Self-publishing Author Advice about the art and craft of writing great books
Many readers of this blog recently enjoyed Satya Robyn's recent guest post about writing "small stones". Today we turn the focus on Satya herself - psychotherapist, Buddhist monk and self-published author - to find out how and why she has…
Blog editor Debbie Young explains how helping a favourite charity can be great motivation for self-published writers and indie authors, whatever their genre. Without wishing to sound as if I think I'm Superman, now and again I like to use…
As his second memoir of his life in Tenerife is published, award-winning travel writer Joe Cawley shares the secrets of his success as a self-published writer - which includes the surprising tip of talking to his cutlery each morning! What’s…
Indie author Kathryn Guare shares her thoughts on the importance of opening your novel with a memorable, brilliant first line. I've been thinking a lot about first lines, lately. Creeping towards the publication of my second novel in a planned…
For today's Writing Craft strand, novelist Satya Robyn explains the meaning, process and value of writing "small stones" - tiny observational pieces of poetry or prose detailing something close at hand. This morning, I woke up grumpy. I was too…
The conversation around successful self-publishing too often revolves around sales. Today's super-successful indie is Dan Holloway, a beacon for literary values in a commercial age. Here he shares the secrets that have made him a success in the only terms…
Self-published author Sarah Dale, an occupational psychologist, provides an inspiring example of how to combine your love of writing with your day-job: she writes about her work. I love writing. But I also have a business to run, and children…
It's a rare writer who never suffers from writer's block. If you do, you're in good company: it hampers even the most successful writers. When asked the most frightening thing he'd ever encountered, Ernest Hemingway declared "a blank sheet of…
An easy-to-follow guide to writing a cover blurb to help seal that sale to your target reader, by YA author Sarah Juckes from ALLi Partner Member CompletelyNovel. So, you’ve got a kick-ass front cover and have chosen a suitable title.…
Artist and author Natalie Buske Thomas shares her inspiring story of how she never gave up on her painting, despite discouraging criticism along the way. Her story is a great analogy to the lot of the indie writer and an…
"The best thing you can do for yourself and your growing fan base is to write the next book," advises the self-published prolific novelist Barbara Freethy, an established New York Times #1 best-selling author with 35 novels to her name.…
"Be confident in your work, but first make sure your book is your very best work," advises Darcie Chan, whose debut novel The Mill River Recluse sold over 650,000 copies and appeared in the New York Times bestsellers list for 28…