Something for all of us playing catch-up today to think about.

Do not compare your 👏 unedited manuscript 👏 to a 👏 published book 👏 - traditionally published books go through so many stages of editing and rewriting before reaching your hands, it’s not a fair comparison

Very simplified--but hopefully useful!!--graphic of how a book gets from idea to bookstore:

Always a great time at virtual socials hosted by @EFAFreelancers! I especially loved chatting with new copyeditors trying to break into fiction and finally getting to put a voice to Nimmy 🐌🌱🐋.

Rolling out this query letter webinar, which is going towards helping friends + family with medical expenses. 2/28! 8PM! Haven't done one of these in almost two years, so come join! It'll be fun, and the Q&A will likely go VERY over. I can't help myself. ericsmithrocks.com/blog/2023/1/20…

Inside you are two wolves, one that says "prioritize work on your more commercial WIPs" and one that says "WRITE THE UNMARKETABLE GARBAGE FIRE!"

you ever crack open a book, read the first page, and it's so good you close it because you know in order to read the rest you need to be in a space free of distractions, uninterrupted, for at least six to twelve hours? what's the last book you read that did that to you?

Check my assumption: The only way to be a full-time copyeditor in fiction is freelancing. Publishers do not hire full-time in-house copyeditors anymore, and if you want to copyedit in-house, you're looking at a role like production editor, where you'll also wear many other hats.

Happy Monday! I hope the client of your dreams has your website bookmarked and is ready to get in contact this week. I hope the editor of your dreams has the perfect availability to be able to work with you.

So an author friend is trying to understand the difference between urban fantasy and magical realism. We're discussing it. I'm wondering what the rest of you think. Discuss.

tell me your favorite Black books and Black authors!!

Overwhelmed by your word count goal? Try changing it to a ridiculously low number. 7? Maybe you can write 7 words today? Celebrate any victories and then increase goal as needed. Creative self-care is loveliness in action—and so are you. #SageWritingAdvice

Not to get too wholesome on main here, but I find writing a dedication to a book while drafting makes writing the whole novel easier. Just thinking, hey, this one is for them, helps with an extra push. ❤️

Every time I share this link from @RedPenRabbit, a new editor saves hours of effort. rabbitwitharedpen.com/blog/using-wor…

smol writing tip? if you find yourself describing inanimate objects as sitting/standing just to avoid "was/were" ("the house stood on the hillside" "the cabinet sat in the corner") there's actually a way to strengthen that prose! 💯🙌 1/4

I need to stop being afraid that my ideas aren’t “sellable” and just write.