Author Tips

Be Smart Have you gotten a too-good-to-be-true offer for representation or publication? Proceed with caution! It's no secret that scammers target aspiring authors. There is a wealth of information located at the page linked above--no aspiring author should bypass it! You can cross-check the names of agents and editors for legitimacy. Read More

Aspiring-Authors-Take-Note - I know that many of you are aspiring authors, and I was, of course, once in your shoes. I was fortunate to have had a prior career as an editor at a Manhattan publishing house, and even more fortun... Read More

Could you take a look at my manuscript and give me some pointers on improving it and maybe show it to your agent?
First of all, congratulations! That is a terrific achievement. I, of all people, know how much hard work went into the process. I wish I could take a look at it but unfortunately, I have a very st... Read More

Want to submit a question?
I frequently hear from readers who also happen to be aspiring writers. Often, they ask me for advice on launching a career as an author, and I’m always glad to share my own experiences, both as a w... Read More

Do you think newly published authors should enlist the aid of a publicist to help them succeed?
I've had a personal publicist for several years now, and was at the stage in my career where hiring a full-time publicist had become a much-appreciated necessity. But I can’t imagine that a newcome... Read More

What should authors look for in an agent?
My own agent, Laura Blake Peterson at Curtis Brown, Ltd, has not only been an ear and a shoulder, tirelessly championing me and defending my best interests during contract negotiations and sticky p... Read More

How can I keep my stories creative and fresh?
Think of it this way: just about any one of us could tell a story about a trip we took to the store this past week. Going to the store is a universal experience. There will be universal elements, b... Read More