Welcome to this week’s Top Picks Thursday! Hopefully the snowy winter storms are behind us and we will be seeing spring soon! Meanwhile, grow your craft and business with these writerly links.
The New York Times launches a new monthly audiobook bestseller list.
Diversity matters in more ways than one. Denene Millner explains why diversity in what kinds of black people are portrayed is important, and Matt Grant highlights the writing of refugees.
Kerri Jarema shows how to read more books this year using these 9 science-backed tips.
Bookstores are seeing an interesting revival. A Harvard business professor is studying independent bookstores and their new strength, while Claire Kirch explores how the current political climate has led to a resurgence for feminist bookstores.
Hackers could gain entry to your Amazon KDP dashboard via your regular Amazon account, cutting you off from all your books. Marcy Kennedy tells us how to secure our Amazon account.
CRAFT
Since our readers write in many different genres, Tracy Marchini demystifies picture books in a brief primer, and Cyndy Etler shows how to write memoir so your readers live it.
Getting started can be difficult. Andrea Judy tells us how to avoid research quicksand, Laurence MacNaughton has mistakes to avoid when building suspense in your novel, and Peter Selgin demonstrates how your story opening foreshadows (intentionally or unintentionally) what is to come.
The characters and the struggles they go through is what hooks your reader. Damon Suede defines characters as more than just imaginary people, Kristen Lamb shows how story forges, refines, and defines characters, Angela Ackerman recommends raising the stakes by making it personal, Donald Maass explains high drama and heroes, and Kathryn Craft explores how to prove your protagonist has what it takes.
Writers need to combine many craft elements to write a captivating story. Jami Gold has speedbumps that can hold back your writing, K.M. Weiland shows how to spot and avoid self-indulgent writing, Piper Bayard reveals how to write the good fight, and Anna Elliott lists 3 tips to hook your reader’s emotions.
Revision and editing is a major part of getting your story the best it can be. Julie Glover asks if you are sick and tired of editing your book?, while Dana Sitar has 13 common, clunky sentence structures that weaken your writing. James Scott Bell addresses the question of how long a story should be.
Since writers have to write more than just their stories, Pintip Dunn gives us a step-by-step process for writing a synopsis. Meanwhile, R.J. Crayton recommends trying a sprint if your productivity is in a slump.
Our ability to write relies on our dealing with mental and emotional difficulties. Joanna Penn explains how writers can deal with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and John Wong details how life finds a way in overcoming obstacles to writing.
BUSINESS
Jane Friedman has a roundup of tips and advice from attendees of the Association of Writers & Writing Program’s AWP 2018 conference on publishing.
If you’re a freelancer, Charlene Jimenez has 6 questions to consider before accepting a freelance writing gig.
If you are self-publishing, take heed of this metadata issue that is slowing down the supply chain.
When an author dies, usually he has appointed someone to be his literary executor. But they have a hard job. Blake Morrison explores when a dead writer’s wishes should be disobeyed, and Emily Temple lists 10 writers whose best work was published posthumously.
The question of “how much biography” should go into the query letter is a common one. Janet Reid chats about author bio, accuracy, and authenticity.
Promoting your book is often a whole new world for authors. Sarah Wigel shares book publicity FAQs, Joan Stewart breaks down 9 types of pitches to use when promoting your book, and Sandra Beckwith reminds us that people trust peer reviews.
Rachel Thompson explains how to create pre-launch buzz for your book right now, while Stephen Hise helps us choose a book excerpt.
Sales numbers can lift you up or break your heart. Kevin Tumlinson lists 5 terrible ways to launch your book, Joel Friedlander has 15 reasons your book isn’t selling, and Brian Jud shares tips to a better book sales strategy.
Online marketing is the ticket for most authors these days. Awwwards gives us the latest trends in web design, L.L. Barkat explains why she returned to blogging, Gill Andrews urges us to avoid these 5 website mistakes, and Frances Caballo dissects the latest Pew Research social media stats for authors.
THE UNIQUE SHELF
Controversy swirls as descendants want Mattel’s new Frieda Kahlo Barbie off the shelves.
Kathleen Keenan shares 12 home library design ideas that showcase your books.
Take a look at the most popular book in each state.
Say “Aww” while you look at 13 adorable pets owned by famous writers.
Elisa Wouk Almino discovers interesting finds at the New York Antiquarian Book Fair.
Henry David Thoreau trivia: Did Thoreau actually live on Walden Pond? and Thoreau was an obsessive land surveyor.
Colin Marshall brings us a step-by-step look at how illuminated Medieval manuscripts were made.
That’s all for this week’s Top Picks Thursday! Join us next week for more tips and fun links.
The Author Chronicles 
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