Showing Tag: "writers" (Show all posts)

Writers Thought for Today Blog Getting Makeover

Posted by John R. on Monday, January 10, 2011, In : Blogging 
"Writers Thought for Today" blog is moving to a WordPress blogging platform, will be located at http://alturl.com/6izif  and be renamed to "Publishing/Writing: Insights, News, Intrigue"

I cordially invite all my current and future readers to visit my new location for the very latest publishing and writing industry happenings...AND please click the free "subscribe" button in the top menu to follow my new blog...The blogging gods will bless you...   


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How to Keep a Writer's Brain Active OR How to Avoid Senility!

Posted by John R. on Friday, October 22, 2010, In : writing 
Some days I think I'm losing my mind...or, at least, the damn thing works in slow motion (come to think of it, it did that in my younger days, too...especially after a night out gaining all that lusty-life experience). But, as I have entered the Autumn of my life, those days seem to be occurring more frequently!

So, how do we writers keep our minds in better condition, especially as we age gracefully (or not so gracefully) ?

Delia Lloyd, writing for Huffington Post, gives us 5 excellent tips:

...
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Crazy E-book Prices? Maybe Not...

Posted by John R. on Friday, October 8, 2010, In : publishing 
Another chapter RE the so-called "agency model" (where publishers and not booksellers set the book prices) and what physical book and eBook prices should be.

Please refer to the 10/5/10 post "
E-Books are Selling for More than Hardcovers!" on the Writers Welcome Blog for an interesting background.

Apparently, the sole argument put forth as to why eBooks should be cheaper than their physical counterparts is the fact that you don't have the more expensive production costs (printing, paper, binding...

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Publisher Sues Writer Over Deadline

Posted by John R. on Thursday, September 2, 2010, In : writing 
Ah, the business of writing and publishing does go on...Intrigue, stress and pressure are a constant (though in varying degrees).

By the way, just how much does a Yahoo sports writer make now-a-days? For that matter, how much does a sports writer make working anywhere? Keep that in mind as you read the following short article. Is their salary enough to ignore a $140,000 advance? Sports writers must make a lot more than they used to! 

This rundown is by
Tim Gardner in USAToday:

Publishing house...


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Books Should Reflect Cultural Messages

Posted by John R. on Tuesday, August 31, 2010, In : writing 
Books from countries around the world should...besides detailing their native country's histories and thought processes that defined those histories...address current world challenges and the particular country's feelings, thoughts and possible solutions to those challenges.

Beijing's 17th annual International Book Fair, which begins on Monday in Beijing, and which attracts more and more foreign publishers and authors, is becoming a great venue for exchange of cultural messages and increasing ...

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Rejection? Rejection! How Dare They!

Posted by John R. on Monday, July 12, 2010, In : writing 
Nobody likes rejection...in ANY form. But, as writers, rejection is just part of the business. You just have to develop a thick skin and an attitude of "I write for my own enjoyment and from my own exclusive imagination and I realize everybody won't like the same thing...So, I'm just not going to worry about it."

Spectacularly, rejection the first time (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.) has been overcome by persistence and resulted in later acceptance and fame and fortune! History is riddled with many ...

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How To Be a Successful Author

Posted by John R. on Tuesday, June 1, 2010, In : writing 

How can I be a successful writer? A question asked by ALL newbies...Well, one way is to follow lessons learned from more experienced writers who are willing to share...Such is Bob Baker (pictured) who is a full-time author and independent publisher who wrote this excellent advice for Wordpreneur:

Are you a curious person? I am. Especially when it comes to people who have taken action to achieve worthy and creative goals. Whenever I meet a successful author, musician, artist, actor or whatever,...


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Reasons We May NOT Write That Book Inside Us

Posted by John R. on Friday, May 28, 2010, In : writing 
A little writers' psychology today!...You know, we all can use some of that from time to time.

Suzanne Falter-Barnes (pictured above), a creativity expert and author, wrote this piece for Wordpreneur that I think will be a good writers thought for today:


In the 10 years that I’ve taught people how to get on with their books, I’ve noticed a phenomenon that I’ll call “Author’s Block.” Would-be writers can, indeed, sit down and work when pressed to it. The problem is that they’re ...


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Are Writers' Dreams of Riches Now Unrealistic?

Posted by John R. on Sunday, May 16, 2010, In : digital publishing 
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Will the digital content explosion destroy writers' livlihoods OR make their businesses better? There are two schools of thought on this topic...Some in the business, mostly from the publishing standpoint, think that the increased availability of content will drive down content costs and thereby royalities for writers of that content.

I respectfully disagree with this forecast.

I feel that the growing digital publishing industry is creating a renewed interest in reading and that cou...

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Writerly Psychology...And Validation

Posted by John R. on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, In : writing 
Even those of us who have attained a degree of success in writing still probably harbor doubts that we TRULY deserve whatever we have attained...That luck more than talent was responsible. You ever feel that way about anything?

Carrie Vaughn (pictured below), bestselling author, felt that way until a certain thing happened AFTER she had already arrived in the city called success...and her story will be helpful to many.

Carrie, writing on GENREALITY blog:  

I had an interesting bit of writerly ps...

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How To Be A Reasonably Happy Writer...

Posted by John R. on Saturday, May 8, 2010, In : writing 

A happy writer? Of course! I'm happy...BROKE...but happy nonetheless. Thank God for a retirement from another source (subject for another post) to sustain me half-way comfortably.

First, from my point of view, to be a reasonably happy writer you had better been born rich or have money from another source coming in to allow you the "luxury" to pursue writing.

This piece by
Rosemary Clement-Moore  (pictured below) posting on GENREALITY blog is light and breezy and has some good writer parallels:...


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How To Approach a Literary Agent In-Person

Posted by John R. on Saturday, April 10, 2010, In : publishing 

Ever wonder how to talk to a real, live agent face-to-face about your project? How are you going to make your pitch? For those who have no experience in this area yet...it's a good idea to get some pointers and PRACTICE! Especially if you have a chance to go to a writers conference where agents will be in attendance.



Rosemary Clement-Moore, a published writer of YA fiction, has some excellent pointers she shared on the GENREALITY blog: 

I’m speaking this weekend at the DFW Writers Conference ...


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About Me


John R. Austin Writer, Old-Warrior-Adventurer, Blogger... I was born in Key West, Florida. A rather famous hangout for some past famous writers: Hemingway and Tennessee Williams to name two. I just hope that I possess a glimmer of their talent. I have a bachelors degree in architecture/construction and a master's degree in industrial engineering. I have been writing for fifty plus years. Most of my writing has been in the technical, instructional and business areas. I am working on my first book: "Havana Harvest---When Cuba Was Naughty" which details my coming of age experiences in 1958 Havana, Cuba, at the age of 15. Please visit my other blog "Writers Welcome Blog" at http://alturl.com/4z88.

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