When Amazon released the Kindle, I was one of the first customers. I had a first gen iPad and have read e-books almost exclusively ever since. Heck, I left my job as a literary agent to go work at a tech company. I’ve long been techno-optimistic and have embraced new developments eagerly. I truly believe […]
If you're going to self-publish a book, chances are you are going to incur some expenses. Here's what it costs to self-publish a book.
How a book gets published, from manuscript to bookstore shelves. Read this post by a published author and former literary agent.
A curved wood frame, rounded seat back, and cabriole legs unite to create this Louis XV-style armchair. It’s crafted from solid and engineered wood and features a weathered, gray wood finish for antique appeal. This chair is upholstered in 100% polyester fabric in a solid hue that’s perfect for your French country ensemble. Its seat cushion is filled with a web suspension and is removable for easy cleaning. Plus, its back and seat are dotted with nailhead trim for a fun finishing touch. Hand-curated by Kelly Clarkson. Not Included: Ottoman Toss Pillows See More
The Township of Plainsboro, New Jersey has a diverse and rapidly increasing population. As part of its planning for future growth, local planners resolved to build a Town Center based on New Urbanist principles, including a denser mix of residential and commercial development, concentrated around...
This week! First up, apologies to email subscribers, who have received the 100 Books Challenge like 17 times now. I've been having trouble with my MailChimp RSS feed, which keeps bumping it up as I up
Author Jennifer Hubbard wrote recently about one of the most difficult parts of writing a novel: There comes a point in the writing of every book where I become sick of the book. Actually, that’s a lie. There’s usually more than one such point per book, and they usually come near the end of a […]
Last Wednesday, I suggested that there was no golden era where everyone was reading complex literary fiction. Is that actually true? Did past readers have more refined taste in fiction than we do now? Here’s a list of the bestselling novel by year from 1900 to the present (source), along with the books published that […]
Over the weekend, I sent the fabulous subscribers of this blog a survey. One of the main things these lovely individuals told me is that they wanted to bring back page and query critiques. CONSIDER IT
This book publishing glossary compiled by a former literary agent and published author has all the terms you need to know from Advance to Wholesaler.
I saw a mini-blowup on Twitter last week that arose because a publishing professional had the temerity to suggest that anyone seeking publication should be very well read. Apparently this is still a controversial opinion in some circles! Look. If you don’t read books, no one is going to take away your laptop and lock […]
If you’d like to nominate your own page or query for a public critique, kindly post them here in the discussion forums: Nominate Your First Page for a Critique on the Blog Nominate Your Query for a Critique on the Blog Also, if you’d like to test your editing chops, keep your eye on this area or this […]
What literary agents do, how to find a literary agent, how to write a query letter, and how to get your book published.
Note: This post contains mild spoilers for the Netflix movie Don’t Look Up and has some political content. You have been warned. But it does get to some writing advice. The newish Netflix movie Don’t Look Up has been generating a heady mix of enthusiastic praise and enthusiastic scorn. For the uninitiated: a massive extinction-level […]
If you’d like to nominate your own page or query for a public critique, kindly post them here in the discussion forums: Nominate Your First Page for a Critique on the Blog Nominate Your Query for a Critique on the Blog Also, if you’d like to test your editing chops, keep your eye on this area […]
The High Line. Follow me on Instagram! @nathanbransfordThis week! In books and publishing! First off, let's help share the wealth. If you see a great publishing link that you think deserves to be seen
Show the joy of sharing books with your community by building your own Little Free Library. Our collection of 30 DIY little free library plans offers a range of styles to suit any personality and yard space. Engaging with neighbors and promoting literacy has never been easier or more rewarding. Craft a hub of knowledge and generosity that will leave a lasting legacy right outside your doorstep. Our step-by-step guide makes building a Little Free Library simple and fun. From selecting materials to adding the final touches, we have all the information you need to get started. Dive into these
Little Free Library by James Dean. Auction for AJC-Decatur Book Festival.
Listen up all you query letter writers because this is the most important post on queries I've written in years. I've recently been devoting much more time to freelance editing and working with author
This week! Books! Victoria Strauss at the indispensable site Writer Beware has a new scam to watch for, which starts with a “literary agent” promising to work only on commission who will take your book to the next level, only for additional fees to start rolling in. Be careful out there! Also from Writer Beware, […]
This week! Books! News came this week that after years of increasing market share, young adult fiction is now among the only categories posting declines in sales. The #takes have rolled in, and many people cited book bans, a decrease in B&N shelf space for YA, and a lingering lack of diversity. Librarian Karen Jensen […]
If you’d like to nominate your own page or query for a public critique, kindly post them here in the discussion forums: Nominate Your First Page for a Critique on the Blog Nominate Your Query for a Critique on the Blog Also, if you’d like to test your editing chops, keep your eye on this area or this […]
I receive a few questions a week asking what I use in my makerspace and how to begin one. This blog post will provide you with tips on creating a makerspace no matter what your budget is. According to Makerspaces.Com, “A makerspace is a collaborative work space inside a school, library or separate facility for ... Read more
Want to start a lending library in your community? Learn how to start a little free library and increase literacy in your community!
You’ve probably heard the old writing adage “kill your darlings.” What this means, essentially, is that you shouldn’t be so attached to something in your novel, whether it’s a passage of beautiful prose or a whole plotline, that you wouldn’t kill it if it would be an improvement. And it’s right. It’s so important to […]
Reading the seven books in the Harry Potter series is like taking a master class on plot and character development and world building and pacing, and, well, pretty much everything else that goes into writing one of the most beloved series of all time. It would take an entire book to delve into all of […]
In this blog post from Modern Teaching Aids, we explore 10 different ways you can incorporate natural resources into the classroom.
Book publishers are being sued by the Justice Department for allegedly colluding to raise e-book prices. This isn't a case of simple greed.
How can you tell the difference between commercial and literary fiction? It comes down to the style of the plot and a unique, authorial voice.
Here is a database with dozens of useful writing advice articles, written by a former literary agent and published author.
A timber-lined loft renovation and a triangular room feature among the 30 projects shortlisted in a competition to find London's best home extensions
Interested in learning how to start, schedule, and manage an elementary Makerspace?! Check out these supply suggestions, organization tips, and more.
Dramatic play center books to read. Best dramatic play center books for Pre-K and Kindergarten. A book list for preschool and pre-k.
This blog post has moved! Click the image below to zip right to it!
Puppet center set up ideas for your preschool or pre-k classroom. Puppet center storage and organization ideas.
Make A Birds Nest STEAM Challenge. Can you build a nest using natural materials just like real birds do? No glue or tape allowed!
This build a nest STEM challenge for kids gets kids thinking creatively and applying imagination to science! A nest making activity for any age! This STEM Challenge for kids is an extension activity to the book, Owl Babies. The illustrations in this book are beautiful. In reading the page that
