And Now, a Beginning!
Welcome to the Diction Dude — where you can hone your craft, find your voice, and join your tribe. Proudly serving emerging authors.
12 Things I Wish Every Emerging Writer Knew About Publishing
I've developed a list of the top 12 things I wish aspiring writers of novels knew about success strategies.
The Diction Dude Podcast #001: An Introduction
News of the week, an interview with Jason Gillikin, mail about woke publishers and SMS formatting, single POV novels, query rejection reasons, and upcoming writing-contest deadlines.
There Be Dragons Here: Thoughts About Running a Small Press
Publishing is a tough business. It's rewarding, to be sure, but the hours are long and the revenues are miniscule. But if you have the fire in the belly to help the next generation of literary talent find its voice — wonderful!
Business Basics for Aspiring Writers
It's natural for aspiring writers to pen their first novel and then, as they begin the query process, to explore whether they need a business structure to support their emerging author identity. The question is a complex one, which depends on your motivation for writing and your expectation for both income and self-made sales.
Two Birds, One Stone
If you're allergic to detailed planning, using scene vignettes and short stories to get your mental map in order can be an effective tool for long-term productivity.
Writers in an Era of Social Distancing
So be a beacon of hope to people struggling in the darkness—you are, after all, a writer, and hope is your superpower. And now's as good of a time as any to shine.
How I Edit: Assessing Inbound Queries
One editor's approach to assessing the liteary slush pile reveals the most common reasons that queried stories end up in the rejection pile.
Six Nuggets of Advice for Novelists New to Publishing
Write often. Study the craft. Avoid vanity presses. Build a platform. Read the guidelines. Find a writing group. THEN, celebrate success.
Proofreading red pencil
Wheat From Chaff
While certain writing rules apply broadly, or even universally, the application of those rules can vary widely as a function of genre and story length.