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The Blog

News and Notes

Observations and opinions about the brave new publishing world.

 
At Chicago Author Solutions (a division of Eckhartz Press), we stay on top of happenings/trends in the publishing world to help out busy writers who are spending their time doing what they should be doing: writing.

 
 

1. Tips from author Jennifer Brown
Who is Jennifer Brown? She’s the author of the book “Modern Girls”, a novel set in 1935. This is a great Q&A with her. We especially recommend you read the portion about researching.
 
2. How to promote your book politely
There are some very good Dos in this piece, but even better Don’ts. Take this advice seriously. As soon as you become a pain in the butt to people, they won’t pay attention to a thing you say.
 
3. Writing Tips from Famous Authors
As a non-famous author, I’m always interested in what those who made it big have to say. I especially like this quote from Kurt Vonnegut: “The most damning revelation you can make about yourself is that you do not know what is interesting and what is not. Don’t you yourself like or dislike writers mainly for what they choose to show or make you think about? Did you ever admire an empty-headed writer for his or her mastery of the language? No.”
 
4. Kurt Vonnegut’s Writing Tip
Speaking of Kurt Vonnegut…


 
5. 20 tips for writing a captivating short story
Well thought out and presented. We present it for you in two parts…
Part 1
Part 2
 

6. The newest book from Eckhartz Press: Ranting of a Bitter Childless Woman
This book is available for pre-order now. Here’s the description: Kids sucking on restaurant salt shakers—and parents nonchalantly putting them back on the table. Pregnant women driving alone in the carpool lane. Overtly sexy Halloween costumes for third-graders. Random strangers making unsolicited judgements about her reproductive status. These are just a handful of the situations Chicago native Jeanne Bellezzo comically explores in Rantings of a Bitter Childless Woman. Written from the witty, unapologetic perspective of a childless (and far from bitter) woman in a fiercely child-centric society, this collection of entertaining essays will have readers with and without children laughing, nodding, cringing — or throwing a tantrum.
 
Jeanne Bellezzo began writing Rantings of a Bitter Childless Woman as a blog and was surprised to find many like-minded fans across the country, including numerous parents. A Chicago native who relocated to Southern California because she was cold, Jeanne is a successful writer and editor who has co-authored several non-fiction books. She lives in northern San Diego County with her significant other, Joe, and two cats, Jake and Elwood. When she is not writing, Jeanne can be found in or near the ocean with friends (and sometimes even with their children).
 
And please keep your kids off her lawn.

 
At Chicago Author Solutions (a division of Eckhartz Press), we stay on top of happenings/trends in the publishing world to help out busy writers who are spending their time doing what they should be doing: writing.
 
 

1. Tips from Freelance writing pros who also work full time
The truth about free lance writing is that while you get started, you probably still need a full-time job. This article gives you valuable hints about how to budget your time.
 

2. Romance Novel Writing Tips
There is definitely an art to writing a compelling romance novel. Some good tips here.
 

3. How to Write an Awesome Female Protagonist
We’ve seen too many manuscripts written by men who just don’t know how to write a female character. A female lead is even tougher. This article is mostly from a film perspective, but it’s applicable to all fiction writing.
 

4. Transforming real people into fictional characters
So, your book takes place in 1928 Austria, and your lead character meets Siegmund Freud. How do you do that exactly?
 

5. Networking Tips for Writers
Crucial advice for people who generally sit and work by themselves.
 
6. Tips for writing with another person
I’ve done it now myself on several different occasions and it’s definitely harder than it sounds. This UK writer explains some of the pitfalls, but also points out the upside.
 
7. Sitcom King Ken Levine Mocks Millennials
Kev Levine was a writer/producer for shows like…MASH, CHEERS, FRASIER, THE SIMPSONS, WINGS, and EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND. I thought this was pretty funny parody of the kind of sitcoms we see now. Ken’s take on how bad they are.
 
8. Ira Glass on the creative process

  
At Chicago Author Solutions (a division of Eckhartz Press), we stay on top of happenings/trends in the publishing world to help out busy writers who are spending their time doing what they should be doing: writing. 
 
 
1. 50 Great Resources for Writers
Everything from research to grammar to character prompts. Really valuable. Bookmark this article.
 
2. How to Beat Creativity Block with 7 Tips
Every now and then a writer faces the blank page and it doesn’t speak to them. A few tips to restart that conversation.
 
3. 6 Ways to overcome writer’s block
More tips. Don’t tell me we aren’t helping you here.
 
4. Science Can Help You Beat Writer’s Block
You can’t deny our help. It’s scientific.
 
5. 8 tips to writing an unreliable narrator
Advice from Deb Caletti. Caletti is an award-winning author of 12 books for teens and adults.
 
6. Ten tips for writing the book inside of you
Regina Brett wrote this piece for the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
 
7. 12 Tips for being a productive stay-at-home freelancer
If you want to write for a living, you need to get income while you work on major writing projects. Although, ironically, this is written for the Huffington Post, which famously doesn’t pay.

 
At Chicago Author Solutions (a division of Eckhartz Press), we stay on top of happenings/trends in the publishing world to help out busy writers who are spending their time doing what they should be doing: writing.
 
Today we share tips from published authors…
 
1. Writing Tips from James Lee Burke
Edgar-winner James Lee Burke is the bestselling author of more than 30 books, most recently House of the Rising.
 
2. Dr. Who Writer Gives Novel Writing Tips
Sci-fi writers take note. This comes from the Birmingham Mail in England.
 
3. Top Ten Tips for Writers by Author Carol Goodman
Carol Goodman is the award winning author of “The Lake of Dead Languages” and “River Road”
 
4. Self publishing tips from indie author Jessica Loury
A self-published author is also published. Don’t be a snob. Jessica has some very valuable advice.
 
5. Author Kevin Kruse: 50 Writing Tips from 15 Years as an Author
This treasure trove of advice comes from the pages of Forbes Magazine.
 
6. Emmy Award-winning comedy writer Cheri Steinkellner explains “How to Write Funnier”