The Hidden Cost of Free Books for Authors

From Edie: Discover the hidden financial and emotional cost of giving away free books. Learn how authors can set healthy boundaries, educate readers, and protect their writing career without losing generosity.

The Hidden Cost of Free Books for Authors

By Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

Generosity is a good thing, and most of the authors I know are incredibly generous with their time and kindness in giving away products. Still, there is a limit to what every writer should give away. To address this, we need to talk candidly about our readers.

We all know that readers are pretty much our bread and butter. These are the people who spread the word about our books, who physically purchase them, and who cheer us on. We love our readers. They are vital to our success, but just as they can be the icing on the cake, they can also be the cause of our demise. 

The Martha Writer: How Busyness Steals Your Voice and What Jesus Says About It

From Edie: Today, Edwina Perkins leads us to discover how busyness and burnout can quietly steal a writer’s voice. Learn five biblical shifts from Martha-style striving to Mary-style creativity, peace, and purpose. I'm so excited to have Edwina as a guest today—and I'm even more excited to introduce her first novel to you! Be sure to follow the links at the end—it's a book you'll love to read again and again.

The Martha Writer: How Busyness Steals Your Voice and What Jesus Says About It

by Edwina Perkins @EdwinaPerkins

I've been a Martha lately.

Not the kind who gets credit for showing up. The kind who can't stop moving. Who answers one more email, accepts one more project, says yes one more time, and calls it faithfulness.

Should Writers Eliminate Adverbs? What to Cut—and What to Keep

From Edie: Martin Wiles answers the question, "Should writers eliminate adverbs?" Learn when adverbs strengthen your writing, when they weaken it, and how stronger verbs can make your fiction and nonfiction more powerful.

Should Writers Eliminate Adverbs? What to Cut—and What to Keep

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

To ax or not to ax. That was the question. But what was the answer? 

I sat in front of an agent, pitching my manuscript and hoping the agency she represented would show interest and take me on as a client. Well, that didn’t happen, but she did give me one piece of advice I haven’t forgotten—not that I agree completely with the advice, although it was pertinent. “The first thing I tell a client is to wipe every ly word from their manuscript.” 

Why Other Authors Are Not Your Competition (And What Successful Writers Understand Instead)

From Edie: Beth Vogt shares why other authors are not your competition and how successful writers build supportive communities that encourage growth, creativity, and long-term writing success.

Why Other Authors Are Not Your Competition (And What Successful Writers Understand Instead)

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

I’ve learned a lot of different things since I published my first novel back in 2012. Things like:

Writing Conference Checklist Part 2: What to Do During the Conference to Build Connections and Grow

From Edie: Lilka Raphael shows writers how to make the most of a writers conference with practical tips for networking, trying new classes, packing wisely, and enjoying the experience while growing your writing career and creative community.

Writing Conference Checklist Part 2: What to Do During the Conference to Build Connections and Grow

by Lilka Raphael @Lilka_Raphael

“He who laughs most, learns best.” — John Cleese

Whether you’re attending a conference this year or contemplating one in the future, here are four recommendations to make your next conference your best conference.

How Writers Can Use Scrivener for More Than Books: Organize Writing, Marketing, and Your Author Life

From Edie: Lynn Blackburn helps writers discover how they can use Scrivener for more than books. Learn how to organize your writing, research, marketing, and entire author workflow in one powerful tool.

How Writers Can Use Scrivener for More Than Books: Organize Writing, Marketing, and Your Author Life

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

Scrivener is for far more than your manuscript. 

Have you heard of Scrivener?

Scrivener is writing software designed specifically for organizing large manuscripts.  I’ve been a Scrivener devotee since 2010 when I became a beta user of their first offerings for PC.

How Writers Can Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt: Turning Fear Into a Creative Companion

From Edie: Struggling with fear or self-doubt as a writer? Sarah Sally Hamer Shares how to turn fear into a creative companion and use it to fuel stronger, more meaningful writing.

How Writers Can Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt: Turning Fear Into a Creative Companion

by Sarah Sally Hamer @SarahSallyHamer

The Presence Beside You

Every writer possesses a quiet companion, a presence that settles beside them before a single word appears. This creature lingers at the edge of thought, breathing softly against the back of your mind. It leans close when you hesitate, asking questions that can tighten your chest and thin your breath. Are you sure? Will they like you? What if they turn away? What if you’re not good enough?