Latest posts from Chip MacGregor
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What happens if Family Christian Stores goes away?
An earthquake hit CBA this past week. You may not have noticed it, since the news was buried on the back pages, but if you’re an author who sells into the Christian market, it’s going to affect you — possibly …
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The Danger of Over-Editing (a guest post from Gail Gaymer Martin)
One of the plights of a novelist or writer is wanting to perfect your work so completely that you can’t move forward. I’ve known numerous authors who’ve never completed a novel because they continue to rework the first three chapters …
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Ask the Agent: Can we talk marketing?
I’ve had a number of authors asking marketing questions lately…
I watched an interview on Book TV, and a publisher was asked if a book tour helps sell books. Her response: “Not necessarily.” Would you agree?
I would. There’s nothing …
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Craft for a Conference: Part 3, Common Synopsis Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Continuing my series on crafting effective pieces for use at a conference, I’m talking more today about the synopsis and how to make sure it’s doing its job for your proposal. We’ll look briefly at format and then look at …
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Showing Emotion in Writing (a guest blog by Robin Patchen)
How do most of us (note—I’m one of the us) show emotions in our stories? Often, we use physiological responses. Here are a few:
- Sad—eyes filling with tears
- Angry—fists clenching or slamming stuff
- Worried—gut twisting
- Happy—smiling, grinning, laughing, chuckling,
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Craft for a Conference: Part 2, A Synopsis that Tells, Not Teases
This week, I’m continuing my series on how to best channel your craft in your conference materials by talking about your novel’s synopsis. A synopsis is an important part of any proposal– sometimes an agent or editor will read it …
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Is it possible to over-edit?
This question came my way via an email: I’m midway through an edit on a novel manuscript, and find myself wondering if it is possible for an editor to clean up a story to the point that it becomes too …
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Craft for a Conference: Part 1, Where to Look for Your Hook
Welcome back to Erin’s Tuesday blog on craft! After a few weeks off to accommodate back-to-back conferences on my part and an extremely important Bad Poetry Contest, I’m back to blogging and, inspired by my experiences at the aforementioned conferences, …
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Ask the Agent: How long do I have to polish my manuscript after a conference?
I’ve had a bunch of questions come in recently, as people get ready for the conference season…
I have received a request for pages and a synopsis. However, I have also just went to a conference and had my …
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Ask the Agent: What's the protocol with agents?
A bunch of questions recently about author/agent protocol…
Chip, could you talk about writers who change agents? Many of them seem to think that when they break the relationship, the agent no longer receives royalties on books they brokered.
Well, …
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Who are the humor writers you enjoy?
I recently got this question in my in-box: “How about tossing a few crumbs to us humor writers on your blog? Do you have a favorite book on humor writing? How different was doing stand up comedy compared to writing …
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What have you wanted to Ask An Agent?
I’ve been getting a lot of questions from writers about the author/agent relationship…
I’m a published nonfiction author, looking for an agent to represent my fiction work. How do agents view writers looking for a “new” agent, given my change …
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And the winner of the 2015 Bad Poetry Contest is…
Bad Poetry rules. One day those weenies who run the Pulitzer Prizes will wake up, realize they’ve been wasting their time with serious poets who want to write about stuff like “meaning” and “loneliness” and “reconciliation,” and instead they’ll realize …
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It's time for our annual BAD POETRY CONTEST!
This week is a special, heart-touching time of year, when all young writers turn to thoughts of bad poetry. That’s because, each year at this time, we take a week to celebrate my birthday — not with cards, not with …
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Ask the Agent: How can I know if this is the agent for me?
I’ve recently had a bunch of agenty questions cross my desk…
I understand the need to sell an agent on me and my work, but I also want an agent who I can work with long term. At what point …
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How can I find a literary agent? (and 101 other questions asked by writers)
Hey, my new book is releasing!
Over the past several months, I’ve been answering your questions about how to find a literary agent, how to make a living with writing, how to maximize the marketing of your book, and dozens …
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How to Ruin a Book at the Last Minute: Part 5, The Bait and Switch Ending
I’m nearing the end of my series on how to write great endings, and am talking briefly today about one of the most frustrating types of endings to read, for an agent, editor, or any other reader, the “bait and …
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Ask the Agent: How can I get ready for my conference pitch?
I’ve had leftover questions from our “ask the agent” segment, so I thought I’d do some housecleaning. Always love it when writers send me interesting questions…
How many books does it take to not be considered a new author?
Probably …
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How do I clean up my writing voice?
Someone sent in this question: “How do I clean up my writing voice? My critique partner just sent her feedback and said, ‘There are times when the writing is very formal and sophisticated, and then suddenly a slang word or …
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Ask the Agent: What do I need to know about author platforms?
We’ve had a bunch of questions come in on the topic of author platforms…
What is the magic platform number publishers are looking for?
In my view, there is not magical number. Every project has its own goals. But it …