Kelly McClymer's Blog, page 19

Please welcome Author Jana DeNardo, a fellow Write Campaigner. Jana has an interesting insight into the Platform Building Campaign when it comes to writers who are shy, or don't want to share TMI with readers.

Jana's Favorite Kitties

While I'm not new to writing, I'm relatively new to the whole 'building a platform' thing. It's a daunting task to say the least, especially if you're not particularly computer savvy. In talking to other author friends, I've become aware of something I never...

How Much Do You Owe Your Forebears? A Novelist Explores Heredity

Claude Nougat at her desk in Italy

The issue: is heredity destiny?

How many times have you heard people exclaim over a child, she's just like her mother, he's just like his uncle? And when you grow older, sometimes you discover with surprise that your handwriting has morphed into a style precisely like your father's or that you can paint like your grandmother…

It's nice to know one belongs to one's family but can you break away...

I'm participating in Rachael Harrie's third Write Platform Building Campaign. As part of that campaign, I'm highlighting some interesting fellow Campaigners I've met along the way. Today, please join me in welcoming Michelle Flick.

Q: You've decided that you'd like to be published. Why? Has it been a lifelong dream or were you inspired by something or someone in particular?

When I was little, I used to tell my mom that I was going to be famous. But that was when I was 8 and belting out Whitney ...

Time for another installment of The Ex-Files.

OBLIGATORY STATEMENT: This is part of  the wedding promotion. I promised my daughter I would finish this chicklit novel (begun while she was in Madagascar in the Peace Corps, and mailed to her chapter by chapter…until chicklit died and I turned to writing my YA novel The Salem Witch Tryouts). She is now home, has earned a Master's Degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan, and is engaged. So, really, I owe her.

Brief recap of the...

Please welcome author Bill Jones Jr. Bill is a fellow Third Campaigner with me. He also shares my concern that we reach boys as readers in this busy, fast-paced, video game oriented environment. He's given some thought to how to encourage boys to read, and I'm delighted that he agreed to share his thoughts with everyone on my blog.

Bridging The Gender Gap

There is a consensus that there is a gender reading gap between boys and girls, and it's getting worse. In fact, according to a survey...

Please welcome indie author Theresa Ragan. CONFESSION: I absolutely identify with Theresa. She spent 19 years writing and polishing 10 manuscripts while learning craft, the market and how to persevere in the face of stubborn industry prejudice against time travel novels. I spent 20 years writing before I published my first novel. People, believe me when I say that anyone who spends that long writing in the face of rejection knows more about the art and craft side of the storytelling business...

I'm participating in Rachael Harrie's Write Campaign this year. The campaign is meant to increase cooperative contact between writers, and help writers who are building a platform to connect with readers and other writers. Today I'd like to welcome Elain Charton, who writes contemporary novels with a witchy-twist (something I identify with). Elaine shares the Top Five things she's learned from the Write Campaign so far.

Welcome, Elaine!

This is the first year I've participated in Rachael...

For reasons beyond my control (also known as "I start tutoring next week and am stuck in right-brain mode"), there will be no new chapter of The Ex-Files this week.

For Twitter #SampleSunday, I'm offering the opportunity to catch up on previous chapters.

OBLIGATORY COMMERCIAL: This is part of  the wedding promotion. I promised my daughter I would finish this chicklit novel (begun while she was in Madagascar in the Peace Corps, and mailed to her chapter by chapter…until chicklit died). She is...

Please welcome Chris Eboch to the blog today. Chris writes for children and teens. She has waded into the social media melee to promote her books. I'm happy to have her here today to share what she's learned.

Social networking is the buzzword of author publicity these days. And no wonder – I have 12 traditionally published children's books, and few received much publicity from the publisher. Like many writers, I'm also exploring independent publishing. (So far I've released three books – The...

I'm participating in Rachel Harrie's Third Writers' Platform Building Campaign, and I will be showcasing guest posts from other Campaigners, as a way to … duh … platform build. Welcome the first of these, Chris Kelworth. Chris participated in the last Campaign, so we can count him a grizzled vet in building a platform to share his insights into the writing process and his journey to publishing his short stories.

Greetings Campaigners! This is Chris Kelworth, from the Kelworth Files. I love...