Write Now Editing

How I Write: Susan Neal

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Writers love to write, and many of them write in different genres. Sometimes, however, it takes some trial and error before we find just the right genre for our talents and passions.

That’s how author Susan Neal stumbled into a genre that’s helping her reach tens of thousands of people with life-changing books.

Thank you so much for being here today! How did you pick your genre?

I write healthy living non-fiction books. It took me a long time to figure out my genre. I tried to write fiction, short stories, and devotions. But I received rejections with everything I submitted. I think all along God wanted me to use my nursing background and experience with losing my health to write books to help others improve their health and weight. I feel as though I had a Divine-led genre path.

What’s the most difficult part of writing your genre? 

Research is the tough part. I read clinical research articles and search valid websites for pertinent information. This takes time and effort, but I want the most accurate information for my readers. My book, Solving the Gluten Puzzle: Discovering Gluten Sensitivity and Embracing the Gluten-Free Lifestyle required loads of research regarding the four gluten related disorders, how to diagnose them, and treat each one. If you would like to discover if you may have an intolerance to gluten, take the quiz I created at glutenintolerancequiz.com.

I can’t imagine the work, but I’m sure your readers appreciate it! How long does it take you to write, edit, and finalize a book? 

Five months. About halfway through each book, I send several chapters to my professional editor. She helps with the development of the book. We go back and forth the last two months.

How did you find/pick your agent?

Cyle Young was my agent for three years. I found him at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference (BRMCWC). I sent him my unpublished Star Wars Bible study to critique. (If you plan to attend a writers conference, be sure to send a submission for a literary agent or publisher to critique, so you get that extra appointment and they get to see how well you write.) At the BRMCWC, my Star Wars Bible study won third place in the awards contest. The next morning, Cyle offered to be my agent. Entering contests is essential to an author’s writing career. When you win, other people notice.

If you self-published, why did you decide to go that route? 

The first manuscript I self-published was Scripture Yoga. I could not find a publisher to publish this book since it had such a small target market. Therefore, I chose to publish it on my own because I felt compelled to provide a safe environment for Christians to perform yoga. I went on to self-publish six other healthy living books. My best seller, 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates sold 17,000 copies in its first three years and won the Selah Award at the BRMCWC.

Congratulations! Since then, you’ve also dipped your toe into traditional publishing. What led to that decision?

Elk Lake Publishing published my latest book, Eat God’s Food: A Kids Guide to Healthy Eating. I did not feel qualified to self-publish a children’s picture book, so I found a traditional publisher.

What’s surprised you most about the publishing process? 

At first, the self-publishing process was difficult—just like riding a bike for the first time. But after I published a second book, it became easier. Therefore, I was most surprised that the publishing process was easy after I found out what to do—just like riding a bike. I became a certified writer coach, so now I help other authors self-publish their books. You can find my coaching services at https://susanuneal.com/authorcoaching.

What advice do you have for new authors? 

Understand that whether you are self-published or traditionally published, the author is responsible for book marketing. I recommend joining the Christian Indie Publishing Association to help you figure out how to market your book. Learning about the publishing industry can be overwhelming. So why not get help from an association. 

If you’ve ever worked with a freelance editor, how did you find that editor? How would you describe the experience?

I asked the Director of the Florida Christian Writers Conference, Eva Marie Everson, to recommend an editor. Eva Marie had critiqued my work at a small conference, so she knew what I wrote. She matched me perfectly with a Christian, nonfiction editor.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with my editor. I learned so much from her and even took some extra coaching sessions to develop my writing further. My writing improved with each chapter and book. I’ve now published eight books.

As a Certified AWSA Writer Coach, Susan Neal RN, MBA, MHS, desires to help others publish and sell their God-given message. She is the author of eight healthy living books. Susan won the 2020 Christian Author Network Excellence in Marketing Award for Outstanding Broadcast Media for her book marketing campaign. Susan is the Director of Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA) and Christian Indie Awards.

You can follow Susan on:

https://www.facebook.com/ChristianIndiePublishing
https://www.pinterest.com/SusanUNeal/_created/

How I Write: Terri Wangard

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Not all editors are created equally, as Terri Wangard discovered in her early writing days. She persevered, though, and is now a multi-published author. Today, she shares some of her tips and the strategies that worked for her.

Welcome! I always like to start with the fundamentals: what do you write and how did you pick your genre?

I first started writing contemporary romance in the early 2000s, until I put writing aside for a few years. After reading Debbie Macomber’s Twenty Wishes in 2008, I decided to write again. This time I was inspired by letters written in 1947-1948 by distant cousins in Germany to write a WWII novel. An editor told me I’d probably need to write a series, so I kept going. My last two books are WWI era, but I have ideas for going back to WWII.

What’s the most difficult part of writing your genre? How do you work through those challenges?

Maintaining the historical accuracy. I believe that’s so important. I may go overboard. My first three books (the Promise For Tomorrow series) are based in the 381st Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force. The group’s flying schedule is readily available. I slavishly stuck to it. Only one mission did not occur, and I noted that in the Author’s Note at the end. With my Lusitania novel, that too has a strict timeline.

How long does it take you to: write the book? Edit it? Finalize it?

Too long! Writing a book takes a year. I’m a weekend writer. I know others work full-time and still manage to write a little each day, but that doesn’t work for me. My job entails enough computer work. I’m prone to migraines and don’t need more time staring at a screen. After I finish and get beta readers’ opinions, I get a proofing copy and fill it with post-it notes where I want to check a fact, use a better word, tighten it. My biggest challenge in finalizing a book is getting all the formatting codes right. They tend to change, and I end up with blank pages.

If you’ve written multiple books, which was harder: the first book or the following books? Why?

My last book, and I’m not sure why. Half way through, I totally bogged down. Finally, I set it aside for half a year and wrote a contemporary novella. Then I was ready to dive back in and got it finished.

How do you combat writer’s block?

If it’s minor stuff, like how to turn a phrase, I’ll play games—spider solitaire, free cell—until I’m ready to go. Depending on the weather, I may go for a bike ride. If I’m having a major problem, like with my new book, I set it aside. That was the first time I interrupted a book and worked on another project.

How do you prepare to write your books: pantser, plotter, both, something completely different? Describe your strategy.

Lots of research. Lots of notes. I don’t make a complete outline, but I have an idea of what each chapter will feature. Changes do take place. I guess that puts me somewhere between pantser and plotter. My biggest problem is keeping track of my notes and finding them when I need them.

If you’ve ever worked with a freelance editor, how did you find that editor? How would you describe the experience?

Before my first book was published, I sent it to an editor, who made worthwhile suggestions. I sent her my second book. The results shocked me. Nothing was right. DNEs (data not in evidence) were all over the manuscript; apparently everything should have been revealed in the first few pages. She suggested I should be writing for young adults. At the same time, this novel was a Genesis finalist. I took the critique to the ACFW conference, where I had a mentoring session with Gayle Roper. She advised me not to take it to heart. (Whew!) With my last two books, I worked with two different editors, who both were helpful.

How do you self-edit your manuscript?

Since I self-publish, I order a proofing copy and read through it for any typos, anything that needs to be verified, or I may decide something doesn’t need to be there, or is repeated, and delete it. With my latest book, The Storm Breaks Forth, I read the book backwards, as suggested by author Lisa Carter.

Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor.

www.terriwangard.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorTerriWangard
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/terriwangard/
Twitter: @terriwangard
Instagram: terriwangard

How I Write: Beth Steury

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Did You Know …

Getting your first book published is thrilling, but the work doesn’t stop there. You have to keep writing, keep growing, and keep working hard.

Beth Steury’s here to talk about her writing strategies, her decision to self-publish, and her advice to new writers.

Welcome! How do you prepare to write your books: pantser, plotter, both, something completely different? Describe your strategy.

I think I’m a “plantser,” a combination of pantser and plotter. I definitely did not create detailed outlines for my YA series, but I did have a solid idea where the plot would go for books one and two. For the final book in the series, see the next question!

Which was harder: the first book or the following books?

Book three is proving to be the hardest. While the first two books came together with relative ease, the final book is presenting more of a challenge. I recently heard a well-known, much-published author admit, in reference to her current work-in-progress, “the plot is eluding me.” That’s me and book three! I love my characters and their journey. And I will persevere.

You’re self-published. Why did you decide to go that route?

I had interest from traditional publishers for my YA series, but when two different publishers ceased their fiction line while reviewing my full manuscript, I felt led to pursue indie publishing.

What’s surprised you the most about the publishing process?

While there is a fairly-steep learning curve involved in taking on the role of publisher, the reality proved to be easier than I anticipated. I entered the world of indie publishing with fear and trembling, so much so that I nearly talked myself out of taking the plunge. Discovering the Facebook group Christian Indie Authors proved to be incredibly helpful. It’s a great resource for information as well as support and encouragement.   

How did you find your freelance editor? How would you describe the experience?

I have worked with two freelance editors, both of whom I met through connecting and networking opportunities associated with American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). I think the best descriptors would be “valuable” and “worthwhile.” I feel I benefited, as did my series, from both experiences. My goal to produce a quality book/series was greatly aided by both of these experienced professionals.  

How do you self-edit your manuscript?

I begin each writing session by reviewing that I last wrote. I find that a stronger verb or more detailed noun will often immediately come to mind during this very initial stage of editing. Two major concerns of mine, consistent characterization and story flow, usually each get a dedicated edit. Typically, the all-important beginning and ending gets tweaked many times.

What conference do you most want to attend? Why?

I would have loved to attend the Mount Hermon Writers Conference, but I understand the conference has been permanently cancelled. Possibly the Write-to-Publish Conference in Wheaton, Illinois then. In general, I adore writers’ conferences! I relish the time spent with fellow writers. I love immersing myself fully in the writing world. I love how the conference experience allows me to focus only and fully on writing. A friend and I tucked ourselves away in a lake house to attend this year’s online ACFW Conference, to more fully capture the conference experience.

What advice do you have for new authors?

WRITE.

It doesn’t matter what you write or how well you write, simply write. Take advantage of every possible writing opportunity whether it be for the Women’s Ministries newsletter, the family Christmas letter, the neighborhood watch fundraiser flier. Explore topics and styles and genres. Try to discover what works best for you: daily word counts, timed writing sessions, legal pad scribbling, note-taking apps on your phone or a laptop. If turning the weekly grocery shopping list into a poem sounds fun, go for it.

Just WRITE.

Beth immerses herself in the YA world via substitute teaching, connecting with the teenage staff at the fast-food joint where she claims the back booth as her office, and reading YA fiction.

She’s a cheerleader for saving sex for marriage. Her “Waiting Matters … Because YOU Matter” blog helps people of all ages navigate the choppy waters of saving sex for marriage and “renewed waiting.” In her “Choices Matter” YA series, a relevant cast of high school-aged characters face real life choices and consequences in the often-messy, rarely simple world of friendship, family matters, and dating relationships. The mini books of the “Waiting Matters” series offer practical, candid advice for making wise life decisions. 

Beth is also a genetic genealogy enthusiast who used DNA to find her birth parents. Her journey to find and connect with her biological family is chronicled in “A Doorstep Baby’s Search for Answers”. Her “Slices of Real Life” posts find GOD in the day-to-day moments of real life. All of Beth’s writing endeavors can be found on her website at https://bethsteury.com

Facebook:       Beth Steury, Author
Twitter:           @Beth_Steury
Pinterest:         Beth Steury, Author
Goodreads:      Beth Steury, Author
Amazon:          Amazon Author Page

How I Write: Joy Avery Melville

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Authors don’t always publish the first genre they write, and very often the publishing process doesn’t look the way they expected it to. Joy Avery Melville’s journey hasn’t been exactly what she expected, but it’s been fruitful!

What do you write? How/why did you pick your genre.

When I set out to write back in the 70’s, my first full length novel was Historical Romance, since it was my favorite genre to read. I had one full length novel written and had a good share of a second written when God gave me a giant nudge in the direction of Contemporary Women’s Fiction. I don’t even like to read most Women’s Fiction. It is often dark and mostly like to end as dark. Besides, much of Women’s Fiction doesn’t have romance. I enjoy writing romantic encounters and always desire a sigh-worthy or happy-ever-after ending. When God pointed out what He wanted me to write, I stubbornly declined, until His nudges became more and more insistent. I surrendered, but I admit, I begged him for a compromise. I asked if I could write a romantic thread in my story and have a sigh-worthy ending. He gave me His blessing and Meant For Her was written. While writing that one, God gave me the idea of two books to follow it, giving me the Intended For Her Series. Shortly after that He brought something else to my heart and mind in keeping with the Women’s Fiction genre, and Sown In Peace was written right after I wrote Kept For Her (book 2 in the Intended For Her Series) Sown In Peace brought out the possibilities for two more books, giving me a series, Operation Return To Peace. Having written three of the novels in Women’s Fiction, I’m not looking back at what was once my desire to write Historical Romance. God has blessed my obedience, even though there’ve been some spiritual obstacles and hurdles to deal with in the process.

What’s the most difficult part of writing your genre? How do you work through those challenges?

Keeping the main thrust of the story’s issue/theme uppermost without belaboring it and without taking the fiction out of the novel. Keeping the balance in the work is probably the biggest challenge, but I’m blessed by getting to write romantic threads into my stories, easing the heaviest portion of the books. I also interject some humor throughout my novels via character input.

If you’ve written multiple books, which was the harder: the first book or the following books? Why?

Writing my first book, came easily. Decades later, you could say my first Women’s Fiction genre book was also a first book, because it was so different, and my perspective on life was very different due to a vast array of more experiences. Even though the book took a very different form of research, the writing came very easily to me again.

I consider another type of “first book”, having written series novels now. The first book of each series has been much easier to write than the sequels, due to having to trickle in bits of the first books without telling the entire stories of those preliminary novels in the second ones. I find that to be the largest obstacle in series writing and getting the second book written in such a way to entice readers who haven’t read the first one to go get it, and keep those who’ve read it reminded lightly of what went before in the first novel without boring them with a retell.

What’s your writing day like?

My writing days vary, depending on what I’m doing for whichever novel I’m writing. If I’m at the point where it’s strictly writing, I’m up, thanks to my dog, by 5:30, and after dealing with her, I’m dressed and sitting in my chair at my desk and reading the last chapter I’ve written. Normally, I can dig in and start on the next chapter and its first scene. I usually have everything sitting where I want it in order to just write. My character lists, and any words/terms/phrases specific to characters is with those lists. I also keep my timeline at my other side. It holds a blank calendar of the year(s) the book takes place, and each chapter is listed in pencil on the day it takes place. I say pencil, because I’ve had to change dates upon occasion. Each scene is listed as I write them under the chapter with a very small detail, due to the size of the calendar blocks (usually only character pov is listed with scene number) I write for an hour, get my hubs out of bed, fix his breakfast, spend time with him in prayer, and see if him off to work. I usually grab my coffee and head back to my desk, until Bella-Bindi decides she must go out again. By then, I’ve usually gotten in three solid hours, and my body is ready for a break. My doctors have chastised me for the long sessions at my desk, but my characters are very demanding, and I hate leaving them hanging. I normally take a late lunch, deal with Bella and any mundane things I have to take care of for that particular day and by two o’clock I’m back at my desk for another stint. I don’t usually write after five o’clock, but there’ve been times when I didn’t want to lose a thread, and I go back to it after supper to finish out a scene/chapter.

On days where I need to research, my writing is much more haphazard than the above. I prefer the ones I can just write.

How do you prepare to write your books: pantser, plotter, both, something completely different? Describe your strategy.

The very first thing I do, is determine who my heroine is. Second, I decide what her biggest fear is, her heaviest angst, and what caused them. I get a clear picture of her backstory, often pages of backstory. Then, I determine what is going to challenge her. My second thing is to determine setting, from backstory to present. Next, I set up people she’s going to have to meet to get from backstory to the end of the novel she’s in. Quite often, in the writing, people/characters enter the story, I hadn’t planned on, but usually I have figured out who is going to hold POV and why. Then, I have to plot my poor hero, who has no idea what’s going to hit him. His entire backstory unfolds, and I set him up. From there, I do a synopsis (not one I’d be willing for an agent or editor to see yet) and give myself a preliminary sketch of what will have to happen to get them both from entrance of story to that sigh their sigh-worthy ending with plenty of tension and conflict thrown in. I spend a lot of time on my characters. I’ve been known to spend a full day on digging into the right names… then changing them… if they do something that makes me think the name no longer fits. Crazy as that may sound, I think getting to know my characters, naming them, figuring out why they are the ‘people’ they’ve become, is my favorite part of getting the novel underway. With those types of plotting mechanisms behind me, I’m a pantser. The story unfolds as the characters drive it. There’ve been times, they’ve gone into a place, I’ve had to stop and research, and decide if I really want them doing that or going there, and only a couple times, have I pulled them back out and made them go a different direction. So, that said, I’d say I am a plotter, pantser, plotter to the end of a novel. Lol

If you’re self-published, why did you decide to go that route? If you’re traditionally published, why did you decide to go that route?

I am self-published, or the title most of us prefer using, indie (independently) published. As for why I decided to go that route? I never ever was going to go the indie route. I had a wonderful agent, who worked diligently with and for me. He believed in my story, believed it was a story God had definitely asked me to write, and we both prayed God would put it into the right hands to get it published. While we did that, I wrote the second book of the series, a first book of another, and a first book of yet another. I was offered two different contracts for the first book, but the publisher wanted the Women’s Fiction taken out of the story. They loved the Romance and wanted me to write straight Contemporary Romance. After all the arguments I had with God about even writing the Women’s Fiction genre, I wasn’t going to slap Him in the face and tear it out of the book. When the second first book of a series was pitched, I was offered contracts by those same companies, with the same stipulations. My agent and I prayed so hard about what I should do, and each time he came back with, “If your heart even suggests keeping it in Women’s Fiction, I’m behind you.” There aren’t very many agents who’re willing to let a commission go in order to preserve story. I felt God nudging me into going the indie route, but fear was a big obstacle. I knew nothing about it. My freelance editor has indie published for many years with many books of various genres. She’s a formatting expert, a graphic designer expert, and she offered to do my book covers with me and format my books with me, since I’d been editing books for her for years. I finally prayed, asking God to use my agent again to give me the correct advice. I called him a month later, told him what was on my mind, half expecting him to tell me to wait it out. Instead, he encouraged me to go forward with it, asking that I show him the final cover, blurb, format for approval, even though technically, he’d not be selling it. I went indie. Before the book came out, I got a letter from my agent, dissolving our agreement, releasing me from having to pay him any royalties. I thought God had given me an agent to sell my books, but I firmly believe He gave me an agent for all of the advice, the prayer time he spent on me and my novels, and ultimately to steer me into the indie publishing route.

How do you self-edit your manuscript?

The very first thing I do, is hunt out my weasels—overused words—that I just cannot seem to get out of my head once I’ve used them. They vary book-to-book, too. I’m conscious of the ones from my last book, so seem to watch when and how I use them when writing the next one. Then, create new ones in the process. When I’ve finished compiling that list, I work on checking through POV issues, making sure each scene has the right character POV consistently throughout the scene. Then I move on to going through the story itself. I read and reread a chapter, making changes and tweaks as I go. When that’s finished, I double check consistency with setting and character details, sometimes inserting more, sometimes taking out portions. When that’s done, I reread the entire book, often making more changes here or there. Then, it goes to my editor.

What does your revision process look like?

Since my editor and I work chapter-by-chapter, often going through the chapter more than once to be sure every kink is worked out, my revisions take place after each of her edits of a single chapter. Then, when we’ve been through the entire book, I go back and double check for any of those insidious weasels. When that’s done, the book goes to proof reader number one, then I do whatever tweaking is necessary and send the book to proof reader number two. The process has worked fine for the two books that have been through it thus far. We’ll see if that continues to hold true for the next ones.

Joy Avery Melville’s heart’s desire is to be the author God has called her to be by sharing Him with readers in such a way they long to have a deeply committed personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord.

Fully intending to write Historical Romance—had in fact— she had no plans to deviate from that. God had something else in mind for that ‘call’ He’d made on her life back in 1967. A mere eighth grader at the time, she had no clue about the topics she’d be drawn to write about.

Surrendering to the genre God placed on her heart has given Joy new insight into the hearts and lives of those who too often hurt in silence.

The settings of Joy’s books are near where she lives in Schoolcraft, Michigan with her husband of nearly 47 + years and their 21 mo-old Yorkie, Is-A-Bella Bindi, (Is-a-beautiful little girl) who thinks she’s a much larger breed with tomboy tendencies.

Joy loves to hear from readers and will respond!

https://www.joyaverymelville.com
https://www.journeystojoy.net
https://www.amazon.com/author/joyaverymelville
https://www.goodreads.com/joyjournalinggmailcom
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/joy-avery-melville
https://twitter.com/Journeystojoy

Evaluating Subsidy Publishers by Linda Harris

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When you’re looking to publish a book without a traditional publisher, what’s the best way to go? The answer is that it depends. Are you looking for the least expensive alternative, or are you willing to pay more to get services you would rather not handle yourself?

In the true sense of the word, self-publishing means that the author does all the work. However, not all authors want to go that route. Some need the guidance of a subsidy or hybrid publisher.

Not all subsidy and hybrid publishers are the same, just as not all traditional publishers are the same. Both types of publishers often have different packages authors can purchase. The higher the price, the more you will get. Subsidy publishers usually require a substantial outlay of money at the beginning of the process. Basically, you’re paying them to publish your book for you.

Hybrid publishers often have a combination of services and royalty payments (thus the label “hybrid”). In my experience, subsidy publishers are more expensive than hybrid publishers.

How can you determine which publishers are best? Here are some questions I ask:

  1. How much support do they supply to their authors? How much work do they expect you to do, such as all your own marketing?
  2. Are they selective about what books they accept? Or will they publish anything? Do they require professional editing, either through their company or an independent editor? Those who will publish anything are often called vanity publishers and are happy to take your money without supplying any guidance or support. Avoid these publishers.
  3. Are they listed in The Christian Writer’s Market Guide? While the market guide cautions authors to be careful, I’m sure they avoid listing any publisher that has a bad reputation. The introduction to that section says that, for every author who has a bad experience with a particular publisher, there are others who are satisfied.
  4. Are the books they publish available on Amazon, Christian Book Distributors, and other online book sellers?
  5. Do their books look professional? Telltale signs of unprofessional books are larger type than usual, odd spacing and formatting, and unattractive covers.
  6. Are the costs in line with what other subsidy and hybrid publishers charge? I don’t look at the price as much as the other things. But it can be a factor.

Evaluating these questions can help you choose the right avenue of publishing for you and your book. When you find some publishers that look like they might work for you, contact them and start a conversation about what they can do for you.

Owner of Perfect Word Editing, Linda Harris has been a freelance editor and writer for over 35 years:

  • Gold member of The Christian PEN (Proofreaders and Editors Network).
  • Member of The Christian Editor Connection, which requires rigorous testing to qualify.
  • Instructor for Editing Children’s Books 101 for The PEN Institute.
  • Certificates in several courses from The PEN Institute, including editing fiction.
  • Published in Moody Monthly, Guideposts, Psychology for Living, Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse and other publications.
  • An article published in Home Life, a Southern Baptist magazine, was included in the book How to Write for Christian Magazines, published by Broadman Press (now B&H).
  • Placed twice in the top 100 of the Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition.
  • Editor for ten years of The Helping Hand, a Seventh Day Baptist publication, writing and editing over 500 church-school lessons. As part of that position, she worked with the Committee on Uniform Series, both as a member and as a consultant; CUS is the organization that develops the International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching, used by various denominations and church-school publishers (such as David C. Cook).
  • Assistant editor for two years at The Kansas Christian newspaper in Topeka, Kansas.
  • Editorial Director for two years for Springs Writers, a ministry designed to reach writers of all levels in the Colorado Springs area.

ABOUT ME

Editor. Teacher. Novelist.
A passionate lover of fiction, Karin doesn't just write novels, she helps others write their best stories! A certified substantive editor with the Christian Editor Connection, her goal is to help authors to put her out of business by equipping them with the tools they need to become better writers.

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Lover of all things fiction, I also love University of Michigan football, the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings, kayaking, gluten-free cupcakes, and my husband.

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