Genre Confusion: Fiction, Non-fiction
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March 23, 2013

Since Lance Armstrong’s confession of blood doping and use of other performance-enhancing substances, the publishing industry finds itself tripping over the distinction between fiction and non-fiction. In January a lawsuit filed by two California men claims Armstrong’s two books, It’s Not About the Bike (2000) and Every Second Counts (2003) were categorically dishonest: marketed as non-fiction when they were fiction. Jonah Lehrer published How We… [Read More]

Building your audience platform on a solid foundation
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March 19, 2013

Some professional writers have a Facebook Page. Others use Twitter or Tumblr. Many non-fiction authors have a profile on LinkedIn. But every author needs a website under their own domain name. “Why, oh why, must I also build a website and blog, too?” I often get this question from clients who seek publication of their book manuscripts. Here’s why. You don’t own your own real… [Read More]

Makeover and maintenance: The Car Talk for book sites
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March 16, 2013

You’ve heard about the mechanic who never has time to change the oil, bang out the dings, clean out the pop cans or repair the ripped upholstery in her own car? I’m behind the dashboard seven days a week. I drive at high speeds and over rough terrain on the electronic byways of the internet. I keep clients’ motors running smooth and fix them when… [Read More]

In memoir, the narrator IS the protagonist
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March 12, 2013
Memoir Writing Workshop

Memoir is not fiction, yet some of the literary conventions used in the genre of memoir are the same as those used in novels. Plot, dialogue, and character are three shared devices. Fiction and memoir share a structural emphasis on narrative arc. In fiction, this is called a plot line. After setting the scene and introducing the characters through some dialogue and action, there is… [Read More]

Prompts to kickstart your memoir
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March 9, 2013

Sitting down to start one’s memoir is a daunting task. Remember memoir is a slice of life, not your entire biography. But where to begin? It’s not always obvious where to start. So finding a way to slip into your story might be easier if you find a side entrance. These memoir prompts are intended to stir up your memories and get you to set… [Read More]

What does a book development editor do?
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March 5, 2013

What does a book development editor do? Professionally assess your manuscript or book concept for its publishing potential Offer critical feedback and editorial guidance Serve as writing coach as the author completes a manuscript Collaborate in the development of a winning book proposal Position and package the book concept to specific publishers Research what publishers are looking for in the current market Conduct market research… [Read More]

Alternatives Federal Credit Union Featured Business of the Month in March
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March 3, 2013

It is both an honor and a privilege to be the featured Business of the Month at Alternatives Federal Credit Union. Alternatives (AFCU) is a regional Community Development Financial Institution. This isn’t your ordinary credit union. Member-owned, locally controlled and self-supporting, AFCU works to meet the financial needs of the members of the community. They believe that by controlling the flow of funds within a small… [Read More]

Comparative Title Analysis for your Book Proposal: The “How-To”
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January 29, 2013

Last week here, I spelled out the reasons why a comparative title analysis is so important to a book proposal. Today, the “how to” complete your research on the competition in the marketplace of ideas will be presented. This step-by-step process involves research, reading, and a critical market assessment. 1. Identify the genre, even the sub-genre, of books you will be searching for in your… [Read More]

The importance of a comparative title analysis in your book proposal
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January 22, 2013

“There’s never been a book like this,” is a phrase that may doom your book propsoal to oblivion. When writing a book proposal, an essential document to prepare is a comparative title analysis. This is a report which identifies the current bestselling books like yours. If there is nothing comparable to your book in the marketplace of ideas, then there may be a reason for… [Read More]

Three Writing Workshops in February at Cayuga Nature Center
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January 19, 2013

Cayuga Nature Center sits on 100 acres overlooking the  largest of the Finger Lakes with a lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s as a “preventorium,” a temporary home for families members of tuberculosis patients at the nearby “sanatorium” (near the present Cayuga Medical Center). The lodge, recently renovated, is quiet and comfortable in the winter months. Writing workshops are being offered for… [Read More]