April 12, 2022
Three Ways Wordle is Like Writing
By Maggie Smith
Have you caught the Wordle bug yet? Each morning The New York Times posts a new Wordle puzzle on the internet and you have one day to solve it. The answer is a five-letter word and you get six tries. Each guess must be a valid five-letter word. After you type in your guess and hit the enter button, the color of the tiles changes to reflect how close…
April 5, 2022
My Well is Dry
by Samantha Hoffman
After this past year of working on a conference I was never quite sure would happen, my blog coffers are dry this week. The conference did happen, it was a most wondrous thing and I'm proud of what we accomplished. We received so much positive feedback - everyone was joyous…
March 29, 2022
A Dream Come True…Or Is It?
by Samantha Hoffman
If you had a chance to attend the fiction panel at Let's Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference you heard three successful authors, Elizabeth Wetmore, Nancy Johnson and Ann Garvin, talk about the realities of writing a best seller. It's a dream come true, right?
But…
March 22, 2022
What You Missed
by Samantha Hoffman
Two long years and two weeks ago we postponed Let's Just Write! An Uncommon Writers Conference. Then we postponed it again and then again. Finally, this past Saturday, writers gathered for a weekend of craft and conversation and networking and learning and camaraderie and laughs and food and drink...…
March 15, 2022
Writing Tips from Ann Patchett as told by Annabel Candy
by Samantha Hoffman
Annabel Candy went to see Ann Patchett speak in 2011 after reading State of Wonder. Ann Patchett is one of my favorite authors so when I came across Annabel's article I had to share it.
Incidentally, Ann Patchett blurbed Elizabeth Wetmore's book Valentine. That would be a…
March 8, 2022
Step-by-Step Guide to Launching a Book Part II
By Maggie Smith
Welcome to Part II of A Step-by-Step Guide to Launching a Book Without Losing Your Mind
If you missed Part I, check it out here.
My debut novel hits shelves TODAY!! Here's what I've been doing the past two months.
8 Weeks Before Launch
- …
March 1, 2022
Dear Publisher: Notes from a Disgruntled Rejectee
by Dan Klefstad
Dear Publisher,
Many thanks for responding to my manuscript query. Even though it took 11 months, two weeks, and three days for your reply to arrive, and even though it was clearly a form email, I’m grateful that your college intern took the time to read my sample pages while…
February 22, 2022
Ready for an In-Person Writers Conference?
by Samantha Hoffman
Are you ready for an IN-PERSON writers conference? We are!
If writing is your profession or it's something you've always dreamed about, a writers conference is the perfect way to learn, improve your craft, get motivated and meet like-minded people.
Our timing is perfect to welcome you to the…
February 15, 2022
Interview Tips From the Other Side of the Mic
by Dan Klefstad
“What did you have for breakfast today?”
This is the first question I asked people who came to be interviewed at WNIJ, the NPR station where I had an author interview program. This always-unexpected query immediately prompted a Proustian reverie starring a bagel, cup of coffee, or bacon and eggs.…
February 8, 2022
