Writerly Round-Up (February 25 – March 2)
Welcome back to my Writerly Round-Up. I am gathering a smattering of interesting things that crossed my social media path or appeared in my e-mail. You are welcome to submit links for my Writerly Round-Up posts to my email.
From Sandra Beckwith’s 365 Book Marketing Tips
Set daily promotion goals. They could be time or task-based.
To your book marketing success.
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How to Set a Novel in an Unfamiliar Location
By: Brian A. Klems
When my agent secured a three book deal for my protagonist Lucy Hall, on the strength of my manuscript for Journey to Death, I was thrilled but also a little nervous. I like to research my books thoroughly, and I had never visited Mahé, the island in the Seychelles where my novel is set. All my research had been done online. I had useful email conversations with the British High Commission in the capital, Victoria. Everyone I approached online was very helpful, but it was impossible to discover what sounds can be heard in the Cloud Forest up on the mountain. Studying the websites, I was confused about whether the sand on the beach at Beau Vallon Bay is actually white or golden. And are the bats really as large as people said? (Read More at Writer’s Digest)
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5 Things Better Call Saul Can Teach Us About Writing
By: Cris Freese
1. Quirky Characters Have Quirky Backgrounds.
No one expected the first season of Better Call Saul to begin with the wheeling-and-dealing, shady Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad. And though the black-and-white opening began with a nervous Goodman fearing he’d been recognized at a Cinnabon in Ohama, it was clear that this is the aftermath and not the main story. The lawyer with the cheesy commercials, one-liners and shiny white Cadillac had to have a background. That background is the basis for Better Call Saul, essentially making it a character study of sorts. And Goodman’s background is as quirky (or more so) as his shtick. (More at Writer’s Digest)
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Samhain Publishing “Winding Down”
Samhain Publishing announced to authors via email on Friday that the digital publisher is “beginning the process of winding down due to our market share’s continuing decline. We’re approaching the point where we cannot sustain our business.” Christina Brashear adds, “We prefer to go out gracefully and not get to the point where our overhead compromises our ability to pay the authors’ royalties. That’s would just be wrong. We want to stay on the high road and keep your respect.”
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Want to Succeed in Self-Publishing? Spread the Word: Tips from an Indie Author
By Drucilla Shultz
After working as an architect and in the fashion industry, Andrés Quintero has found his calling: writing and illustrating picture books. His first title, Hairy Harold & His Extraordinary Trip to New York, was self-published last year and praised as an “impressive debut” by Publishers Weekly.
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5 Questions with Dominique Raccah, CEO & Publisher, Sourcebooks By: Daniel Berkowitz
Why do you come to DBW year after year?
To learn and to connect. The industry is in a state of transformation and there are so many opportunities available to us with new technology and new partnerships. DBW is a great venue to hear what people are working on and to share ideas about how we can expand the publishing world together.
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Where to Find DNA Evidence By Lee Loftland
Can’t seem to find the right clues for your current work-in-progress? Well, here’s a handy guide to help with locating DNA evidence.
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Greater Treasures: A DragonEye Novella Kindle Edition by Karina Fabian
Inside the loosely-defined offices of the Dragon Eye Private Investigations Agency, draconic gumshoe Vern d’Wyvern and his better-looking partner, Sister Grace McCarthy, are jolted out of their video comas by a knock at the door.
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Come back next week to see what makes the Writerly Round-Up list. Send me suggestions at sally@sallyfranklinchristie.com.
By the time this post goes live, subscribers to my Newsletter will have seen my new cover art for If I Should Die. You will see it here, soon. That shouldn’t stop you from subscribing.
Don’t touch anything sharp.