To Write Well, Write Truthfully
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March 7, 2017

Let me introduce my guestblogger today, Ira Rabois. Rowman & Littlefield released his new book, Compassionate Critical Thinking, in late October 2016. I invited Ira to write a meditation for today because we all need compassionate critical thinking to write well. “How do you write well? Probably thousands have written about this. On the surface, it seems writing is about language, which to a large… [Read More]

What about Copyright Permissions?
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February 28, 2017

If you seek traditional publication for your book manuscript, then it is incumbent upon you to obtain copyright permissions for any text or images which are not original. The book will not go to print until every written permission has been secured. Because publishing is a for-profit venture, an author cannot include the copyrighted work of others without permission and it is not covered under… [Read More]

Building your literary community
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February 21, 2017

One of the things no one tells writers about becoming a successfully published author is the importance of building your literary community and participating in book culture long before you land an agent or a publishing contract. There are no shortcuts to creating a career as an author. I hate to disillusion you of the idea that you will be “discovered” and become rich and… [Read More]

How to Handle Negative Reviews
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February 7, 2017

Not every book gets a starred review from Kirkus. Whether it’s a review from a literary critic or the crank on Amazon, negative reviews hurt. They hurt a lot more than you’d think and in ways you can’t always imagine.  But how do you react to the pain inflicted from a negative assessment of your book? What do you do with your feelings? It’s increasingly… [Read More]

Q&A with Larry Scheckel AKA Dr. Science
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January 31, 2017

Larry Scheckel’s I Always Wondered About That will be published by Tumblehome Learning in Fall 2017. This new book has 101 scientific answers to questions you ponder while driving, mowing the lawn, or watching a beautiful sunset. Jill Swenson: When did you first become excited about science? Larry Scheckel: We did not have a television set when I was a kid on the farm in… [Read More]

Tax Preparation Time for Authors
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January 24, 2017

It’s January and the time of year when you need to prepare your taxes or gather the information together to take it to a tax professional. Before January 31 you are required to file 1099-MISC forms for income you paid to independent contractors during the last year. If you paid more than $600 to an individual or a contractor for professional services related to the… [Read More]

Why You Need to Join the Authors Guild
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January 17, 2017

The Authors Guild is the nation’s oldest and largest professional organization for writers in the United States, aiding and protecting authors’ interests in copyright, fair contracts, and free expression since 1912. It supports working writers, advocates for author rights, and provides a community for its members. Until recently you needed to be a published author before you met eligibility requirements for membership. This past year the Authors… [Read More]

Reading WWII and Thinking About Tomorrow
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January 10, 2017

It’s no secret, I like history. It offers us lessons about the future. You won’t be surprised then to hear this past year I’ve read a lot of books about the years in Europe leading up to WWII. From Richard Halliburton’s world adventures as a swashbuckling celebrity travel writer in American Daredevil by Cathryn Prince to the international search for the incredible artwork of Moshe… [Read More]

Books to Look Forward to Reading in 2017
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January 3, 2017

Swenson Book Development LLC is thrilled to see four new books by its clients scheduled for publication in 2017. If you’re interested in history, science, or economics, you’ll want to put these books on your To-Be-Read list for this year.   Congratulations to Carolyn Porter, Linda J. Spielman, Saadia Zahidi and Ann Marie Ackermann.   CAROLYN PORTER, Marcel’s Letters: The Moving Story of A Font… [Read More]