Whether you are an aspiring author or on your sixth or seventh book, professional development comes with the territory. The business of being an author can be overwhelming for many people who don’t have the background. How can you best prepare for today’s marketplace? I’ve worked with writers on their craft for decades and these are the secrets to the success of their writing and publishing efforts. Read. I mean read a lot. Obsessively. Read deeply in your genre. Read broadly beyond your comfort zone. Read for craft. Read for fun. Patronize your local public library. Volunteer. Get to know your reference librarian. Attend events and participate in programs there. Shop at your local brick and mortar bookstore. Befriend the bookseller and encourage others to frequent the store. Give books as gifts. Attend author events and buy a copy for the author to sign. Join a book club. Reading titles you might not otherwise is good practice. You refine your sense of what you like and learn what other readers like, or don’t, and why. Take a class or writing workshop. Continuing professional development is always encouraged. No matter how many books you’ve got under your belt, you continue to grow your writing talents. Join a writer’s group. Meeting with other writers who commit to improve their work has many benefits. Not the least of which is the support and accountability you provide to one another. Read your work-in-progress or poetry to an audience. Or tell your story at a…

In a city like Green Bay, something is always happening. Last weekend, though, was particularly special, as the second annual UntitledTown Book and Author Festival kicked off on the afternoon of Thursday, April 19 and filled the city with enjoyment until the evening of Sunday, April 22. I made the three hour trip south from the northwoods of Wisconsin to Green Bay just to attend the festival, and gosh, was it worth it. Not only was the weather beautiful, but the spirit of enthusiasm, encouragement, and excitement was tangible. UntitledTown 2018, much like last year’s festival, was again a reminder of why I love the literary arts and the city of Green Bay so much. Over the course of the weekend, I rode the trolley all across downtown, attending numerous different events and, many times, wishing I could attend several at once. UntitledTown 2018 offered the chance to meet authors like Roxanne Gay, Christopher Moore, Michael Perry, Danez Smith, and R.L. Stine – who is hilarious, by the way. Because of UntitledTown, I was able to meet one of my favorite authors, Dan Chaon, and have him sign my copy of his book. However, in addition to meeting lots of great authors, the Festival also allowed me to do things like sit down with a real literary agent and ask him questions, attend panels that helped me learn how to market myself as a writer and how to keep up a writing habit with a busy schedule, as well as…

As the chilly air of winter continues to give way to spring sunshine, readers and writers from far and wide are gearing up for UntitledTown Book and Author Festival in Green Bay this April. A celebration of reading, writing, and the literary arts in general, the Festival occurs over the course of four days from April 19-22, and it has something for everyone, featuring “120 authors, 150 events, and 14 locations.” Though some of UntitledTown’s events require pre-registration or tickets due to anticipated crowds and space limitations, UntitledTown is free and open to the public. This is an experience that you won’t want to miss. Last year, UntitledTown brought in writing legends Margaret Atwood and Sherman Alexie, who came to speak at the KI Convention Center and provided an unforgettable evening. This year, the Festival’s author roster is just as exciting, featuring authors such as R.L. Stine, Roxane Gay, Christopher Moore, Lynda Barry, BJ Hollars, Dan Chaon, Michael Perry, and many more, including several from right here in Wisconsin. In order to see some of these amazing authors in person, you’ll need to register for tickets, a good number of which are free. Get your tickets now, though, as seats are filling fast! Larry Scheckel, author of I Always Wondered About That, will also be at the festival speaking. Check out the full schedule and see the featured presenters on the UntitledTown website for details. Bring the whole family, as the festival includes activities for people of all ages. There are…