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Three Cover Design Secrets for Drawing in Readers

Great book covers compel readers to grab and buy the book. This feat is a veritable art form in itself. Often, either authors take this matter for granted and spend little effort to ensure it looks artfully compelling, or worse, they take matters into their own hands and do the artwork themselves. This would be okay if they really know what they are doing. Often, the DIY approach proves devastating to first-time authors without enough book cover art experience.

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How to Write a Series of Short Stories

One of the most lucrative ways to make a living writing short fiction is to write a series of them. Many readers don’t like buying one story on its own, but by bundling a few together, especially if they all build on each other creating a series, is a good way to get people to buy your work. But where do you start? That’s easy because this article will go over some tips on how to write a series of short stories so that you can start your fiction empire.

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Are Short Stories Becoming Popular Again?

With the rise of digital publishing, it seems that the humble short story is indeed becoming popular again with readers. Short stories lend themselves to e-readers well, since most people use their Kindles and Nooks while travelling to and from work, relaxing in a coffee shop in their lunch breaks, or snuggling into their pillow just before bed. All of these times are limited to how long the reader has, so being able to finish a story before switching off the lights has great appeal.

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Write What You Can Know Well – 10 Internet Sources for Research

There are almost countless sources of information available via the internet. Sure, one must exercise care when using these materials, but the same may be said for every research source. Some are more reliable than others; some require additional fact checking. I present ten categories.

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Writing Rituals – Does It Work? An Honest Review

“Writing Rituals” is a productivity guide for commercial writers and copywriters. By using it’s 5 Writing Rituals, the author, Nick Usborne, claims “you can turn things around very quickly, and achieve a dramatic increase in your productivity. This means you’ll get more writing done faster, and earn more money, every day, every week, every month and every year.”

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Writing Multiple Articles Per Day The Effortless Way

The other day, I got an interesting e-mail from a fellow online article author. He was not engaged in the selling trinkets or online article marketing, rather he was producing ideas and concepts, along with a little creative writing, and getting this information out to the world. What a noble cause indeed, a kindred spirit I might add.

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Top Mobile Apps for Creative Writers

If William Shakespeare were alive today he might say, “If apps be the food of creative inspiration…download them”!

I might be mucking up words from one of the best know writers on the planet, but I’m just having a little fun with words. As a writer, it’s our obligation to have fun with words—when we write, scribble down inspired plot lines, and even record a few words of inspiration for that next best-selling novel.

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Advice for New Authors on Writing a Children’s Book

It would be hard to argue against the premise that the language and themes commonly used in children’s books are relatively straightforward when compared to those in adult novels. However, as an aspiring author you shouldn’t assume that writing a children’s book is easy. Far from it!

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Female Heroines: Is Kick-Ass Compatible With Kleenex?

For a long time guys got all the glory in fantasy, action, and adventure books, but recently female characters (and writers) have been fighting their way to the forefront of these genres. This is a terrific trend-so long as we’re not doing it by simply slapping heels on our heroes, renaming them heroines, and calling it a day.

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How to Find Places to Publish Your Short Fiction

Not everybody aspires to write the great American novel. In fact, many writers are content to thoughtful and engaging short stories, whether for broad consumption or simply as a means of channeling creative energy into the written word. Writing short stories may not make you a millionaire, but you have the opportunity to gain a loyal readership and perhaps find greater glory in another medium. When you consider that a short story about cowboys by Annie Proulx, published originally in The New Yorker, was adapted into an Oscar-winning film, you’ll find the possibilities of interpreting your story are many. So, too, are opportunities for getting them read.

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Pseudonyms: 10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Pen Name

Pseudonyms abound in writing circles. What doesn’t abound is clear and insightful advice on how to choose the best pen name for a long-term career in novel writing.

Let’s have some fun. Check out the names of these genre fiction authors: Robin Hobb, Stephen King, Jack Higgins, Rebecca Brandewyne, Issac Asimov, Barbara Michaels, Alistair MacLean, Eboni Snoe…

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Studying Your Favorite Author Can Help You Write Your Book

One thing that is extremely helpful to authors as they are writing their book is market research. You may have heard this term used as it relates to consumer research for marketing services and products, but it is also a very relevant practice for writers, too!

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