Publishing – Page 17 – Jean's Writing

Don’t Read Unless You Want to Know

Published on June 6, 2015November 21, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

You heard right, sometimes the answers smart a bit.

Want some good ole common sense, take no prisoners, tell it like it is advice?

Wow 3 clichés in one sentence. That’s a record for me.

Okay back to the advice.

Chuck Wendig, over at Terrible Minds, has the answers to your most burning questions.

As a successful writer and blogger, it appears as though Chuck has heard them all and now he is ready to share.

Read his post: YOUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED WRITING QUESTIONS, ANSWERED!

Don’t expect any hand holding or sweet-talking, no not from Chuck. But do expect a swift kick in the pants if you need to jump-start your writing.

Numbers 4, 6, 11, and 14 are my favorites.

Now where do I start with my letters of apology?

writing5 Dear (insert name), Sorry for bugging you to read, edit, pump me up… .

Damn that’s gonna take too long. Just better take Chuck’s advice and get back to writing.

I love comments, tell me what’s happening with you and if you’re not already, please follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

To Do List For Writers

Published on May 31, 2015May 30, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

What is the best way to publish your book?

This past week I discovered more information than I know what to do with.

So hold on to your hat, all my writer friends. There is a lot to learn about sending your baby to market.

Let’s start with Aggregators and Distributors.

Carla King, over at Bowker, did a great job in explaining the difference between aggregators and distributors but most important she explains why we need to know that difference.

Book aggregators and distributors: A short primer by Carla King

Ms. King gives her recommendation based on what your goals as a writer might be.

I’m making a short cut on my desk top for her post. She covers every thing from formatting, publishing and distributing. This is a gold mine for writers.

Click on her link to read what is the best way to publish your book. Yes there is also a lot of advertising too but don’t let that dissuade you from picking up the nuggets to help you reach your writing goals.

Also, do you want additional info on getting an ISBN?

Then Rachael Ritchey can answer just about every question you can think of regarding an ISBN for your book.

Do you need an ISBN for ebook, paperback, hardback or audio?

Find the answers, get the skinny on buying an ISBN at:

Questions People Ask: ISBNs

Now I need to go lay down, I’m exhausted.

Dog Sleeping in her Notebook after Studying

I love comments, tell me what’s happening with you and if you’re not already, please follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Mark your calendar

Published on January 21, 2015January 24, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

Ready Set Go

Opportunities in Writing

With the New Year comes new opportunities to submit your writing. There’s something for everyone who writes. Have some fun and get those keyboards clicking.

`January 23^rd:`

Ann Summers. Whether you’re inspired by fantasies or personal experiences, put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, we’re not fussy) and write us a steamy story of 750 – 1,000 words by 23 January 2015.

January 30^th:

deadline for Grey Matter Press, Dark fiction publisher Grey Matter Press has opened submissions to its next anthology tentatively titled, MONSTERS, featuring a collection of horror stories that explore the darkest monsters who dwell among us—mankind. – For additional info click here.

February 8^th:

Flash Fiction Chronicles GUIDELINES The contest is open for eight days only. Anyone may enter. All entries must be in English and submitted through our submission manager. Our regular daily prompts will be suspended during the length of the contest. The complete guidelines will be published with the prompt on February 8. Click on link for all the information.

Now through February 15^th:

MASH Stories. The second no-no is missing the deadline. MASH stories runs every quarter, meaning every three months and a total of four times a year. The deadline for the current competition is 15th January 2015, and the winner will be announced on 15th February 2015.

April 1^st:

Lascaux 250 The next 250-word fiction contest will take place 1 April to 30 June. We’ll begin accepting submissions on 1 April but won’t begin posting them until 15 June.

May 31^st:

Words with JAM First Page Competition 2015. It’s that time of year again. We’re looking for the most captivating first page (up to 400 words) of a story. Entries can be from a novel published, unpublished, a part written novel, or simply a first page written purely for the competition. Entries will be judged anonymously.