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I am so distractible. Dealing with that aspect of myself is one of my greatest challenges as a writer. Though my doc has assured me that I do not have an adult version of ADD, I’ve wondered a time a…

I am so distractible. Dealing with that aspect of myself is one of my greatest challenges as a writer. Though my doc has assured me that I do not have an adult version of ADD, I’ve wondered a time a…

Therese here. When I learned that Donald Maass recently brought a new agent into his fold at DMLA, you know my first thought was to interview her here at WU. I’m so glad that Katie Shea took the time to answer a…

What inspires you as a writer? If you write, and especially if you’re an author who visits book groups, you’ve likely been asked that question more than once. I think the question has more than one level, as does the answer. Like…

If you missed part 1 of my interview with historical novelist Michelle Diener, when we discussed her international background and writing and research process, click HERE, then come back. Michelle’s brilliantly researched and fast-paced debut novel, a Tudor-set historical called…

I’m so pleased to bring you the first part in a two-part interview with today’s guest, Michelle Diener–a woman who was born in England, raised in South Africa, and who currently resides in Australia. Michelle’s debut novel, In a Treacherous…

We’ve heard countless times about the importance of the first page, the first graph, the first sentence. We know that these first words need to hook busy agents and editors quickly if our book has any chance for publication and,…

Writer Unboxed is thrilled to announce that we will soon bring on four new contributors: author Keith Cronin; independent publicist Crystal Patriarche; author and founder of Author Buzz, M.J. Rose; and author and editor of The Guide to Literary Agents, Chuck Sambuchino. Look…

Note: I penned this post in March, and it was originally posted on Storyfix.com. Also, p.s., the Writer Unboxed Facebook group is nearly 500 members strong now. If you’re looking for a vital writing community on Facebook, come and check…

Back in 2007, I published a post here called The Unpubbed Writer’s 7 Deadly Sins. It seemed to resonate with a lot of readers, and was our first experience with the power of StumbleUpon as our stats reached new highs.…

Judging WU contests has become more difficult! This time around, there were 200 entries in our hooks-for-books contest, with the winner set to receive 14 of Mary Stewart’s beautiful reissued titles. Kath and I debated, we compromised, and finally we…

If you missed part 1 of my interview with author Jael McHenry–when we discussed revisions, evolutions and Midnight Cry Brownies–please click here, illuminate yourself, then come back. Cool Breaking News: WU contributor Jael McHenry’s debut novel, The Kitchen Daughter, which…

Valued WU contributor and former Writer’s Digest publisher Jane Friedman has a book out! Called The Future of Publishing: Enigma Variations, Jane’s book promises to be “a definitive and comprehensive view on how book publishing will evolve and transform.” I’m…

I am particularly thrilled to present this interview to you today. I’ve known Jael McHenry for quite a while now. We became familiar with each other on the Backspace forum, and when she began looking for an agent–and became interested…

Before I forget to tell you: Kath and I are were invited to blog today on Ollin Morales’s website, {Courage 2 Create}, which was named one of the Top Ten Blogs for Writers by Write to Done. Click HERE to…

WU contributor and agent Donald Maass is known for his keen understanding of story and the craft of writing. His previous books, including Writing the Breakout Novel and The Fire in Fiction, are favorites on savvy writer’s shelves, and for…

Author Holly Tucker was in touch with me several months back. She wrote: I’m pairing up with the Red Cross for a book-focused online fundraiser during Red Cross Month in March. I’d love it if the Writer Unboxed gang jumped…

I didn’t consider myself as an overly superstitious person, but when Larramie at The Diving Wand recently asked me about writing superstitions, I had a Come-to-Jesus moment. “Your book is going to hit the lists, I just know it,” I’ll…

After a false start yesterday, there’s a new poll in place today. If you voted yesterday or early this a.m. before I removed the original poll, please do vote again. (Sorry for the inconvenience.) Otherwise, please respect our rules: Only…

There are sixteen F-bombs in my work-in-progress. There was one in The Last Will of Moira Leahy. I know an author who’s been criticized for effery. Too much, say that author’s critics, couldn’t finish the book, etc… I know a…

Five years today, Kath and I started Writer Unboxed. I went through my WU email folder recently and found the trail of madness that led us here. On 12/1/2005, Kath emailed me to say: I’ve been thinking we should start…

Therese here with a quick dip in the mail box… Near Manhattan? The New York Writers Workshop will be hosting a 1 Day Intensive on Sunday, February 13th, 2011 at 11 am, called “I Wrote a Book…Now What? 10 Things…

Have I driven everyone nutzoid changing the background on the site? Should it be purple, mauve, gold, blue? (I think I’m nesting–or procrastinating; I’m working on the last chapter of my 2nd book.) So it’s been a while since we…

December 21st marked the U.S. release of author and WU contributor Barbara O’Neal’s latest novel, How to Bake a Perfect Life, which has already been named a TARGET CLUB PICK! <Insert wild applause!> How to Bake a Perfect Life is…

I’ve been crazed lately as I finish the draft of my second novel, but I’m happy to be here today to answer questions from Bree and Allison_I.write.horror. Bree asked: Say you are midway through your first draft when you realize…

If you missed part 1 of my interview with Jane Friedman, click HERE, then come back. Jane, the former publisher of Writer’s Digest (F+W Media) and continuing contributing editor for Writer’s Digest, is now a visiting assistant professor at the…

UPDATE: The contest has closed. Winners of the Seer of Sevenwaters book giveaway are: Number 19 Jeanne Kisacky Number 45 Courtney Johnson You’ll both be contacted shortly with details on your win. Congratulations! Today marks the U.S. release of the…

Jane Friedman isn’t just a Writer Unboxed contributor whose posts frequently receive mega-hits and comments. She’s a visiting assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati in the e-media department of the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), the former publisher of Writer’s Digest…

First, apologies to Brunonia for covering her post today. Do scan down and read, please, and offer any suggestions you might have to her for helping to save a beloved bookstore. My deep thanks to Juliet Marillier for saying what…

If you missed part 1 of my interview with agent Elisabeth Weed–who isn’t just any agent; she’s my agent–click HERE; that’s where you’ll learn what Elisabeth is looking for, how to query her, the importance of the first five pages…