So you've decided to take the plunge and start submitting your short stories to publishing markets. But if you don't know how to read submissions calls for short fiction, you're going to have a bad time. One wrong move could spell disaster for your story's chances. Thankfully, it's not hard to learn the lingo and … Continue reading How to Read Submissions Calls for Short Fiction
If you've never hired a copyeditor to look over your work, you probably aren't thinking about making a style sheet for your book. But there are several practical reasons why your book might need a style sheet right now. I've laid out six of them for you below. What Is a Style Sheet? First things … Continue reading 6 Practical Reasons Why Your Book Needs a Style Sheet
Are you struggling to learn how to write realistic dialogue? You're not alone. I've read countless manuscripts in which the biggest problem was wooden, stilted, contrived-sounding dialogue. Unrealistic conversations are a great way to tank your fiction and turn it into a real slog to read. Thankfully, I've got three easy steps you can use … Continue reading How to Write Realistic Dialogue: 3 Easy Steps
When you start submitting your short fiction to editors for consideration, the cover letter portion can seem incredibly daunting. What goes into a short story cover letter? And how do you learn to write a short story cover letter that impresses first readers and editors? Let this quick-and-dirty how-to guide be your guide. What Is … Continue reading How to Write an Impressive Short Story Cover Letter
Editing and proofreading. You've probably heard these terms used interchangeably. They're far from the same thing, however. Rather, they're two distinct parts of the editing process, and knowing what the difference between editing and proofreading is can make you seem like a knowledgeable editing client. I've got an easy-to-digest breakdown of the different levels of … Continue reading What Is the Difference Between Editing and Proofreading?