We are approaching the halfway point in November. How is your NaNo going? Chuck Wendig has insight into organic story structure, while Roz Morris has a routine to help you finish.
Here’s 2 writing contests–one for you, one for charity. Announcing the 5th Annual Serendipity YA Novel Discovery Contest, and Writer’s Carnival Write for a Cause which promotes literacy charities.
What’s up with these new ebook subscription services? Porter Anderson takes an in-depth look at ebook subscription services and what they mean for authors and publishers.
Larry Dane Brimner explores why picture books are important.
In YA related stories, Kelly Jensen crunches the numbers to determine if women really do dominate the YA New York Times Bestseller lists, and DiversifYA hosts a roundtable discussion about sexual stereotypes in YA.
CRAFT
Craft is so many different facets of writing that come together to make a unique whole. Jami Gold discusses how to make characters vulnerable to the reader; Bruce Blake talks dialogue; Chuck Wendig explores how to avoid the “mushy middle”; and K.M. Weiland gets to the details with 5 key ways to choose the right word–without a thesaurus.
MoodyWriting explores putting ideas in the reader’s head, while Greta van der Rol examines the art of leaving people thinking after they close the book.
Writing tips are everywhere! Julie Tetel Andresen has some handy writing tips; Shanna Mallon has 25 tips to punch up your writing; Nathan Bransford has a compilation of favorite writing tips from Twitter; and Larry Brooks warns of 3 deadly potholes that await to swallow your story.
Have too many ideas floating in your brain? K.M. Weiland gives us 7 ways to decide what story idea to write next; Kelly Thompson lists 5 reasons a good writing group can save you; and Marie Lamba tells us how to get historical.
Rayne Hall examines the art of procrastination: a writer’s guide; Jeanine Henning translates 5 life coaching beliefs into writing tips for indie authors; Luc Reid has 11 essential things to know if you want to write fiction for a living; and P.D. James shares tips for writers.
BUSINESS
In the bookselling world, Amazon’s e-book offer riles independent bookshop owners.
Self-publishing is now a valid (and sometimes better) alternative to traditional publishing. Dan Holloway talks about what he learned at the recent Self-Publishing Summit; Michael J. Sullivan explains what you need to know if you’re going to self-publish and be successful; and Allison Winn Scotch shares her decision to self-publish and what she has gained from it.
In the traditional publishing world, Addie Zierman tells us what DOESN’T happen when you sign a book deal, and Jordan Hamessley London gives us a peek at an editor’s to-do list.
Chuck Sambuchino rounds up what literary agents are specifically looking for right now, and Heather Hummel explains 5 reasons agents reject 96% of submissions.
No matter which road you choose, publicity for your book is vital to success. Jane Friedman shares some tips on finding and working with a publicist, and J&P Voelkel share their checklist for a successful school visit.
Sarah Pinneo explains what you can learn by book blogging, while Martina Boone has 4 questions to help define your social media presence.
THE UNIQUE SHELF
It’s a big week for Charlotte Brontë fans. First, check out this tiny, tiny handwritten book she wrote, then take a peek at a portrait Charlotte painted of her friend Sophia Hudson. The Sophia Hudson portrait is returning to the Brontë Parsonage for the first time in 170 years.
The British Library goes digital with its masterpieces, from Jane Austen’s handwritten manuscripts to the Lindisfarne Gospels, with its “ebook Treasures.”
That’s it from us this week!
The Author Chronicles 
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