Alison Presley

This week I happened to stumble upon the photos in this post. SharedWorlds, a great organization for aspiring writers in high school, asked some famous writers to ink writing advice on their hands and send them a photo. I was struck by how many of them sent in some version of “keep going” or “start the next one.”

A writer’s ability to keep going after a setback is everything. 

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Confession: I’ve written 8 books and most of my main characters were really just me. Or shades of me. 

But now, I’m writing about a historical figure, who is definitely not me. Any advice?

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Togather: How to Have Successful Book Readings and Author Events

I kind of failed at book readings when our books first published. It’s not that I’m afraid of speaking in front of people. I’m actually quite the little ham once I’m in the moment. For me, the anxiety stemmed from setting them up with the bookstore and then rallying people to attend.

I wish Togather had existed back then. It would changed everything.

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As a fiction writer, I’ve always been amazed at the research nonfiction writers do for their books. And I was relieved that I had no inclination or desire to write one of those pesky “true” books with, you know, FACTS in them. How annoying that must be! The hours in the library! The tracking down of reluctant interviewees! 

Now, I’m embarking on my first-ever research-based novel. Do you have some research tips for me?

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When to Quit Your Current Writing Project and Why It’s Okay

With the very best of intentions, many of our parents did us a disservice when they told us to “never give up.” 

Recently I put the following Neil Gaiman quote on Tumblr and it got a pretty big reaction–and I don’t think it was due to his hair or saucy smile. Click through to read more!

Me? I love Melissa McCarthy. Last week she stopped by The Daily Show and shared how she got started.

She credits her sheer ignorance for giving her the courage to first start doing stand-up. As writers, how do we tap into that sheer ignorance we had when we were young?

Click through to watch the clip and read more!

I am a deeply impatient person.

Once I settle on something I want, I’m restless until I get there. In a way, I am indebted to this quality.  Impatience is what fuels me, this fixation on a single goal and inability to relax until I get there. 

But impatience’s easy friend is envy. Once you have settled on a goal–a type of book you want to write, a school or program you want to attend, a promotion you’d like–it’s tempting to look around to see if others have achieved this goal.

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chroniclebooks:

What happens when the great minds of Tumblr and Chronicle Books unite? A unicorn is born! Wait, no. Awesome Tumblrs like F*ck! I’m in My Twenties and Dads Are the Original Hipsters become hilarious books.

And now, it could be your turn.

We’re looking for the next big humor book idea. This is your chance to get your idea in front of our editors.

Here’s how it works. Pitch us your laugh-out-loud funny book idea using Tumblr. You can use text, photos, animated gifs, artwork, videos—just get our attention. Then our editors will judge the entries and choose a grand-prize winner whose idea will be considered for publication. You may use an existing Tumblr or create a new Tumblr to illustrate your book idea. Just remember: we’re looking for humor.

To enter, tag a post “Tumblr Book Search” and include:

1)      The title of your humor book

2)      A written synopsis of  your idea (200 words or less)

3)      Examples of the book’s concept (can be photos, animated gifs, artwork, video, text, or any media supported by Tumblr)

Then, hop over here to give us your basic contact information and the link to your post.

Hurry, the contest ends 2/28/2013. Read the official rules and submit your Tumblr entry now!

1 Grand Prize:

·         Book idea considered for publication

·         $300 of Chronicle books

·         Your Tumblr featured on Tumblr Tuesday

·         Feedback session with a Chronicle Books editor

·         Feedback session with Rachel Fershleiser, Tumblr’s Director of Literary Outreach and co-creator of the New York Times Bestselling Six-Word Memoir Book Series

·         And more!

3 Runners-Up:

·         $100 of Chronicle books

·         Written critique from Chronicle Books editors

·         Feedback session with Rachel Fershleiser

Questions? Email contests@chroniclebooks.com

Cute! Thrifty Decor Chick shows how to turn a closet into a cozy book nook.

How can Random House afford those legendary $5,000 holiday bonuses for all staffers? Steven Pressfield runs the numbers on 50 Shades of Grey.

Really interesting read!