“Free” Review Copies and Other Headaches for New Authors By Gilbert Lawrence

I’d like to share the experience of our first novel, On Thin Ice, recently published by Booklocker, with readers of WritersWeekly.com. Our enthusiasm for our creative work was matched by the number of friends and acquaintances who offered to review our work before and after publication. They assured us they were newspaper and magazine writers eager to support us. One said, “I am an English professor and would love to review your book.”

Who Provides Your Medical Insurance?

I searched many different ways in your newsletter to find your information about the family medical insurance. My friend needs insurance to span the gap between now and Medicare.

Insomia Breeds Novel Thoughts By Mark LaFlamme

Insomia Breeds Novel Thoughts By Mark LaFlamme

I can’t sleep. I tell you people, I just can’t sleep. I’m 38 years old and I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t afflicted with insomnia. And I don’t remember a time when I didn’t lull myself to sleep by rolling a sort of mental movie through my head, a storyline that overrides the noise of real world clamor in my head. For nearly four decades, I’ve been sinking into sleep with fictional characters running amok in my thoughts.

Is Everyone On Vacation This Week??

I’m wallowing in the glow of the firelight (well, the fake flames on our heater), enjoying the snowflakes dancing on the other side of the dark, cold windows, munching on leftovers, and savoring an entire week off with my family. I hope you’re all doing the same!
Happy holiday hugs to all!
Ang

MJ Rose Helps Author With “Reel To Market” TV Program Question

I’ve loved your newsletter and website for years — you’re a great authority on the writing life. I have a book coming out in the spring, and my publicist has asked my co-author and I to create a reel to market to TV programs. Have you any suggestions for resources for writers wanting to create such a thing? I have no sense of the necessary production values, how long it should be, format, etc. I have searched and searched and can’t find any information on the web. Any wisdom would be much appreciated — an E-book, an article, a regular book – I’m just seeking some pointers on this. Thanks so much!

I’m Shakin’ My Presents!!

The children are terribly excited about Christmas coming on Sunday and I have to admit their excitement is contagious. I, myself, have a hard time going to sleep at night with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head. And, since I’m pregnant and craving sweets like mad, those sugar plum temptations are quite overwhelming right now!

Should You Consent to an Editing Test? By David H. Levin

Opinions on editing tests vary. Some would place editing in the class of professions that includes medicine, plumbing and haircutting, in which auditions simply aren’t done. Others might consider the acting profession to be a better analogy.