There, I Said It!
Charlie the Apricot Poodle
I’ve been very worried about my dog, Charlie. In May, he was diagnosed with congestive heart disease. An enlarged heart that presses against his larynx and produces a cough whenever he gets too excited. An even though he’s thirteen in just a few weeks, I realize that...
Anger and Writing: Is One Responsible for the Other?
I’ve come to the conclusion that the things that make me angry are the reasons why I write. Injustice, prejudice or inconsistency … all drive me insane. As I go through the world, my radar seems to be laser focused on those matters and when I capture a hint of it,...
Calling David Sedaris: I’m Over Here
I’ve often fantasized that David Sedaris might agree to provide a blurb for my book because - well - he’s David Sedaris – an extremely successful author with a legion of fans - and - um - I’m not. He’s such a clever, witty, sophisticated guy – I know he’d enjoy...
Six Steps to Grow Your Author Platform
If you want to sell more books, you have to extend your reach beyond family and friends. You need to grow your author platform so that people know who you are. You need to stretch, get your name out there, and become an influencer. But how? Develop a Plan: Nothing...
Instant Gratification: Why Someone Should Want to Read Your Book
We live in an instant world. The Internet offers news at our finger tips. We click – we read. Our photos are virtual – snap – no developing – we share. At every turn, we seek the quick fix. We don’t have time to absorb too much. We’re on the move. So give it to me...
Designing My Book Cover: “Oh Magoo – You’ve Done it Again!”
Ever stumble around in the dark? Hit your big toe? Struggle to find the light – only to trip over the dog? Well then, you know all about my journey to design a book cover. And because I had no clue what the heck I was doing, I was just lucky enough to have a friend...
Fighting with Technology: From India and Back
The other day, my router went down. I’d never realized that your router is kind of like the heart of your entire home office. No router - no phones - no Internet - no Netflix - no printer/fax/scanner. Now, I’ve had problems before with my modem – but that is easily...
My Ideal Reader: Or Why Looking in the Mirror is Probably Not the Best Answer
Being a new author, I’ve learned late in the process that we should be writing for a target audience. If you don’t know your reader, how can you know how to reach them? Okay. That makes sense. It’s marketing 101. You can’t provide someone what they need unless you...
Elevator Pitch: Stuck Between the Floors?
I grew up in NYC in a high-rise building, living on the 6th floor, so you'd think it would be a no-brainer for me to come up with an elevator pitch for my book. I've spent countless hours riding up and down - not to mention stuck between floors - hearing bits and...