Amazon’s growth in the book industry has publishers and writers facing more challenges than ever. While Kindle Publishing provides a simple enough format to upload books, this accessibility comes at a price. The publishing market has become stretched thin as each publisher vies for the biggest portion. Amazon itself is responsible for 70-80% of the… Read More
Pluperfect: putting the past in the past
The word pluperfect is reminiscent of the sound effects that come out of a bad guy when Adam West’s Batman hits them. In actuality, pluperfect is the shortened version of a longer Latin phrase (for all you language geeks: plusquamperfect) which means “more than perfect”. It might be simpler to call it past perfect or… Read More
Active vs. Passive: the voices of storytelling and how to use them
One of the most foundational blocks of grammar and writing is also one of the most often debated: Active vs. Passive voice. Undoubtedly, it’s been some time since any of us deliberately considered the differences between the two, or even the naming convention of them. Their uses are often contested. Most teachers, writers, or blogs… Read More
Vanity Publishing: What to avoid to stay safe and successful
There are no easy paths in publishing; writers who find themselves struggling on the traditional route can face equal or worse setbacks in their efforts to self-publish. While agents and agencies have their biases (as we’ve discussed previously), vanity publishers operate heedless of prejudice to prey on struggling authors. Authors that have chosen to go… Read More