by kristinoakley | Mar 1, 2023 | For Writers
When my debut mystery/suspense/thriller, Carpe Diem, Illinois, was released in 2014, I posted the news on Facebook and Twitter, ran a few ads, submitted the book to contests, and sent shout-outs to my email list. But I focused most of my marketing on in-person...
by kristinoakley | Feb 28, 2023 | For Writers
For years people told me to start a newsletter. After all, I had written and published two books and had over 400 people on my email list. I thought periodically sending a book release announcement or information about an upcoming author event was enough. Then I took...
by kristinoakley | Feb 13, 2023 | For Writers
You have an idea for a novel, but what do you do next? How do you begin? Let’s Start With the Basics: What is your idea? Write it down. Seriously. Many people say they have an idea for a book and never write it down. What is story? Story is simply a...
by kristinoakley | Jan 27, 2023 | For Writers
When I go to writing conferences, I’m amazed at the number of writers who don’t know what a developmental edit is. In fact, many aren’t aware at all of the various types of editing available and when you need them. I’m also amazed that some published...
by kristinoakley | Jan 18, 2023 | For Writers
Please note: This article was originally published on the Chicago Writers Association’s blog. You’ve just returned home from a writer’s conference and your head is spinning from all that you’ve learned. You had a wonderful time socializing with other writers—your...
by kristinoakley | Jan 13, 2023 | For Writers
Unforgettable characters resonate with readers and lead to more book sales. How can you create an unforgettable protagonist? First, ask yourself why you are writing about this character. What is it about them that makes you want to spend months or even years writing...
