Why is genre important? Readers use genre to find a book because it gives them an idea of what will be in it. Defining genre has been a challenge for me. My main character is eighteen years old and in college, so my novel doesn’t fit into the young adult category. I have some suspense, […]
The Elevator Pitch Have you ever heard that you should have a minute-long elevator pitch ready in case you hop on an elevator and have an opportunity to introduce yourself to someone? That someone could be an agent or editor, other writers at a conference or perhaps a movie producer. At some time you will […]
When you’re asked what your novel is about, you need a catchy summary. Whether you’re telling a friend, posting on Twitter for #PitMad, or pitching to an agent at a writing conference, your statement must be attention-grabbing. How do you take on the daunting task of how to reduce your many months of work into […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
