Publishing couldn’t be simpler, could it? However, self-publishing is a battleground. Not just between you and other authors, but it’s where you start your fight to success, with the most important person of all – the reader. Read the rest of this entry »

Continuing on the theme of the importance of proofreading, I thought I’d show you some of the funnier, and embarrassing, consequences that have occurred from not doing it carefully enough. Read the rest of this entry »

You may think it’s not that important for your work to be accurate – we’re talking spelling, grammar and punctuation – especially in these days of self-publishing, but it really is. Why? Because, if you’re producing articles, it gives your writing a certain gravitas that helps others trust in what you are saying. And, if you’re writing fiction, it makes your story flow so much better so that the reader can really get into it. Read the rest of this entry »

Back in the early 90’s I read Donna Tartt’s first novel The Secret History and loved it. It was a great big meaty work but it kept my interest from beginning to end. So, I was pleased when there was an offer on Amazon for her latest: The Goldfinch. I duly downloaded it and am now nearly at the end. It’s OK, but at (apparently) 800 pages it’s far too long. Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s a little quiz for you:

1. What’s the bestselling novel of all time? Read the rest of this entry »