August 28, 2019

Why the Best Brands Grow Through Word of Mouth

Long before social media existed, great businesses grew because people told other people about them. Despite endless changes in technology, that principle hasn't changed. The strongest brands are still built through trust, reputation, and genuine customer experiences. While many businesses focus heavily on advertising and promotion, the most sustainable growth often comes from something much simpler: creating something valuable enough that people naturally want to talk about it.

August 23, 2019

How to Write the Perfect X (Twitter) Bio: Examples, Tips & Character Limit

One of the biggest complaints I hear from writers is writing the perfect twitter bio. Most would settle for just a decent bio! Even authors who have published books struggle when it comes to boiling down their life to 160 characters. So, I did some research for you from my 12,000 Twitter followers to bring you the best tips in crafting a Twitter bio you'll be proud of.

August 21, 2019

What to Do When You Think Everything You Write Is Bad

You've been there. Maybe you're there now. Everything you write is horrible. Terrible. It's the horrible, terrible, no good, very bad writing (day). Welcome to the club. Stay awhile. While you're here, you should know something. Everything you write probably isn't that bad. And even if it is sort of bad, that's OK because good writing comes from bad writing.

August 20, 2019

How to Grow Your X (Twitter) Following Through Engagement and Consistency

One of the largest hurdles for creatives in gaining exposure for their awesome work is building a social media platform. For the #WritingCommunity, other social media platforms pale in comparison to the support, encouragement, and advice given daily on Twitter. Starting at zero, many authors and illustrators struggle to find even a couple hundred followers, let alone 5,000. Here's an effective strategy I used to climb all the way up from zero to 5,000. It worked for me and will work for you.

August 16, 2019

What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Write (Writer’s Block Fix)

Most writers eventually reach a point where they don’t know what to write, feel uninspired, or hit a creative block. Low levels of inspiration happen to everyone. The question is what you must do when writer's block arrives.

July 9, 2019

How Cook Publishing Approaches Traditional Publishing and Author Partnerships

Are you an author on the hunt for a traditional publisher? Are you looking to break into publishing the old fashioned way? With all the options available to debut authors or seasoned authors looking for a traditional support system, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. One fresh option to consider is Cook Publishing. The talented duo behind the name, Stephanie (Steph) and Russel (Bones) Cook, stopped by for an interview to share all they've got going on and exactly what they're looking for.

July 2, 2019

How The Passover Mouse Became a Traditionally Published Picture Book

What makes a picture book stand out to literary agents and editors? How does a manuscript evolve from an idea into a traditionally published children’s book? In this behind-the-scenes interview, the creative team behind The Passover Mouse shares how the book came together — from inspiration and submissions to illustration, acquisitions, and publication. Featured in this conversation are author Joy Nelkin Wieder, agent Barbara Krasner, illustrator Shahar Kober, and editor Frances Gilbert of Doubleday Books for Young Readers.

June 25, 2019

What Makes a Picture Book Stand Out to Editors, Agents, and Illustrators

What makes a picture book stand out in a crowded marketplace? Why do some manuscripts capture the attention of agents, editors, and illustrators while others never gain traction? To answer those questions, I spoke with the team behind TASTE YOUR WORDS by Bonnie Clark and Todd Bright. From the author and illustrator to the literary agent and acquisitions editor, each shares what made this project special and what aspiring picture book creators can learn from the publishing process.