Hearty congratulations to Fireside Books in Palmer, recipients of a $7500 grant from author James Patterson! They plan to use the money to promote Alaskan authors. Click here for the article at newsmatsu.com. Juneau is a stunning place, a narrow strip of land snuggled between the mountains and the sea. That’s where I am this […]
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I wish I could say I’ve never submitted any of my work before it was ready to publish. In truth, I’ve done it more often than I care to admit, especially in my early days of publishing. Some “too soon” submission, or even “too soon” publishing, is unavoidable, and perhaps even necessary to a writer’s
Deb: Ready to Publish Read More »
The altar for San Lazaro and Chango, the orisha who walks with San Lazaro. The desserts are left as offerings for both spirits. My research in Cuba is impossible. I can use physical descriptions to illustrate those who became possessed for you readers. I can describe a young man convulsing, his body contorted on a
JT Torres: Conviction Read More »
Editor’s Note: We “met” Patrick at the 49 Writers Discussion Group on Facebook, where he shared this post from his blog Gillnet Dreams, reprinted here with permission. I drove the van as far as I could, until the road ended at a wall of rocks scattered on the edge of the gravel. We packed the
Patrick Dixon: Falling into Water Read More »
As an author, you’re a creative type. That goes without saying. But in your approach to your craft, your publishing, and your promotion, are you actually as creative as you might be? Writing is a scary business, any way you cut it. In Write Your Best Book, the companion volume to What Every Author Should
Creative Mistakes: Five Ways Authors Box Themselves In Read More »
Do you have things to say and a hankering to join the conversation of Alaska writers? 49 Writers is looking for two guest bloggers to round out this year’s calendar. Check out the Blogger Guidelines at the top of this page and contact us. The available months are May and August. In a Reading &
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As Tildie washed the dishes, she heard and felt a loud rumbling that a moment later caused the house to shake, the dishes in the sideboard to rattle, and the water in the sink to sway from side to side. She held onto the counter, realizing an earthquake was happening. Looking out the window, she
Spotlight on Alaska Books: North to the Star, by Richard Lannon Read More »
Our host family gathered around the TV to watch Raul Castro announce the return of the Cuban spies, which would improve relations with the U.S. As my departure from Cuba approached, I experienced a sort of barotrauma, much like decompression sickness experienced by divers who resurface too fast. I needed to slowly ascend, slowly return
JT Torres: Forbidden Worlds Read More »
One reason first pages matter: the “look inside” feature No matter how you publish, first pages are crucial. From reading the first five to ten pages (sometimes even your first page or two), your readers—including agents and editors, if you’re going that route—are going to decide whether your book is worth their time, money, and
Deb: Your Book’s First Pages – Why They Matter, and a Critique Opportunity Read More »
“To Cora, the gift was somehow more touching for being incomplete. Any mountain person would appreciate the hard work falling short of the desire. This half-built hot tub could be a twin to her own half-sewn quilt. Two new sprouts in the garden of good intentions. “Up close, it looked like a teacup built for
Spotlight on Alaska Books: The Avalanche Teahouse, by Stephen Bottum Read More »
