by kristinoakley | May 4, 2023 | For Readers, For Writers, Newsletter, Writing Life
In one month, there will be a contest that puts teenagers through physical, mental, and psychological trials that may very well break them. The courageous winner will have the honor of becoming the vessel of all the world’s evil. Or so the story goes . . . This...
by kristinoakley | Apr 20, 2023 | Books and Movies, For Readers, Newsletter
In this month’s Writer’s Book Club, I review Stephen King’s novel, Fairy Tale, read by Seth Numrich, who does a terrific job narrating the audiobook. It’s now one of my top ten favorite King books. In Fairy Tale, Charlie Reade is seven when a...
by kristinoakley | Apr 6, 2023 | Creativity & Craft, For Writers, Newsletter
On March 25th, 2023, I presented my “Characters Who Jump Off the Page” workshop at the Chicago Writers Association’s Let’s Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference. The workshop was successful based on the eighty attendees’ rapt...
by kristinoakley | Apr 1, 2023 | For Writers
I like to think of the setting of a book as a character, one that puts the reader into the story and makes them feel as if they’re part of the adventure. Did you know that writing about and selecting the right setting can also help sell books? Sales Potential of a...
by kristinoakley | Mar 23, 2023 | News and Events
Join me as I celebrate the release of my YA dystopian novel The Devil Particle Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 6:00 p.m. Mystery to Me Bookstore 1863 Monroe Street, Madison, WI. This event is free and open to the public but space is limited so reserve your spot today! The...
by kristinoakley | Mar 23, 2023 | Newsletter, Writing Life
Once authors complete their manuscripts, they decide whether to publish traditionally or independently. The traditional route involves finding an agent who then sells the manuscript to a publisher. It also encompasses smaller presses that will often take submissions...
by kristinoakley | Mar 10, 2023 | For Writers
Please note: This article was originally published on the Chicago Writers Association’s blog. In 2012 when I was finishing my first novel Carpe Diem, Illinois, I’d heard about self-publishing but thought it was for authors who couldn’t get their books traditionally...
by kristinoakley | Mar 10, 2023 | Books and Movies, Newsletter
In this month’s Writer’s Book Club, I review Junot Diaz’s 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. I had seen this book on bookstore and library shelves over the years, picked it up, considered getting it, then put it...
