Can anyone relate to this? You learn a specific skill—knitting, coding, playing chess—and suddenly you’re applying those patterns everywhere else in your life. That’s what happened when I started paying attention to how crime writers construct their puzzles. Turns out the techniques we use to keep readers guessing aren’t just for whodunits: they’re the foundation of compelling storytelling in any …
Bluegrass Writers Coalition is a member organization of Kentucky writers. BWC welcomes writers of all experience levels, from those who are just starting out to award-winning authors. Membership is free! Our members support and motivate one another through meetings (both in person and online), critique groups, craft workshops taught by seasoned professionals, group book signing events, an annual conference that …
While working on the first manuscript that I hoped would become my debut novel, I took a class at The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in Lexington. The teacher, Lisa Koger, author of Farlanburg Stories, read my opening chapter about a teenage girl who leaves her home with an aunt and uncle. “Where’s her mother?” Koger asked. “In a …
Writing in the Age of Short Attention Spans: Adapting Storytelling for Modern Readers You’ve written the perfect story—compelling characters, beautiful prose, a plot that builds to a satisfying conclusion. But will anyone finish reading it? The statistics are sobering: research by Dr. Gloria Mark at UC Irvine shows that our attention spans on screens have plummeted from 2.5 minutes in …
In the years I’ve been writing I’ve taken every possible opportunity to meet readers in person. I’ve found the most often asked question is, “Where to you get your (ideas) inspiration?” It always makes me laugh. Ideas slap me in the face daily. Everything around me, everyone I meet or know, and sometimes from dreams, ideas come at me faster …
You’ve written a book. Congratulations! Now it’s time for your literary baby to make its debut. Today’s authors have a variety of choices for sharing their work with the reading public. Consider these options as you decide which avenue is right for you. Traditional publishing. Large publishing companies such as Random House, Hachette and others employ professional editors, artists, designers, …
BWC members had a great time at the 2025 Imaginarium Convention, held in Louisville KY July 18-20. Several of our members participated in the program as panelists and workshop instructors. The Imaginarium is run by BWC members Stephen Zimmer and Holly Phillippe. Participating in program were Hallee Bridgeman, Amethyst Drake, Paul Stansbury, Beth Dotson Brown, and Ginny Logan. Enjoy a …
What’s the best book on writing? It might surprise you (or maybe not) to learn there’s many people who believe it’s Stephen King’s On Writing. Straightforward, humorous, and yes, quite educational on the do’s and don’t from one of the masters. Even if you don’t like Stephen King’s fictional books, this one foray into non-fiction is a winner. What is …
Read the first 5 marketing suggestions here. Personal Appearances Meet fellow authors and readers who love books at book fairs. Book signings and other fairs and community events are valuable opportunities to meet readers and sell yourself and your book. Sign books. Chat with readers. People attend events to make a personal connection with authors. It’s where the rubber meets …
Effective tactics have evolved during my more than 36 years in marketing. Book marketing has gone from lunch with reporters and phone calls, to direct mail, faxes, and email. Now it’s social media, including Twitter, Facebook, etc. Some tactics continue to be effective over time. I keep an eye out for the latest tips and techniques. Here’s a list of …