Article: Any Which Way But Done: Writing a Series for Fun and Flavor #motownwriters

By William L. Hahn

We often think of writing as a life filled with the once-and-done. There’s this book, we must write it; Muse willing you finish, then jot “The End” and it’s on to a completely different story. Each tale is complete, the characters exist only so long as you were penning more words about them. Some of the greatest books ever written are one-offs: Moby Dick, A Christmas Carol, the Bible (OK, kind of cheating on that last one but you get the notion).

Going Series: So Much Yes

How is it, then, that we so often find ourselves thinking about series? And why on earth do we so often think that we won’t or can’t do them? First, the reasons why—oh, let me count the ways!

Status Quo Series: The Under-the-Sun Flavor

Examples- TV: Gilligan’s Island; Books: Hercule Poirot mysteries

Most people think of a series in this way, sometimes called an Episodic series. Your characters, their interactions and the situation they’re in remain the same. Inciting events and plot turns are chiefly threats to change this status quo. But by the end, the castaways are still on the island, the murderer did not get away with it. Nobody we know dies (not really): yes, Watson eventually marries and Sherlock dies at the end, until Doyle decided to bring him back. Then he quite simply reappears, and the game is still afoot. It was all a dream, remember that one?

The Sneaky Epic: A Character-Arc in Disguise Flavor

Examples- TV: The Walking Dead, Once Upon a Time; Books: Game of Thrones

Sometimes you finish the book but you weren’t done! Many times our characters, like Athena, spring into the story full-grown adults (and not coincidentally, causing you a headache as they do). How did they get here? Where are they going after this story is over?

Only the Kitchen Sink: The Series with One Lasting Flavor

Examples- TV: Hallmark Christmas Movies; Books: Regency Romances

Every tale in some series completely changes everything: new characters, countries, settings, situations, eras. All is up for grabs, they look in every way not like a series. Yet there is an essential… something, a formula or rhythm there that abides. Sometimes the actors are the same, or even the names of main characters.

Series Writing for the Win

I’ve blogged a bit about these three levels of writing, and that might also help you set things in order as you plan your series. Remember that series flavors are lurking everywhere. In that novel you wrote years ago. In that scattered set of notes you never fleshed out but that have something in common. It could be a prequel or a sequel, a spin-off or a backwards-universe variant.

Need help getting your Literary Goals together? Grab an Author Planner from Author and Founder of Motown Writers Network, @SylviaHubbard1. Get a 1hr literary empowerment consultation with purchase. $25

While supplies last

Purchase your Author Planner now https://gumroad.com/l/AuthorPlanner for only $25

Annual Planner for the Author in mind to help writers stay on track of writing, publishing and marketing goals.

Free Writing Publishing and Marketing Checklist when purchased and a one hour consultation with me. (Either face to face if in Metro Detroit or a phone)

All Planners will be delivered in 5 to 10 days.

BUY NOW

https://gumroad.com/l/AuthorPlanner

Article: How to use simple psychology and basic common sense to sell more books #mptownwriters

 

by Barb Drozdowich

Do you dream about creating a group of Superfans who will buy every book you write?

Yes? Well, then, do you make it easy for readers to become your Superfans?

I’m Barb Drozdowich, the admin of this site, and a technical trainer by trade. “How to make it easier to turn your readers into Superfans” is a topic I address frequently in my books as well as my workshops. I’ve written 27 highly-rated books and have created 6 online courses that delve into the technical aspects of being an author. Many of my books have won awards.

I want you to keep the idea of “Superfans” in your mind as we talk about today’s topic. To create these Superfans, we need to make sure that we don’t do anything to frustrate our readers. In fact, our job is to make purchasing/following/subscribing as easy as possible.

In order to do that, there are three simple steps:

1. Create content in a reader-friendly format
2. Use simple psychology to help guide readers
3. Harness what we know about e-reader technology to make it easier for readers to find us — and buy more of our books.The Science of Writing for Readers

   I’m a science grad who became a science prof – so when someone from the publishing industry (in 1995) suggested that textbooks would be converted to electronic format, I jumped for joy!! After decades of lugging around massive science reference texts, the idea of tucking a computer disk into my bag was pretty exciting!

   Psychology – Loaves of Bread And Jars of Jam

   Think back to the last time you were at the grocery store to buy a loaf of bread. Did you study the choices available or did you grab your usual brand and walk away? If you were thinking about trying something new and your local grocery store is like mine, you were likely confronted by many different choices.

   How much do you know about the capabilities of e-readers?

   As someone who has carpal tunnel, I love my Kindle e-reader! By the end of the day, my hands don’t have the strength to hold a paperback book open; however, I love to read.

   Just like the jars-of-jam study, don’t provide too many choices and overwhelm readers, but find a logical place to send them to do what you want them to do. Send them to a retailer to buy some books; send them to your website to join your mailing list; send them to your front-line social media site. Brainstorm where you want them to go to begin their road to becoming your Superfans.

   Most readers are pretty good at buying books. They just need you to make it as easy as possible for them – they will love you for it!

Would you like more eyes on your book or literary service? Let #MotownWriters help while you help us!

Advertise and support our literary and literacy endeavors

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR BOOK PROMOTION

Motown Writers and it’s literary network is ranked among the top-visited websites for the Michigan literary community. These websites are popular with local audiences that consist of book clubs, publishers and small presses, veteran and aspiring authors, literary event organizers, libraries, and thousands of avid readers.

All books featured on the Motown Writers Networks routinely receive high
visibility and increased awareness.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR BOOK PROMOTION

For a limited time, a literary e-blast is $25. Click here for the special offer price.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR BOOK PROMOTION

Article: Here are Eight Places That Accept Nonfiction Essays on SF/F Topics #motownwriters

by Margaret Kingsbury

Writing articles for websites can turn into a nice side income and can even become a main source of income if you’re consistent in generating new ideas and pitching them to editors. Many websites are dedicated to science fiction and fantasy nerdom, with editors constantly looking for new content to publish. This piece, for example, was a successful pitch to the SFWA Blog, which is currently open to nonfiction pitches and pays for accepted articles. Below, I list an additional eight websites—all paying—and information on how to pitch them. I’ve also included a brief outline to pitching, in case you haven’t pitched before.

Pitch Outline

Subject: Pitch — TITLE (Put TIMELY before your title if your pitch deals with something currently in the news.)

Dear EDITOR’S NAME (If you don’t know the editor, you can put Hi there, or Dear Editor),

Please consider this pitch for NAME OF WEBSITE.

TITLE (this title will probably change, but it’s good to have a direct title that succinctly summarizes your idea)

Pitching Tips

I often include two pitches in my email, and though some writers say to only include one, it’s worked really well for me (if pitch guidelines say not to send more than one pitch, defer to the guidelines). Editors prefer pitches and not completed articles. If you plan on pitching regularly, I recommend signing up for Sonia Weiser’s Opportunities of the Week newsletter.

Eight SF/F Websites to Pitch*

StarTrek.com
StarTrek.com was the first place I landed a pitch. They have detailed guidelines for pitching on their website. Send pitches to StarTrekPitches@cbs.com.

Lady Science
Lady Science looks at the history and pop culture of science from a feminist perspective. Their guidelines are listed on their website, and you can send essay, commentary, idea, and review pitches to ladyscienceinfo@gmail.com, while feature pitches should be sent to Sarah Muncy at sarah@ladyscience.com.

Nat’l #RedInkConference Expands 2 Days ONLINE: Positions Authors to Publish and Promote in Excellence! 9/11-12 via @tenitajeditor

From sold-out audiences in Detroit three years in a row, to packed rooms in Atlanta, Charlotte
and Chicago, The Red Ink Conference is the nation’s premier conference that is taking the
literary map by storm!

Whether you’re an aspiring author with only a creative idea for a book, or you have 20+ books
published, and you’re ready to take your books to the next level, this is the conference for you!
This one-of-a-kind conference empowers attendees to write, edit and market their next
bestseller—at a fraction of the cost. Due to the current state of the world with COVID-19, it all
takes place online from the comfort of your own home on September 11 and 12, 2020. In
addition to engaging information and quality networking, attendees will experience on-screen
editorial exercises, writing prompts, marketing strategies and more!

Collectively, conference speakers, Tenita “Bestseller” Johnson, Valerie J. Lewis Coleman, Dawn
James, Sulondia “Sue-Ham” Hammond and Tammy Turner have over 50 years of industry
experience and run successful businesses that support indie authors nationwide. Attendees will
learn new, innovative information that will position them to build a solid platform as an
authorpreneur and speaker. Complete with information on marketing, crafting a solid
professional bio and book synopsis, as well as self-publishing industry secrets that save authors
both time and money in the publishing process, writers will leave inspired to take their book
from the page to the stage and the marketplace at-large—allowing them to develop a six-figure
income, even if they just have one book!

General admission tickets are only $129.

To purchase tickets, visit The Red Ink Conference or Eventbrite. For interviews or more
information, please contact Tenita Johnson at redinkconference@gmail.com, or 313.999.6942.

###

About the Organizer

Authors worldwide write better thanks to editorial guru and author, Tenita C. Johnson.
Perfecting manuscripts for hundreds of best-selling authors, she’s on a mission to end the
prominent everyday abuse of the English language and rectify punctuation pet peeves. Well
known by many as a human spell check, noun nerd and grammar police, she proudly wears the
badge of honor to correct and serve. Dubbed the editor’s editor, Tenita hosts the annual Red Ink
Conference to empower aspiring authors to write from the editor’s point of view to save time and
money in the self-publishing process. She positions writers as experts in the industry serving
them to create their own writing/editorial business and multiple streams of income.
To connect with Tenita, visit SoItIsWritten.net or email info@soitiswritten.net.

#Motownwriters Word of the Day: Codex #wotd

WORD OF THE DAY Codex KOH-deks Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, late 16th century 1 An ancient manuscript text in book form. 2 An official list of medicines, chemicals, etc. Examples of Codex in a sentence “The library had a prize collection of ancient books, including a codex that couldn’t be found anywhere else.” “The codex will serve as an inventory for the storeroom.”

Celebrate National Library Card Month – Get yours and encourage others to get theirs!

milibraries.org

milibraries.org

Celebrate National Read a Book Day with #MotownWriters (Sept6th)

In our quest to encourage you to read more, we celebrate National Read a Book Day at Motown Writers.

Check out our features authors or find a Michigan author in our Amazon list (see the comments in this post)

Support a local Michigan author in your endeavors

 

EVENT: I’M BLACK WITH WHITE PRIVILEGE @satori_10 @twistedtellers Sept18th

REAL PEOPLE TRUE STORIES TOLD LIVE SEPTEMBER 2020 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 7:15 – 8:30 PM EST VIRTUAL EDITION TICKETS $11.00 ON SALE NOW! The Secret Society Of Twisted Storytellers – "RACE!" – Stewart Shevin Stewart Shevin’s family didn’t leave with White flight during the Detroit 1967 Uprising. He grew up and went to school with Black kids. Stakes are high when he was at a loss as to how to navigate his Jewish identity. SATORI SHAKOOR Executive Producer & Host SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL PLEASE DONATE a Michigan 501(c) nonprofit organization MEDIA SPONSOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 VIRTUAL DOORS: 7:15P EST SHOWTIME: 7:30P AFTER PARTY: 8:30P TICKETS ON SALE NOW! FEATURING TWISTED STORYTELLER CELESTE DEMPS-SIMONS TWISTED MUSICAL GUEST MICHON YOUNG

The Society for the Re-Institutionalization of Storytelling, 1546 Lee Pl, Suite 2E, Detroit, MI 48206

Reminder: #Meetup with #Motownwriters @DetroitPublic Library – Main every 2nd Saturday

http://meetup.com/michiganliterarynetwork

Motown Writers Meetup Group

Detroit, MI
3,222 Writers

Hi everyone. This is a group for everyone in the Detroit Area (and Michigan area) who like to write. Whether it’s a novel, short story, poem, autobiography, or any other gener…

Next Meetup

#MotownWriters Monthly @Meetup

Saturday, Feb 8, 2020, 10:00 AM
7 Attending

Check out this Meetup Group →

If you’re interested in speaking at our group or sending promotional items to our group, please contact us

Please send items in bulk of 50, please.

$2.99 ‘Labor’ Day Deal! 📚 Author’s Social Media Organizer📝✍🏾 Grab your download now! #bookpromo

In this book, you’ll get:

• 52 Weeks of Social Media & Blog Post Ideas
• 3 pages of Popular # Hashtags for Days of the Week
• Monthly social media organizer for 12 months

Memorial Day Special only $2.99 for a 20 page download.

Grab your download now: https://gum.co/Doscf

You’ll also get a separate resource sheet that will give you links to other places to find ideas about what to post, share and bring book buyers to increase your sales!

This book was created in mind for the Author needing a way keep them on track to promote on social media every month without excuses.

All proceeds for this book go to helping the Michigan Literary Network keep afloat and grow.

Grab your download now: https://gum.co/Doscf

 

 

 

Resource PDF will also be included!

Still need ideas? Schedule an empowerment session! Contact me! 

30 Day/5 Post Tour Package on the Michigan Literary Network on $25 | Make #MotownWriters part of your literary promotions #MichiganAuthors #michlit

 

https://www.paypal.me/sylhubbooks/25

*Add Motown Package in Notes

We offer advertisement services for writers and authors looking for exposure online in the Michigan Literary Community. We can work with writer and reading groups to help with promotion and gathering authors for your event.

Find Resources on our site & Connect with us all over the Internet:

http://MotownWriters.com        http://MichiganLiteraryNetwork.com

Visit our website and sign up for our daily news and newsletter to stay up to date with what is going on in Michigan Literary and Metro Detroit Literacy Communities.

•  http://FaceBook.com/MichigansLiteraryWorld
•  http://Twitter.com/SylviaHubbard1
•  http://meetup.com/MichiganLiteraryNetwork
•  http://youtube.com/user/sylviahubbard1
•  http://www.linkedin.com/in/sylviahubbard1

We also offer advertisement services for writers and authors looking for exposure online in the Michigan Literary Community. We can work with writer and reading groups to help with promotion and gathering authors for your event.

• Consider requesting a free blog feature motownwriters.com/sla
• Add your Amazon Author page to our listing motownwriters.com/amazonauthorpage
• Solicit to speak at our meetup. Contact us at http://meetup.com/michiganliterarynetwork
• Become a guest on the video show or podcast on The Michigan Literary Network MichiganLiteraryNetwork.com
• Advertise on our websites. Go to motownwriters.com/advertise
• Consider doing a Blog tour through our blogs. Go to motownwriters.com/advertise

Motown Writers Network also collects gently used donated books, videos, and DVDs. Contact us

Thank you in advance for advertising and supporting the literary and literacy community!

Nat’l #RedInkConference Expands 2 Days ONLINE: Positions Authors to Publish and Promote in Excellence! 9/11-12 via @tenitajeditor

From sold-out audiences in Detroit three years in a row, to packed rooms in Atlanta, Charlotte
and Chicago, The Red Ink Conference is the nation’s premier conference that is taking the
literary map by storm!

REGISTER NOW

Whether you’re an aspiring author with only a creative idea for a book, or you have 20+ books
published, and you’re ready to take your books to the next level, this is the conference for you!
This one-of-a-kind conference empowers attendees to write, edit and market their next
bestseller—at a fraction of the cost. Due to the current state of the world with COVID-19, it all
takes place online from the comfort of your own home on September 11 and 12, 2020. In
addition to engaging information and quality networking, attendees will experience on-screen
editorial exercises, writing prompts, marketing strategies and more!

Collectively, conference speakers, Tenita “Bestseller” Johnson, Valerie J. Lewis Coleman, Dawn
James, Sulondia “Sue-Ham” Hammond and Tammy Turner have over 50 years of industry
experience and run successful businesses that support indie authors nationwide. Attendees will
learn new, innovative information that will position them to build a solid platform as an
authorpreneur and speaker. Complete with information on marketing, crafting a solid
professional bio and book synopsis, as well as self-publishing industry secrets that save authors
both time and money in the publishing process, writers will leave inspired to take their book
from the page to the stage and the marketplace at-large—allowing them to develop a six-figure
income, even if they just have one book!

General admission tickets are only $129.

REGISTER NOW

To purchase tickets, visit The Red Ink Conference or Eventbrite. For interviews or more
information, please contact Tenita Johnson at redinkconference@gmail.com, or 313.999.6942.

###

About the Organizer

Authors worldwide write better thanks to editorial guru and author, Tenita C. Johnson.
Perfecting manuscripts for hundreds of best-selling authors, she’s on a mission to end the
prominent everyday abuse of the English language and rectify punctuation pet peeves. Well
known by many as a human spell check, noun nerd and grammar police, she proudly wears the
badge of honor to correct and serve. Dubbed the editor’s editor, Tenita hosts the annual Red Ink
Conference to empower aspiring authors to write from the editor’s point of view to save time and
money in the self-publishing process. She positions writers as experts in the industry serving
them to create their own writing/editorial business and multiple streams of income.
To connect with Tenita, visit SoItIsWritten.net or email info@soitiswritten.net.

#MotownWriters Promotions Assignments Week #4– Helping you to work as an author… Take the four week Challenge #mwn

We’re rocking into week 4 really understanding what it takes to be an author and we’re pushing ourselves to be up for the challenge.

If you’re just joining us, you can find past assignments here:

Promo Challenge #1 can be found by clicking here

Promo Challenge #2 can be found by clicking here

Promo Challenge #3 can be found by clicking here

This basis of this ENTIRE challenge is

1. Build or strengthen your author platforms
2. Create Readership/Build SEO
3. Sell Books

To actually get to the FOURTH one, you MUST do one and two and three. This all to help you learn to Work as an Author! In the video today, you’ll see how doing challenge one and two pulls assignments for week three together.

Now get your notebook, a piece of paper or your calendar out and watch the video.

1st Assignment this week is to get organize.Get a calendar. Plan to succeed. Plan content. Plan your techniques. Plan what you will do to complete this challenge.

• –Get Post it Notes
• –Do Monthlies (see video for more information)
• –Use highlighters to stay organize

2nd Assignment –Learn to run your website

• Make sure all links are good.
• Get your newsletter and social media links on your front page.
• Make sure your contact page actually can contact you.
• Post once a week to your blog.
  • Blog audio, video or text (If text add a picture).
  • Blog Post assignment: What book you’ve ever read, best describes your life? (tag #motownwriters or @sylviahubbard1)
• Check your copyright year on your website.
• Make sure your website fits your brand (color, wording, etc).
• Make sure your pictures are professional.
• Verify your site is mobile friendly.
• About page – Add 3rd person bio you did in previous assignment.
  • Speaker Sheet, Downloadable link to professional pictures of you.
• Product page – list your books and services | set up eCommerce.

3rd Assignment – Planning your content

• Daily Content- Spend at least one to two hours a day loading, writing and marketing your content. (Example daily challenges: Monday: work on blog post. Tuesday: Work on graphics for the week. Wednesday: Updating all social medias. Thursday: Promoting and/or setting up promotions for the weekend (challenges, giveaways, weekend reads) Friday: verifying links work, checking website for updates or immediate concerns/visiting other websites or other social medias and engaging there.
• Weekly Content – Feature or podcast on another platform, post a video on Instagram or YouTube, post a blog post, engaging with all comments,
• Annual Goal – evergreen (annual) posts, book anniversaries,

Blog Post ideas (for 50 weeks of blogging)
Write ten benefits of reading yr work.
Write ten statements or plot points abt yr work
Write ten quotes from yr work
Find ten pictures (book cover, sci fi pics, and more ) abt yr work and then mini blog abt them
Take ten pics of you and write ten things abt yr writing life, what yr book means to you and what you hope to come for yr work.

Subscribe to the http://MotownWriters.com blog

Ask questions in the comments at the Facebook Motown Writers group and turn your assignment in at our comment section of the video.

For people who complete all four author challenges the top three will receive an author planner with one hour consultation. If you’re behind there’s still time to catch up. Promo Challenge #1 can be found by clicking here

Related Links 

Canva.com | Bookbrush.com | AuthorCentral.Amazon.com |

WordPress.com | remove.bg | Bookbub.com | Goodreads.com|

Author Planner: Gumroad.com/sylviahubbard1

Subscribe to Motown Writers Network blog: click here

My Literary wold of Sylvia Hubbard Podcast http://anchor.fm/sylviahubbard1
Check out the podcast book feature with Da Laughs and Giggle Podcast at http://motownBookclub.com
grab your author planner: https://gumroad.com/l/AuthorPlanner
Get it FREE Book Writing, Publishing & Marketing Checklist on Gumroad https://gum.co/fhXuH

I look forward to seeing what you offer and what you are doing. Also leave your ask me anything question in the comments! Share this with other authors and writing groups.