Monthly Archives: January 2012

Writing At The Speed Of Light

Posted on January 30, 2012 by davidgaughran

I’m a slow writer. One of my primary goals this year is to increase my writing speed. Last year I released four titles – three shorts and two full-length books. About 170,000 words total. That sounds pretty impressive until you … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bananas for christmas, challenge, fast writers, lee christmas, nanowrimo, quick writers, writing challenge, writing fast, writing marathon, writing speed | 119 Comments

Self-Editing: Back to Basics, Part II – Guest post from Karin Cox, Editor

Posted on January 27, 2012 by davidgaughran

We wrap up our series on self-editing today with part two of Karin Cox’s guest post on self-editing basics and the common mistakes writers make. On Monday, we kicked off the series with a post from UK author and editor … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bookisms, common mistakes, dialogue, editing, exposition, grammar, how to self-edit, karin cox, mix-ups, self-editing | 46 Comments

Self-Editing: Back to Basics, Part I – Guest Post by Karin Cox

Posted on January 25, 2012 by davidgaughran

We continue our series on self-editing today with the first of a two-part post from author and editor Karin Cox. Karin has a unique perspective: she has considerable experience working for a trade publisher in Australia and is also a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged common editing mistakes, common mistakes writers make, editing, editing basics, editing tips, karin cox, self-editing, self-editing basics, self-editing tips | 70 Comments

We Interrupt This Blog: Tribute to LC Evans

Posted on January 24, 2012 by davidgaughran

As some of you may know, indie author LC Evans lost her battle with cancer earlier this month. Simon Royle is organizing a tribute today, which happens to be the anniversary of when he interviewed Linda on IndieView. Simon thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged benefit, competition, giveaway, indieview, lc evans, linda evans, RIP, simon royle, tribute | 11 Comments

Edit Like A Pro: Guest Post by Harry Bingham

Posted on January 23, 2012 by davidgaughran

Last week, I spoke about the importance of getting the basics right. This week we are going to focus on editing, and in particular self-editing. One of the more common criticisms self-publishers receive is with regard to editing (or proofing, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged editing, editorial process, harry bingham, how to self-edit, self-editing, the importance of editing, types of editing, writers workshop | 41 Comments

A New Strategy for a New Year – Guest Post by Sarah Woodbury

Posted on January 20, 2012 by davidgaughran

To enroll or not to enroll, that is the question on a lot of writers’ minds. I have had several posts on KDP Select, because it’s a complex issue, without one “right” answer that will fit all self-publishers. If you … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged apple, barnes & noble, distribution, exclusivity, free, international, international market, kdp select, sarah woodbury, strategy | 36 Comments

Why Is My Book Not Selling?

Posted on January 18, 2012 by davidgaughran

Okay. Time for a confession. A Storm Hits Valparaiso is selling a little less than I had hoped. But that’s not what today’s post is about. This question – why is my book not selling? – is quite a common one … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged advice, blurbs, covers, formatting, free, marketing, poor sales, sample, the basics, why is my book not selling | 125 Comments

The Joys of KDP Select: Patrice Fitzgerald’s Story

Posted on January 16, 2012 by davidgaughran

Last week, I had a guest post from Marilyn Peake, who explained how KDP Select is helping her achieve new levels of success after ten years in publishing. I wanted to have a couple of opposing voices here to balance out my opposition … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged efitzgerald, exclusivity, female president, guest post, kdp select, patrice fitzgerald, political thriller, running, woman president | 117 Comments

Time Traveling Through the Past Decade of Publishing

Posted on January 11, 2012 by davidgaughran

I promised to have a guest post from a writer who is doing well out of KDP Select, to balance out my post explaining why I wouldn’t be participating, and why I was against the program in general. This is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged children's books, city of the golden sun, fisherman's son, guest post, kdp select, kids books, marilyn peak, return of the golden age, success story | 38 Comments

What’s Up With Wattpad?

Posted on January 9, 2012 by davidgaughran

Kids these days, eh? Always wandering around with their noses in their iPhones, up to no good. Well, maybe not. Because lots of them are using an app called Wattpad which might just be the biggest revolution in reading you’ve … Continue reading →