“Show, don’t tell” is good advice in moderation. Repeated as gospel, it turns into padding. Gaius Konstantine makes the case for restraint and a simpler rule: paint only what helps the story move forward.
Category Archives: Publishing Insight
Hiding in Plain Sight: Inside #FadingAwayDarkBay by Gaius Konstantine
How pace, place and a handful of characters turned a crime novel into a study of a man who could disappear inside his own life.
The Simple Stuff: Publishing Insight by Gaius Konstantine
You finally finished your first manuscript. Before you query an agent or hit publish, make sure it looks the part, because agents and readers are judging the formatting first.
Manuscript Too Short? Why Word Count Can Cost You a Deal: Publishing Insight by Gaius Konstantine (Part 2)
Sent 70,000 words when they asked for 80,000? That shortfall can get you rejected before anyone reads a page. Part 2 of Words That Get You Into Trouble looks at the hidden cost of writing short.
Publishing Insight by Gaius Konstantine
How long should your novel be? Gaius Konstantine explains why word count matters for debut authors, whether you’re querying agents or publishing indie.
Editorial Book Reviews: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How to Make Yours Work Harder
This guide walks through what an editorial review is, why many authors find it useful, how to make the most of one once you have it, how to add it to your Amazon page, and — since several of you have asked — how to request the Just Reading Nook seal and use the seal card effectively.
Book Marketing Basics: A Guide to Building Your Author Brand
Typing “The End” on your manuscript is a huge achievement. But getting your book into readers’ hands? That is a completely different challenge. Many authors assume a great story will sell itself. Unfortunately, even the most brilliant prose goes unnoticed without a solid marketing foundation.
Walking A Tightrope (Without a Net)
While it’s true that not all authors share the same goals when they embark on their journey, enough commonalities exist for every author to face the same challenges. Publishing, covers, editing, and marketing are all functions that must be addressed in one way or another. This, in turn, means resources must be allocated, whether it’s time or, for many of you, cash.
A Changing Environment: The Indie Publishing Quality Crisis
A seismic shift has impacted the publishing industry over the last few years, with traditionally published books now accounting for only 13-25% of new titles. While these figures vary by genre and region, and publishing houses still retain an advantage for print books, the repercussions for the industry cannot be ignored.
State of the Industry: An Overview
Congratulations. You just finished your manuscript (or maybe are considering writing one) and are on your way to becoming an author. Perhaps dreams of publishing contracts and a life as a full-time writer are your goals, where the novels you write generate enough sales to sustain your lifestyle. Maybe you’ll succeed, but it may be wise to step back and take a realistic look at the (literary) world you are hoping to become a part of.