Avoid Publishing Scams

They Want Your Money, Not Your Work by Rochelle Melander The scams hit my inbox at a rapid rate. Publishers wanting to put my ideas into print. Book groups and libraries asking to host me. Promoters promising they can get my book in top spots on Amazon. Promotional Scams When... Read More

Fifteen Ways to Find Novelty in Your Daily Life

by Rochelle Melander You need novelty. Novelty activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine and boosting learning, memory and motivation. Most of us turn to social media to get our dopamine fix. But that’s not the best thing—as we now know, social media’s addictive. But new stuff—that’s gold for your... Read More

You Can Fix Writer’s Block

by Rochelle Melander There’s no such thing as writer’s block. That was invented by people in California who couldn’t write.” -Terry Pratchett I don’t have time for writer’s block. Nearly every book I’ve written has been completed in less than six weeks thanks to publishing contracts with tight deadlines. Writing... Read More

Know When to Hire an Editor

by Rochelle Melander Though we’d love to think we can take a book from conception to publication all on our own, it actually takes a village to raise a book. An editor can be a helpful partner at many stages of the writing and publication process. Hire an editor when... Read More

How to Become a Reading Writer

by Rochelle Melander ”If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.” —Stephen King Writers read. Here’s why: +To understand the market. What are readers reading right now? Get connected to the books readers love and crave so that you can provide... Read More

How to Spark Creative Play

The 100-Day Project by Rochelle Melander With everything going on in the world, I’m struggling to focus and stay productive. For the last two years, I’ve written about the 100-day project. Last year I tried it—and wowza! For 100 days, I wrote poetry every morning. Sometimes the poetry became pieces... Read More