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Get the Support You Need

ByJennifer Lawler

How do you get the support you need as a writer? Well, here’s how to know when it’s not the support you need.

Get the Support You Need: A Little Horror Story

When I was an acquisitions editor, I heard from an author who wanted to pull her book from publication because her friends had found a bunch of errors in the ARC (that’s the Advanced Reading Copy of a book, which is sent out to reviewers before the book is published).

Of course, I was concerned, as I had seen nothing but a handful of typos typical of an ARC and asked if the friends could provide further information about what they’d seen.

They couldn’t because it was just a joke—a little prank they were playing on the author, who was absolutely devastated by what they did.

This story still haunts me years later.

If you can’t be happy for your friend’s success, then just STFU.

If your friends can’t be happy for your success, and they can’t STFU, then you need new friends.

foundations of storytelling for writers to get the support you need.

Tips for Editors & Writers

  • Eliminating or Reducing Flashbacks in Stories

    Eliminating or reducing flashbacks in your story can help with the narrative flow and keep readers interested in what’s ahead – and you want your readers to keep turning the pages! Tips for Eliminating or Reducing Flashbacks in Stories Authors like to use flashbacks to show backstory. Unfortunately, flashbacks can stop the narrative flow in…

    Read more…

  • Open Draft Podcast

    I was recently a guest on Fabio Cerpelloni’s podcast, Open Draft, and we talked about writing and editing. He distilled our conversation down to 5 key tips for writers (and editors): 1. You won’t win every fight. And you won’t please every reader. 2. There’s no formula to being a successful writer, but mindset matters…

    Read more…

  • How to Land a Literary Agent

    If you’re a writer seeking traditional publication, you probably know that the best way to get that longed-for publishing deal is to find an agent to represent you. This post is intended to help you understand what agents do, why you might need one, and how to find one to represent you. What is an…

    Read more…

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