Day: June 19, 2012

MWA Novel Contest: Great Beginnings

maryland writers associationThe Maryland Writers Association is dedicated to helping writers hone their craft. That’s why they give feedback on every Novel Contest submission. Submit the first 7000 words (max) of your unpublished novel in English, with an optional 200-500 word synopsis of the novel. Three entries maximum. Entries are accepted electronically until June 30, 2012.

Entry fees and prizes vary. For more information, please visit their website.

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Indies Unlimited is pleased to provide this contest information for the convenience of our readers. We do not, however, endorse this or any contest/competition. Entrants should always research a competition prior to entering.

Trilogy Marketing Tricks by Michael Poeltl

Author Michael Poeltl
Author Michael Poeltl

As an independent author, I understand the limited reach I have against traditionally published books or series. So, as such, you have to think outside the box.

Have you written a trilogy or series? Have you created a website? Have you marketed yourself on all of the important social networks? The Facebooks and Twitters, Goodreads and LinkedIn? Did you place your book on Amazon and Smashwords in digital formats to meet all potential e-readers like the kindle, nook, kobo, Sony and ipad? Have you joined forums like Kindle boards and mobile reads to promote your work? Have you approached bloggers and reviewers of your genre?

Good, then you have taken your future and the future of your books into your own hands. Regardless of whether you’ve been traditionally published or going it on your own, marketing is always going to be on you, the author. Continue reading “Trilogy Marketing Tricks by Michael Poeltl”

Wind Sprints

Well, my post is due in less than an hour (forgot; it was 100 degrees today…I forgot to breathe for a little while, too). Let’s see if I can play this off. This is something I do a lot, something that I recommend for all fiction writers. Flash fiction is fun, and challenging yourself keeps you sharp. So, I will give myself five minutes. Go. Continue reading “Wind Sprints”

A Part-time Writer’s Vacation

I go to an office five days a week in exchange for a regular paycheck and a limited amount of vacation time. Most of my vacations are spent with family and friends, but occasionally I take a few days just for myself, for that coveted stretch of uninterrupted writing time. This is hard to explain to a colleague. The conversation usually goes something like this:

“What are you going to do on vacation?”

“I plan to write.”

Pregnant pause.

“Yeah, but what are you going to do for fun?”

It’s at this point that I realize I shouldn’t tell more of the truth. So I’ll answer with a vague, “Oh, take long walks and hang by the pool–you know, relax.” Then my colleagues can sigh with relief that I am normal after all. They never have to know that what I’m really going to do is pretend that I quit my job to be a full-time novelist because I have a huge and devoted fan base clamoring for my next title. Continue reading “A Part-time Writer’s Vacation”