If you have old books, keep them—don’t throw them away Language is constantly evolving. Words that were in common use years ago are forbidden now. Words that were insults years ago are acceptable now. And definitions are changing. For example, when I was growing up, calling someone “queer” was a slur. It was a [...]
If you want to write a book, start with a plan. Not just a plan for the book itself (what it’s about, its structure, your writing schedule, etc.) but a more comprehensive plan that treats your project like a small business with a single product. Write a business plan for your book. The idea of [...]
Get your tabs under control with groups in Chrome When it comes to how we browse the internet, there are two kinds of people: those who never have more than two or three tabs open at once and those who often have 20, 30 or even more tabs open at the same time. I’m [...]
Backlinks (links from other sites that point to your website) can drive new traffic to your site and are an essential element of search engine optimization (SEO). Backlinks tell people and search engines that other sites find your content engaging and valuable; they’re basically a vote for a specific page. Of course, backlinks are not [...]
Recently an advice columnist I read regularly suggested that a letter writer learn the practice of freudenfreude. It was the first time I’d seen the word. As best as I can determine, freudenfreude is a relatively new term combining two German words: freuden (of joy) and freude (joy). It means taking joy in the successes [...]
We send our Shareable Saturday emails to fulfill our mission to create, teach, and inspire, not to get responses. Still, Jerry and I love reading the emails we receive when our messages have touched people. We especially appreciate the creativity and wisdom behind Mark Goldstein’s comments. It’s been a while since I’ve shared any of [...]
Generative AI should excite and empower you. The headlines are full of dire warnings about AI and how it’s going to be the end of society. Even Elon Musk called it “dangerous technology.” There’s a lot about the development of AI that I don’t understand. I’m not a tech creator, I’m a tech user. I [...]
We’re never too old to learn from others. Recently I saw a version of this poem by Dorothy Law Nolte quoted in the Dear Abby advice column. Children Learn What They Live If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. If children live with hostility, they learn to fight. If children live with ridicule, [...]
LinkedIn can be a great tool, but please don’t waste my time LinkedIn is a great business networking tool. I’ve found great resources through it, and some of my best clients discovered me on LinkedIn. But recently, in the span of less than two days, I had two people who offer book marketing services send [...]
The Frugal Editor: Do-It-Yourself Editing Secrets—From Your Query Letters to Final Manuscript to the Marketing of Your New Bestseller Carolyn Howard-Johnson Modern History Press If You Write Anything, You Need The Frugal Editor I’ve always appreciated the reality of gatekeepers—those people you must get past to get to the person you want to reach. Of [...]
