Sandra Gerth author of the Writer's Guides Series

The best blogs for writers

If you’re a writer constantly trying to improve your writing skills, you probably subscribe to a few blogs about writing, publishing, and marketing your book. But time is limited, so you can’t read them all, and there are so many blogs on writing out there that it’s hard to know which ones are worth reading. I put together a list of my personal favorites. Here they are in alphabetical order: FICTION UNIVERSITY Janice Hardy’s great blog about writing is updated every day. JAMI GOLD When it comes to craft advice for writers, Jami Gold’s blog is probably my favorite. JANE …

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15 great gifts for writers

Just two more weeks until Christmas! If you haven’t yet done all your Christmas shopping for the writers in your life—or you want to get something cool for yourself—here’s my list of neat gift ideas for writers. #1 Fingerless gloves My hands get cold when I’m typing away at the keyboard, and I imagine other writers experience the same. Last year, I got a pair of fingerless gloves for Christmas. There are even writing gloves with literary motives. #2 Books on writing I know I have a couple of writing books on my wish list this year. If you have …

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How to improve your writing skills by listening to writing podcasts

Do you want to improve your writing skills but don’t have enough time to read blogs or books on writing? I certainly know how you feel. Sometimes, it’s hard to find enough time to write, much less stay up to date on the ever-changing publishing industry, marketing techniques, and writing tips. Here’s the solution: Listen to some of the increasing number of writing podcasts. You can listen to writing advice or industry news on your way to work, while you exercise, do laundry, or clean your house. Podcasts are an excellent way to turn wasted time into a learning experience, …

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Recommended books on writing

In my office, an entire bookcase is dedicated to books on writing. While you can’t learn writing just by reading a book about it, there are books that can help you plot your novel, create believable characters, revise your manuscript, and improve your writing skills. Since there are so many books on how to write a novel out there, it’s hard to know which ones to read. Maybe my list of personal favorites will help. BOOKS ABOUT WRITING IN GENERAL: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King Despite the title, this book doesn’t cover just self-editing; it …

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