Saturday, February 27, 2016

Give Your Creativity a Boost ~ Visit Archives Frequently

Give your writing a shot in the arm by frequently take advantage of all the links in the left panel on this website.

Quite a while back, a member of Internet Writing Workshop, Debi O'Neille, posted a yahoo about the article she had published in a January issue of Connect Magazine. Before I sent her my congratulations, I clicked the link in the signature to Debi's BlogSpot, "writing against the wind"

Because it reminded me that Debi O'Neille's "writing against the wind" is one of the favorites in the left panel on this website, I thought it was appropriate to again encourage readers of MontanaScribbler to take advantage of all the links in the left panel frequently.

Unfortunately, I discovered that a recent post contained a link to
Internet Writing Workshop  that was erroneous. After updating it, I checked previous posts and discovered the link I'd included didn't take readers where I'd intended. Thus, most of my writing time was spent correcting those links.


In the process, I revisited instructive guest blogs readers who don't make use of the archives are missing. Do yourself a favor and benefit from browsing the archives. They often spark ideas you might not have thought of. You'll also find a wealth of information about marketing that could be very helpful to you.

Members of Internet Writing Workshop receive invaluable free help to successful writing.
 

Indie Bookstores Making a Strong Comeback


According to an article in the New York Times Indie bookstores are making a respectable comeback.

According to the American Booksellers Association, Indie book stores saw a growth of over 30 percent since 2009, and sales that were up around 10 percent last year.
“Existing stores are selling once more to a new generation of owners,” said Oren Teicher, the A.B.A.’s chief executive officer." 
With more than 2,200 stores, ABA is  the indies’ main organization.

However, Internet Writing Workshop members experiences show it's not easy to get your books into those stores because  they don't want to stock any books that don't come with a return guarantee  from the publisher. Nevertheless, it can be done. The key is to get readers to order thru' store.

Friday, February 26, 2016

How Personal Experience Turns Into a Trilogy


I invited Shawn Simon to write a guest blog because I not only admire her for tackling a challenging subject, but also it shows how personal experience can lead to multiple books.

Shawn is a stepmom to two children she "inherited" from her marriage to her husband, Brian. Being a stepmom was more difficult than she anticipated, and her futile search for support from books and other stepmoms is what prompted her to write a trilogy for the blended family.

“My first book, "Stepping into a New Role, Stories from Stepmoms," is due out later this year,” said. My second book, about and for stepdads, is written, but isn’t ready for publication. It still needs much editing, which I will start soon. Then, I’ll be writing the third book, about and for stepkids.”

Visit Shawn's website, StepmomShawn.com. You'll also find her here: Facebook: Stepmom Shawn Simon Says, and on Twitter: @shawnsimon44.

Shawn is a member of Internet Writing Workshop.

For valuable free help to successful writing, become a member of Internet Writing Workshop.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Free Online Screenwriing Course Provided by the University of East Anglia


The University of East Anglia is offering a free online course in Scriptwriting. The course begins February 29, 2016

Enrollees will be introduced to the basic elements and key concepts behind a professional screenplay. The course will last for two weeks. Participants will be expected to invest a minimum of 3 hours each week.
 
Future Learn provides more details of course content, and provides a link to join the free course at the University of East Anglia.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

"Penny Shorts" Pays Royalties For Your Short Fiction Stories

For fiction writers wanting to earn royalties for their short stories (1,000 word minimum, no max) pay a visit to Penny Shorts. It claims to publish the best new voices in fiction in nine genres.

Pennyshorts is sponsoring ChipLitFest’s Short Story competition. Get your entries in by 15th March 2016.

For details go here,
ChipLitFest Short Story competition – brought to you by pennyshorts!


Rasmenia Massoud, a member of Internet Writing Workshop, recently reported her Yahoo:
"Hello shiny happy writers - My flash fiction, "Melody's Fire" just went up at Penny Shorts," Jacki.

For valuable free help to successful writing, become a member of Internet Writing Workshop..