If you have ever searched for a job, you have probably been advised to create and perfect your elevator speech. In other words, know how to describe who you are and your expertise in a few simple sentences. That way, if you ever run into someone who...

Journals aren’t just for teenagers. As the new options for self-publishing allow more first-time authors to try their hand at selling their material, more authors than ever are traversing uncharted territory. This can be both exciting, and frustrating...

Every author started somewhere. Make today your starting day! The prospect of writing a book can be a daunting task. Yes, you may have an idea. You may even be really excited about that idea—playing out scenes or developing characters in your head...

What is a Thriller? Thriller novels usually involve a protagonist who is working to fight a foreign power, criminal organization, or a ruthless villain . The conflicts often involve takes of espionage, financial crimes, politics, or some type of adventure...

No one wants to write a mediocre book, but a quick look at many of the books on the shelves of your local bookstore finds that many are just that, average. What elements move books from the run–of-the-mill-garden variety and rocket them into the stratosphere...

A popular topic among writers is the use of a pen name, which is also called a pseudonym. But why do so many writers prefer to use a pen name when publishing instead of taking credit for their work themselves? There are actually many reasons an author...

I want to share what I’ve learned over the past few years about what it takes to get published. Authors are an elite few. Why is that? Having an idea for a book is pretty easy. Starting a book is even easy. But writing to the finish is a difficult task...

Why is it worth the time and effort to become a better writer? As you continue to write books and grow as a published author, it’s important to work on improving your craft. But what does ‘writing craft’ really mean? Think of it this way: we all...