It may seem like nitpicking, but formatting manuscripts to industry standards helps your submissions get read by editors and agents. It's not that proper formatting excites editors; it's that improper formatting can repel them--and I've already written about ways to an...

The first trick to create perfect book titles is not to get too attached to them. The writer often agonizes over the title, finally settling on one she thinks is perfect for the book, only to have the editor dismiss it, with a seemingly insensitive flick of the wrist....

What do diaries and journals have to do with memoirs? More and less than you might think. I'll be addressing these questions and more at the upcoming Memoir Festival, where participants will have a chance to write and talk with Cheryl Strayed (Wild), Malachy McCourt (A...

The brilliant intellect Thaisa Frank, author of the stunning novels Heidegger’s Glasses, Enchantment, and A Brief History of Camouflage, tagged me in a blog hop, so that means I’m “it.” In this chain of blogs, started by publisher Mark Cunningham, writers of all persua...

Another question I get asked by readers and writers alike: What are your favorite memoirs? Whether you read memoirs to pass the time or to study the form for writing your own, these six favorites show off a range of voice, approach, style, and story. You may not like t...

I got a new pair of shoes (half-off sale at the thrift store!) and had to write a new post so I could show them off. This post continues my Annoy the Editor series and will help you to improve your writing and also to get published in magazines and journals. It's about...

Annoying the editor is not a good way to get stories and articles published in magazines. And the best way to annoy an editor is to not read the magazine. Like Santa, they know. They can tell by the title or first sentence of your submission if you've read the magazine...

I couldn't have summed up my recent talk at the Writers Forum any better myself, so I'll just link you right to writer Nicole Zimmerman's excellent summary at Paper-Pencil-Pen.

To jumpstart the evening's discussion on writing and publishing memoir and personal essays, I...

How do I get my book reviewed? First, you've got to learn something about the physics of publication, and the simple fact that magazines and newspapers work ahead of time. The publishing process involves many steps (writing, editing, designing, selling ads...) each wit...

Always fun to recommend books I have not read. Here are some February & March releases that look intriguing, notable, and possibly bound for glory. I wish I could tell you more, but I haven't, uh, read them.

Her: A Memoir by Christa Pavaranni. The author is a twin; her...