Bouchercon, pronounced [bough’•chur•con] is the World Mystery Convention. It’s the premier event for readers, writers, publishers, editors, agents, book reviewers, and booksellers. Bouchercon originated in 1970 to honor Anthony Boucher, the renowned mystery fiction critic, editor, and author. This year, the convention was held in St. Petersburg, Florida. I figured it would be the perfect opportunity […]
Author Archives: Jo Loveday
Beginner’s Guide to Naming Novel Characters
What’s in a name? I once met a very hostile woman who was pregnant and planning to name her daughter Molly. I was pregnant also and considering baby names so I went home and looked up the meaning. My baby book told […]
Novel Revision
Revision I’m in the process of revising my work in progress. I love novel revision because it gives me a chance to catch weak areas and deepen what I’ve written. I’ve always been a checklist person as well. I find them efficient and time saving. Here’s a revision checklist I’ve created from the many classes […]
Can Podcasting help authors?
Helping people live their true passion is Jaime (“Jemmy”) Legagneur’s mission, and she has found no more powerful tool than podcasting. By interviewing movers and shakers on her ‘Curve the Cube’ show, she offers real actionable nuggets to inspire others to go from being dreamers to being doers! Jamie co-hosts two other shows, is the […]
Gratitude in the New Year
With the end of one year and beginning of another, I fall into a place of introspection. What worked for me last year? What can I improve on in the upcoming year? One of things I worked on last year was gratitude. Gratitude is an emotion that expresses appreciation for what one has, rather than […]
Can Sitting Kill You?
Have you ever been at your desk so long that your bum feels numb and your hips are stiff when you get up? Sitting for prolonged periods is required for many jobs, but a sedentary lifestyle leads to heart disease, diabetes, cancer and of course obesity. The phrase ‘sitting is the new smoking’ really catches […]
Editor-In-Chief, Neil Nyren, on Getting Published
Neil Nyren is the Executive VP, associate publisher and editor in chief of G.P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Random House. He has been at Putnam for over 32 years, and before that, at E.P. Dutton, Little Brown, Random House, Arbor House, and Atheneum. Among his current authors of crime and suspense are Clive Cussler, Ken […]
6 Requirements of a Great Writer’s Critique Group
Writing a novel is an arduous task that requires removing many layers of chaff to get to the core of good story telling. A critique group is something no beginning writer should be without. Your critique group can help you with resources like writing conferences, professional organizations and writing coaches. You can share the highs […]