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Recently I have seen some confusion about what is a picture book vs a chapter book (don't chapter books have pictures too?) and what is a middle grade title. Obviously there are some gray areas, and some titles that cross genres. But I thought I'd do a post on the...

It's that time again. The San Francisco Writers Conference is officially here. This is one I've attended every year since before I was an agent, and I wouldn't miss it. Over the greater Presidents' Day Weekend, 500 writers, agents, editors, freelancers, PR...

Whether you're a supporter of the new president and administration or not, you can't deny they're causing a lot of chaos and anxiety. It's hard to keep up with the crazy coming out of Washington. Waking up every day and facing headlines and social media full of the...

After a stint in journalism for daily and weekly newspapers, I spent more than 20 years in and around the high tech industry, so I am very comfortable with computers. I use them in nearly every aspect of my life. Writing on a keyboard is my preferred method for its...

I'm a fan of reputable writing contests because I see them as a milestone on a writer's career path. Imagine what it must feel like to finally put your book idea on a page (or 350 pages) and then show that work to strangers. Frightening! Exhilarating! That exposure is...

I read a lot of fiction. A lot. And what keeps me turning the page, besides a well-plotted and -paced story, is a character I'm invested in. Not necessarily because I like him or her--I think we've all read books where we hate characters--but because I need to know...

#resist

Today, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, I watch in horror as the President of the United States signs an executive order banning Muslim refugees from entering this country. All my forebears -- Irish and Jewish -- entered this nation as refugees. What is being done in our...

I had a chance to sit down with Joel Friendlander, publishing guru and self-publishing expert. He frequently speaks about changes in the publishing industry and how to make your book stand out in a crowded field. Visit his website at The Book Designer for more info....