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I recommend not deleting anything. This comment came during a conversation about the editing process. This person said that they find it helpful to put cut scenes into a separate document so that they are never fully gone, and I agree. I usually give each draft it's own document. That way I have each version of the edits saved. I don't suggest deleting whole drafts or writing over everything. This way you can easily go back to anything you might need. Even if you never go back to it, it's better to have it just in case.

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I recommend not deleting anything. This comment came during a conversation about the editing process. This person said that they find it helpful to put cut scenes into a separate document so that they are never fully gone, and I agree. I usually give each draft it's own document. That way I have each version of the edits saved. I don't suggest deleting whole drafts or writing over everything. This way you can easily go back to anything you might need. Even if you never go back to it, it's better to have it just in case.

book coach editing writing process drafts writers
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What kind of questions should you be prepared for from the agent on a query call? The agent will mostly be answering your questions. They’re the expert! You really don’t need to do much preparation for this phone call, you should know the answers to anything they might ask you!

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What kind of questions should you be prepared for from the agent on a query call? The agent will mostly be answering your questions. They’re the expert! You really don’t need to do much preparation for this phone call, you should know the answers to anything they might ask you!

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When do you know that your book is ready to start querying? It is ready when you are just fiddling with it. If you're still in the phase where you're moving chapters around, writing new chapters, adding substantively to scenes, those are signs that the book is not ready yet. But if you're fiddling around with commas, or obsessing over a single word then the book is as good as you can make it. Does that mean it will actually get picked up? No. Does it mean that it actually is ready? Possibly no, but it is as ready as you are capable of making it. It's time to try querying. And then while that book is being queried, you'll start working on something else. With every project you will get better, you'll level up as a writer. Eventually your version of this is as good as I can get it will be ready for querying. It will be ready to be published. Nothing is ever perfect. Art is never really finished, it is simply abandoned.

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When do you know that your book is ready to start querying? It is ready when you are just fiddling with it. If you're still in the phase where you're moving chapters around, writing new chapters, adding substantively to scenes, those are signs that the book is not ready yet. But if you're fiddling around with commas, or obsessing over a single word then the book is as good as you can make it. Does that mean it will actually get picked up? No. Does it mean that it actually is ready? Possibly no, but it is as ready as you are capable of making it. It's time to try querying. And then while that book is being queried, you'll start working on something else. With every project you will get better, you'll level up as a writer. Eventually your version of this is as good as I can get it will be ready for querying. It will be ready to be published. Nothing is ever perfect. Art is never really finished, it is simply abandoned.

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Why do we care about "too big" to comp rule? Someone commented that they use big names all the time when marketing. But marketing is not querying.

Querying is a professional author approaching other professionals in the publishing industry and saying I would like to work together. And then demonstrate that they have written a product that is marketable and professional.

Meanwhile marketing is putting something shiny on the shelf at Costco and convincing others that they want to read it and spend money on it. Marketing and query letters are doing two different things. When people query using big names like Stephen King for example, their pages never end up sounding like that thing because the person that says that has usually only read that very big author. They need to research more into their genre and read more books.

Naming a big name in your query letter is not the problem, but a symptom of a much bigger problem.

book coach writing publishing querying comp titles
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Why do we care about "too big" to comp rule? Someone commented that they use big names all the time when marketing. But marketing is not querying.

Querying is a professional author approaching other professionals in the publishing industry and saying I would like to work together. And then demonstrate that they have written a product that is marketable and professional.

Meanwhile marketing is putting something shiny on the shelf at Costco and convincing others that they want to read it and spend money on it. Marketing and query letters are doing two different things. When people query using big names like Stephen King for example, their pages never end up sounding like that thing because the person that says that has usually only read that very big author. They need to research more into their genre and read more books.

Naming a big name in your query letter is not the problem, but a symptom of a much bigger problem.

book coach writing publishing querying comp titles
#bookcoach #writingcommunityofinstagram #writing #publishing #querying

Here are some pros and cons between first person POV and third person POV and some questions to ask yourself when choosing between them.

I actually recommend that most writers try a chapter or two in both perspectives. One will flow easier, one will feel right and natural for the character and the story. That’s the one you should use, regardless of whether or not it’s the more popular one for your genre. I actually recommend that most writers try a chapter or two in both perspectives. One will flow easier, one will feel right and natural for the character and the story. That’s the one you should use, regardless of whether or not it’s the more popular one for your genre.

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Here are some pros and cons between first person POV and third person POV and some questions to ask yourself when choosing between them.

I actually recommend that most writers try a chapter or two in both perspectives. One will flow easier, one will feel right and natural for the character and the story. That’s the one you should use, regardless of whether or not it’s the more popular one for your genre. I actually recommend that most writers try a chapter or two in both perspectives. One will flow easier, one will feel right and natural for the character and the story. That’s the one you should use, regardless of whether or not it’s the more popular one for your genre.

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Why does everyone make so many rules about genres? There's a ton of overlap between genres. Let me remind you that genre is a marketing term. It's not real, we've invented all of this and we're constantly reinventing it. The only genre that hasn't changed in a really long time is that romance has to have a happily ever after. A close second is that a mystery has to have a crime and we have to solve that crime. Everything beyond that becomes less rigid and a little more flimsy. The goal of picking a genre or subgenre is to get your book into the hands of those who are most likely to love it.

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Why does everyone make so many rules about genres? There's a ton of overlap between genres. Let me remind you that genre is a marketing term. It's not real, we've invented all of this and we're constantly reinventing it. The only genre that hasn't changed in a really long time is that romance has to have a happily ever after. A close second is that a mystery has to have a crime and we have to solve that crime. Everything beyond that becomes less rigid and a little more flimsy. The goal of picking a genre or subgenre is to get your book into the hands of those who are most likely to love it.

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Publishing Process!!

This looks different depending on if you are working towards traditional publishing or self publishing. But these are a basic rundown of the steps that occur on your way to becoming a published author.

Check out my Patreon for more info! Link is in my bio.

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Publishing Process!!

This looks different depending on if you are working towards traditional publishing or self publishing. But these are a basic rundown of the steps that occur on your way to becoming a published author.

Check out my Patreon for more info! Link is in my bio.

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#bookcoach #publishing #stepbystep #writers #editing

This question came from someone who was editing a friends book and noticed the beginning was really rough, but then she was able to see when her friend really got into a flow. I think this is super common because a lot of writers put pressure on themselves for the beginning of the book. They know those first 25 pages are often going to be read as samples so they really stress over them. They often get clogged with information and can feel clunky. Many authors will include so much unnecessary information in the beginning including a prologue they don't need. Let the beginning of your book be just that, the beginning.

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This question came from someone who was editing a friends book and noticed the beginning was really rough, but then she was able to see when her friend really got into a flow. I think this is super common because a lot of writers put pressure on themselves for the beginning of the book. They know those first 25 pages are often going to be read as samples so they really stress over them. They often get clogged with information and can feel clunky. Many authors will include so much unnecessary information in the beginning including a prologue they don't need. Let the beginning of your book be just that, the beginning.

book coach writing editing writers publishing
#bookcoach #writing #editing #publishing #writingcommunity

Take the big advance. That is the only guaranteed money you have as an author.

There are reasons why taking a smaller advance might work for you sometimes. But if your thinking is that you'll get to royalties faster if you take a smaller advance, you might not. You might never earn out. There are absolutely situations in which taken a smaller advance from a smaller publisher is the right choice to make. But if you have a choice for a big advance or a small one, please consider the big advance!

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Take the big advance. That is the only guaranteed money you have as an author.

There are reasons why taking a smaller advance might work for you sometimes. But if your thinking is that you'll get to royalties faster if you take a smaller advance, you might not. You might never earn out. There are absolutely situations in which taken a smaller advance from a smaller publisher is the right choice to make. But if you have a choice for a big advance or a small one, please consider the big advance!

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Types of Readers

I think all of these types of readers/steps are important to utilize. No matter what you call them. You need someone early on who can look at a mess of a draft or half baked idea and help you turn it into a book. Someone later on who maybe doesn’t have professional resources, but can give their opinions. And people who are cheerleaders, people who can be critical, people who can provide reviews for you and are not part of your production team.

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Types of Readers

I think all of these types of readers/steps are important to utilize. No matter what you call them. You need someone early on who can look at a mess of a draft or half baked idea and help you turn it into a book. Someone later on who maybe doesn’t have professional resources, but can give their opinions. And people who are cheerleaders, people who can be critical, people who can provide reviews for you and are not part of your production team.

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#bookcoach #readers #writing #editing #publishing

Books and art are always political.

The way you spend your time is political and if you’re not aware of that it’s time to do some examinations. The things you choose to say and the things you choose not to say are always political.

It might not be political activism, but you are always in conversation with the society around you.

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Books and art are always political.

The way you spend your time is political and if you’re not aware of that it’s time to do some examinations. The things you choose to say and the things you choose not to say are always political.

It might not be political activism, but you are always in conversation with the society around you.

book coach writing writers community publishing art
#bookcoach #writing #art #political #community

This is not a list of reasons why I think people SHOULD self publish. This is simply a list of reasons why they do, based on my comments section, my experience at writing conferences and in writing groups, and conversations with authors of all stripes.

Self publishing is absolutely valid, but it is a big undertaking. When deciding between self and trad publishing make sure you know why you’re choosing that path.

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This is not a list of reasons why I think people SHOULD self publish. This is simply a list of reasons why they do, based on my comments section, my experience at writing conferences and in writing groups, and conversations with authors of all stripes.

Self publishing is absolutely valid, but it is a big undertaking. When deciding between self and trad publishing make sure you know why you’re choosing that path.

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#bookcoach #selfpublishing #publishing #writing #writersofinstagram

If you don't know where to start your book it doesn't matter. Most people who make it through a first draft of their book tend to realize that the start they originally had isn't the right start anyways. Just start writing the thing. You can't really know the beginning until you know what the ending looks like. If it's a blank page that is stressing you out, just start rambling at yourself about things you are picturing for this book. It will get the thing started and things on the page. Just be honest with yourself and realize that the beginning of the book is probably not going to stay. So it doesn't matter, just go for it.

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If you don't know where to start your book it doesn't matter. Most people who make it through a first draft of their book tend to realize that the start they originally had isn't the right start anyways. Just start writing the thing. You can't really know the beginning until you know what the ending looks like. If it's a blank page that is stressing you out, just start rambling at yourself about things you are picturing for this book. It will get the thing started and things on the page. Just be honest with yourself and realize that the beginning of the book is probably not going to stay. So it doesn't matter, just go for it.

book coach writing publishing writers just start
#bookcoach #writing #writingcommunity #publishing #editing

How do you know if a scene needs to be cut?

First of all, if you think a scene needs to be cut and you're the author, you know it needs to be cut. Usually authors need to be told when a scene should be cut and they go kicking and screaming not wanting too. You worked hard on those scenes and you should be proud of them. So if there is any part you as the author think needs to go it probably should go. If you're struggling to take a scene out, read through the scene and be very honest with yourself about what that scene is offering and doing for the narrative. What new information has the reader gained from that scene? Not the character, the reader. A scene should be doing at least one of four things. Demonstrating internal character traits or shifts, external character shifts and traits and dynamics, exploring the world or setting and pushing the plot forward.

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How do you know if a scene needs to be cut?

First of all, if you think a scene needs to be cut and you're the author, you know it needs to be cut. Usually authors need to be told when a scene should be cut and they go kicking and screaming not wanting too. You worked hard on those scenes and you should be proud of them. So if there is any part you as the author think needs to go it probably should go. If you're struggling to take a scene out, read through the scene and be very honest with yourself about what that scene is offering and doing for the narrative. What new information has the reader gained from that scene? Not the character, the reader. A scene should be doing at least one of four things. Demonstrating internal character traits or shifts, external character shifts and traits and dynamics, exploring the world or setting and pushing the plot forward.

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#bookcoach #publishing #editing #writing #writersofinstagram

Here are some questions that I frequently get asked!! The answers in the slides are very short and brief!! For more info sign up for my Patreon!

I have a free subscription that will land this type of info right in your inbox!

Link is in my bio!

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Here are some questions that I frequently get asked!! The answers in the slides are very short and brief!! For more info sign up for my Patreon!

I have a free subscription that will land this type of info right in your inbox!

Link is in my bio!

frequently asked questions writing authors writers writing community book coach publishing
#frequentlyaskedquestions #bookcoach #writers #publishing #writingcommunity

I hate the word speculative.

Newer authors will try to twist themselves into pretzels and say they’re doing something totally different that nobody has ever done before. But you wrote a fantasy and you should be proud of that! You do not have to try to convince yourself that you have reinvented the wheel.

I hate the word speculative in the way publishing uses it in two different ways. It’s confusing. So one, speculative is often used as an umbrella term, this is covering all of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and then all of the sub genres underneath those. That all gets lumped together and called speculative fiction.

The second way it’s used over in the literary space. So literary fiction is the genre without genre elements. So they’ll say “oh it’s for a speculative bend on it.” That’s called fantasy. It’s really just a marketing thing where literary fiction and genre fiction are targeted towards very specific audiences and they don’t want crossover so they use different terms.

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I hate the word speculative.

Newer authors will try to twist themselves into pretzels and say they’re doing something totally different that nobody has ever done before. But you wrote a fantasy and you should be proud of that! You do not have to try to convince yourself that you have reinvented the wheel.

I hate the word speculative in the way publishing uses it in two different ways. It’s confusing. So one, speculative is often used as an umbrella term, this is covering all of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and then all of the sub genres underneath those. That all gets lumped together and called speculative fiction.

The second way it’s used over in the literary space. So literary fiction is the genre without genre elements. So they’ll say “oh it’s for a speculative bend on it.” That’s called fantasy. It’s really just a marketing thing where literary fiction and genre fiction are targeted towards very specific audiences and they don’t want crossover so they use different terms.

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#bookcoach #publishing #writingcommunity #writers #editing

I’m so excited to be participating in a Write Up live Zoom event tomorrow!

The class I’ll be teaching is:
Rights, Returns and Loyalties
Wednesday April 15th (tomorrow)
10am-11:15am CST

You’ll need to join the Write Up community for free first and then you’ll be able to purchase a ticket!
Use my code WRITEUP50OFF to get 50% off.

https://tinyurl.com/RightsRoyalties

So excited to see you all tomorrow!

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I’m so excited to be participating in a Write Up live Zoom event tomorrow!

The class I’ll be teaching is:
Rights, Returns and Loyalties
Wednesday April 15th (tomorrow)
10am-11:15am CST

You’ll need to join the Write Up community for free first and then you’ll be able to purchase a ticket!
Use my code WRITEUP50OFF to get 50% off.

https://tinyurl.com/RightsRoyalties

So excited to see you all tomorrow!

book coach writing writing class editing publishing writing community
#bookcoach #writingclass #publishing #writers #writersofinstagram

Are there any craft books out there that I would recommend? If you go to my link and scroll down you will find a button labeled "books on writing" where you'll find a list of my favorite craft books. This list has nineteen books.

Romancing the Beat and Save the Cat are great for structure. Pity the Reader by Kurt Vonnegut has really good general writing advice. I like this one better than the Stephen King one most people go for. Characters and Viewpoints is super helpful. Craft in the Real World gives really practical advice on how to write from a story doctor who worked for HBO and move studios. My GOAT is Story Genius by Lisa Cron. This is filtering everything in your story through a character and the way that they make decisions and how that impacts everything in the story. These are just some of my favorites from the list, but check it out for more.

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Are there any craft books out there that I would recommend? If you go to my link and scroll down you will find a button labeled "books on writing" where you'll find a list of my favorite craft books. This list has nineteen books.

Romancing the Beat and Save the Cat are great for structure. Pity the Reader by Kurt Vonnegut has really good general writing advice. I like this one better than the Stephen King one most people go for. Characters and Viewpoints is super helpful. Craft in the Real World gives really practical advice on how to write from a story doctor who worked for HBO and move studios. My GOAT is Story Genius by Lisa Cron. This is filtering everything in your story through a character and the way that they make decisions and how that impacts everything in the story. These are just some of my favorites from the list, but check it out for more.

writing books writers book coach publishing editing writing community
#bookcoach #writingcommunity #writersofinstagram #publishing #writing

One of the hardest things to do as a new author is learn to trust yourself. I will have authors come to me saying they feel like their book is too long, or their query letter or synopsis is too long. They feel like they've cut everything they can out and they don't know how they're going to cute more out. Often the issue is that they don't trust themselves and so they say everything twice. They will show us that they are feeling something or doing something and then explicitly state the same thing. Similarly they will use a beautiful metaphor and then immediately explain it. I have commented before that the author has said the same thing three sentences in a row and they just need to pick their favorite and delete the rest.

book coach publishing editing writing writing community
#bookcoach #writingcommunityofinstagram #writers #publishing #editing

One of the hardest things to do as a new author is learn to trust yourself. I will have authors come to me saying they feel like their book is too long, or their query letter or synopsis is too long. They feel like they've cut everything they can out and they don't know how they're going to cute more out. Often the issue is that they don't trust themselves and so they say everything twice. They will show us that they are feeling something or doing something and then explicitly state the same thing. Similarly they will use a beautiful metaphor and then immediately explain it. I have commented before that the author has said the same thing three sentences in a row and they just need to pick their favorite and delete the rest.

book coach publishing editing writing writing community
#bookcoach #writingcommunityofinstagram #writers #publishing #editing

Finding comp titles is kind of a pain. Here are some tips to help you sort through millions (billions?) of titles available to you.

For more information check out my free tier on Patreon! Link in my bio!

Book coach writing authors editing publishing comp titles
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Finding comp titles is kind of a pain. Here are some tips to help you sort through millions (billions?) of titles available to you.

For more information check out my free tier on Patreon! Link in my bio!

Book coach writing authors editing publishing comp titles
#bookcoach #writing #writersofinstagram #publishing #editing

Are you looking for a writing group?

I have a Discord that is a community full of people that are ready to be your writing group. They do page swaps, query letter swaps, writing sprints, Friday night writes, etc.

This community started getting together in 2025. We jumped over to Discord in February and now this chat is being opened up to all Patreon subscribers. If you are a paid subscriber you will be automatically added. If you are on the free tier you will need to click a link.

The link is in my bio!

writing group book coach writing writers publishing editing
#writinggroup #bookcoach #writing #writers #publishing

Are you looking for a writing group?

I have a Discord that is a community full of people that are ready to be your writing group. They do page swaps, query letter swaps, writing sprints, Friday night writes, etc.

This community started getting together in 2025. We jumped over to Discord in February and now this chat is being opened up to all Patreon subscribers. If you are a paid subscriber you will be automatically added. If you are on the free tier you will need to click a link.

The link is in my bio!

writing group book coach writing writers publishing editing
#writinggroup #bookcoach #writing #writers #publishing

A book tour is something an author can do themselves. An author can put these together much scrappier and more efficiently than any publisher could. There are so many things you’d expect a publisher to provide for a tour and you can see those costs rise. If you put a tour together yourself, you can pick places where you know you’ll have a good turn out. Cities where you already know someone you can stay with. You could pick cities within driving distance of you. If you think a book tour sounds fun and you’d love to meet your readers you can do that. You do not need the publishers help. You can contact bookstores directly. You can get yourself on their schedule. You can get yourself to that city. Book tours are possible!

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A book tour is something an author can do themselves. An author can put these together much scrappier and more efficiently than any publisher could. There are so many things you’d expect a publisher to provide for a tour and you can see those costs rise. If you put a tour together yourself, you can pick places where you know you’ll have a good turn out. Cities where you already know someone you can stay with. You could pick cities within driving distance of you. If you think a book tour sounds fun and you’d love to meet your readers you can do that. You do not need the publishers help. You can contact bookstores directly. You can get yourself on their schedule. You can get yourself to that city. Book tours are possible!

Book tour book coach publishing writing writers bookstagram
#booktour #bookcoach #publishing #writingcommunityofinstagram #writers

If everybody is getting rejected why should I try writing? You write because you have a story inside of you that needs to come out. You write because you are a writer, because you want to. You don't have to pursue publication and profit. It is totally valid to decide not to submit yourself to this process of rejection, being humbled and presenting yourself before a marketing machine. You can totally write and spend money on your work and not want to recoup that cost. This is a hobby. People spend money on their hobbies all the time. If you do go towards publication there will be rejection. It's part of the process that you need to learn to be okay with and accept. Art provides value to our world. If artist decide they want to be paid for their work, they should absolutely be paid.

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If everybody is getting rejected why should I try writing? You write because you have a story inside of you that needs to come out. You write because you are a writer, because you want to. You don't have to pursue publication and profit. It is totally valid to decide not to submit yourself to this process of rejection, being humbled and presenting yourself before a marketing machine. You can totally write and spend money on your work and not want to recoup that cost. This is a hobby. People spend money on their hobbies all the time. If you do go towards publication there will be rejection. It's part of the process that you need to learn to be okay with and accept. Art provides value to our world. If artist decide they want to be paid for their work, they should absolutely be paid.

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#editing #publishing #bookcoach #writersofinstagram #writers

It’s no secret that querying is rough, and there are a bunch of reasons why it’s going to get a little rougher over the next year or so. To be clear: agents are still signing new clients, debuts are still selling new deals, and people are making their dreams come true every day. But I think it can be helpful to keep in mind all the reasons that manuscripts receive rejections that have nothing at all to do with the quality of writing.

Good manuscripts receive rejections. The bestselling books and authors of all time have all received rejections. No one—literally, not a single one—has ever received universal approval from the industry. Not your favorites, not the classics, not the bestsellers. Everyone in this industry has received rejections. Even the people who sold super fast, on their first manuscript, received rejections alongside that fast sell.

This post shares some very real reasons I’ve seen people get rejected or send rejections.

For more check out my Patreon! Link in bio!

book coach writing editing publishing writers writing community
#bookcoach #editing #publishing #writingcommunity #writersofinstagram

It’s no secret that querying is rough, and there are a bunch of reasons why it’s going to get a little rougher over the next year or so. To be clear: agents are still signing new clients, debuts are still selling new deals, and people are making their dreams come true every day. But I think it can be helpful to keep in mind all the reasons that manuscripts receive rejections that have nothing at all to do with the quality of writing.

Good manuscripts receive rejections. The bestselling books and authors of all time have all received rejections. No one—literally, not a single one—has ever received universal approval from the industry. Not your favorites, not the classics, not the bestsellers. Everyone in this industry has received rejections. Even the people who sold super fast, on their first manuscript, received rejections alongside that fast sell.

This post shares some very real reasons I’ve seen people get rejected or send rejections.

For more check out my Patreon! Link in bio!

book coach writing editing publishing writers writing community
#bookcoach #editing #publishing #writingcommunity #writersofinstagram

Conference season is upon us! If you’ve got a pitch session scheduled, either in-person or virtually, here are some tips to help you prepare (spoiler: you’re gonna do great)!

I just shared more information about this topic with my Patreon subscribers (this level is free!) Come sign up! The link is in my bio

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Conference season is upon us! If you’ve got a pitch session scheduled, either in-person or virtually, here are some tips to help you prepare (spoiler: you’re gonna do great)!

I just shared more information about this topic with my Patreon subscribers (this level is free!) Come sign up! The link is in my bio

book conference book pitch publishing editing book coach writers
#bookcoach #publishing #writing #writersofinstagram #writers

Do you have to have comp titles?

Comp titles are important. Is it going to be an automatic rejection if you don’t have them? No. If you can’t come up with comp titles though it can mean there’s no market for your book, which is very unlikely. The much more likely thing is that you simply have not read enough.

You might not be reading enough or maybe you’re not reading in the right places. It could be a good idea to hand it over to somebody to look at it with a fresh set of eyes. And do not feed your work into Chat GPT for this. It will not be good at it.

comp titles book coach writing publishing editing reading
#bookcoach #writing #publishing #editing #readmore

Do you have to have comp titles?

Comp titles are important. Is it going to be an automatic rejection if you don’t have them? No. If you can’t come up with comp titles though it can mean there’s no market for your book, which is very unlikely. The much more likely thing is that you simply have not read enough.

You might not be reading enough or maybe you’re not reading in the right places. It could be a good idea to hand it over to somebody to look at it with a fresh set of eyes. And do not feed your work into Chat GPT for this. It will not be good at it.

comp titles book coach writing publishing editing reading
#bookcoach #writing #publishing #editing #readmore

I was asked, why would good choices not lead to a good story? As long as the good choices are not the ones to solve the problem.

If it doesn’t solve your problem then it’s a wrong choice. It might be a choice that is logical in the moment or that makes sense to us as a reader, but they’re still bad decisions. They can seem right in the moment but look bad in hindsight. Or it’s definitely a bad decision but one that almost everybody would have made given the information they had.

These decisions should be true to the character. Maybe they’re in a situation that is causing them to behave in a way that is irrational, irresponsible, dangerous or reckless. It’s not considered “good” choices, but it makes for a compelling story. It pushes the plot forward, makes things more complicated and it makes the story interesting.

writing writing community publishing editing book coach
#bookcoach #writing #writingcommunityofinstagram #publishing #editing

I was asked, why would good choices not lead to a good story? As long as the good choices are not the ones to solve the problem.

If it doesn’t solve your problem then it’s a wrong choice. It might be a choice that is logical in the moment or that makes sense to us as a reader, but they’re still bad decisions. They can seem right in the moment but look bad in hindsight. Or it’s definitely a bad decision but one that almost everybody would have made given the information they had.

These decisions should be true to the character. Maybe they’re in a situation that is causing them to behave in a way that is irrational, irresponsible, dangerous or reckless. It’s not considered “good” choices, but it makes for a compelling story. It pushes the plot forward, makes things more complicated and it makes the story interesting.

writing writing community publishing editing book coach
#bookcoach #writing #writingcommunityofinstagram #publishing #editing

I’ll be at Storymakers!

Storymakers is a writing conference that will be held in Provo, UT in May. I will be teaching two classes.

Class 1: Slay the Soggy Middle
I will be going over different reasons why the middle of your story or series might feel like it’s slogging. Then address how to diagnose and fix it.

Class 2: Be Your Own Developmental Editor
I’ll go over my six steps for self editing. We’ll talk about diagnosing problems, how to leave yourself notes, how to keep moving forward from edit to edit and how not to spiral and crash out.

There are options for in person and virtual tickets. You can use my code GINA20 to save $20 on either one!

writing conference writers writing classes book coach
#writingconference #writingclass #writers #writersofinstagram #bookcoach

I’ll be at Storymakers!

Storymakers is a writing conference that will be held in Provo, UT in May. I will be teaching two classes.

Class 1: Slay the Soggy Middle
I will be going over different reasons why the middle of your story or series might feel like it’s slogging. Then address how to diagnose and fix it.

Class 2: Be Your Own Developmental Editor
I’ll go over my six steps for self editing. We’ll talk about diagnosing problems, how to leave yourself notes, how to keep moving forward from edit to edit and how not to spiral and crash out.

There are options for in person and virtual tickets. You can use my code GINA20 to save $20 on either one!

writing conference writers writing classes book coach
#writingconference #writingclass #writers #writersofinstagram #bookcoach

I don’t recommend cutting your big book in half. This is common, especially with newer writers who tend to over write. They often think they can just chop the book in half or in thirds to have smaller books. And rarely, if ever, is that the right idea.

A complete story arc does not just spot nicely in the middle with two complete story arcs on either end. As a new author you need to demonstrate that you are capable of writing a full and complete story. The story needs to have a beginning, middle and end. If you cut it in half and just have a beginning and half of a middle, that’s not a complete story.

I recommend that you get feedback. You can get it from a professional developmental editor or your writing group. There is probably a lot of bloat that can be taken out of the book to downsize it. Writing is an art form and it takes time to develop the craft.

book coach publishing editing writing writers
#bookcoach #publishing #editing #writersofinstagram #writers

I don’t recommend cutting your big book in half. This is common, especially with newer writers who tend to over write. They often think they can just chop the book in half or in thirds to have smaller books. And rarely, if ever, is that the right idea.

A complete story arc does not just spot nicely in the middle with two complete story arcs on either end. As a new author you need to demonstrate that you are capable of writing a full and complete story. The story needs to have a beginning, middle and end. If you cut it in half and just have a beginning and half of a middle, that’s not a complete story.

I recommend that you get feedback. You can get it from a professional developmental editor or your writing group. There is probably a lot of bloat that can be taken out of the book to downsize it. Writing is an art form and it takes time to develop the craft.

book coach publishing editing writing writers
#bookcoach #publishing #editing #writersofinstagram #writers

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