How Authors Can Build an Indie Empire—What Your Book Cover Looks Like Matters

by Traci Tyne Hilton @TraciTyneHilton

*disclaimer. This series is about following rules. I know that Indies don’t have to follow rules. That’s the whole point of being indie. But indies who pay attention to what rich and famous authors do, have a much better shot at fame and riches.*

What Your book Cover Looks Like Matters

1. Readers do judge a book by the cover. For $40 or less at times, you can get a professional quality stock cover. Unless you are experienced and trained as a graphic designer, do this. For $300 and up you can get a custom cover. Totally do that if you can afford it. It’s worth it.

What is the GDPR and What Does It Mean for Authors?

by Cyle  Young @CyleYoung

On May 25^th, 2018 the European Union’s new data privacy law goes into effect. The GDPR or General Data Protection Regulation applies to any person or business operating or storing information of EU citizens, and not only to EU-based companies and organizations.

Any author with an international following, fan base, or email subscriber list needs to take notice. The GDPR will change the way that you do business as an author. Most companies who service emails on the behalf of authors—think companies like MailChimp and ConvertKit—have taken steps over the last few months that will enable compliance to the GDPR.

When You Feel Overwhelmed with Writing, Keep Paving

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

I like to take pictures of my shoes. I don’t have a shoe fetish, just a travel one. When I go somewhere new, I like to take a picture of my feet on the unique paths I discover—cobblestone streets, mosaic sidewalks, bricked walkways, and hiking trails. A path is a promise of adventure and discovery. When we write, we are paving a path for our readers.

Moms Matter

by Sarah Van Diest @SarahVanDiest

There are important issues coming forward these days. People are being brave, saying what needs to be said, and doing what needs to be done. On my mind today: Beth Moore talking about the treatment of women in Christian ministry. 

Be Optimistic

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

Helen Keller was an amazing woman.

Born in 1880,  an illness left her deaf and blind when she was all of 19 months old. Helen had limited communication with her family until she was 7 years old — when Annie Sullivan arrived and worked with her to teach her sign language. Fast forward to 1904, when Helen was 24 years old and graduated from college, the first deaf blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

And yes, there’s so much more to her life story.

A Writer's Mighty Metaphor: Is Life Really “A Bowl of Cherries?”

by Marcia Moston @MarciaMoston

“Metaphors hold the most truth in the least amount of space”—Orson Scott Card

Metaphors. Poets use them. So do special arms of U.S. intelligence. Aristotle said mastering them was a sign of genius. He also said they couldn’t be learned from others. Far be it for me to take on Aristotle, but I think there are ways we can hone our skills to incorporate this powerful literary element into our writing.

Healthy Writer Tips: Clarity of Mind

Edie here. Today I'm thrilled to introduce you to a woman whom I greatly admire and respect. Not only is she an amazing writer, she's also incredibly gifted in helping someone like me learn how to take care of myself. Her encouragement has meant the world to me and her most recent book, 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates is never far from my side. I'm thrilled I was able to convince her to share some of her wisdom with us.

Healthy Writer Tips: Clarity of Mind
by Susan Neal @SusanNealYoga

Being tired and foggy brained was not what I needed the day I finished my submission to the BRMCWC contest. As I muddled through the contest directions, I contemplated what could have caused my lack of mental clarity. It was the delicious tiramisu I ate yesterday. Dairy, wheat, and sugar—not a good combination for my brain.