I find that the average writer is very hesitant to set grand career goals. Yet, almost all of us have an opaque picture buried in our subconscious of what runaway success looks like.

I'm writing today to make the case for doing scary things. Choosing to be the kind of person who writes books and builds an audience for them is pretty damn terrifying, when you think about it. Which you probably have. Excessively.

Here's a quick and dirty plan any writer can follow to keep their marketing game strong while busting out a new book during NaNoWriMo—or whenever you're in the cave.

If you want to claim the mantle of writer, you will be rejected. Your challenge is figuring out how to roll with it and not get dizzy; how to maintain some sense of equilibrium in the chaos of the writer's life you signed onto, so you can get your work done.

A small investment, good copy and careful attention to a few basics will give you a professional looking author website that will help you attract and retain readers.

What should we do if we start writing a story and lose our inspiration? This hateful lack of inspiration happens to every writer, even those who meet deadlines in rapid succession.

We're storytellers. We write books that plunge readers straight into other worlds and other lives. It’s a super power. But doesn’t it suck when we use our own story telling abilities against ourselves?

Are you ready to write the book description for your back cover—your blurb—for a book of nonfiction but don't know where to start? Have you started writing your blurb and gotten stuck?

Here’s some summer listening that that will enrich your writing life…and happens to features a few of the women from Pages & Platforms.

Are you ready to write the book description for your back cover—your blurb—for a book of fiction but don't know where to start? Have you started writing your blurb and gotten stuck?

Almost all writers who sell a lot of books are do these three things. Writers who don’t sell books aren’t doing these things. Simple.

If you don't really want to offer your knowledge to others, there are much better ways than writing a book to make money and improve your social status.

If you want your book to succeed, you are going to have to put your own energies into making it happen. And there are plenty of good reasons to start your marketing well before your book is published, or before you even have an agent.

My editing colleagues and I go to packed writers conferences and ask everyone we talk to, “Are you a writer?” You wouldn’t believe the amount of “Well…sorta,” responses we get.

The outline is one of my favorite writing tools. You might want to consider writing an outline if, like me, you get stuck in the process of bringing your story to fruition.

One of the questions I get most frequently from authors is this: “There are so many possible marketing and outreach activities, how do I decide which to do?”

There's a big problem with most writing groups. They don't actually help people become better writers.

While editing and re-writes are required after a first draft, I have some tips and tricks that will help you overcome the blocks of a first draft (and move onto your second draft) by clearing a path toward a great story.

How well do you know your secondary and tertiary characters? A common early-draft issue is minor characters who act as mere props for the protagonist’s arc.

If you’re confused about the different types of editors (which to hire and when), rest assured that you’re not alone.