication of "How to Write Your Characters' Actions with Clarity," our own Harrison Demchick's latest article for Helping Writers Become Authors. The article addresses how to write clear action for better scenes. In particular, it looks at some of the challenges you create for your readers when you don't know how to write clear action for your characters. (Read More)
- [Howard County Writing Workshop (MWA) - July 20, 2017](https://thewritersally.com/articles/howard-county-writing-workshop-mwa-july-20-2017/) - Are you working on a sci-fi novel? Fantasy, Horror, Mystery or Thriller? If you want to make sure you are on the right track, join the Maryland Writers' Association - Howard County Chapter workshop led by our very own Harrison Demchick. (Read More)
- [How to Outline Your Way to a Better, Stronger Book](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-outline-your-way-to-a-better-stronger-book/) - Pay attention to the best stories, and you’ll notice how (unlike life) they flow smoothly from start to finish, with the only interruptions provided (intentionally) to challenge the characters. Pay attention to the best nonfiction, and you’ll notice something similar: it starts by explaining the context to orient you, musters the knowledge you’ll need to understand the author’s argument, and then guides you smoothly through a logical sequence that lets you grasp the author’s argument and decide whether it persuades. In both cases, the author clearly knew where they were going, and wrote in a way that would get you to that destination efficiently. (Read More)
- [AwesomeCon 2017: Harrison Returns](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-returns-to-awesomecon-2017/) - Our very own Harrison Demchick, developmental editor specializing in adult fiction across many genres, will be returning once again to AwesomeCon for AwesomeCon 2017! The Washington convention center this year features celebrity guests like Felicia Day and the entire cast of The Guild, both David Tennant and Catherine Tate of Doctor Who, John Barrowman of the American drama series Arrow, Cartoonist, self-publisher, and award-winning art director John Gallagher, Khary Payton, latest addition to AMC’s The Walking Dead, to name a few.
- [Ally Experiments at Atlanta Writers Conference – May 12, 2017](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-atlanta-writers-conference-may-12-2017-2/) - I'm always excited when I get the opportunity to speak to a new community of writers. And so the 16th Atlanta Writers Conference was super fun, for all the usual reasons, plus the whole "newness" thing. But not only was it a new community for me, I also tried out a few new things with my talks. (READ MORE)
- [How to Choose the Best Point of View for Your Story’s Purpose](https://thewritersally.com/articles/best-point-of-view-for-your-storys-purpose/) - How do we determine the best point of view to use in any given story? Suppose a story in which two people are having lunch at a café. Suppose neither knows that there is a ticking bomb underneath the table. Should we tell the reader or not? This is the underlying concept of the Bomb Theory defined by the great film director Alfred Hitchcock. And it also speaks to the way in which our purpose in our storytelling guides our point of view. (READ MORE)
- [How to Write Better Fiction Using Limited Point of View](https://thewritersally.com/articles/better-fiction-using-limited-point-of-view/) - Fiction can send us to worlds without limitation. But what if I were to tell you that limited point of view can actually help your writing? Today, we’re going to use this concept as the springboard for a brand new series of posts on point of view. Specifically, we’re going to explore how other points of view utilize limitation to enhance the experience of reading a novel. (READ MORE)
- [3 Secrets Shrewd Writers Know About Publishing Too Soon](https://thewritersally.com/articles/publishing-too-soon/) - So often would-be authors are consumed by the task of deciding what their book should be about, how they're going to publish it, and other similar questions. But one of the quickest ways to kill a book project of any type right out of the gate is to write and publish too soon. Yes, that's right. There is such a thing as publishing too soon. You can avoid the agony of getting caught in this situation by embracing these "insider" secrets. (READ MORE)
- [A 3-Part Peak Performance On Book Writing -- Peak Performers Podcast, 2017](https://thewritersally.com/articles/a-3-part-peak-performance-on-book-writing-peak-performers-podcast-2017/) - When you're self-employed, peak performance is hugely important—after all, the success of your business is entirely up to you. It's an ongoing subject of interest for me, something I learned a ton about while collaborating with the intrepid Commander Mark Divine on The Way of the SEAL, and something I continue to study. For me, peak performance means I am operating at my best, accomplishing my goals, and delivering on a high level. It covers everything from goal-setting to planning to productivity. Thor Conklin's all about peak performance, too, and he's made the pursuit of high-level achievement the center of his business. After reading Mark's book, he invited me on the Peak Performers Podcast to talk about what it takes to write a powerful business book, how listeners can get started, and what insider tips I might offer to those interested in writing or hiring out their first book. In an interview that Thor has edited into three super-focused podcast episodes, we discussed... (READ MORE)
- [Ally Does Atlanta Writers Conference - May 12, 2017](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-atlanta-writers-conference-may-12-2017/) - The 16th Atlanta Writers Conference is happening on May 12-13, 2017! And I am happy to announce that I will be one of the speakers. I've got a full lineup for you Southern writers. For one thing, I will be presenting "How to Write a Winning Book Proposal" and "Choosing the Right Editorial Service for You." I'm also doing a more interactive workshop version of my popular talk, "Polishing Your Work for Publication." This is something new that I think will be a lot of fun, so I hope you'll join me. The interactive workshop will introduce you to the most common problems plaguing written works and offer simple ways to identify and resolve them in your own novel, short story, or memoir. You’ll receive tips on improving your work to keep readers’ attention... (READ MORE)
- [Ally Lays Out the Book Biz on "Elaine's Kitchen Table"](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-lays-book-biz-elaines-kitchen-table/) - Have ever thought about writing a book but don't know where to start? Have you written a book but find you need help getting it into the hands of readers? Then pull up a chair and join us at Elaine's Kitchen Table, a podcast devoted to the "Business of Real Life." (READ MORE)
- [How to Write a Bestseller This Year with 5 Easy, Proven Tactics](https://thewritersally.com/articles/write-a-bestseller-this-year/) - It’s a New Year, and for many, the calendar moving into January means it’s time to finally write that bestselling book you’ve been dreaming about, talking about, doing-everything-but-writing about. No matter what type of book you’re writing, here are a few key steps that will help ensure you create a product people want to read and are willing to plunk down their hard-earned cash to buy. If you want to write a bestseller this year, then read on. (READ MORE)
- [EFA Webinar on Serving Self-Publishing Clients - December 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/efa-webinar-serving-self-publishing-clients-december-2016/) - Due to popular demand, I was invited by the Editorial Freelancers Association to present "Successful Self-Publishing from Both Sides." The presentation addressed how editorial professionals can better attract and serve self-publishing clients and also how they can publish their own digital and print books to boost their freelance business or to launch a writing career. (READ MORE)
- [Harrison Returned to Talk Turkey (and More) at ChessieCon 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-returns-chessiecon-2016/) - We're so thrilled to announce that Harrison returned this year to serve would-be writers and authors at Chessiecon 2016 as a panelist and workshop leader. Chessiecon is hosted by the Thanksgiving Science Fiction Society, a non-profit organization for people who are interested in science fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, and related genres in all forms. It's an especially cool local event for Marylanders, for whom "Chessie" (the Chesapeake Bay sea monster, a la Loch Ness) is a familiar and beloved mascot. (READ MORE)
- [Serve Self-Publishing Clients! Learn How in this EFA Webinar - December 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/serve-self-publishing-clients-efa-webinar-december-2016/) - Due to popular demand, I am thrilled the Editorial Freelancers Association is hosting me once more in presenting "Successful Self-Publishing from Both Sides." The presentation will address how editorial professionals can better attract and serve self-publishing clients and also how they can publish their own digital and print books to boost their freelance business or to launch a writing career. (READ MORE)
- [How to Improve Story Structure for a Better Novel](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-improve-story-structure-for-better-novel/) - Anyone looking to improve story structure in their novel would do well to consider Russian nesting dolls. On the surface, a Russian nesting doll is a simple painted wooden figurine. But when you remove the top from the base, you find another smaller doll of exactly the same shape. Then you open that doll and find another, and another, until you end up with five or six individual dolls. Each is painted differently, but in terms of shape, each is a smaller version of exactly what came before. The same applies if you want to improve story structure in fiction. We know the basics of story structure: The inciting incident launches rising action, which builds to a climax before descending into falling action and, in the end, denouement. But what we often don’t realize is... (READ MORE)
- [How to Save More Money on Proofreading](https://thewritersally.com/articles/save-money-proofreading-tips/) - As an author, you have some choices for how to prevent errors from making it into your published work: you can either hire a professional proofreader, or you can consider honing your skills and doing the proofreading yourself. Either way, in this article I'll share with you some of my favorite proofreading tips that will save your life. Okay, maybe not your life. But credibility isn't just about your ego, people. If readers don't find you credible, you can also lose money, opportunities, and more. (READ MORE)
- [Ally Teaches Book Proposals at CCC - October 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-teaches-book-proposals-ccc-october-2016/) - I was very happy to speak again for the 11th annual Communication Central Conference last October 28-30, 2016. This year's theme was “Be a Better Freelancer® – Profiting in Publishing.” Topics at this key editorial professionals' event range from new approaches to social media to using Word to freelancing book editors in the crafts world to editing fiction, and much more! I spoke about "How to Write (or Edit) a Winning Book Proposal". If you were at the conference, be sure to let me know what you thought or if you have any lingering questions in the Comments below! (READ MORE)
- [How to Write a Winning Book Proposal - November 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/efa-webinar-how-to-write-a-book-proposal-november-2016/) - Wondering how to write a book proposal? Please join me and the Editorial Freelancers Association on November 15, 2016, and then you'll know “How to Write (or Edit) a Winning Book Proposal." This is a live webinar. Here's the description: It has long been the case that nonfiction writers, instead of penning a complete manuscript, could sell their ideas based solely on well-developed book proposals. An extended marketing pitch, the book proposal is a unique document that any writer of nonfiction must master. Learn how editors and agents evaluate potential acquisitions and what your proposal must contain to get the coveted attention of these publishing professionals. This webinar will teach you what goes into a contract-winning book proposal, where to find important information, and how to evaluate your own material to ensure you're presenting your project—and yourself—in the best possible light. (READ MORE)
- [Ally Improves Your Chances at the FWC - October 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-at-the-florida-writers-conference-2016/) - I just returned from the Florida Writers Conference 2016, hosted by the Florida Writers Association. This was my second time at this incredible event. With nearly 500 attendees and a couple dozen presenters, anything you needed to learn about writing or publishing or selling a book could be found somewhere during the three and a half days of the conference. (READ MORE)
- [Harrison Working Hard at Chessiecon 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-working-hard-chessiecon-2016/) - It's that time of year again--time for ghosts and goblins and Chessiecon 2016! We're so thrilled to announce that Harrison has been invited back as a panelist and workshop leader. Chessiecon is hosted by the Thanksgiving Science Fiction Society, a non-profit organization for people who are interested in science fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, and related genres in all forms. (READ MORE)
- [Just Write Conference Happened Last September 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/just-write-conference-happened-last-september-2016/) - TWA editors Harrison Demchick and Susan Korman were invited to present at the Just Write. Writers Conference hosted by the Harford County Public Library last September 25, 2016. The Just Write. Writers Conference is an annual event sponsored in part by the Maryland Humanities Council that brings successful regional writers together with local aspiring writers. (READ MORE)
- [Harrison and Susan at the Just Write. Writers Conference - September 25, 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-presents-at-the-just-write-writers-conference-september-25-2016/) - TWA editors Harrison Demchick and Susan Korman will present at the Just Write. Writers Conference hosted by the Harford County Public Library on September 25th, 2016. The Just Write. Writers Conference is an annual event sponsored in part by the Maryland Humanities Council that brings successful regional writers together with local aspiring writers. (READ MORE)
- ["How to Boost Your Biz with a Ghostwriter" on Social Buzz U](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-boost-your-biz-with-a-ghostwriter/) - I was invited to participate in Social Buzz U webinar hosted by Catherine Saykaly-Stevens. The webinar happened last August 25, 2016 and was about How to Boost Your Biz with a Ghostwriter. Studies reveal that publishing a book is the top “credible” marketing method for today’s service providers, suggesting that becoming a published author can increase your credibility factor by as much as 300%! There’s a reason “author” is the root word of “authority.” But a well-written and edited, attractively designed, and successfully published book can also help you raise visibility, attract ideal clients, open doors for media opportunities, launch a speaking career, create and promote spin-off products, and more. In this webinar (you can access the recording) I’ll show you how to work with a ghostwriter to create a book that will be so much more than an income-generating product in and of itself, and how you can use ghostwriting services for other related projects, too. In short, how to boost your biz with a ghostwriter! (READ MORE)
- [Ally Teaching at Florida Writers Conference - Oct. 20-23, 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-teaching-florida-writers-conference-oct-20-23-2016/) - If you're a writer and looking for an excuse to visit the Sunshine State, I have one for you: I'm so excited to announce that I'll return this fall to the Florida Writers Conference, hosted by the Florida Writers Association. The organization's motto is "writers helping writers," and never is this more evident than at their stellar multi-day event. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a seasoned professional, you’ll benefit from all the conference has to offer you this year. (READ MORE)
- [How to Be Funny in Fiction on Romance University](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-be-funny-in-fiction-on-romance-university/) - It’s almost impossible to explain how humor works, but given that, do you know how to be funny in fiction? Here's a secret: Sometimes the most important tool in writing effectively is knowing exactly what not to do. Harrison Demchick identifies the most common pitfalls to avoid when writing humor so you can be funny in your fiction in his new guest post at Romance University. (READ MORE)
- [Book Marketing Street Team: Learn How at the BTO Writers Conference - March 11, 2017](https://thewritersally.com/articles/book-marketing-street-team-bto-writers-conference-march-11-2017/) - If you live in the MidAtlantic area and you haven't been to the Bay to Ocean Writers Conference before, you're really missing out. I've spoken at this conference for years now. It's one of my favorites! Great schedule of informative presentations, opportunities for one-on-one feedback from professional editors, and an all-around lovely community of attendees. And 2017 will be more of the same, which is why I'm so excited to return once again as a speaker with a brand new talk on creating your book marketing street team to sell more books. (READ MORE)
- [EFA Conference - Defining and Delivering the Developmental Edit - Aug 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/efa-conference-defining-delivering-developmental-edit-aug-2016/) - What exactly is a developmental edit, and how does one deliver this kind of feedback to a client with the right balance of critique and encouragement? How does a developmental edit differ for a novel or memoir vs. prescriptive nonfiction? How do you know when a developmental edit is even necessary? Join us to hone your editorial skills! (READ MORE)
- [The Best Trick to Avoid Redundancy and Improve Your Narrative](https://thewritersally.com/articles/best-trick-avoid-redundancy-and-improve-your-narrative/) - It’s entirely possible for two differently worded sentences to say exactly the same thing. Such repetition is a form of overwriting through redundancy, and it represents possibly the most frequent form of overwriting in any manuscript. As we’ve discussed over the last few months, the best way to catch such writing issues is vigilance, and they’re not difficult to spot once you know to look. However, sometimes the similarity is not between two sentences, or even two paragraphs, but rather two moments. These moments, or “beats,” in your narrative may be entirely different on the surface. They may take place in two entirely different settings. They may feature entirely different actions. And yet, somehow, they still repeat one another. How? Let’s find out as we dive into the fourth and final installment of our series on overwriting. (READ MORE)
- [Ally Talks About Amazon, Goodreads, and Book Marketing on "Writestream Tuesday"](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-talks-amazon-goodreads-book-marketing-review-writestream-tuesday/) - I was back again on "Writestream Tuesday" with Daria Anne DiGiovanni on July 12, 2016, talking about the power of Goodreads and Amazon as online book marketing portals. During this informative broadcast, I shared my knowledge for the benefit of authors seeking to grow their audience, connect with their readers, and sell their books. (READ MORE)
- [Focus Your Writing to Easily Avoid Overwriting](https://thewritersally.com/articles/focus-your-writing-avoid-overwriting/) - Sometimes the most important concern when it comes to crafting a manuscript is to focus your writing. To a point we already know that. In fact, we discussed how to focus your writing quite a bit last month in the second installment of our series on overwriting. Specifically we discussed the dangers of too many points of view, and how focusing on a limited number of perspectives can enable readers to experience a story the way we intend. But focus affects writing, and overwriting, well beyond point of view. Indeed, focus is one of the most difficult elements of crafting any type of book. So as we continue our series on overwriting, we’re going to discuss several more reasons a canny writer must focus on focus. (READ MORE)
- [Have an Epic Launch for your Nonfiction Book--Austin Netzley Hosts Ally As Guest on Podcast](https://thewritersally.com/articles/epic-launch-for-nonfiction-book-podcast-austin-netzley/) - Are you dreaming of an epic launch for your nonfiction book? So are millions of authors and experts just like you--which is why when Austin Netzley asked me to join him as a guest for the Epic Launch podcast I jumped at the chance! We talked about what it takes to create a successful nonfiction book, how to market it, what publishers look for and what corners self-publishers can't cut without sacrificing their chances of success. The interview was about The Key Elements of Book Success, such as... (READ MORE)
- [Harrison Got Awesome at AwesomeCon - June 3-5, 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-got-awesome-awesomecon/) - It was that time of the year again when Harrison got awesome for AwesomeCon! The Washington convention center this year featured celebrity guests like Adam West, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D's Brett Dalton and Elizabeth Henstridge, and Jeremy London, just to name a few. Our very own Harrison Demchick joined these beloved actors and other esteemed panelists when he returned to speak to writers at this year's event. (READ MORE)
- [How to Write and Publish Nonfiction Books with "Writers & Authors On Fire" -- June 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-write-and-publish-nonfiction-writers-and-authors-on-fire/) - I "grew up" in the adult trade paperback division of Simon & Schuster where we worked on all manner of books, but my true love as far as projects go is nonfiction. So when podcaster John Vonhof invited me to talk about how to write and publish nonfiction books, and what makes nonfiction effective and successful, I got really excited. I'm so pleased that I got to reach so many more writers as a guest on the Writers & Authors On Fire show, which is designed to ignite writers and authors with inspirational interviews on a variety of genres, tips on writing and getting published, tips on attending writers conferences, and reviews of books, blogs, and other resources to make their writing better. (READ MORE)
- [Harrison Returns to AwesomeCon - June 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/awesomecon-june-2016/) - It’s that time of year again—let's get awesome for AwesomeCon! The Washington convention center this year features celebrity guests Adam West, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D's Brett Dalton and Elizabeth Henstridge, and Jeremy London, just to name a few. And that makes us doubly excited! Because our very own Harrison Demchick will join these beloved actors and other esteemed panelists when he returns to speak to writers at this year's event. (READ MORE)
- [How to Use Point of View To Stop Overwriting Now](https://thewritersally.com/articles/use-point-of-view-stop-overwriting-now/) - Overwriting is an issue for the authors of all sorts of manuscripts, whether fiction, prescriptive nonfiction, or memoir. But one very frequent cause of overwriting true only to fiction is point of view, and if you're the author of an uncommonly long novel, this could be the issue you're struggling with. And that, of course, raises an obvious question: What could the perspective from which you tell your story have to do with overwriting? (READ MORE)
- [Ally Returns to the Communication Central Conference - October 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/communication-central-conference-october-2016/) - I am very happy to announce that I will return to speak for the 11th annual Communication Central Conference in October. This year's theme is “Be a Better Freelancer® – Profiting in Publishing.” Topics at this key editorial professionals' event range from new approaches to social media to using Word to freelancing in the crafts world to editing fiction, and much more! I will be speaking about "How to Write (or Edit) a Winning Book Proposal" and am looking forward to connecting with my wordsmith peeps. If you're going, be sure to let me know! (READ MORE)
- [Are Professional Book Editing Services Worth Your Money?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/professional-book-editing-services-worth-it/) - Generous estimates suggest as many as 300 million book submissions are rejected each year. And though self-publishing has taken firm root as a viable route to publication, only a small percentage of independent authors are successful. Given these extremely difficult odds, are professional editing services really worth the money? Or, as one potential client asked on behalf of his banker wife, what’s the return on your investment? (READ MORE)
- [Book Marketing with Ally on "Writestream Tuesday"--April 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/book-marketing-writestream-tuesday-april-2016/) - I was thrilled to begin my new recurring guest expert spot with a discussion about book marketing on the "Writestream Tuesday" podcast April 12, 2016. Writestream co-founder and Tuesday host Daria Anne DiGiovanni first interviewed me on January 12. Since then, I've agreed to return to the show on a quarterly basis to talk shop and offer excellent advice to authors. For this episode, which went live April 12, 2016 at 1pm Eastern, the topic centered around book marketing and strategy. Daria used something I said during my first interview as the touchstone of our conversation: "Your book is your product, not your baby." (READ MORE)
- [How to Avoid Overwriting and Create Effective Emphasis](https://thewritersally.com/articles/avoid-overwriting-create-effective-emphasis/) - I don't think there's any single comment I make more frequently while editing a manuscript than “redundant.” It’s perhaps the number one cause of overwriting, which in turn is one of the most common issues faced by aspiring writers. If you've found yourself with a manuscript substantially longer than publishing industry standards—and even if you haven't—there's a very good chance you're facing this issue as well. I've written about overlong manuscripts in the past. There are several possible causes for an uncommonly long manuscript. Maybe you’re repeating the same points over and over again to try and create emphasis. Maybe you’re revealing too much information, and doing so from too many perspectives. It’s even possible that you’ve written more than one book. (READ MORE)
- [Networking for Authors at BTO - March 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/networking-authors-bto-march-2016/) - A couple weekends ago I participated in the annual Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, hosted in conjunction with the Eastern Shore Writers Association. This year I did something new and exciting—the BTO coordinators tried out sessions to facilitate networking for authors, and I hosted one. As with any other endeavor, publishing and promoting a book is much easier when you have a supportive network eager to help you succeed. With the right partners in place, you can get your work in front of exponentially more eyeballs, earn endorsements, increase sales, and find yet more opportunities for positive exposure. The participants learned some tips on how to network productively with book promotion in mind, and worked the room to start forging these powerful, mutually beneficial relationships. I called it "Finding and Working with Power Partners to Promote Your Book." (READ MORE)
- [The Secret to Impressing Big Agents and Publishers](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-secret-to-impressing-big-agents-and-publishers/) - It can be incredibly difficult to impress a book agent, and you pretty much need an agent to get your work read at a large established publisher. If you’ve already published a book or two, it can be extra frustrating when they still won’t give you the time of day. One of the reasons many writers focus on Big Five book publishers and their top-level agent compadres is that it seems like their best chance for “making it big” as an author. They dream of hitting a bestseller list like the New York Times’, or otherwise selling huge numbers of books, both things the largest publishers excel at. But you wanna know a secret? (READ MORE)
- [Cliches Kill Your Writing - "Please Stop Winking" on Romance University](https://thewritersally.com/articles/avoiding-cliches-please-stop-winking/) - We all have our tendencies as writers, but when do those tendencies become distractions to readers? Do our tendencies come at the expense of strong characterization? Can a simple gesture like winking be a cliché? How important is avoiding clichés in your writing? TWA’s Harrison Demchick explores the consequences of shorthand in fiction in his new guest post at Romance University. Shorthand gestures like winking, Harrison explains, are too easy—universal, but obvious. In that respect they’re not much different than clichés like “a chill ran down his spine.” Readers understand what they mean, but only because they’ve been used a million times by other authors. (READ MORE)
- [Writing a Book: 3 Amazing Tips to Get Started—an Interview with Ally Machate](https://thewritersally.com/articles/tips-to-get-started-writing-a-book-an-interview/) - Writing a book to share your message, experiences, and knowledge with the world can be an amazing journey and also a great asset to you and your business! But how do you find the right idea to write about, and then how do you turn that idea into a book that people will resonate with and want to buy? Thanks to Carrie Green of the Female Entrepreneur Association, I was able to answer this question and more. Carrie invited me as her guest expert for a 10 Minute Masterclass interview, during which I shared "3 Amazing Tips to Get Started Writing A Book." (READ MORE)
- [Ally to Teach and Guide Networking for Authors at BTO in March](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-to-teach-and-guide-networking-for-authors-at-bto-in-march/) - I hate being cold, but every winter I drag myself out of the house and down to the Eastern shore of Maryland. Why? Because I love participating in the annual Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, hosted in conjunction with the Eastern Shore Writers Association. This year I'm doing something new and exciting—the BTO coordinators are trying out sessions to facilitate networking for authors, and I'm hosting one. As with any other endeavor, publishing and promoting a book is much easier when you have a supportive network eager to help you succeed. With the right partners in place, you can get your work in front of exponentially more eyeballs, earn endorsements, increase sales, and find yet more opportunities for positive exposure. Come learn some tips on how to network productively with book promotion in mind, and work the room to start forging these powerful, mutually beneficial relationships. I'm calling it the "Finding and Working with Power Partners to Promote Your Book." (READ MORE)
- [Successful Self-Publishing from Both Sides: Learn with Ally on 2/25!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/successful-self-publishing-from-both-sides-feb-2016/) - With so many options available, it can be difficult to navigate your way to self-publishing success. But if you want great results, you need to get real. You cannot just copy what the bestsellers are doing or upload your files and hope for the best—if you want to sell more than the 100-200 copy average where most indie books cap out, you need a plan designed for your type of book and your particular situation. You need to know about the unique opportunities and limitations of the industry that many indie authors don't discover until it's too late. (READ MORE)
- [Learn How to Perfect Your Author Platform with MWA HoCo 2/18!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/learn-perfect-author-platform-mwa-hoco-218/) - As this month's guest speaker for the Maryland Writers’ Association Howard County Chapter, I will be teaching attendees all about "Perfecting Your Author Platform." In today’s highly saturated book market, a strong publicity and marketing campaign requires that authors have a solid platform to get the kind of attention necessary for sales. But what is a platform, what is it used for, and how do you build one? How does it affect your book deal, or whether you get one at all? How does it help you sell more books, whether you self-publish or have a publisher? My presentation will show you how to evaluate the “planks” you already have and design a blueprint for building a bigger, stronger platform—the most critical tool in your toolbox after the book itself. Whether your book is already out there or you're still writing your draft, you need this information, so come on out and join us. (READ MORE)
- [Ally Talks Publishing Success on Writestream Tuesday](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-talks-publishing-success-on-writestream-tuesday/) - I was lucky enough to be invited to discuss publishing success on the Writestream Tuesday podcast last January 12, 2016 and was interviewed by their host Daria DiGiovanni. The timing was great, because it gave me an opportunity to chat a bit about some big news: Starting in 2016, the Writer’s Ally will be launching all new packages of services designed to help ensure writers achieve their publishing goals beyond the one step of getting feedback on their manuscripts. Too often a writer will invest in an editorial service and then may fail to complete or even start revisions for a variety of reasons—or she may seek out advice on building a platform and marketing strategy but not take the necessary steps to increase sales. Many times, the reasons involve fear, resistance, doubt, overwhelm, or a simple lack of support. (READ MORE)
- [How to Boost Your Biz with a Book - APSS Webinar – January 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-boost-your-biz-with-a-book-apss-webinar-jan-2016/) - While many authors and publishers are, naturally, focused on making money through book sales, the fact is that a book has a lot of value beyond its role as a passive income generator. For a business owner or other expert, a book can become a tool that helps grow a business, attract ideal clients, open doors for media and speaking opportunities and more. And so this talk looked at the role a book can play in your overall business strategy whether you’ve just started to conceive an idea or already have a book collecting dust in your office. READ MORE
- [POLISHING YOUR WORK FOR PUBLICATION with MWA ANNAPOLIS – DEC 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/polishing-your-work-for-publication-with-mwa-annapolis-dec-2015/) - The Maryland Writers’ Association Annapolis Chapter had its last meeting of the year on December 16, 2015. How cool to be the year's closer! I talked about Polishing Your Work for Publication, a subject on the minds of many would-be published authors. The attendees received tips on improving their work to keep readers’ attention, polishing a manuscript at the technical level, and getting objective feedback before they submit or go to press. (READ MORE)
- [EFA Webinar - How to Write a Winning Book Proposal - December 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/efa-webinar-how-to-write-a-winning-book-proposal-december-2015/) - I ran a repeat webinar for the Editorial Freelancers Association on December 3, 2015 about “How to Write a Winning Book Proposal.” During my presentation I shared how editors and agents evaluate potential acquisitions and what your proposal must contain to get the coveted attention of these publishing professionals. I explained what goes into a contract-winning book proposal, where to find important information, and how to evaluate your own material to ensure you’re presenting your project—and yourself—in the best possible light. Here's what just a few attendees had to say... (READ MORE)
- [MWA BALTIMORE- PERFECTING YOUR AUTHOR PLATFORM — NOV 30, 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/mwa-baltimore-perfecting-your-author-platform-nov-30-2015/) - I would like to thank everyone who joined me and the Maryland Writer’s Association Baltimore chapter as I spoke with members about “Perfecting Your Author Platform: Why Background Matters, and How to Get the Right One.” (READ MORE)
- [APSS Webinar - How to Boost Biz w/ a Book - Jan 2016](https://thewritersally.com/articles/apss-webinar-how-to-boost-biz-w-a-book-jan-2016/) - I am excited to tell you all that I'm returning to speak for the members of the Association of Publishers for Special Sales in January. The webinar is free, but you must register to attend. This time, I will be speaking about "How to Boost Your Biz with a Book." While many authors and publishers are, naturally, focused on making money through book sales, the fact is that a book has a lot of value beyond its role as a passive income generator. For a business owner or other expert, a book can become a tool that helps grow a business, attract ideal clients, open doors for media and speaking opportunities and more. And so this talk will look at the role a book can play in your overall business strategy whether you've just started to conceive an idea or already have a book collecting dust in your office. (READ MORE)
- [APSS Webinar - Polishing Your Work for Publication - Nov 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/apss-webinar-polishing-your-work-for-publication-nov-2015/) - I am super excited to be leading a webinar for members of the Association of Publishers for Special Sales in November as part of the organization's ongoing series. The webinar is free, but you must register to attend. I'll be speaking to the APSS crowd about a topic that's close to any self- or small-publisher's heart: How to make sure your manuscript is absolutely ready for publication. (READ MORE)
- [How to Keep Impatience at Bay and Give Your Manuscript the Love It Deserves](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-keep-impatience-at-bay-and-give-your-manuscript-the-love-it-deserves/) - There are many writers who labor over a manuscript for long periods of time without any particular agenda or deadlines. They love to write, they have something to say, and they are working to say it in the best way possible. Others are more ambitious—they come to us with a very specific timeline, and they want to know if we can help them get their book published within that timeline. But sometimes even SMART goals aren’t so smart. (READ MORE)
- [MWA Annapolis - Polishing Your Work for Publication - Dec 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/mwa-annapolis-polishing-your-work-for-publication-dec-2015/) - Maryland Writers' Association Annapolis Chapter will hold its last meeting of the year this coming December 16, 2015 and I am happy to announce that I will be talking about Polishing Your Work for Publication. This talk will introduce you to the most common problems that plague written works and offer simple ways to identify and resolve them in your own novel, short story, or memoir. You’ll receive tips on improving your work to keep readers’ attention, polishing your manuscript at the technical level, and getting objective feedback before you submit or go to press. (READ MORE)
- [Perfecting Your Author Platform With MWA Montgomery – Nov 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/perfecting-your-author-platform-with-mwa-montgomery-nov-2015-2/) - The Maryland Writer's Association chapter in Montgomery county held its monthly meeting last November 7, 2015 and I was privileged to present on "Perfecting Your Author Platform." The meeting included plenty of time for questions and answers afterward as well. Participants learned how to evaluate the “planks” they already have and how to design a blueprint for building a bigger, stronger platform—the most critical tool in their toolbox after the book itself. (READ MORE)
- [Perfecting Your Author Platform at MWA Baltimore -- Nov 30, 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/perfecting-your-author-platform-at-mwa-baltimore-nov-30-2015/) - In today's highly saturated book market, a strong publicity and marketing campaign requires that authors have a solid platform to get the kind of attention necessary for sales. But what is a platform, what is it used for, and how do you build one? How does it affect your book deal, or whether you get one at all? How does it help you sell more books, whether you self-publish or have a publisher? Please join me and the Maryland Writer's Association Baltimore chapter as I speak with members about "Perfecting Your Author Platform: Why Background Matters, and How to Get the Right One." (READ MORE)
- [3 Secrets to Writing Success from NaNoWriMo](https://thewritersally.com/articles/3-secrets-to-writing-success-nanowrimo/) - Beginning and even intermediate writers often struggle with the writing lifestyle. I mean things like keeping a disciplined writing schedule, finding and enjoying a community of similarly ambitious creatives, and meeting self-imposed deadlines to keep producing new work (also known as the “I’m Writing a Book—Yes, the Same Book I’ve Been Writing for Years” syndrome). There are dozens if not hundreds of goal-setting and motivational programs for everyone from business owners to fitness geeks. So where’s the program for writers? Enter National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short. (READ MORE)
- [Harrison to Liven Writing Panels at Chessiecon - November 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-to-liven-writing-panels-at-chessiecon-november-2015/) - Chessiecon is having a workshop this November and we are happy to announce that our very own Harrison Demchick is one of the guests. Harrison will be participating in numerous panels and is also returning as a guest judge for the Turkey Awards. You'll find him at the events below... (READ MORE)
- [Book Pleasures - A Conversation with Ally E. Machate](https://thewritersally.com/articles/book-pleasures-a-conversation-with-ally-e-machate/) - I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Norm Goldman, the Publisher and Editor of Bookpleasures and veteran industry expert. The interview covered a range of interesting topics from how I started as an editor to where I see the book publishing industry going to what's the worst advice I've heard authors giving to other writers.The post includes topics such as... (READ MORE)
- [Perfecting Your Author Platform with MWA Montgomery - Nov 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/perfecting-your-author-platform-with-mwa-montgomery-nov-2015/) - The Maryland Writer's Association chapter in Montgomery county will hold its monthly meeting on November 7, 2015 at 10:30am and I am happy to announce that I'll be there too, giving my presentation on "Perfecting Your Author Platform." The meeting includes plenty of time for questions and answers afterward as well. Why does your background matter when you're trying to publish a book, and how do you get the right one? What is a platform, what is it used for, and how do you build one? How does it affect your book deal, or whether you get one at all? How does it help you sell more books, whether you self-publish or have a publisher? Join us and learn how to evaluate the “planks” you already have and design a blueprint for building a bigger, stronger platform—the most critical tool in your toolbox after the book itself. (READ MORE)
- [EFA Webinar- How to Write a Winning Book Proposal - Sept 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/efa-webinar-how-to-write-a-winning-book-proposal-sept-2015/) - If you joined me and the Editorial Freelancers Association on September 30, 2015, then you now know "How to Write a Winning Book Proposal." It has long been the case that nonfiction writers, instead of penning a complete manuscript, could sell their ideas based solely on well-developed book proposals. An extended marketing pitch, the book proposal is a unique document that any writer of nonfiction must master. During my presentation I shared how editors and agents evaluate potential acquisitions and what your proposal must contain to get the coveted attention of these publishing professionals. I explained what goes into a contract-winning book proposal, where to find important information, and how to evaluate your own material to ensure you’re presenting your project—and yourself—in the best possible light. (READ MORE)
- [MWA St. Mary's County Chapter Meeting - Pitching, Querying, and Proposing – September 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/mwa-st-marys-county-chapter-meeting-pitching-querying-and-proposing-september-2015/) - Every late September/early October I travel down to Historic St. Mary's City with my husband to help populate the site's Grand Militia Muster, a wonderful 17th century event that draws a nice crowd and usually some great weather. I look forward to the trip because of the beautiful setting and an opportunity to camp, but this year I was able to make an even longer weekend out of it and do one more fun thing than usual! While in southern Maryland, I presented at the Maryland Writer's Association St. Mary’s County Chapter meeting September 28, 2015 at 7PM, at the Leonardtown Library. I gave my frequently requested talk, "Pitching, Querying, and Proposing: How Authors Go from Shy to Sold." (READ MORE)
- [Understanding Book Distribution (How to Avoid Book Publishing Scams, Pt. 2)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/understanding-book-distribution-how-to-avoid-publishing-scams-pt-2/) - I’m sure you’ve heard of them or seen their aggressive advertising campaigns. AuthorHouse, Xlibris, iUniverse, Trafford Press…the list goes on. Are they publishing scams, or legitimate services offering good book distribution for their author clients? While many misunderstood these kinds of companies are publishers, the best and proper way to characterize them is in fact as publishing services. They are institutions that sell a variety of products to authors, not readers, and so their primary market is people just like you—folks who want to publish a book. They are not at all in the business of selling books, as a publisher is. Why does this matter? Before you enter an agreement with any party, it’s important to be clear about what that party is and what it will, will not, can, and cannot do for you. Especially when you’re about to shell out your hard-earned cash. I want you to be clear. (READ MORE)
- [Did you miss the Mid-Atlantic Fiction Writers Institute? Harrison didn't!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/did-you-miss-the-mid-atlantic-fiction-writers-institute-harrison-didnt/) - The Mid-Atlantic Fiction Writing Institute held it’s annual conference and Harrison Demchick was one of the presenters, sitting on several panels, signing his novel The Listeners, and giving his popular talk "Why Character Consequence and Reaction are Necessary for Conflict and Tension." (READ MORE)
- [Giving New Life to Old Manuscripts: An Interview with author Carolyn Haley](https://thewritersally.com/articles/giving-new-life-to-old-manuscripts-an-interview-with-author-carolyn-haley/) - Carolyn Haley’s novel, Into the Sunrise, is the story of two misfits pursuing incompatible dreams who fall in love despite themselves and find a way, through their shared love of horses, to mesh their lives as well as their hearts. Or, put into romantic book-pitch terms: She’s afraid to love again, and he’s afraid to love at all, until their shared love of horses teaches them how to love each other. But perhaps even more interesting than these characters’ story is the story of the novel itself. By that I mean how it evolved from an idea Carolyn had as a young girl into numerous manuscript drafts and versions over the years, finally arriving at its current version, which was picked up by Wild Rose Press and released this past May. (READ MORE)
- [How to Write Better Conflict into Your Novel or Memoir](https://thewritersally.com/articles/writing-good-conflict-in-fiction-and-memoir/) - Where does conflict in our writing come from? We generally assume that conflicts come from events. Conflict is an argument with a neighbor or a fight in a parking lot. It’s a bad grade on a test or a stalker with a knife. It’s the apocalypse, whether nuclear or zombie. But while these are all contexts where conflict can exist, they are not in and of themselves conflicts. In fact, there’s no such thing as an inherent source of conflict. Consider the traffic jam. Somewhere in the world, a traffic jam is happening right now. But probably, that traffic jam is not causing any conflict in your life. Why? Because you’re not in it. It doesn’t affect you. So conflict, then, whatever the cause, appears only when it actually impacts upon your characters. (READ MORE)
- [Learning Emotional Cues for your Characters by Studying the Incredible Hulk](https://thewritersally.com/articles/learning-emotional-cues-for-your-characters-by-studying-the-incredible-hulk/) - Any comic book fan knows that, when you get Bruce Banner angry, his skin turns green, his body grows massive, and he becomes the rage monster we lovingly call the Hulk. This is very useful in a fight, but probably less so in a traffic jam. It’s especially useful to us, though, in that it teaches us some very interesting things about the role of reaction in fiction and narrative nonfiction. (READ MORE)
- [How to Write Authentic Opposite Sex Characters](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-write-opposite-sex-characters/) - A lot of the time, we focus on characters who have quite a lot in common with us, but a lot of the time, we don't. I'm asked sometimes by writers how exactly to write characters who are fundamentally different than they. Often, this comes in the form of writing opposite sex characters. What I tell them is this: You're asking the wrong question. (READ MORE)
- [Three Slightly Unconventional Rules for Writing](https://thewritersally.com/articles/three-slightly-unconventional-rules-for-writing/) - The world of writing books and websites is littered with rules about how exactly to excel as a writer. You must use an outline, or you must use index cards. You must barrel through that first draft, never stopping to edit your work. You must write only in the evenings, or only in the mornings, and you must focus only on one project. Some people, and some would-be experts, see common experiences and imagine that all writers are the same. From this perspective, I think they steer a lot of people wrong. So I’d like to share with you a slightly different set of rules. (READ MORE)
- [Pitching, Querying, and Proposing at MWA St. Mary's County Chapter - September 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/pitching-querying-and-proposing-at-mwa-st-marys-county-chapter-september-2015/) - As an active member of the Maryland Writer’s Association, I am thrilled to present at the St. Mary’s County Chapter meeting in September. On September 28th, 2015 at 7PM, please join us at the Leonardtown Library for my frequently requested talk, "Pitching, Querying, and Proposing: How Authors Go from Shy to Sold." Find out who really decides what gets published, how to approach them without getting the proverbial door slammed in your face, and what these gatekeepers expect from you besides your very best work. (READ MORE)
- [Harrison Brought Logic To AWESOMECON—MAY 29-31, 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-brought-logic-to-awesomecon-may-29-31-2015/) - It was that time of year, when we "genre" geeks got awesome for AwesomeCon! The Washington, D.C. area convention featured celebrity guests Karen Gillan, WWE Superstar Seth Rollins, and William Shatner just to name a few. And that made us doubly excited that our very own Harrison Demchick was invited to speak at the three-day
- [How to Exploit Context as Your Book's Secret Weapon](https://thewritersally.com/articles/context-your-manuscripts-secret-weapon/) - Having trouble understanding the role of context in your manuscript? There are any number of different ways to wrap your head around it, but I’d suggest that one of the best ways to understand context is by taking a look at baseball. Because baseball is really, really weird. By any realistic context, it should be bizarre. But it doesn’t feel bizarre. And that’s because we know the rules. (READ MORE)
- [How to Avoid Book Publishing Scams, Pt. 1](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-avoid-book-publishing-scams-pt-1/) - I’m sure you’ve heard of them or seen their aggressive advertising campaigns. Author House, Xlibris, iUniverse, Trafford Press…the list goes on. But are these just publishing scams, or legitimate publishing services that offer tangible benefits to their clients? What you may not know is that about two years ago, a law firm in New York filed a class action lawsuit against Author Solutions, the parent company of the above-mentioned outfits. If you’ve used the services of one of these companies, you may want to check it out and see if you qualify for joining the lawsuit yourself. [UPDATE: This lawsuit has been denied class action status so the original page is no longer available, but other efforts against Author Solutions and other alleged publishing scams persist. Click here for more details.] Despite the usual legalese, it’s really worth reading the full complaint as a case study in how these companies work. I’ll leave it to the judges to decide if in fact their practices are illegal, but I am going to say without equivocation that most, if not all, have deceptive marketing practices that often pull in amateur writers who simply don’t know any better. I want you to know better. (READ MORE)
- [Mid-Atlantic Fiction Writers Institute Conference—August 7-9, 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/mid-atlantic-fiction-writers-institute-conference-august-7-9-2015/) - In August, The Mid-Atlantic Fiction Writing Institute will hold it’s annual conference and we are happy to announce that Harrison Demchick will be one of the presenters. Whether you’re already published or dreaming of “someday,” this is the time to join and learn a lot from the experts. (READ MORE)
- [Ally Offers An Introduction to Developmental Editing  -- April 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-offers-an-introduction-to-developmental-editing-april-2015/) - This April, I had the opportunity to teach an Introduction to Developmental Editing audio conference for Copyediting. Developmental editing is a great tool that an author can use to maximize their book’s potential. Teaching Copyediting.com’s audio course gave me the chance to help publishing professionals understand the basics of developmental editing, when it’s needed, and why they might add it to their repertoire. (READ MORE)
- [Managing Your Mammoth Manuscript](https://thewritersally.com/articles/managing-your-mammoth-manuscript/) - You hardly notice the word count ticking up as you type, until you can’t ignore it anymore. You finished your manuscript and you are now saddled with 140,000 words that not even your mother has time to read. You can already see your bank account draining with the cost of editing your behemoth. TWA’s Harrison Demchick tackles Word Count Woe in his guest post this week on Helping Writers Become Authors. Harrison outlines three ways to manage your very long manuscript. (READ MORE)
- [How to Write Realistic Female and Male Characters](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-write-realistic-female-and-male-characters/) - Many struggle with writing one gender over another, and we’ve all read novels with stereotypical characters that betray that discomfort. As writers, we often find it hard to get into the heads of characters so different from ourselves. But how different are they? This is the question TWA’s Harrison Demchick answers in his second guest post for Romance University. (READ MORE)
- [Open Q&A Session - Book Lunch May 27th, 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/open-qa-session-book-lunch-may-27th-2015/) - Are you confused about how to find your audience? Frustrated trying to put together a marketing plan on a budget? Struggling with bad writing habits? Don’t you wish you could just get a straight answer to your simple question? (READ MORE)
- [How Understanding Film Structure Can Help You Write a Better Novel](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-understanding-film-structure-can-help-you-write-a-better-novel/) - One of the most difficult concepts to grasp when it comes to crafting a novel is plot structure. It seems so easy when we’re kids. When we’re kids, every story has three parts: beginning, middle, and end. But then we get older, and we take classes and read books on writing, and we learn about inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement. And once we actually get to the writing, we learn that knowing what all these things are, and endeavoring to check the boxes of story structure, doesn’t mean actually sitting down and trying to craft that story isn’t really, really complicated. That’s because knowing the terms isn’t the same as internalizing them. It’s not the same as understanding how and why they work. And one of the best ways to acquire a better understanding is to step back from novels and take a look at film structure. (READ MORE)
- [How to Create Authentic (Godzilla-Free) Plot Twists](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-create-authentic-godzilla-free-plot-twists/) - A great story creates a world that follows the rules and still manages to surprise us. Unfortunately, there’s no convenient “Instant Climax: Just Add Godzilla” strategy. TWA Developmental Editor Harrison Demchick had the opportunity to discuss effective plot twists in his guest post on Project Middle Grade Mayhem. His post, “The Godzilla Effect: How Climaxes, Twists, and Turning Points Work (and How They Don’t)” addresses the common question, “How do I create an exciting, unforgettable climax?” (READ MORE)
- [Harrison brings Logic to AwesomeCon—May 29-31, 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-brings-logic-to-awesomecon-may-29-31-2015/) - It's that time of year again, that time when we "genre" geeks get awesome for AwesomeCon! The Washington, D.C. area convention this year features celebrity guests Karen Gillan, WWE Superstar Seth Rollins, and William Shatner just to name a few. And that makes us doubly excited that our very own Harrison Demchick has been invited to speak at the three-day event, which include opportunities to get autographs and interact with the celebrity guests as well as interesting and informative panel discussions, and so much more. (READ MORE)
- [Bad Guys You Can Believe In: How to Write Convincing Culprits](https://thewritersally.com/articles/bad-guys-you-can-believe-in-how-to-write-convincing-culprits/) - In the mystery genre, two characters drive the story—and they both must be equally believable. TWA’s Harrison Demchick recently addressed this challenge in his article, “Writing a Convincing Culprit.” As a guest posting on Elizabeth Spann Craig’s blog, he reminds us that a convincing antagonist is at the core of every great mystery.
- [Book Lunch April 29, 2015 with our Special Guest Greg Ioannou](https://thewritersally.com/articles/book-lunch-april-29-2015-with-our-special-guest-greg-ioannou/) - Greg5Please join me and my special guest Greg Ioannou for our April Book Lunch. This monthly event is totally free, and my gift to the writing community as a way to share information and answer questions in support of you achieving your publishing goals and dreams. Greg Ioannou is President of Colborne Communications (a writing and editing company), Publisher at Iguana Books, and CEO at Tryst Books, and has fingers in several other pies as well. Iguana Books and Tryst Books take the traditional book publishing model and twist it hard -- in two totally different ways. Find out how when you join us on Wednesday, April 29th for our live interview! (READ MORE)
- [Are These Four Logic Problems Ruining Your Novel or Memoir?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/are-these-four-logic-problems-ruining-your-novel-or-memoir/) - One of the best ways to alienate a reader is to present them with a scene that just doesn’t add up. A character receives a letter weeks before it was supposedly sent, a pet changes gender halfway through the novel—these kinds of logic problems must be found and fixed. Without solid story logic, a manuscript will fail. In his guest post on Writers Helping Writers, TWA editor Harrison Demchick compiled a list of the four most common logic problems he has come across and the best ways to fix them.
- [How to Write Character Chemistry that Makes Your Fiction Sizzle](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-write-character-chemistry-that-makes-your-fiction-sizzle/) - There is no scientific formula to determine chemistry between two non-fictional humans, but an author controls her characters… right? TWA editor Harrison Demchick was thrilled to discuss “Missed Connections: How Characterization Creates Chemistry” in a guest blog post for Romance University. In this fascinating post, Harrison explains what “chemistry” means for fictional characters, where it comes from, and how to fix it when it just isn’t working.
- [The Two Types of Scared Writers (and How to Overcome Your Fear of Publishing)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-two-types-of-scared-writers-and-how-to-overcome-your-fear-of-publishing/) - If you are looking for advice on how to rise above the fear of publishing, or have your own advice to share with your fellow writers, check out Harrison’s latest guest post on Positive Writer.
- [What to Ask Before Hiring a Freelance Editor for Your Book](https://thewritersally.com/articles/what-to-ask-before-hiring-a-freelance-editor-for-your-book/) - You have reached the end of your manuscript, and it’s ready for another pair of eyes; it’s time to hire an editor. Harrison Demchick, developmental editor for The Writer’s Ally, recently shared his advice on hiring an editor on The Write Conversation.
- [The Perks of Publishing Your Work](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-perks-of-publishing-your-work/) - Harrison Demchick, developmental editor with The Writer’s Ally, had the privilege of writing a guest post for C.S. Lakin’s blog, Live Write Thrive. He presents a realistic, positive account of the aftermath of publishing in his post, A Few Cool Doors That Open When You’re Published. As Harrison reminds us, the whole world doesn’t change the instant your book appears on Amazon, but publishing does open a lot of doors. There are no guarantees when it comes to exposure or “success” (however you define it), but Harrison makes it clear that regardless of your rank in the million new books flooding the market each year, publishing is worth the uncertainty. (READ MORE)
- [Finding and Making the Time to Write](https://thewritersally.com/articles/finding-and-making-the-time-to-write/) - It’s easy to claim that you don’t have time to write. In fact, it’s probably true. There are never enough hours in the day, and often your creative project gets placed on a back burner. In his recent guest post on Lia Mack’s blog, TWA’s own Harrison Demchick discusses the importance of making the time to write. To frame his discussion, Harrison shares a friend’s personal triumph at the writer’s club meeting where she completed the first draft of her novel and why setting aside the time for the club helped her accomplish this. (READ MORE)
- [Editorial Freelancers Association Webinar— February 11 , 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/editorial-freelancers-association-webinar-february-11-2015/) - On March 12, I gave a webinar for the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) as part of their Spring 2014 course offerings. The webinar was called “Self-Publishing From Both Sides,” a talk I debuted in September at the 2013 Communication Central conference. (READ MORE)
- [How to Tell if an Agent is Good](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-tell-if-an-agent-is-good/) - So you’ve done your research and made a list of agents to whom you plan to submit your query letter or book proposal. Unless an agent/agency has a very high profile, chances are you may not have heard of the pros on your list. How can you know if a specific agent is any good?
- [Open Q&A Session - Book Lunch February 25th, 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/open-qa-session-book-lunch-february-25th-2015/) - Are you confused about how to find your audience? Frustrated trying to put together a marketing plan on a budget? Struggling with bad writing habits? Don’t you wish you could just get a straight answer to your simple question? (READ MORE)
- [Harrison Speaks at Chessiecon 2014—November 28-30, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-speaks-at-chessiecon-2014-november-28-30-2014/) - TWA editor Harrison Demchick had a very busy and exciting weekend at the first annual Chessiecon, a convention hosted by the Thanksgiving Science Fiction Society that is dedicated to science fiction, fantasy, and related genres. Joining Tamora Pierce and Tom Smith on the guest line-up, Harrison was honored to be asked to participate in five panels in addition to giving his popular talk, “Bad Math; or, How Right and Left Brains Work Together: The Function of Logic in Fiction.” (READ MORE)
- [Harrison Debuts New Presentation for MWA Annapolis—November 19, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-debuts-new-presentation-for-mwa-annapolis-november-19-2014/) - TWA Editor Harrison Demchick was honored to premiere his talk, “The Skeleton in the Closet: What Film Structure Can Teach Us About Crafting Our Stories” at the November 19th meeting of the Annapolis Chapter of the Maryland Writer’s Association. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to support of writers throughout Maryland, the MWA remains a wonderful local resource for aspiring and published writers alike. At their November meeting, Harrison was able to join Annapolis writers to discuss the intersection of plot structure and the standard, precise three-act film structure. (READ MORE)
- [Ally Shares How Authors Go From Shy to Sold at MWA Carroll County Chapter--February 7, 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-february-7th-mwa-carroll-county-chapter-pitching-querying-and-proposing/) - On Saturday, February 7th, I gave my presentation “Pitching, Querying, and Proposing: How Authors Go from Shy to Sold” during the Carroll County MWA chapter meeting. The meeting takes place in the large meeting room of the Finksburg Branch Library, and lasted from 1:30 to 4 PM. Here is the description of my presentation... (READ MORE)
- [Why We Changed Our Name and What It Means For You](https://thewritersally.com/articles/why-we-changed-our-name-and-what-it-means-for-you/) - I started this business officially as Ambitious Enterprises in 2004 when I started freelancing full time after leaving my staff editor position at Simon & Schuster. So why the name change after all these years? Well, two very important reasons.
- [Harrison speaks at MWA Carroll County Chapter—October 11, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-speaks-at-mwa-carroll-county-chapter-october-11-2014/) - On October 11th, TWA editor Harrison Demchick had the opportunity to speak at the Maryland Writer's Association's Carroll County chapter meeting. He presented his well-received talk: “It's the End of the World as We Know It and I Feel Fine,” an exploration of the effects and importance of tension and conflict in literature.
- [Collaborating on <i>The Way of the SEAL</i> with Commander Mark Divine](https://thewritersally.com/articles/collaborating-on-the-way-of-the-seal-with-commander-mark-divine/) - A Navy SEAL is by definition an elite operator in all situations, and when you think like a SEAL, you have what you need to take control of every aspect of your destiny. The dedication and determination of our country's Navy SEALs has always humbled and fascinated me, so when literary agent Kevin Moran approached me with his concept for The Way of the SEAL, I was eager to be involved. Together, Kevin and I found the perfect expert for this book. We partnered with retired Navy SEAL Commander Mark Divine to create an outline and proposal for The Way of the SEAL, and were immediately swept into the writing process when Kevin made the deal with Reader's Digest in December. (READ MORE)
- [Self-Publishing Super Summit at Communication Central—September 26-28, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/self-publishing-super-summit-at-communication-central-september-26-28-2014/) - Communication Central hosted its 9th Annual “Build Your Business” Conference during the last weekend of September, and I was thrilled to be invited once again. The conference offers a unique opportunity to join my respected colleagues in Rochester, New York as we explore all aspects of a successful freelance editorial career.
- [Harrison Presents at the Just Write. Writers Conference—September 28, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-presents-at-the-just-write-writers-conference-september-28-2014/) - TWA editor Harrison Demchick had the wonderful opportunity to present at the Just Write. Writers Conference hosted by the Harford County Public Library on September 28th, 2014. Harrison was able to spend his Sunday presenting two talks and joining fellow experts in a panel discussion of genre writing.
- [Harrison Demchick Presents to the Harford Writer's Group—July 3, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrison-demchick-presents-to-the-harford-writers-group-july-3-2014/) - In July, TWA editor Harrison Demchick visited the Harford Writer's Group in Bel Air, Maryland to share his experience with conflict and tension in literature. The Harford Writer's Group is a group of local writers who come together once a month to support, encourage, and critique their work.
- [How to Send the Best Sample Chapters to Agents](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-send-the-right-sample-chapters-to-agents/) - While you certainly don’t want to send a sample with a weak opening to a prospective agent, unless the submission guidelines specify otherwise you should send the first three sequential chapters or fifty pages. It doesn’t matter if this amounts to a Prologue and two chapters or three regular chapters—what’s important is to send the opening of your novel (more on nonfiction in a minute). I counseled a novelist recently who wanted to send his first chapter, one from the middle, and one from the end. He felt the story didn't gel until midway through, and worried the first three chapters wouldn’t impress readers enough. I strongly encouraged him to abandon this plan, and the reason why is also the explanation for why sending the Prologue (if you have one) is not only important, but critical. (READ MORE)
- [League of Utah Writers Roundup, September 18-19, 2009](https://thewritersally.com/articles/league-of-utah-writers-roundup-september-18-19-2009/) - This fall my travels took me to Utah, home of some of the most lovely mountainside vistas I've yet had the pleasure of viewing in person. My first trip to a writers conference out west was a grand success, with a full crowd in the large banquet room (I'm guessing about 100 people in the crowd based on the table sizes), warm and lively conversations over meals... (READ MORE)
- [5 Tips for Repurposing Content for a Book: Part 2](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-tips-for-repurposing-content-for-a-book-part-2/) - With so many new avenues for publishing and distribution, books (both print and digital) remain a popular choice for repurposed material. Are you considering self-publishing a book? This series will explore five things you need to know to do it right. In this post, Ally E. Peltier, an editor, writer, and publishing consultant formerly of Simon & Schuster explores the three main avenues for bookselling: retail establishments (otherwise known as "brick and mortar" stores), the Internet, and "back of room" sales (those sold at events). Which is right for your book project? (READ MORE)
- [Mention in "Building a Professional Platform: A Brief Overview" by Angela Render](https://thewritersally.com/articles/mention-in-building-a-professional-platform-a-brief-overview-by-angela-render/) - I write and speak often to writers about author platforms. I teach them what a platform is, why it's important for book sales, and how to go about building one. I explain the notion of "planks" and how agents and publishers evaluate them when considering your project for a book deal; I share insight into how platforms play a role in self-publishing, too. (READ MORE)
- [Should Your Novel Have a Table of Contents?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/should-your-novel-have-table-of-contents/) - Beginning authors have lots of questions. And why wouldn't they, when so much about book publishing involves unspoken rules? Maybe you're wondering about some of those rules, like, should your novel have a table of contents? And if so, what should it look like? Agents and editors have somewhat different expectations for submissions of various types. If you're submitting a nonfiction book proposal, for example, you better have included a Table of Contents (better yet, an annotated TOC or a set of chapter summaries). When it comes to fiction manuscripts, however, a Table of Contents is unnecessary. Note that I said it isn't necessary—not that it's wrong, or breaking the rules, to include a Table of Contents if you wish. So how do you decide? (READ MORE)
- [Balticon 44--May 28-31, 2010](https://thewritersally.com/articles/balticon-44-may-28-31-2010/) - Every Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of science fiction and fantasy fans descend on the Hunt Valley Marriott for Balticon, the annual Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention. From Friday to Monday, they get to peruse the goods in the dealer's room, pick up free books and 'zines, and geek out with other fans of their favorite books, TV shows, and movies. What a lot of people don't realize is that the event boasts a great writing track as well. (READ MORE)
- [Client Success Story: Shep Hyken](https://thewritersally.com/articles/client-success-story/) - Shep Hyken hit the bestseller list with his first book, The Cult of the Customer (Wiley, 4/09). For his second already-bestselling book, The Amazement Revolution (Greenleaf Book Group, 4/11), he needed some outside editorial assistance in the form of a line edit and copyedit on the manuscript, then a round of proofreading before going to press. Ambitious Enterprises delivered. The end result is a powerful and accessible manifesto about Shep's approach to amazing customer service. In a tough, competitive, and price-sensitive economy, customer service is one of the most essential tools to separate your business from the competition. In this sequel to the Wall Street Journal bestselling book The Cult of the Customer, Shep Hyken shares seven powerful strategies that any organization can implement to create greater customer and employee loyalty. (READ MORE)
- [Balticon 42--May 23-26, 2008](https://thewritersally.com/articles/balticon-42-may-23-26-2008/) - Every year, the Baltimore Science Fiction Society hosts the Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention known as Balticon. Having attended as a participant in the past, I knew the program was packed with panels on topics of interest writers as well as the broader audience of scifi and fantasy fans. (READ MORE)
- [Balticon 43--May 22-25, 2009](https://thewritersally.com/articles/balticon-43-may-22-25-2009/) - Every Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of science fiction and fantasy fans descend on the Hunt Valley Marriott for Balticon, the annual Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention. From Friday to Monday, they get to puruse the goods in the dealer's room, pick up free books and 'zines... (READ MORE)
- [Maryland Writers' Association Annual Conference--April 24, 2010](https://thewritersally.com/articles/maryland-writers-association-annual-conference-april-24-2010/) - After several years enjoying all the Maryland Writers' Association has to offer, I decided to give back in a more specific way in FY 2009-2010. I ran for and was elected to the Vice President's seat on the Board under President Sonia Linebaugh. We were lucky to have Diane Booth volunteer again as Conference Coordinator, and she delivered yet another successful conference for MidAtlantic writers. I was honored to return for a repeat performance of my presentation, Revisions: Polishing Your Work for Submission. (READ MORE)
- [Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, February 20, 2010](https://thewritersally.com/articles/bay-to-ocean-writers-conference-february-20-2010/) - I was honored to participate in the 13th annual Bay to Ocean Writers Conference this year along with many other outstanding authors, publishing professionals, and instructors. (READ MORE)
- [Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, February 26, 2011](https://thewritersally.com/articles/bay-to-ocean-writers-conference-february-26-2011/) - “Breaking and Entering” Into Writing - 14th Bay to Ocean Writers Conference This year I'll be giving a new take on an old talk: Polishing Your Work and Query Letter for Submission. Every writer knows—or soon learns—that it takes multiple revisions to create a piece ready to compete for book buyers’ attention. This talk will introduce you to the most common problems that plague written works and offer simple ways to identify and resolve them in your own novel, short story, or memoir. You’ll also receive tips on writing an effective query letter, critical for those going the non-DIY route. (READ MORE)
- [APG Federal Women’s Program, March 3, 2010](https://thewritersally.com/articles/apg-federal-womens-program-march-2010/) - On March 3, 2010, I had the privilege of participating as a speaker in the Federal Women's Program special training day, "Writing Women Back Into History." I got to teach a large lecture hall filled with federal employees how to "put their best word forward" and communicate more effectively... (READ MORE)
- [Begin at the Beginning–Writers Weekly (June 2007)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/begin-at-the-beginning-writers-weekly-june-2007/) - So you've sent a fascinating query letter and the agent of your choice has asked you to send three chapters of your novel. But he didn't specify which chapters! Do you send the first three, the last three, a random selection? A member of the online writers' group I participate in recently posted that she'd... (READ MORE)
- [SparkNotes’ Philosophy 101 (SparkNotes, 7/05)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/sparknotes-philosophy-101-sparknotes-july-2005/) - Busy students need the themes and concepts of coursework explained in simple, easy-to-understand language. This book addresses nineteen major Western philosophers, from Plato to Sartre. Concise biographies introduce each philosopher, followed by overviews of the major themes, arguments, and ideas that run through each philosopher's work. Each chapter also provides in-depth summary and analysis of... (READ MORE)
- [SparkNotes’ Philosophy Classics (SparkNotes, 2/06)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/sparknotes-philosophy-classics-sparknotes-february-2006/) - This book is a one-stop guide to the great works of philosophy—the masterpieces that stand at the foundations of Western thoughts. Included are thorough, insightful overviews of the nineteen greatest philosophers of the Western world and their respective works. (READ MORE)
- [My article on choosing the right freelance editor for you, on stands now!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/my-article-on-choosing-the-right-freelance-editor-for-you-on-stands-now/) - A variety of editorial consultants are available for hire, but the types of services they offer vary. How can you tell which one you need, and which one is right for you? Just read my article on the subject! (READ MORE)
- [Guide to Literary Agents 2009 ed. Chuck Sambuchino/Writer’s Digest](https://thewritersally.com/articles/guide-to-literary-agents-2009-ed-chuck-sambuchinowriters-digest/) - The Writer's Digest Guide to Literary Agents lists literary and script agents, publicists and conferences. Each listing includes specific contact information, submission details, and other valuable information to help you find the agent best suited for your writing career. (READ MORE)
- [Platforms: Your Background Matters–Writer’s Digest magazine (April 2008)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/platforms-your-background-matters-writers-digest-magazine-april-2008/) - In today's highly saturated book market, a strong publicity and marketing campaign requires authors to have a solid platform to get the kind of media attention necessary for sales. But what is a platform, how is it used, and how do you go about building one? How can it affect the advance a publisher offers you and whether you get an offer at all? Why does a platform help you sell more books? What kind of platform is right for your project? I explain all this and more in my article "Platforms: Your Background Matters." (READ MORE)
- [Check out my advice in My So-Called Freelance Life by Michelle Goodman](https://thewritersally.com/articles/check-out-my-advice-in-my-so-called-freelance-life-by-michelle-goodman/) - When writer Michelle Goodman posted a request for advice on a variety of freelance topics for use in upcoming projects, I was happy to provide it. And even happier that she decided to include some of it in her new book, My So-Called Freelance Life. My So-Called Freelance Life is a how-to guidebook for women who want to avoid the daily grind and turn their freelance dreams into reality. Michelle Goodman, author of The Anti 9-to-5 Guide and self-proclaimed former “wage slave,” offers tips, advice, how-tos, and everything else a woman needs to pursue a freelance career. (READ MORE)
- [High Style on bookshelves now!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/high-style-on-bookshelves-now/) - At the intersection of Old Hollywood glamour and sleek modernity, you'll find sought-after Los Angeles design duo Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield. It was my pleasure to help them create their first book, an oversize, gorgeous full-color product featuring over 300 stunning photographs. (READ MORE)
- [My Prevention Health Organizer out now!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/my-prevention-health-organizer-out-now/) - I'm so thrilled to announce that my latest work-for-hire book project has just published! My Prevention Health Organizer is just what it sounds like--an organizer to help you track such things as doctor visits, tests done, family medical history, foods eaten, hours of sleep, and more. The organizer is also choc-full of important and interesting information to help you make better decisions for your health and maintain your general well-being. (READ MORE)
- [Q&A Session - Book Lunch October 29th,2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/qa-session-october-29th/) - Are you debating about self-publishing vs. getting an agent and publisher? Are you wondering what makes a book a bestseller? Are you struggling with bad writing habits? Don’t you wish you could just get a straight answer to your simple question?
- [Come Meet Our Awesome Guest! Book Lunch September 24, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/come-meet-our-awesome-guest-book-lunch-september-24-2014/) - To ease the suffering of end-of-summer blues, we’re pleased to bring you a special treat by welcoming book collaborator and editor Meghan Stevenson as our Book Lunch guest expert. Meghan worked at Simon & Schuster and Penguin USA (now Penguin Random House) as a nonfiction book editor before launching her own freelance business in 2012. She has worked with authors at all stages of the publishing process, and is so much fun to chat with that I almost want to keep this one to myself!
- [Editorial Freelancers Association Webinar—March 12, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/editorial-freelancers-association-webinar-march-12-2014/) - On March 12, I gave a webinar for the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) as part of their Spring 2014 course offerings. The webinar was called “Self-Publishing From Both Sides,” a talk I debuted in September at the 2013 Communication Central conference.
- [The Critical Need for Critiquers](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-critical-need-for-critiquers/) - Writers, especially those who know their way around grammar and editing, often ask themselves the question: Why would I hire an editor for my own writing? Shouldn't I be able to do it myself?
- [Bay to Ocean Writers Conference--February 22, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/bay-to-ocean-writers-conference-february-22-2014/) - This year I was thrilled to be invited back for one of my favorite annual events, the Bay to Ocean Writers Conference (BTO). Since 1998, this one-day conference has been held at Chesapeake College with a mission to "inform, encourage, and inspire writers and help them unravel the mysteries of the ever-changing publishing business." To that aim the conference offers workshops, presentations, and panel discussions that bring writers and industry professionals together to explore all spectrums of the craft, from writing to marketing a book.
- [Maryland Writers Conference—April 26, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/maryland-writers-conference-april-26-2014/) - The Maryland Writers' Association (MWA) Conference took place this year on April 26, 2014 at the Maritime Institute Conference Center in Linthicum Heights, MD under the tasty theme "Feed Your Writing Habit." I was so glad to be among this year's group of presenters, which included exciting appearances from former Maryland Poet LaureateMichael Glaser and Keynote Speaker Rafael Alvarez, staff writer for famed HBO series The Wire. The MWA is a "voluntary, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the art, business, and craft of writing in all its forms" and their yearly one-day conference provides a great, interactive forum for writers and industry folks to unite and compare notes on the many-splendored joys and challenges of the field.
- [In Defense of Being Your Own Gatekeeper](https://thewritersally.com/articles/in-defense-of-being-your-own-gatekeeper/) - If you're still feeling squeamish about self-publishing, consider this: the Bowker book data company recently reported that the number of self-published books in the U.S. reached 391,000 in 2012. While it may not sound like a lot, this statistic marked a 59% increase over 2011 and, in a more dramatic turn, exceeded the number of traditionally published hard copy books for that same year (only 301,642).
- [3 Time-Tested Ways To Be Sure You're Ready To Publish a Book](https://thewritersally.com/articles/3-signs-youre-ready-to-publish-a-book/) - Are you and your business really ready for a book? The decision to write a book can be very exciting. Maybe you've been thinking about taking this step for many years, or maybe something recently inspired you to add a book to your business and marketing strategy. But when it comes to successfully using a book to grow your business or as a source of income, it's important not to put the cart too far before the horse. Here are three signs to help you avoid wasting time and resources.
- [Are you a poet? Considering an indie press? -- Book Lunch, August 27th](https://thewritersally.com/articles/are-you-a-poet-considering-an-indie-press-book-lunch-august-27th/) - Are you a poet wondering how the heck you’re supposed to get published when the common thinking is that no one reads poetry? Is the size of your platform making you think that a small or indie press might be the best publisher for your book? Considering joining a writer’s critique group and wondering how to get the most out of it?
- [Open Q&A Session- July 30](https://thewritersally.com/articles/open-qa-session-july-30/) - This month on Wednesday,July 30th it’ll just be me and you,we are going have an open Q&A Session.Please join me for a live chat I will answer your questions about writing, books, publishing, the universe, and everything (okay, for that last part I will try at least!) You may log-in to view the webchat, or you can call in with your phone for audio-only participation.
- [3 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Memoir](https://thewritersally.com/articles/3-mistakes-that-will-kill-your-memoir/) - It may seem as though writing about something that actually happened would be easier than imagining a story out of thin air. And if the real events you're writing about are stories from your own life, well then, what could be easier? You were there, after all. All the details, characters, dialogue, and scenes are all there in your memory waiting to be tapped, right?
- [Approaching Book Publishers: Save Yourself Some Headaches and Create a System. Or Use Mine.](https://thewritersally.com/articles/approaching-book-publishers-save-yourself-some-headaches-and-create-a-system-or-use-mine/) - If you’re like most authors, there’s a good chance that you will send your manuscript to a number of publishing companies as you pursue a book deal. After all, the more publishers you approach, the better your chances of getting a book published. However, sending submissions out to numerous publishers also increases the chances of confusion and error on your part.
- [Can you pitch your book in just one sentence?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/can-you-pitch-your-book-in-just-one-sentence-2/) - Imagine you’re in an elevator, and when the doors open, in walks the agent/publisher/book reviewer of your dreams. You only have until the elevator gets to the next floor to tell this Kingmaker about your book, or forever lose your chance at success and happiness (okay that’s dramatic, but we’re imagining, right?). Would you know what to say? Would you be able to say it confidently and engagingly?
- [Let's Talk Self-Publishing--Book Lunch, June 25](https://thewritersally.com/articles/lets-talk-self-publishing-book-lunch-june-25/) - This month on Wednesday, June 25th, it’ll just be me and you, talking about self-publishing. We received several questions on this topic in May but weren’t able to get to them, so I’m devoting an entire Book Lunch to the subject.
- [Doing a Headstand Doesn’t Make You a Yogi](https://thewritersally.com/articles/doing-a-headstand-doesnt-make-you-a-yogi/) - But the thought that immediately popped into my head wasn't about yoga at all—it was about how applicable this statement was to writing a book as well. After all, any semi-literate adult can write…but does that make you an effective writer? Does it mean you can write a successful, engaging book?
- [More Questions for Cherise Fisher, Editor in Chief](https://thewritersally.com/articles/more-questions-for-cherise-fisher-editor-in-chief/) - I recently welcomed Cherise Fisher, who most recently served as the Editor in Chief of Plume (an imprint of Penguin USA, now Penguin Random House) to the monthly Book Lunch live webchat (if you missed it, you can catch the recorded interview on our new YouTube channel soon). It's my goal to get to as many questions as possible, but of course sometimes we just run out of time. There were three questions for Cherise that we weren't able to address, so as a follow-up, here are those questions and our answers! (READ MORE)
- [Eastern Shore Writers Association Workshop--May 31, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/eastern-shore-writers-association-workshop-may-31-2014/) - I was so excited to do this special one-day workshop on“Building a Platform that Will Help You Sell Books” for about 20 eager writers in Easton this past weekend. The all-morning interactive workshop gave the participating authors a simple five-step roadmap to self-publishing success.
- [3 More Ways to Find the Right Publisher for Your Book. #2 Is Especially Effective.](https://thewritersally.com/articles/3-more-ways-to-find-the-right-publisher-for-your-book-2-is-especially-effective/) - Perhaps you've already exhausted the easiest ways to find a publisher for your book, or you might be looking for alternatives that better suit you. Sometimes the search for the right publisher needs to be more than sending out manuscripts to a list you obtained online or from a book. Here are three more of my favorite methods to help you along.
- [The Florida Writers Association Nonfiction Conference--June 28, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-florida-writers-association-nonfiction-conference-june-28-2014/) - In June, the Florida Writers Association hosted their first "mini" conference devoted to nonfiction and I was thrilled to have been invited to give a two part workshop on “How to Write a Winning Book Proposal.” This talk taught attendees...
- [Maryland Writers Association, Annapolis Chapter--July 16, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/maryland-writers-association-annapolis-chapter-july-16-2014/) - In July I gave my talk, "Pitching, Querying, and Proposing: How Authors Go from Shy to Sold" for a packed room at the monthly meeting of the MWA (MWA) Annapolis Chapter." The theme of my talk was focused on advising authors, once they have a finished piece of writing, on what often proves to be the most daunting next step—the submission process. After years of putting my own and others' writing into publication, I enjoy sharing my personal experiences on how successfully playing your hand can lead to the satisfaction of getting your work published and available to a reading public beyond your own circle of family and friends.
- [How to Best Organize Your Book Ideas](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-organize-your-book-ideas-without-losing-your-mind/) - I'm constantly learning new ways of organizing my thoughts and content, so today I want to share with you three possible solutions that will help you to organize all the ideas floating around in your head.
- [3 Ways to Find the Best Publisher for Your Book](https://thewritersally.com/articles/3-ways-to-find-the-best-publisher-for-your-book/) - If you’ve ruled out self-publishing for now and are interested in sharing your book with the world, one of the next steps you will need to take involves finding publishers to approach. Many new authors find this part of the process overwhelming—after all, there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of publishers out there, each operating under its own rules and business model...
- [Print Books, Ebooks, and the Self-Publisher](https://thewritersally.com/articles/print-books-ebooks-and-the-self-publisher/) - Self-publishers especially are bombarded by those who suggest that, with the low threshold and speed to market of ebooks, you shouldn’t bother spending the time and money that can go into creating a print edition.
- [Client Success Story: Author Finds Missing Pages From the Parent Handbook](https://thewritersally.com/articles/client-success-story-author-finds-missing-pages-from-the-parent-handbook/) - For many parents, the mountain of self-help style books on the art and science of childrearing can seem overwhelming. Unlike most parenting resources, however, The Missing Pages of the Parent Handbook taps into collective wisdom to encourage and educate parents who are feeling overloaded.
- [Florida Writers Association Mid-Winter Conference West--January 10 & 11, 2014](https://thewritersally.com/articles/fwa-midwiner-conference-west-2014/) - In January, The Florida Writers Association is having their Mid-Winter Conference West and Reading Festival and I am thrilled to have been invited to give workshops both days.
- [5 Reasons to Submit Your Work to Anthologies](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-reasons-to-submit-your-work-to-anthologies-by-trisha-j-wooldridge/) - This week, we're pleased to welcome fiction writer Trisha Wooldridge as she shares some insights about her success with publishing in anthologies and discusses why you should consider following in her footsteps. Don't forget to check out her debut novel, The Kelpie!
- [Ally Unveils New Self-Publishing Talk at Communication Central Conference, September 27-29, 2013](https://thewritersally.com/articles/ally-unveils-new-self-publishing-talk-at-communication-central-conference-september-27-29-2013/) - I was honored to give my latest presentation, "Self-Publishing from Both Sides" at the 8th annual Communication Central “Build Your Business” conference in Rochester, New York.
- [Part 3: How Do I Know My Writing's Good Enough?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/part-3-how-do-i-know-my-writings-good-enough/) - In this short series, we’ll explore some things you must consider if you want to take your personal writing to the next level and pursue publication, whether with an agent/publisher or through the independent route. See the introductory post to this series with links to previous installments here. Many writers pour blood, sweat, and tears into their work for months or even years, finally reaching a point where they are just done with it and want to launch it out into the world. The reality, however, is that feeling “done” with a project doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing as “ready,” especially when you’re talking about a commercial product. (READ MORE)
- [5 Steps to Content Marketing Magic](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-steps-to-content-marketing-magic/) - If you’re trying to establish yourself as an expert or selling content such as a book, one of the best ways to build and nurture a mailing list of fans is to distribute quality content on a regular basis. At this year’s BookExpo America, Fauzia Burke from FSB Associates, showed us how. Here’s her five-step plan, combined with some of my own knowledge of the subject, to help you create your own content marketing magic. (READ MORE)
- [Top 5 Reasons To Try NaNoWriMo This Year](https://thewritersally.com/articles/top-5-reasons-to-try-nanowrimo/) - The benefits of participating in a speedwriting endeavor such as NaNoWriMo go beyond the drafting of a manuscript. I know—I've participated several times and won a few, too! Here are my top 5 reasons why you should join me in trying NaNoWriMo this year. (READ MORE)
- [How to Use Goodreads to Sell More Books](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-use-goodreads-to-sell-more-books/) - With 18M members and growing, authors ignore Goodreads at the peril of their own books. At this year’s BookExpo America, Patrick Brown, Director of Author Marketing for Goodreads, offered advice on how to make this accessible and fun platform work for you. Here are some of his best insights and tips, combined with a few of my own, to help you sell more books using Goodreads. (READ MORE)
- [How to Find the Best Literary Agent for Your Genre](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-find-a-literary-agent-who-reps-your-genre/) - If you decide to go the traditional publishing route, it pays to do some research into finding an agent with the right expertise and experience in your genre. The Internet is a great resource, but conducting searches using broad terms like “literary agent” is like searching for that proverbial needle in a haystack. To help you out, here are some more productive ways to find the right agent for you.
- [Social Media Account Ownership: The Perils of Delegating Your Campaign](https://thewritersally.com/articles/social-media-account-ownership-the-perils-of-delegating-your-campaign/) - Many authors have leapt onto the social media bandwagon—unfortunately, many have done so without fully understanding the media or how it works.
- [How to Sell More Books on Facebook](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-sell-more-books-on-facebook/) - What I learned at BEA 2013 from expert Cindy Ratzlaff of Brand New, Brand You about how authors can trick out and use their Facebook Page to sell more books.
- [Client Success Story: Don Grippo Intertwines Oral Surgery and Murder](https://thewritersally.com/articles/client-success-story-don-grippo-intertwines-oral-surgery-and-murder/) - When you imagine the author of a sexy psychological murder mystery, your dentist is probably not the first person who comes to mind. Don Grippo, D.D.S., who practiced oral and maxillofacial surgery in northeastern Connecticut for more than thirty years, will change that perception. Grippo’s first novel, To Sleep...Perchance to Die, (Turn the Page Publishing, 6/13) is a tale of deceit, betrayal, and murder with a Shakespearean-like twist. Readers will become absorbed with the tangled lives of three people: Mai Faca, a Eurasian beauty, and two oral surgeons, Jake Warden and Bret Manley. Mai plots to marry Jake, forbidden to her because of family honor. Bret falls victim to Mai’s seduction as she and Jake play a cruel trick in order to be together. (READ MORE)
- [BEA 2013: What I Learned and Why You Should Go](https://thewritersally.com/articles/bea-2013-what-i-learned-and-why-you-should-go/) - Book Expo America, also known as BEA, is an industry convention for publishing folk including marketing and sales people, editors, agents, and authors. The cost of attending is somewhat pricey, especially if you don’t live in New York City and need to add hotels, meals, and transportation to the bill. Nevertheless, don’t write this fantastic event off, because there’s a ton of benefit to be had for self-published and not-yet-published authors. Here are just a few.
- [Book Doctoring to Help you Turn Up Your Fat Burn (Prevention Books, 4/12)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/turn-up-your-fat-burn-prevention-books-412/) - This revolutionary diet and exercise program created by Alyssa Schaffer promises significant weight loss in just four weeks. I found the material immensely interesting, especially the numerous case studies of women who tried the program and saw results. Though I can't say I've tried the program myself, I certainly learned some good tips working on this project, and since it falls into my specialty category of health and wellness, I very much enjoyed the entire process. (READ MORE)
- [What The Heck is a Platform and How Do I Build One?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/what-the-heck-is-a-platform-and-how-do-i-build-one/) - In the publishing industry, the term “platform” refers to everything about you that helps your publisher sell your book, such as credentials, useful connections, and public presence. Next to writing ability, your platform is the most important selling point you have when approaching agents and publishers. Without a significant platform or previous publication history, it’s extremely unlikely any agent or publisher will consider your collection. (READ MORE)
- [Part 2: Did I Mention I’m On A Budget?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/2-did-i-mention-im-on-a-budget/) - In this short series, we’ll explore some things you must consider if you want to take your personal writing to the next level and pursue publication, whether with an agent/publisher or through the independent route. See the introductory post to this series with links to previous installments here. Many writers who dream about seeing their work in print give up early—they aren’t willing to spend the time and money it can take to create good quality work, find the right agent and/or publisher, or establish a viable self-publishing plan. They’re afraid to invest a lot of resources into something that may not sell. Unfortunately, this isn’t the right way to look at a business venture, which is exactly what publishing a book is. (READ MORE)
- [5 Ways Poetic Forms Can Improve Your Online Marketing](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-ways-poetic-forms-can-improve-your-online-marketing/) - April is National Poetry Month, so I'm pleased to welcome the following guest post from my colleague Angela Render. She's an Internet marketing guru, and she also partners with me to present the Self-Publishing Success Intensive. In this article, Angela offers a creative approach to proving that, with the right combination of just a few poetic words, you can get your message across and persuade readers to take action. Check out her tips and tricks and consider how they might apply to your writing and marketing prose. When confronted with online marketing, particularly with short form venues like Twitter, even writers have a hard time deciding what to say. But like any other form of expression, what you say comes second to how you say it. No one knows this better than a poet. (READ MORE)
- [Business Experts Increase Credibility by Publishing Books](https://thewritersally.com/articles/business-experts-increase-credibility-by-publishing-books/) - Want to be viewed as a “credible” business expert? By becoming a published author, you can increase your credibility factor by 300%! Studies by the Reputation Institute and other marketing consultancies reveal that publishing a book is the top “credible” marketing method for today’s service providers. Writing, much less publishing, a book isn’t easy. If you do it wrong, you risk losing credibility, not gaining it. In the “Focus on Marketing and E-commerce” section of the online journal The Business Monthly, I share my insights on how you can publish a book successfully and establish yourself as an expert in your field. (READ MORE)
- [I'm an Award-Winning Resource, Don'tcha Know?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/im-an-award-winning-resource-dontcha-know/) - I'm so excited to announce that I've been voted a top book resource in the 2013 Small Business Book Awards! With over 800 votes, I placed in the top 5 in the Resources category out of 49 nominees. This award recognizes important resources that support the creation and publication of books in the business category and/or that support small business owners who are writing books in any category—as a ghostwriter and collaborator, book doctor, editor, and publishing consultant I’ve done both for nearly fifteen years. I’m honored to receive this award, especially because your votes made it possible. Thank you! (READ MORE)
- [Why I Won’t Enter the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest](https://thewritersally.com/articles/why-i-wont-enter-the-amazon-breakthrough-novel-award-contest/) - It's a pleasure to share author Kelly A. Harmon's thoughts this week as she gives us an interesting perspective about entering writing contests, particularly the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest. Kelly writes fantasy and dark fantasy, and even though her novella, Blood Soup, won the July 2008 Fantasy Gazetteers Novella Contest, she cautions that contests aren't always worth their hype. I used to feel that if a writing contest was free, I’d be all in. But despite the possibility of a $50,000 jackpot from the free-to-enter Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest, I find several of the rules raise the stakes too high for me. (READ MORE)
- [My Love/Hate Relationships with Self-Published Books Featured on Shelf Pleasure](https://thewritersally.com/articles/my-lovehate-relationships-with-self-published-books-featured-on-shelf-pleasure/) - Shelf Pleasure is an online destination for women who love reading and a go-to source for the latest book news and trends. I was asked to share my thoughts for their Love/Hate feature section about an all too common trend in self-publishing these days – unpolished novels finding their way to the consumer market. My article, “I Buy Your Book, You Owe Me A Good Read” appeared on their site earlier this week. (READ MORE)
- [2nd Annual Self-Publishing Success Intensive--Don't Miss Out!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/2nd-annual-self-publishing-success-intensive-dont-miss-out/) - Over a decade ago, print-on-demand technology was still new to the publishing world. Ebooks were available but without e-readers, no one really cared. Back then, books that “just weren’t right” for traditional publishers often ended up in a drawer somewhere. Now, low-cost opportunities for self-publishers are everywhere! (READ MORE)
- [Client Success Story: P.J. O’Dwyer Entertains While Educating](https://thewritersally.com/articles/client-success-story-p-j-odwyer-entertains-while-educating/) - Just because a book is fiction doesn’t mean it can’t deal with some serious topics. Author P. J. O’Dwyer believes writers are entrusted to entertain as well as educate, which became the motivation behind the Fallon Sisters Trilogy. First in the series is her debut book, Relentless, which published in April 2012. The second book, Defiant, has just been released by Black Siren Books. (READ MORE)
- [From Personal Writing to Professional Book Publishing: Intro](https://thewritersally.com/articles/from-personal-writing-to-professional-publishing-intro/) - Many, many people write for personal reasons without ever intending to see their thoughts or stories published. Whether it be a daily journal, a notebook full of random thoughts, letters to loved ones, or even a public blog, these are the people who write mainly for enjoyment, to find clarity, or perhaps to leave a legacy for their future grandchildren. Some of these writers inevitably come to a time when they think, “Ya know, my stories are interesting and entertaining and insightful, and I think other people would want to read them. My writing might just be good enough to get published.” They begin to dream about seeing their name on book covers, writing a bestseller, and quitting their day job. (READ MORE)
- [Editorial Services at Low Cost to the Highest Bidder](https://thewritersally.com/articles/editorial-services-at-low-cost-to-the-highest-bidder/) - We’re all familiar with an auction format, but did you know many writers’ organizations use such auctions as a way to offer their members and even the public excellent deals on quality services while raising much-needed funds for charities, organizational activities, and more? This past October, I participated in the Florida Writers Foundation’s Silent Auction and had a lovely experience working with writer Larry Davis, who was the highest bidder on the introductory service package I donated for the cause. (READ MORE)
- [The Writer's Ally Own Harrison Demchick Releases Debut Novel, The Listeners](https://thewritersally.com/articles/aes-own-harrison-demchick-releases-debut-novel-the-listeners/) - The Writer's Ally has an exciting announcement: our own Harrison Demchick is celebrating the release of his first novel, The Listeners, just out from Bancroft Press this month. It’s a dark and terrifying journey into loneliness, desperation, and the devastating experience of one young boy in a world gone mad. Yet this orphaned 14-year-old finds hope even in the midst of a deadly plague and a precarious gang known as The Listeners. (READ MORE)
- [Q: How do we ask a disrespectful member to leave our writing group?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/q-how-do-we-ask-a-disrespectful-member-to-leave-our-writing-group/) - A former writing student of mine emailed me recently with an all too common conundrum. She said, “Our writer’s group has a new member that is not being respectful of everyone in the group. How do we end the relationship without causing a feud?” Writers’ groups are wonderful things. With the right mix of people, authors can find support and encouragement, as well as constructive feedback that can help them improve their skills and stories. Turning your work over to a critical audience can be scary, so creating a trusting atmosphere is important. (READ MORE)
- [Q: Should I use a non-disclosure agreement?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/q-should-i-use-a-non-disclosure-agreement/) - I recently corresponded with a gentleman who wondered whether he would stymie his submission efforts if he sent an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) along with his query letters. Every situation is different, and I’m certainly not a lawyer, but here are some thoughts I shared with him that might also help guide you. (READ MORE)
- [Client Success Story: Award-Winning Author Battles Corruption in the Foster Care System](https://thewritersally.com/articles/client-success-story-award-winning-author-battles-corruption-in-the-foster-care-system/) - When Sherrie Clark and her husband decided to become foster parents so they could eventually adopt they expected a few challenges, but they never anticipated the deceit, manipulation, corruption, secrecy, and conflict they would encounter. This Floridian couple found themselves entangled in a true-life horror story battling a powerful secret society where, on a daily basis, children end up victims of personal agendas, a financial bottom line, and apathy. “My family’s desire to adopt a child led us down a path into an underground world that very few know exist,” Clark reveals. (READ MORE)
- [3 Things You Need to Know About Bookstores](https://thewritersally.com/articles/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-bookstores/) - Even though many bookstores are embattled these days—interestingly chains may be getting it worse than independent stores for a change, since there are signs that indie stores are on the rise again—the influence of bookstores on both publishers and readers is still important for any would-be author to understand. Here are three things about the relationship between books and bookstores that every author needs to know. (READ MORE)
- [Harrison’s Advice About Rules of Logic Published on Book Dreaming](https://thewritersally.com/articles/harrisons-advice-about-rules-of-logic-published-on-book-dreaming/) - It’s always a privilege to be asked to contribute a guest post to great blog! The Writer's Ally editor Harrison Demchick recently penned “The Bird and the Biscuit: Playing by the Rules,” for author Shannon O'Donnell’s blog, Book Dreaming. In this article, Harrison shares the dangers of including even one little snippet of illogic in your story. He warns that even if you tell a fantastic tale, readers will always be distracted by details, small as they may be, that don’t fully jibe with the rules of logic you’ve established for your story. When you read his post, you’ll find how he helped resolve a flawed series of events involving a bird and a biscuit for one of his clients. (READ MORE)
- [But It Really Happened!: Getting Distance Between Your Life and Your Fiction](https://thewritersally.com/articles/but-it-really-happened-getting-distance-between-your-life-and-your-fiction/) - First novels are very often autobiographical. If you’re writing a story with a plot that borrows extensively from your life or whose protagonist closely resembles you, you’re a member of a very large club. And if you’ve struggled to keep some objective distance, you’re a member of an even larger club! Learning to step back and examine one’s own work without emotional attachment to characters that clutter the landscape or subplots that distract readers from the main story arc may be one of the hardest things a new writer has to learn. Many writers never master the skill, relying on writing partners or editors to be merciless where they are unable. And if your characters or subplots are grounded in your personal experiences, you’re even more likely to wrestle with this crucial skill. (READ MORE)
- [Client Success Story: Fluid Explores Good and Evil Using New Digital Format](https://thewritersally.com/articles/client-success-story-fluid-explores-good-and-evil-using-new-digital-format/) - How does a writer successfully craft a cohesive, engaging story that offers readers over 500 different storyline possibilities where they decide, by their own impulses, whether it ends happily ever after or not? The answer: With ingenuity, a special flair for storytelling, and a little help from an ambitious editor. (READ MORE)
- [5 Book Marketing Tips for Self-Publishers](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-book-marketing-tips-for-self-publishers/) - I'm thrilled to welcome indie author and publisher LM Preston to the blog this week as she shares tips based on her hard-won experience marketing her self-published books. With several series already in print and digital formats and more on the way, LM has plenty of street cred. Check it out. (READ MORE)
- [Client Success Story: Steven Marini Makes Connections to Publish First Ebook](https://thewritersally.com/articles/client-success-story-steven-marini-makes-connections-to-publish-first-ebook/) - Successfully publishing your first novel often hinges on making the right connections. For author Steven Marini, his persistence in finding those links rewarded him with his first published ebook, Connections. (READ MORE)
- [Why You May Not Want to Find an Agent Right Now](https://thewritersally.com/articles/why-you-may-not-need-to-find-an-agent-right-now/) - I often speak at writers’ conferences where I listen to many would-be authors gripe about how much hard work it takes to find a literary agent to represent one’s book. I don’t know that I’d say finding an agent is hard work—after all, you’re not doing any heavy lifting or even breaking a sweat (though you might if you’re a particularly anxious mailbox stalker). It’s more like time-consuming and soul-crushing work! Pursuing a publishing deal is not for the thin-skinned: Stories about big name authors who submitted to as many as 100 agents before finding one and getting a book deal abound. You’ve got to be in it for the long haul. (READ MORE)
- [Protecting Your Ebooks with Digital Rights Management (DRM)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/protecting-your-ebooks-with-digital-rights-management-drm/) - In order to thrive, ebooks need to become like MP3s: Regardless of where they buy it, consumers want the ability to read their ebooks on whatever device they choose. Apple has carved out a niche akin to a consumer cult, where no one cares about the restrictions of proprietary file formats, and Amazon seems to have taken a page out of their book. But this may not last long. Rumors abound about Amazon supporting the EPUB format on Kindles, so this may all be a moot point soon. (READ MORE)
- [Client Success Story: Escaping Career Prison Breaks Out With Self-Publishing](https://thewritersally.com/articles/escaping-career-prison-breaks-out-with-self-publishing/) - What’s the key to a successful self-published book? Great writing, of course, is one—but as career coach Amy Van Court of Possibilities Unlimited attests, lots of research on self-publishing and collaborating with a knowledgeable team of experts are the keys that unlock the doors to getting recognized and generating sales. (READ MORE)
- [Copyediting newsletter shares my experience with endorsements!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/copyediting-newsletter-shares-my-experience-with-endorsements/) - When copyeditor Mark Farrell asked about my practice for editing quotes to use as endorsements for books, I was pleased to explain my view on the topic. Mark is a columnist for Copyediting, the newsletter published by Copyediting.com. He included my thoughts in his article for the June/July edition. (READ MORE)
- [Publish Now! Conference, June 23, 2012](https://thewritersally.com/articles/publish-now-conference-june-23-2012/) - It's always exciting for me to present at a new conference. Making the circuit in my region means I'm often speaking to overlapping communities, so a new venue means I get to meet new people...and help a whole new group of writers! Recently I had the pleasure of presenting at The Writer’s Center’s Publish Now! conference. From 9am – 5pm on Saturday, attendees received comprehensive information and advice about how to take their writing from a manuscript to a book, or possibly an ebook, in this age of digital publishing. Presentation topics included publishing, writing, legal/business, and marketing. (READ MORE)
- [How to Protect your Work from Plagiarism](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-protect-your-work-from-plagiarism/) - I want to extend a special thank you to Jane Smith, a former reporter and current background check specialist, for sharing this valuable information with my readers. You might've heard the horror stories: An amateur author works diligently for months on end on a piece sure to revolutionize the way people see and think—an instant bestseller. Anxious to get some feedback, the author publishes the entire novel on his or her blog. The audience loves it. One individual loves it so much he decides to steal it. Character names get switched around a bit, cities change, but the thief knows the truth: The story belongs to someone else. Regardless, he self-publishes it as an ebook and manages to make a profit on stolen work. The author has no idea. Are you scared yet? (READ MORE)
- [The Secret to Breaking Habits and Starting New Ones](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-secret-to-breaking-habits-and-starting-new-ones-2/) - Many writers struggle to create better writing and reading habits. You don’t need to sell your house and move just to stop yourself from finishing the day in front of the TV instead of at your desk, but you do need to get out of your house, or at least stop going into your entertainment room at night. I recently discovered three secrets that have enabled me to break some old habits almost effortlessly, and I want to share them with you because in all the articles I’ve ever read about this popular topic, I’ve never seen this approach suggested in quite the way I experienced it. (READ MORE)
- [5 Ways to Reignite Your Old (Manuscript) Flame](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-ways-to-reignite-your-old-manuscript-flame/) - Has it been a while since you worked on your book? Don’t beat yourself up about it! The distance you’ve gained since the last time you sat down with this material is very valuable in giving you a fresh perspective. When you let a project sit a while (at least a couple of months) before coming back to it, you end up in a kind of creative grey area. You’ll never be completely objective about your own work, of course, but time can help you separate yourself from the work mentally and emotionally. You’ll be a lot more objective now than when you were right in the thick of things—it can be easy to lose sight of the proverbial forest for the trees when you’re immersed in a work. Now that some time has passed, you can return to it with renewed vigor and insight—sometimes you’ll be pleasantly surprised by your own brilliance, and at other times, you’ll be embarrassed by how bad a passage is! You’ll catch errors you never noticed before, and you’ll be better able to match your progress to your original concept or outline. Here are some tips to help you take advantage of this unique vantage point. (READ MORE)
- [How Blogging Can Hurt Your Writing Career](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-blogging-can-harm-your-writing-career/) - With the emphasis placed on building an audience pre-publication, many writers wonder how blogging can help or hurt their careers. What’s okay to publish on a blog, and what will create obstacles to selling your work? There are few clear rules, as it all depends on how much material you are making available to the public and how different it is from the finished version. (READ MORE)
- [Telling Writers No](https://thewritersally.com/articles/telling-writers-no/) - An excellent article from Edan Lepucki, which published on The Millions website this past fall, is one of the best articles I've read on self-publishing and the shifting publishing industry in a while. One concern of the author’s caught my eye, however, and that’s what I want to address today. Under list item #5, Lepucki wonders how the shift from publishers paying the bill to writers paying the bill affects the advice an editor will give. To quote the original article, “I know you can hire experienced editors and copyeditors, but how is that role affected when the person paying is the writer himself? What if the hired editor told you not to publish? Would that even happen?” (READ MORE)
- [Q: Do I need an ISBN for my ebook?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/q-do-i-need-an-isbn-for-my-ebook/) - For a long time, the majority of self-publishers didn’t bother to purchase an ISBN for their ebooks. This was in large part because the Kindle store didn't require one (and it still doesn’t, though most other ebook sellers do. However, times have changed. A big effort has been made by those of us working with self-publishers (I've heard this repeated frequently at conferences and on teleseminars over the last year!) to better educate folks, so more and more self-published ebooks now feature unique ISBNs. (READ MORE)
- [Q: Do the pros ever get it wrong?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/q-do-the-pros-ever-get-it-wrong/) - My client Patty recently sent me the following note: “You know I get what agents and editors have to say. They want to make sure any book they take on has a fighting chance, an audience, and is going to make them money. But do you ever think they get it wrong? I hope so. I think what counts are your readers and from what I've received so far they love the book.” (READ MORE)
- [Registration opens for Self-Publishing Success Intensive!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/registration-opens-for-self-publishing-success-intensive/) - Over a decade ago, print-on-demand technology was still new to the publishing world. Ebooks were available but without e-readers, no one really cared. Back then, books that “just weren’t right” for traditional publishers often ended up in a drawer somewhere. Now, low-cost opportunities for self-publishers are everywhere! And yet, most self-published books average about 100-200 copies sold. My colleague Angela Render and I want to help people learn to self-publish their books right. While there’s no one set-in-stone, step-by-step plan that everyone must follow, there is a mentality, a set of tools and skills, and an understanding of the industry necessary to get beyond those 100-200 friends-and-family sales. (READ MORE)
- [My article "Choosing the Right Editor for You" featured on Indies Unlimited](https://thewritersally.com/articles/check-out-my-guest-post-on-indiesunlimited-com/) - I highlight the differences in services offered by book doctors, developmental editors, copyeditors, and proofreaders and offer some tips on how to find someone who matches your needs and your budget. You’ll also find a few resources that I recommend you check out as you begin your search. (READ MORE)
- [My New Year's Resolution Featured On Working Writers Blog](https://thewritersally.com/articles/my-new-years-resolution-featured-on-working-writers-blog/) - Author Cherie Burbach invited writers to share their writing-related New Year's Resolutions, and I was happy to contribute mine. She posted the responses she received on her Working Writers blog. Take a look at the other resolutions from writers and see if you can find any inspiration of your own in their goals for 2012. (READ MORE)
- [MWA Carroll County Chapter Meeting--February 11, 2012](https://thewritersally.com/articles/mwa-carroll-county-chapter-invites-me-to-speak/) - As an active member of the Maryland Writers' Association, I'm always excited when I get the opportunity to speak to a new chapter. So it was with great pleasure that I drove out to Sykesville on a Saturday afternoon to speak at the Carroll County chapter of the MWA. I did a presentation called "Pitching, Querying, Proposing: How an Author Goes from Shy to Sold.” Here's the description that was publicized: You’ve experienced the satisfaction of working hard to learn a craft and producing a quality piece of writing—but now what? If you ever want anyone to read your work outside of your immediate circle of family and friends, you’ll need to get published. Though self-publishing is always an option, this talk focuses on how writers generally approach the submission process. Find out who really decides what gets published, how to approach them without getting the proverbial door slammed in your face, and what these gatekeepers expect from you besides your very best work. You’ll also get tips that will make your pitches, queries, and proposals more effective for best results. (READ MORE)
- [Nan Reinhardt shares my guest post "Why Fiction Writers Need Editors"](https://thewritersally.com/articles/nan-reinhardt-shares-my-guest-post-why-fiction-writers-need-editors/) - Nan Reinhardt, a published romance writer and freelance copyeditor, invited me to contribute an article to her blog last week. I contributed "Why Fiction Writers Need Editors," offering four reasons why fiction writers need experienced editors to critically analyze their manuscripts, identify problems, and offer suggestions on how to fix them. I also offered what I believe is the best alternative to hiring a professional editor, if your budget isn't as grand as your publishing ambitions! (READ MORE)
- [What is a Virtual Tour?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/what-is-a-virtual-tour/) - Stephanie Barko, a literary publicist who specializes in promoting nonfiction and historical fiction. Stephanie offers many valuable services to authors, whether self-published or in need of support for a book released by a publishing house. I encourage you to check out her blog, linked below in her bio, to find out more about Stephanie and to learn from her advice! You've probably heard about virtual tours, but maybe you aren't sure exactly what they are. A virtual tour takes a book through online sites that feature content about the author and title during a short length of time. Virtual tours became popular when the value of book bloggers’ followings became apparent in terms of exposure, promotion, and book sales. By comparison, ground tours seem like a poor return on investment for the level of money, time and risk expended, especially when readers do not show up for signings and author events. But an author can do a virtual tour for half the cost of a ground tour with the same number of stops. (READ MORE)
- [Gotham Ghostwriters Publishes My “5 Book Proposal Musts” Advice](https://thewritersally.com/articles/gotham-ghostwriters-publishes-my-5-book-proposal-musts-advice/) - I’m excited to tell you that Gotham Ghostwriters has shared my article, 5 Book Proposal Musts, on their blog! Since most nonfiction publishers don’t expect, or even want you to have a complete manuscript when you start submitting your book ideas, there’s a lot riding on your non-fiction proposal. In this article, I offer a few “must have” guidelines so you can write the strongest book proposal possible. (READ MORE)
- [5 Lessons I Learned from NaNoWriMo 2011](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-lessons-i-learned-from-nanowrimo-2011/) - November is over and so is the National Novel Writing Month challenge. I’m so excited to be a winner with 50,180 words validated around noon on November 30. Not quite the last minute, but I sure cut it close! I feel extremely positive about my NaNoWriMo experience, partly because I accomplished a very difficult thing that I wasn’t sure I could do, but also because I learned valuable lessons throughout the thirty-day “seat-of-your-pants literary adventure” as Executive Director Chris Baty calls it. Below are five of the most important lessons I learned this year. (READ MORE)
- [Avoid This One Thing That Will Kill Your Self-Published Book](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-self-publish-avoid-this-one-thing-that-will-kill-your-self-published-book/) - You may have heard about the “leaked” memo from publishing giant Hachette on why publishers are still relevant. Perhaps more interesting, though, was author J.A. Konrath’s response. Though I agree with Konrath’s advice in principle, one of his comments disturbed me. Since he published with traditional houses and became well versed in the business before going it alone, he was probably not conscious of how his statement reflects what I feel is the biggest curse of self-publishing: impatience. (READ MORE)
- [5 Tips for Repurposing Content for a Book: Part 3.2](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-tips-for-repurposing-content-for-a-book-part-3-2/) - The wealth of information about digital formats available online can make any non-techie’s head swim. And the technology changes every day, so this post will probably be outdated before you read it! In this third post of a five-part series, Ally E. Peltier, an editor, writer, and publishing consultant formerly of Simon & Schuster explores the different options available for publishing your book in a digital format. (READ MORE)
- [Twitter 101 for Authors: A Review](https://thewritersally.com/articles/twitter-101-for-authors-a-review/) - As a brand new tweeter, I was most anxious to read a reliable guide to Twitter, and so I was happy to download Shelley Hitz' Twitter 101 for Authors. Hitz' website and free material is very useful and while it seemed that $10.00 for a 60 page download with a few extras thrown in was a bit steep, it would be well worth it considering the time that I would save by otherwise having to locate such information myself. Furthermore, I inferred from the title that Hitz' work would provide insight on using Twitter specifically as a writer. Unfortunately, Twitter 101 for Authors just doesn't contain much worthwhile information at all. (READ MORE)
- [How Much Research Is Enough to Sell Your Book?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-much-research-is-enough-to-sell-your-book/) - According to Bowker’s, roughly 85% of all titles published are nonfiction. That’s good news for you nonfiction writers, because it means there’s a greater chance of you finding a home for your book. For many of you, research will be an important component of your project. Balancing the amount of time and money you’re investing in creating the book proposal (if you don’t know what a book proposal is, do yourself a favor and get my free white paper How to Write a Successful Nonfiction Book Proposal, before you have the guarantee of an advance, can be tricky. Here’s a little advice to guide you. (READ MORE)
- [Success Story: Eric D. Goodman](https://thewritersally.com/articles/success-story-eric-d-goodman/) - Novelist Eric D. Goodman calls his book “a novel in stories.” Tracks is set on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. Each story is told from the perspective of a passenger on the train. They are the strangers we meet every day: a soldier, a salesman, a former mobster, a Holocaust survivor, couples in love, a woman who has lost her parents, a poet, a hit man. The stories in Tracks stand alone, but they become stronger when linked together. Tracks is all about how people—even strangers on a train—can touch one another in meaningful ways. (READ MORE)
- [Publishing Contest Aimed at NaNoWriMos](https://thewritersally.com/articles/publishing-contest-aimed-at-nanowrimos/) - If you are participating in NaNoWriMo this year, you have the opportunity to enter a publishing contest designed just for you! Ebook publisher Literary Partners Group, Inc. is accepting 50,000-word novels in the genres of erotic romance, horror, crime, or mystery/thriller. Literary Partners’ team of editors will evaluate the submissions and choose first place winners, as well as honorable mentions, from each genre for publication by imprints Ravenous Romance or Ravenous Shadows. (READ MORE)
- [4 Special Treats For NaNoWriMo Participants](https://thewritersally.com/articles/4-special-treats-for-nanowrimo-participants-2/) - By the time you read this, we’ll be entering the second weekend of NaNoWriMo, and hopefully I’ll be on track with my word goal or ahead of the game. Right now I’m ahead. It’s true it’s a little late in the game to join in the fun, but not too late if you already have a draft started (yes, technically that’s cheating) or if you can write really, really fast. Still, I wanted to tell you about a few fun and interesting perks and activities the folks over at the OLL—the non-profit behind NaNoWriMo—have cooked up. (READ MORE)
- [Why NaNoWriMo Is Awesome](https://thewritersally.com/articles/why-nanowrimo-is-awesome/) - It’s November again—National Novel Writing Month! And that means it’s time for NaNoWriMo. The basic idea behind NaNoWriMo is to write a 50,000 word manuscript in just 30 days. You aren’t supposed to do any revising or editing. You aresupposed to get your butt in the chair and your fingers on the keyboard every day so you can reach your target word count. (READ MORE)
- [The 6 Best Reasons You Should Use a Pseudonym](https://thewritersally.com/articles/whats-in-a-pen-name-six-good-reasons-to-use-one/) - Nom de plume. Pseudonym. Pen name. Alias. Whatever you call it, it’s a name other than your legal, given name by which you want people to know you and your writing. But if half the fun of getting published is seeing your name in print, why would anyone choose to use a fake name? (READ MORE)
- [My "Author Platform" Article Appears on the Self-Publishing-Coach Blog!](https://thewritersally.com/articles/my-author-platform-article-appears-on-the-self-publishing-coach-blog/) - It's an honor to see my article "Author Platforms: Strengthen Your Planks, Market Your Book" on the Self-Publishing-Coach blog by Shelley Hitz. Having a strong author platform is so important to successfully market your book, and in this article, I give a few tips on how to build an platform that makes an impact. (READ MORE)
- [Bay to Ocean Writing Conference, February 25, 2012](https://thewritersally.com/articles/save-the-date-bay-to-ocean-writing-conference-coming-february-25-2012/) - For the third year in a row, I was invited to speak at the Bay to Ocean Writers Conference. I gave my popular talk, "Polishing Your Work for Publication," which teaches you some of the most common problems plaguing creative works and offers tips on how to resolve them and strengthen your writing in the process. Here's the talk description: Approximately 3 million new titles were published by traditional houses and self-publishers in 2010. Every writer knows---or soon learns---that it takes multiple revisions to create a piece ready to compete for book buyers' attention. But where do you start? This talk will introduce you to the most common problems that plague written works and offer simple ways to identify and resolve them in your own novel, short story, or memoir. (READ MORE)
- [10 Reliable Ways to Get the Most Out of Meeting with Agents & Editors](https://thewritersally.com/articles/10-reliable-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-meeting-with-agents-editors/) - There are hundreds of literary agents out there, and many times that number of writers submitting to each one. I frequently advise clients to attend writers’ conferences for a variety of reasons, but one of the best is to take advantage of one-on-one meetings with agents and editors. Many conferences bring out agents and editors from top agencies and houses to meet with attendees in private consultations. Meeting with agents and editors at conferences is usually a time-limited event: The sessions vary in length but are typically short, lasting anywhere from ten to thirty minutes. Get the most out of meeting with agents and editors by following the ten tips below. (READ MORE)
- [How to Easily Start Writing Your Book Proposal](https://thewritersally.com/articles/easily-start-writing-your-book-proposal/) - So much emphasis is put on the importance of book proposals. They’re pitches, marketing resources, and microcosms of your book. You know your entire manuscript—most of which isn’t even included in the proposal—will be judged by how well you write this document. So overwhelming! Are you having trouble writing your nonfiction book proposal? Try starting with these two questions: Why now? and Why me?Every section in the proposal addresses them to some degree, whether you're explaining who needs your book, comparing it to other available titles, or discussing your platform and marketing plan. (READ MORE)
- [5 Tips for Repurposing Content for a Book: Part 3.1](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-tips-for-repurposing-content-for-a-book-part-3-1/) - With so many new avenues for publishing and distribution, books (both print and digital) remain a popular choice for repurposed material. Are you considering self-publishing a book? This post is part 3.1 in a five part series exploring five things you need to know to do it right. (READ MORE)
- [ACW Publishing Conference, September 24, 2011](https://thewritersally.com/articles/come-see-me-at-the-acw-publishing-conference-in-september/) - I was so pleased to participate as a keynote speaker at the Adirondack Center for Writing's annual Publishing Conference two weekends ago. Besides the incredibly productive train ride, I got to enjoy a cool, beautiful weekend in the mountains of upstate NY. I also got to meet a whole new community of writers and was invigorated by my conversations with fellow keynote speakers Amy Holman, Jeffrey Lependorf, and Peter Joseph. ACW's Executive Director Nathalie Costa Thill couldn't have been a more gracious and lovely hostess. In the comfort of an Adirondack ski lodge-style room complete with the most gorgeous stone fireplace I've ever seen... (READ MORE)
- [5 Ways to Start Writing Your Nonfiction Book: Part 2](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-ways-to-start-writing-your-nonfiction-book-part-2/) - Maybe you’ve been itching to share your vision or unique system with the world, but are having trouble getting started. No wonder! Your average prescriptive nonfiction book runs in the neighborhood of 50,000-70,000 words, a rather intimidating number for folks who never considered themselves writers…until they had something they really wanted to write! In
- [11 Great Query Letter Resources](https://thewritersally.com/articles/11-great-query-letter-resources/) - It seems unfair, I know, to have to learn yet another writing skill after you’ve already spent years perfecting your ability to tell a good story or write an accessible self-help book. But mastering the art of the query letter is essential if you hope to obtain an agent or publisher. And, frankly, the same marketing and copywriting skills that go into a good query will serve you when writing any number of promo pieces for your self-published book as well. (MORE)
- [Why Are Agents Still Rejecting Me?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/why-are-agents-rejecting-me/) - My client Tara tells me she’s sent queries to forty-nine agents and nine have asked for partial or full manuscripts. But after reviewing the manuscript their interest ended. She writes, “I've gotten kind rejections, but I haven’t received any offers. I'm at a loss as to what to do next. Please advise!” Though the rejections hurt, in reality, Tara has about a 20% success rate in terms of her query letter, the goal of which is to tempt an agent to ask for material. That’s not bad. It’s not uncommon for a writer to submit to lots of agents or editors before finding the right match. Stephen King got thirty rejection letters for Carrie, which he threw away (his wife pulled it out and forced him to keep going). Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen, authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul, received 134 rejections. For his classic, Roots, Alex Hayley received a whopping 208! (Check out this encouraging post for more famous stories about agents rejecting authors who became big sellers.) Since a good number of agents are asking for partial manuscripts, my feeling is Tara’s query letter is doing its job well. So what’s the problem? (READ MORE)
- [5 Ways to Start Writing Your Nonfiction Book: Part 1](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-ways-to-start-writing-your-nonfiction-book-part-1/) - According to the Jenkins Group, 80% of Americans want to write a book. Many have an idea for “the Great American Novel,” but as books become increasingly popular platform-builders, more entrepreneurs and thought leaders are directing their attention to writing nonfiction books. In fact, recent figures show about 85% of books published each year are nonfiction. In this two part series, you’ll find five of my favorite ways to get started writing your nonfiction book. (READ MORE)
- [Client Success Story: Erinn Manack and Susan Yanguas](https://thewritersally.com/articles/595/) - Writing a book may be the most ambitious enterprise you embark on in this life. I say writing, and not publishing, because the fact is I don’t believe publication is the only measure of a book’s success; indeed many excellent books never receive a publishing contract. Those of you who’ve completed a full book-length manuscript know how difficult it can be to simply make it from page one to page 300 (or more), let alone revise, perfect, submit, and finally get the book into print. This month, we celebrate two former students of mine who, following my novel writing class, successfully formed a critique group, completed their novels, and are now in the process of submitting. Susan Yanguas hadn’t yet started writing her novel, Bluff, when she took my 2009 class; it began as a result of the assignments I gave. She says, “The class forced me to start writing this book—otherwise, I probably would have spent a lot of time revising my previous manuscript (which is currently in limbo). Following the end of class, seven of us got together as a critique group. Little by little people drifted away, but we also added an occasional outsider to the group. All the writers gave great feedback and kept pushing me forward to complete the draft, which took two years.” (READ MORE)
- [How to Keep Your Creative Fire Stoked](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-keep-your-creative-fire-stoked/) - Ah, the lazy days of summer. As the weather heats up, life slows down a bit. With relish you whip out that half-finished manuscript and sit in front of your computer. Your iced tea is sweating onto your notes, but you don’t care, because you finally have some time to write and that has you feeling pretty great. That is, until you realize you’ve been cracking your knuckles and scratching your head for five, fifteen, thirty minutes, and you still haven’t started typing. (READ MORE)
- [Get a Unique Edge: Complete Your Rough Draft First](https://thewritersally.com/articles/complete-your-rough-draft-first/) - Every writer has his or her own preferred method for writing a book. Some will tell you they write a little every day at various times of day; others sit down when the muse strikes and churn out page after page. It can take months or years to write a book. Some edit as they go along while others like to push through until the end before revising. There's no right answer. I find there are many reasons why it's better, though, especially for beginning writers, to complete your rough draft before you begin revising it. (READ MORE)
- [Nurture Your Networking Tree--The Writer magazine (May 2011)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/nurture-your-networking-tree-the-writer-magazine-may-2011/) - If you want to keep the jobs coming, you've got to work your connections. I think of my network as a giant, ever-growing tree. Like a tree, networks are organic entities that need care and attention. They get bigger and wider, but sometimes a branch dies. Sometimes you need to prune a few twigs for a stronger overall result. But if you nurture your network tree, it will give you a career-full of contacts, paid work, new opportunities, and even friends. (READ MORE)
- [Client Success Story: Marlene Gonzalez](https://thewritersally.com/articles/client-success-story-marlene-gonzalez/) - Client Marlene Gonzalez (along with her co-author Cristina Benitez) just saw the publication of her first book, Latinization and the Latino Leader: How to Value, Develop, and Advance Latino Professionals (Paramount Market Publishing, 11/10). Whether you are a Latino or have a Latino employee in your team, Latinization and the Latino Leader will help you raise your level of awareness and understanding about cultural differences in the workplace... (READ MORE)
- [5 Tips for Repurposing Content for a Book: Part 1](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-tips-for-repurposing-content-for-a-book-part-1/) - With so many new avenues for publishing and distribution, books (both print and digital) remain a popular choice. Are you considering self-publishing a book? This series will explore five things you need to know to do it right. In this guest post for the American Society of Business Publication Editors' blog, Ally E. Peltier, an editor, writer, and publishing consultant formerly of Simon & Schuster shares what to put in and leave out when bringing old content back to life in a book. (READ MORE)
- [MWA Frederick Chapter Meeting--May 26, 2010](https://thewritersally.com/articles/mwa-frederick-chapter-meeting-may-26-2010/) - I gave my popular talk on author platforms for the members of MWA's Frederick Chapter, which was a wonderful opportunity for me for two reasons: I got to check out Frederick a bit (I've only ever driven through) and I was able to meet many MWA members I'd only previously known via email and chat lists. Plus, the C. Burr Artz library had an excellent meeting room with plenty of space and a podium for me to rest my elbows on. MWA chapters get the best crowds, so if you're a writer and you're lucky enough to live near one, check out a meeting! Plus you'll get to rub elbows with your fellow Frederick-area writers and support a great organization. Here's the talk description... (READ MORE)
- [Maryland Writers' Association Annual Conference--May 9, 2009](https://thewritersally.com/articles/maryland-writers-association-annual-conference-may-9-2009/) - I've been an active member of the Maryland Writers' Association for several years now, and so it's with great pleasure that I was able to participate as a speaker at this year's conference. The theme "Writing Your Success Story" was apt: writers from all over the MidAtlantic came to learn new skills... (READ MORE)
- [The Streets of San Diego–J3tlag.com (December 2005)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-streets-of-san-diego-j3tlag-com-december-2005/) - For the now defunct travel website J3tlag.com, I wrote a travel piece on San Diego's history as a city of ill-repute as learned via walking tour. The bright and shiny SoCal mecca of San Diego is known for its glorious weather, fine beaches, and laid-back, come-as-you-are vibe. Oh, and Sea World. In other words, it's thought to be warm, inviting, and, well, sort of bland. But San Diego was founded on the backs of seedy bars and brothels. For under $20, you can spend an afternoon traipsing the streets on a guided walking tour that will take you through back alleys and inside grand hotel lobbies, revealing the city's secrets in a way no museum can... (READ MORE)
- [Q: Do I need a Creative Writing MFA to get my novel published?](https://thewritersally.com/articles/q-do-i-need-a-creative-writing-mfa-to-get-my-novel-published/) - Oh how the world of letters has changed. Once upon a time, writers were sponsored by wealthy friends or lovers more politely called "patrons." Then somewhere along the way writers just became self-supported if they had money and starving artists if they didn't. But writing was a sort-of gentlemanly pursuit, something done by learned men (and occasionally women) but not something you went to school to learn, specifically. Now, not only are there hundreds of MFA programs out there, there are writing certificates, combined English Lit/Creative Writing MAs, even PhDs in Creative Writing! In every class I teach and at every conference presentation I give, at least one person wants to know how important these degrees are to his or her writing career. "Do I need a Creative Writing MFA to get my novel published?" they ask. The answer is: they can be useful, but they aren't necessary. (READ MORE)
- [Build a Better Novel, September 21-October 26, 2010](https://thewritersally.com/articles/build-a-better-novel-september-21-october-26/) - There are five key elements to salable fiction. Do you know what they are? In this six week class, I'll share learned-the-hard-way tips, tactics, and tricks of the trade to help you sell, regardless of genre or skill level. You'll learn what editors and agents want...and what they don't want. (READ MORE)
- [The Care and Feeding of Editorial Assistants–Writers’ Journal magazine (Sept/Oct 2007)](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-care-and-feeding-of-editorial-assistants-writers-journal-magazine-septoct-2007/) - Few writers know this, but editorial assistants (EA) are the gatekeepers of publishing. In the world of towering slush piles and deep agented-submissions bins, EAs are often the first to look at submissions. They screen calls and fend off anxious authors and would-be authors. In book publishing (and, I would guess, magazine publishing as well), the proper care and feeding of editorial assistants is the key to gaining an editor's attention and developing a solid relationship with your publisher. (READ MORE)
- [Florida Writers Conference, October 22-24, 2010](https://thewritersally.com/articles/florida-writers-conference-october-22-24-2010/) - I was so excited about traveling to Lake Mary, Florida this fall to teach an extended version of my talk, Revisions: Polishing Your Work for Publication. I took about a hundred attendees through some of the most common errors and challenges that creative works face including basic punctuation and grammar rules as well as developmental issues such as unnatural dialogue, loose ends, and more. (READ MORE)
- [Freelancer's Union Get Together -- May 6, 2020](https://thewritersally.com/articles/freelancers-union-get-together-may-6-2020/) - Thanks to the pandemic, many businesses are closed or suffering. And that means many freelancers that typically serve these businesses are finding that they have a lot of unwelcome time on their hands. If you're in this boat, don't just fret about lost income--use your time wisely and write a book that will boost your business even during the pandemic and for year to come. (READ MORE)
- [From Shy to Sold with the MWA Frederick Chapter, July 18, 2020](https://thewritersally.com/articles/from-shy-to-sold-with-the-mwa-frederick-chapter-july-18-2020/) - Our very own Ally Machate will be speaking at the MWA Frederick County Chapter on July 18, 2020 at the Urbana Regional Library (9020 Amelung Street Frederick, MD 21704) at 1:00pm Ally will talk about Queruing, Proposing and Getting Your Book Published.
- [How to Layer in Emotion for More Powerful Scenes](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-layer-in-emotion-for-more-powerful-scenes/) - Authors choose to write in first person point-of-view because it is voice-driven. This protagonist-as-narrator approach gives readers a feel for how the main character speaks, views others, and sees themselves. But in early drafts, writers often focus too tightly on what characters are doing, rather than how they are feeling. When I come across this issue in my work as a book editor, and in my own writing, the effect is similar to reading the stage directions for a play. What’s the fix for layering in emotions when we go back and revise our scenes? (READ MORE)
- [Use Three-Act Structure to Enhance Your Prose with MWA MoCo -- April 11, 2020](https://thewritersally.com/articles/three-act-structure-mwa-moco/) - The world of film is filled with comedy and drama, sci-fi and fantasy, thriller and romance, and everything in-between, but what many don’t realize is that nearly every film boils down to the same three-act structure. This talk will explore what three-act film structure teaches us about how and why stories are constructed, and how these lessons can be incorporated into our own writing. (READ MORE)
- [Create More Freedom in Your Freelance Biz - Communication Central Conference September 2018](https://thewritersally.com/articles/create-more-freedom-in-your-freelance-biz-communication-central-conference-september-2018/) - Are you a freelance editor or writer? Thinking of becoming one? You don't want to miss this professional-level event! We are happy to announce that Ally will return once again to speak for the Communication Central Conference in September. This year's theme is "Make Your Own Luck." She is honored to be able to help out her fellow freelancers on a topic close to her heart: Creating More Freedom in Your Freelance Biz. (READ MORE)
- [Go from Shy to Sold and Get Published with Ally and MWA Baltimore - August 30, 2018](https://thewritersally.com/articles/go-from-shy-to-sold-and-get-published-with-ally-and-mwa-baltimore-august-30-2018/) - One of the most common questions new writers ask is, “How do I get published?” But wow, there’s a lot to unpack from that one question! There are many routes to publication and a lot for the new author to navigate. Please join Ally and the Maryland Writer’s Association Baltimore chapter as she speaks with members about Querying, Proposing, and Getting Your Book Published. (READ MORE)
- [Why Now? How to Identify Problems with Causation in Your Novel](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-to-identify-problems-with-causation-in-your-novel/) - From the day you started writing your novel, you’ve been excited to reach the scene. The moment of confrontation between your main characters. The explosion of rage and anger (or possibly love and lust, depending on your story!) building between them from the very first page. But even though your writing is sharp, and the dialogue clear and convincing, the scene doesn’t have the emotional impact you intend. You want this scene to happen. You need it to happen. But the narrative you’ve written has left one important question unanswered: Why does it happen right now? (READ MORE)
- [3 Things You Need to Know About the Domino Effect in Fiction](https://thewritersally.com/articles/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-domino-effect-in-fiction/) - Whether you compose your manuscript off the cuff or take your time with a careful outline, the process of plotting a novel ultimately comes down to one simple question, repeated again and again: What happens next? Considering how to use the domino effect in fiction will help you answer that question in a compelling way. But what specifically is it that makes the next plot beat work? How do a series of moments combine to create effective action in a story? As a professional book editor, it’s my role to analyze the stories with which I work and determine exactly why this plot beat or that action sequence is unconvincing. In this first installment of a four-part blog series on cause and effect, we’ll explore how many of our struggles with plot come down to one basic misunderstanding: Plot isn’t about action. It’s about reaction. (READ MORE)
- [The Best Way to Promote a Book](https://thewritersally.com/articles/the-best-way-to-promote-a-book/) - Every author wants to know the best way to promote a book. And when you’re an indie or self-published author, identifying the best practices is even more critical. So, I’m going to offer my #1 top tip to getting your book marketing efforts off on the right foot. What you find may surprise you. (READ MORE)
- [5 Steps to the Best Book Introduction Ever](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-steps-to-the-best-book-introduction-ever/) - I’m sure you’ve heard many times that your book’s opening pages are critically important. In keeping with this advice, the most important chapter you write in your nonfiction book may be the introduction. But do you know how to write the best book introduction? What does that even look like, and why is it so important? In this article I'm going to give you a five-step method to write the best book introduction that will engage your reader, establish trust, and keep your reader interested enough to read the rest of your book. (READ MORE)
- [Put the Freedom in Freelance -- May 30, 2018](https://thewritersally.com/articles/put-the-freedom-in-freelance-biz/) - Frustrated that you aren't enjoying as much freedom as you dreamed of when you first went freelance? Isn't increased freedom in freelance work the whole point? We are happy to announce that Ally will be teaching her webinar, "Create More Freedom in your Freelance Biz," just in time for summer! So if you've been dreading your upcoming summer vacation or worse, avoiding taking one because you think you can't, don't miss this program hosted by the Editorial Freelancers Association. (READ MORE)
- [Forming and Using a Book Marketing Street Team with MWA Baltimore - April 2018](https://thewritersally.com/articles/book-marketing-street-team-mwab-april-2018/) - Though a lot of our marketing efforts have moved online, many authors still use a "street team" to help promote their books. This collaborative effort can be a powerful way to boost your signal! Join me as I team up with the Maryland Writers Association (MWA) Baltimore Chapter to present my instructional talk, “Forming and Using a Book Marketing Street Team.” This info-packed evening is coming at you on April 26, 2018, so mark your calendar. (READ MORE)
- [How Authors Go from Shy to Sold, A Webinar -- April 11, 2018](https://thewritersally.com/articles/how-authors-go-from-shy-to-sold-a-webinar-april-11-2018/) - You’ve experienced the satisfaction of working hard to learn a craft and producing a quality piece of writing but now what? If you ever want anyone to read your work outside of your immediate circle of family and friends, you’ll need to get published. Though self-publishing is always an option, this talk focuses on how writers generally approach the submission process. Find out who really decides what gets published, how to approach them without getting the proverbial door slammed in your face, and what these gatekeepers expect from you besides your very best work. You’ll also get tips that will make your queries and proposals more effective for best results. (READ MORE)
- [Introduction to Developmental Editing, A Webinar -- April 3, 2018](https://thewritersally.com/articles/introduction-to-developmental-editing-a-webinar-april-3-2018/) - Calling all freelance editors! We are excited to announce that our very own Ally Machate was invited by the Editorial Freelancers Association to deliver her presentation, "An Introduction to Developmental Editing." If you're a copyeditor who's been thinking about adding this level of service to your offerings, or if you're new to freelance editing and are still figuring out what types of work you want to do, this entry level talk is for you. (READ MORE)
- [5 Ways to Use Your Book to Grow Your Business or Brand](https://thewritersally.com/articles/5-ways-to-use-your-book-to-grow-your-business-or-brand/) - You published your book—now what? Discover a smart book launch strategy to make your book a business‑growth tool, not a one‑time event.
- [APSS Webinar - Polishing Your Work for Publication - Nov 2015](https://thewritersally.com/articles/apss-webinar-polishing-your-work-for-publication-nov-2015-2/) - I was super excited to be leading a webinar for members of the Association of Publishers for Special Sales last November as part of the organization's ongoing series. The webinar was free. (READ MORE)

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