Writers, get organised.

I discovered a great blog a while back jam-packed with writing tips, run by Anne R. Allen and Ruth Harris.

Today's post has great links to organise your writing.
Well worth checking out.

Debut authors read this!

There's a fabulous article over at WRITER UNBOXED for debut authors.

A must-read!

Happy anniversary to me!

10 years ago today, I got The Call from Kimberly Young at the Mills and Boon London office that changed my career.

I went from physiotherapist to published author and haven't looked back.
I'm so lucky to be doing my dream job!

My first book will always hold a special place in my heart.

Tomorrow, the celebrations kick in here with my current M&B editor, the lovely Flo Nicoll, offering 3 lucky winners a 1 week turnaround on a Harlequin Kiss partial critique (so get those pitches ready!)

In the meantime, thanks to the many writers who've contacted me about my new how-to book, celebrating 10 years in the industry.
I'm so glad it has galvanised your writing and helped clarify points for you.

Still at the introductory price of $0.99!

Amazon
Kobo
Smashwords
iTunes
And Barnes & Noble tomorrow!

10 year anniversary book launch!

This week sees my 10 year anniversary since I got 'The Call' from Kimberly Young at Harlequin Mills and Boon that launched my publishing career.

To celebrate, I'm launching DO IT WRITE, a little reference book packed with gems I've picked up over the years, as well as some easy 'how-to' stuff with sample synopses, etc...

It's at a special introductory price of $0.99!

Currently available on AMAZON but with all retailers by the end of the week.

Happy writing!

'Net' V 'Cover': why royalty rates matter

If you're a writer, I highly recommend you read NYT bestselling author Laura Kaye's blog post on WHY ROYALTY RATES MATTER.

It's excellent!

And as an author with 10 years experience of varying contracts, I can tell you that 'net' versus 'cover' price makes a huge difference in your hip pocket!

Go read it now!

The ins and outs of indie publishing

After answering many questions offline to interested writers about indie publishing and why I've chosen to follow this path alongside my traditionally published career, I've decided to do a series of articles.

Due to tight deadlines for the entire month of February (& beyond!) I'm not promising when I'll have them done, but if you have any burning questions you'd like answered, now's your chance.

Ask away and I'll do my best to answer in the not too distant future.

Rejecting negativity

A few years ago, I had an article published in RWA's 'Romance Writer Report', titled DEFYING THE DOUBT DEMONS.

It focused on the doubts that constantly plague writers and I had a staggering amount of emails from writers after it was published, thanking me for articulating what we all go through.

Today, I stumbled across a similar-themed article about rejecting negativity by Sophie Littlefield over on the 'Adventures in YA & Children's Publishing' site.

Well worth a read!

THE WRITE WHISPER: Sales rankings

Due to deadline craziness (that will continue into this year!) I haven't done a writing craft post for a while.

So here's a link to an article that all authors will find fascinating.

Which author doesn't check their sales rankings on Amazon or Barnes & Noble?
But what do those numbers mean?

Here's a great post by author Christine Bell that demystifies rankings.

New Year's Revisions conference

This free online conference is being co-run by a Month9Books publishing buddy, Kristal Shaff.

Loads of fab agents, editors and authors participating.

Go check out the fab books giveaways now!

New Year's Revisions Conference 2013

January 4, 5, and 6 

Totally free, totally online. 

You wrote the book in November. Or maybe you've been working on yours even longer. The time has come... revision time. Pay the piper, meet the reaper -- all those lovely euphemisms for the real work of writing: revising. You do not have to do it alone. We have gathered a group of fabulous book lovers: the ones who write the books, the ones who represent the authors, and the ones who edit the books. They all want you to succeed in making your book as shiny as it can possibly be before you query/publish.

That's the focus of NYRC 2013.

If you love books, want to write, or have written a book, this conference will have plenty for you to love in the way of professional publishing advice, and yes, more giveaways. There will also be a critique partner matching service for those looking for a second pair of eyes for their work.

We'll be live-tweeting the events @OpAwesome6 and using the #NYRC hash tag. Hope you'll join us!

To recap:

• Professional publishing advice from our panel of experts
• Guest posts by literary agents, editors, and published authors - all with an eye toward helping you through the revision process
• Book giveaways - *happy sigh* mmm, books.
• Critique partner matching service (January 3, the day before the conference officially begins)

Maximising your Amazon potential

Authors, here's a great article by NYT and USA Today bestseller Laura Kaye on maximising your Amazon potential.

Savvy Authors have some great craft stuff so while you're there, check it out.

Writers: be inspired

I'm a huge fan of Larry Brooks' STORYFIX blog.

He has some absolute fantastic posts on writing, from craft to guests.

Today's post on The Commodity of Courage by guest Art Holcomb is a must read for writers.

Inspirational stuff.

So you think you can write?

All you romance writers out there...ever dreamed of writing for HARLEQUIN MILLS & BOON?

Here's your chance!

Launching in September, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN WRITE contest offers a publishing contract as the ultimate prize!

You'll need a completed manuscript to enter.

Check out details here.

(and loads of fab writing tip links!)

Good luck!

Developing a thick skin

Authors, check out this brilliant blog post by Beth Revis on how to handle negative reviews.

Love it!

The Write Tools

Today I'm visiting DAMON YOUNG'S blog.

I met Damon via Twitter and he invited me to take part in his Write Tools series. I love hearing about the processes of other writers so check it out in the sidebar of his blog!

Damon is an Australian author, philosopher and commentator. He has published features in the The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Herald, The Australian Literary review and BBC. He's a regular columnist for the ABC and Canberra Times.
Check out his impressive credentials.

And yes, I'm his first romance writer guest!

True grit as a writer

Great post today at Bob Mayer's blog, discussing the heirarchy of goals in writing.

Having a strategic goal is crucial and Bob has some absolute gems that will resonate.

Go check it out here

(I'm still rapt I got to hear Bob speak at the RWAus conference last year in Melbourne. He really inspired me to become a hybrid author willing to take chances in this ever-evolving publishing industry. He's brilliant! If you ever get a chance to hear him speak, grab the opportunity, you won't regret it.)

Want to write faster?

Today I'm divulging my not-so-secret tips for speedy writing over at Monique DeVere's blog.

I've known Monique via Facebook and Twitter for a while so when she approached me for an interview about fast writing tips, it was all systems go!

Check out the writing tips here

My Valentine's Day gift to you: free writing resource!

I belong to the amazing NINC, an excellent organisation for authors.

They are offering a fabulous FREE writing binder (with loads of articles from their conference last year).

Go download it now!

To all romantics out there, happy Valentine's Day.
I'll be announcing the winners of my pitch contest later tonight.
Stay tuned!

WEEKEND BOOK CLUB: Liz Fielding's Little Book of Romance Writing

Welcome Liz Fielding to give us a brief insight into her brand new writing reference book, LIZ FIELDING'S LITTLE BOOK OF WRITING ROMANCE.

Begin your story at a moment of crisis, a point in time when your character’s life is about to change for ever.



— Mollie Blake’s Writing Workshop Notes from Secret Wedding by Liz Fielding

Mollie Blake is a woman who knows what’s she’s talking about. Well, obviously, I created her back in 2000 for my novella, The Secret Wedding.

How I wish I’d had someone like her around when I was starting out on my writing career. Someone to take me by the hand and ease me through the process of getting the story in my head onto paper. Explain about conflict, the importance of emotion, creating characters that the reader will care about. Alas, twenty years ago there were few “how-to” books to turn to in the UK, the internet had not been invented and I’d never heard the words “critique partner”. I didn’t actually know anyone else who was writing. I was on my own.

I learned by doing, by writing, being rejected, reading the writers I wanted to emulate. It was a long, slow and very steep learning curve but the one thing you need if you want to be a writer is single-minded determination. My fourth submission, An Image of You, was published in 1992 and, since then, I’ve had a wonderful career with more than sixty books in print.

My Little Book of Writing Romance is a straightforward writing romance primer. It’s the book I wish I’d had when I was fumbling through my first attempts at writing fiction and I launched into the world this week as a hand in the dark to new writers struggling with the stuff it took me years to learn. And when you make it into print, email me to share the joy.


Liz Fielding’s Little Book of Writing Romance is available from


PS – Molly Blake’s story, The Secret Wedding, is available as a free online read or you can download it for .99c from Amazon.

This is the kind of book I wish had been around when I first started writing ten years ago and was totally clueless!

As I turned the pages I found myself nodding often, as Liz provides excellent tips and examples for:
-dialogue
-deep emotion
-POV
-conflict
-grabbing the reader on the first page
-creating a four-dimensional world
-a satisfying ending.

This is a great writing resource, highly recommend.

Buy at Amazon US & Amazon UK

I have Liz's latest FLIRTING WITH ITALIAN lined up to read next on my TBR pile.
What are you reading this week?

WRITING TIPS: Question to ask before 'what if?'

Another great blog post today from Larry Brooks over at STORYFIX.

'The Question you should ask before 'what if?'

Thought-provoking.

Hooks, loglines and pitches

I love picking up writing gems and ANNE R. ALLEN'S blog is a virtual goldmine.

Check out her fabulous post today on Hooks, Loglines and Pitches, great stuff for writers!