Digital Pubbing

Exploring the ins and outs of the publishing industry

Writing

Guest Post: How to Name a Character

by

By Emmanuel Nataf It’s the new year and you’re ready to actually carry out your resolution of writing a book. You’re excited and sitting down to put down the first word when you stop short — because you’ve realized that you’re missing one of the most basic ingredients of all: a name for your character. Though it might seem like a given, a name is actually one of the most … [Read more...] about Guest Post: How to Name a Character

Starting the New Year Strong: Writing Advice and Resources

by

Yes, I know it's now February, but it's still early in the year! Also, congrats if one of your resolutions for the year was to write more, and you've made it this far. There are many writing resources and articles out there. Here are a few that may help you with your next novel, broken down by theme. Conflict and Tension "5 Ways to Create Strong Internal Conflict" on … [Read more...] about Starting the New Year Strong: Writing Advice and Resources

Tips for Writing a Series

by

I've had a series in the works for a while now (spoiler, it's about dinosaurs). I've been really slow in writing it, but I have been reading up lately on tips for how other authors write their series. Elizabeth Spann Craig has a post about evaluating a series, and deciding how long a series should be. Some things to consider are whether you as the author have fresh ideas, if … [Read more...] about Tips for Writing a Series

Indie Authors: Organization and Writing Tips

by

As an indie author treating writing as a business, it's important to stay on top of deadlines and to always work on improving your craft. Organizing Your Time To that end, Duolit has provided a helpful free monthly planner for authors. The idea is that to-do lists can be too daunting, and if you schedule activities in your calendar you will actually get more done. The planner … [Read more...] about Indie Authors: Organization and Writing Tips

Creating a Plot and Other Writing Tips

by

Writing takes skill, we all know that. But what are some ways you can hook your readers and make them want to keep reading? Plot Having a strong plot can not only keep readers entertained, but also make it easier to write the story in the first place. John Dufresne on Writer's Digest writes in "How to Let Plot Guide Your Short Story" that "The basic plot of every … [Read more...] about Creating a Plot and Other Writing Tips

Guest Post: Get a Headstart on NaNoWriMo with These 6 Tips on Structuring Your First Draft

by

By Mariah T. All of us have a story inside of us. For many, that story begs to be told. That's why so many people turn to novel writing. WIth National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) fast approaching, you may be inspired to finally start and finish your novel. To participate in NaNoWriMo, you have exactly one month (November 1-30) to write a 50,000-word novel. You could … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Get a Headstart on NaNoWriMo with These 6 Tips on Structuring Your First Draft

Guest Post: Writing An Epic Series

by

By Ron Glick Ron Glick is the author of numerous novels and three different ongoing epic series. In this post he outlines what it takes to write a successful continuous book series. I have always been told that there are three cornerstones that must be built as an Indie author if you ever wish to establish your brand—a library, consistency, and legacy. Basically, this means … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Writing An Epic Series

Resources and Advice for Writers

by

There are many types of writing: novels, short stories, articles, technical documents, copywriting, business plans, and the list goes on. Looking for some inspiration or help in your writing career? Here are some programs and pieces of advice from fellow writers. Fiction Writers (and creative non-fiction writers) Thinking about getting an MFA? Then go through New Page's … [Read more...] about Resources and Advice for Writers

Guest Post: The Essential Keys to Constructing a Realistic Heist Scene

by

By Mariah T. The heist scene is one of the most tried-and-true set pieces in modern storytelling. Typically, such a scene features a ragtag crew of criminals infiltrating a stronghold to seize a valuable item, such as a painting or jewel. Because heist scenes have so many moving parts, it pays to learn about their basic mechanics before writing one. Preparing for Your … [Read more...] about Guest Post: The Essential Keys to Constructing a Realistic Heist Scene

Guest Post: Overcoming Writer’s Block with Automatic Transcription

by

By Jason Kincaid If you’re a writer — of books, essays, scripts, blog posts, whatever — you’re familiar with the phenomenon: the blank screen, a looming deadline, and a sinking feeling in your gut that pairs poorly with the jug of coffee you drank earlier. If you know that rumble all too well: this post is for you. Maybe it’ll help you get out of a rut; at the very least, … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Overcoming Writer’s Block with Automatic Transcription

Guest Post: The 5 Most Tragic Story Archetypes

by

By Mariah T What was the basis for the last great novel you read, play you attended, or the last great movie you saw? By basis, we mean the archetype of the story; every story has an archetype that is representative of human virtue, morals, and norms. In other words, the story you just experienced was built around a character, a theme, a symbol or a setting that has meaning … [Read more...] about Guest Post: The 5 Most Tragic Story Archetypes

Guest Post: Why You Should Consider SEO When Self-Publishing a Book

by

By Adam Steele This is a guest post, courtesy of Adam Steele, the founder of Loganix, a popular SEO fulfillment company located in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. If you are an author who’s opting to self-publish instead of going through a publisher, the one big thing you lack is the marketing power that you'd get from a publishing company. That puts all of the … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Why You Should Consider SEO When Self-Publishing a Book

Indie Authors: Tips for Writing Characters That Resonate

by

Characters are an important element of every story. So how do you make sure your story has characters that stand out? That readers find interesting and believable? Writers in the Storm posted an article about becoming your character, so that you don't make mistakes like head hop or have multiple viewpoints for one character. The best way to do that is to become your … [Read more...] about Indie Authors: Tips for Writing Characters That Resonate

Guest Post: Shifting from Writing Literary to Commercial Fiction

by

By Tantra Bensko Tantra Bensko is a talented writer and wonderful teacher. In fact, she taught me how to write experimental fiction at UCLA Extension. She is the author of numerous books, including her latest, Glossolalia, a psychological suspense novel that is part of her Agents of the Nevermind series. Below she shares her experiences in her shift from writing Literary to … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Shifting from Writing Literary to Commercial Fiction