Writers: How to Read Email Reports to Improve Your Newsletters and Book Sales

From Edie: Learn how to read email reports as a writer. Discover what open rates, clicks, and unsubscribes reveal—and how they can boost your book sales.

Writers: How to Read Email Reports to Improve Your Newsletters and Book Sales

by Kate Huff @KateOliviaHuff

When you hit “send” on your newsletter, it’s tempting to check the “send newsletter” box and move on to the next thing on your list. But don’t forget about the little report your email platform generates after your email is sent. 

That’s golden information, you shouldn’t ignore it! (Or forget about it.) 

Your email reports are like a quiet conversation with your readers. They may not always reply directly, but their clicks, opens, and even their unsubscribes are speaking louder than you think. If you learn how to listen, those numbers become the key to writing better emails, building stronger relationships, and even growing your book sales.

The Importance of Following Guidelines in Writing and Faith

From Edie: Writers often fail when they ignore submission rules. Explore how following guidelines in writing and faith leads to purpose, clarity, and impact.

The Importance of Following Guidelines in Writing and Faith

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

One by one, I filtered through the email submissions and then, sadly, returned three-fourths of them. Of late, this hasn’t been a not-so-unusual occurrence. Why? The writers did not follow the guidelines. 

For more than a decade, I have served as Managing Editor for a non-profit organization’s website. My duties include receiving submissions, ensuring they follow our guidelines, editing them as needed, corresponding with writers, and scheduling the devotions on the website. However, the issue of guidelines increasingly keeps many of them from seeing the light of day on the website. 

Learning to Read with Joy: How to Inspire a Child’s Love of Books

From Edie: Discover fun ways to teach kids to read while sparking a lifelong love of books, stories, and learning through joy-filled reading experiences.

Learning to Read with Joy: How to Inspire a Child’s Love of Books

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

I added an unexpected activity to my life this month. 

I’m teaching my 5-year-old granddaughter, Myka, who just started kindergarten, how to read. 

ASIDE: This is not where I go on and on about what children are expected to know by the time they start kindergarten. Nope. Staying focused.

Back to Myka. And reading. And what I’m calling “GiGi and Myka’s Reading Fun Time.”

What to Do After an Agent Says Yes: 3 Essential Steps for Writers

From Edie: An agent said yes—now what? Lilks helps us discover  3 essential steps every writer should take after landing representation to stay professional and move forward.

What to Do After an Agent Says Yes: 3 Essential Steps for Writers

by Lilka Raphael @Lilka_Raphael

"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together."

Vincent van Gogh

I attended a writers conference this summer as I usually do. Unlike previous years, I left represented by an agent. Professional networking is one reason I attend but suddenly receiving a yes after years of pitches left me stunned. 

Only days after thanking God for answered prayer, analysis paralysis set in. Then fear. Though confident that God provided the best agent for me, doubts about my own abilities came quickly. Thankfully, I got it together and didn’t squander this opportunity. Unlike last time. And the time before that. 

The Surprising Benefits of Word Search Puzzles for Writers

From Edie: Stuck in your writing? Word search puzzles can refresh your mind, spark creativity, and improve focus so you return to the page energized.

The Surprising Benefits of Word Search Puzzles for Writers

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

When your creativity needs a jumpstart, try a word search puzzle to challenge your brain, tickle the muses, and invoke some fun moments. If you’re stuck in the middle of a writing project, put it aside briefly, tackle a word search puzzle, then return to your writing. A rejuvenated mind will unleash fresh thoughts and ideas to continue the writing project you’re involved in.

But don’t just take my word for it. Medical professionals list many benefits of word search puzzles.

18 Attitudes That Can Sabotage Your Writing Journey (and How to Overcome Them)

From Edie: Every writer faces mindset battles. Today I explore 18 common attitudes that hold writers back—and how we find encouragement to overcome each one. 

18 Attitudes That Can Sabotage Your Writing Journey (and How to Overcome Them)

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Becoming a writer takes more than learning grammar, studying craft, and building a network. Those are important, but they’re not enough. The truth is, much of the writing journey is fought—and won—in the mind. Our attitudes can either propel us forward or hold us back.

Too often, writers stumble not because of a lack of talent or opportunity, but because of hidden mental battles: discouragement, comparison, impatience, perfectionism, and more. If we’re not careful, these attitudes creep in and quietly derail our progress.

Today I want to shine a light on some of the most common mindsets that sabotage writers. Think of them as roadblocks you can avoid—or warning signs that it’s time to realign your thinking with God’s truth. Recognizing them is the first step to replacing them with faith, perseverance, and joy in the writing journey.

Small vs. Large Writers Conferences: Pros, Cons, and How to Choose

From Edie: Not sure which writers conference to attend? Discover the differences between small and large events and how to pick the right one for you.

Small vs. Large Writers Conferences: Pros, Cons, and How to Choose

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

Yearly, writers conferences pop up across the country. They range in size, format, and cost, and it can be challenging to decide which one is best for you. Of course, only you really know your specific needs, but I'd like to offer you some guidance on how to choose an appropriate conference that best suits you.