Publishing Blogs - A wonderful source of information
So many blogs, where do you begin?
The Internet is flooded with blogs and there are many about writing and the publishing trade— I wanted to share a couple I like and really enjoy. The following blogs are aimed at different facets of the industry including writing, author marketing, industry insight and more. Please note several blogs included cover more than one key element of the trade so I have tried to divide them into useful sections but where noted, I do try to include all aspects a particular blog covers.
Writing
Helping Writers Become Authors – I first discovered this blog via Pinterest; this blog created by author K M Weiland has thousands of blogs dedicated to area of writing craft such as story arcs, developing characters and story structure. She has also written numerous books about the craft of writing.
The Porte Port – A blog which focuses on speculative writing covers tips and tricks for writing character, the importance of story arc and tension and writing action and composing interesting settings.
Well-storied - Created by Kristen Kieffer who writes blogs to help strengthen the writer’s craft which include topics such as drafting, editing, revising, characterisation. Well-Storied also helps authors build up the skills needed to create positive writing lives.
Mythcreants - Aimed at sci-fi and fantasy authors and another blog I discovered via Pinterest which places a huge emphasis on world-building and characterisation as well as plotting, magic systems, atmosphere and other elements of storytelling using examples from film, television, books and other mediums to break down the methods used in the art of storytelling.
Now Novel- Another find on Pinterest, a comprehensive blog which helps authors develop their writing craft through a variety of area such as dialogue, characterisation, story structure and plotting. They also offer writing coach, courses and editing services.
Author Marketing
The Empowered Author – Created by Sam Missingham, a publishing connoisseur, The Empowered Author gives authors everything you need to know about book marketing and publicity for authors can be found here. The blog has loads of ideas, suggestions and general support on how authors can beef up their marketing whether they are being traditionally published are going down the self-published route.
Bookbub Partners - Bookbub has created a blog which covers book marketing tips and ways for authors to market their books; whether self-published or traditionally published. There are hundreds of wonderful articles which cover Bookbub’s own marketing tools, creating a marketing plan, using social media and other strategies to promote your work.
David Gaughran – Provides copious knowledge into book promotion including Amazon ads, cover design and how to self-publish.
Insights into the Industry
The Bookseller – The UK’s publishing industry magazine features blogs by a variety of figures from across the industry who provide insight and understanding into topics such as the rise of audio, sustainability, accessibility, diversity and many, many more. Â
That Publishing Blog - A blog which produces weekly articles into the publishing business including what it is like to work in different areas of the trade from rights, production and bookselling, how to get into the industry and other general insight into the industry.
Pitch Your Story – Written by Charlotte Eyre, Children’s Editor at the Bookseller. The blog is aimed at children’s authors who and features interviews with people across the book industry. These interviews serve to provide insight into the world of children’s books whilst also showcasing writing competitions, writing courses, mentoring opportunities, agent requests and other opportunities aimed at aspiring Kidlit authors.
Agents and Books - Written by Kate McKean, literary agent at Morhaim Literary. The blog gives wonderful insight into publishing from the perspective of a literary agent on researching agents, writing query letters and the best time to query. Provides candid guidance into the writer’s journey and all that it entails.
Picture Book Den - I discovered this blog through the SCBWI’S online magazine Words and Pics; the Picture Book Den covers everything in relation to the world of picture books including the writing process, the editing process and the illustrative process. Everything is covered from promoting, the finer details in illustration, writing in rhyme, writing retellings and writing non-fiction. Words and Pics is also worth checking out.
Business of the Author
Jane Friedman – Popular blog on authors and the business of the publishing industry. Jane Friedman is an expert on all things publishing and her blogs cover a variety of topics such as self-publishing, marketing, the author’s journey, book distribution, the writing craft e.g. writing non-fiction proposals and editing and news about the wider world of publishing and how it affects authors.
The Creative Penn– Aimed at authors and provides guidance into the craft of writing as well as author business know-how. Joanna Penn is the force behind the website and has produced numerous books which gives fundamental advice to authors trying to get through publishing.
Draft-mode – Created By Iain Broome who shares tools, tips, articles and advice to help empower and guide their author through the various facets of writing towards publication.
Which blogs do you like to read and why? Which ones do you recommend? Please share in the comments section.
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— Davina Tijani (@dee_tijani)
Thank you, Divina—much appreciate the mention!
Useful round-up, Divina! Thank you (and thank you for including Now Novel).