Amy Collins is asked: If you could give aspiring writers one piece of advice, what would it be?
How to put yourself on the path to becoming a successful author.
What should I do every day if I want to be a better writer?
What are the top three things that should be on my writing checklist?
Amy Collins is the President of New Shelves Books, one of the best-known book sales and marketing agencies in the US. In the last 20 years Amy and her team have sold over 40 million books into the bookstore, library, and chain store market for small and mid-sized publishers.
Annalisa Parent Summea speaks with Cat Zappa, Publisher and Executive Vice President of Film & Television at Dreamscape Media about: How to publish your manuscript not only as a book, but across multiple media.
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Expand Your Influence with Cat Zappa, to learn the strategy it takes to get your book published in print, audio, film--and more!, so take a minute and download the free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/expand. Don’t forget the dash!
Cat Zappa is the Publisher & Executive Vice President of Film and Television at Dreamscape Media. She has nearly 20 years of publishing and entertainment experience. Prior to her current role, Cat was the Director of Sales at HarperCollins Christian Publishing for close to a decade.
If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring authors, with author Vivian Jamieson.
What is good feedback?
How to get the right feedback?
How do I get the feedback that pushes you forward as a writer?
Annalisa Parent Summea speaks with Sonee Singh, writer of commercial women’s fiction and member of the Writing Gym about gaining clarity on writing projects, investing in your writing, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Get Clarity with Sonee Singh for this episode that will walk you through how to gain the clarity you need to publish time and time again, so take a minute and download the free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/clarity. Don’t forget the dash!
Sonee Singh is an upcoming author and member of the Writing Gym. She is currently writing a commercial women’s fiction novel and poetry.
What is the difference between hybrid and traditional publishing?
What publishing route should I take?
What is the difference between a hybrid publisher and vanity press?
How do I recognize a vanity press?
How do I know my audience?
How do I write a children's book?
Children's book author Mike Bender is asked to give one piece of advice to aspiring writers.
From our favorite writing coach to you, please join Annalisa Parent Summea in celebrating the holiday season.
A special reading of 'A Visit by St. Nicholas' by Clement Clarke Moore
Happy Holidays everyone. See you in the new year.
How do I become a better writer?
How do I improve my writing skills?
NYT best selling author, Brandon Webb is asked to give one piece of advice to aspiring writers.
Annalisa Parent Summea speaks with Jenny Baumgartner, Senior Acquisitions Editor at Nelson Books at HarperCollins Christian Publishing about her role as an acquisitions editor, the amount of editing needed to get your book to be a New York Times Bestseller, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Behind the Scenes at a Publishing House, for this episode that will walk you through how to prepare yourself for the publishing process, so take a minute and download our free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/hurdles. Don’t forget the dash!
Jenny Baumgartner is the Senior Acquisitions Editor at Nelson Books, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. She’s been in Christian publishing since 1998 and has edited both nonfiction and fiction, partnering with many award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors, including the #1 New York Times bestseller, Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis and the newly released A Serial Killer’s Daughter by Kerri Rawson.
-How much exposition is enough?
-How do I know if I have too much exposition?
-How do I find balance in my novel?
In this week's Tuesday Writing Tip Annalisa answers the question, How do know if I have the right amount of exposition?
Annalisa Parent Summea speaks with Aaron Finegold, Writing Gym member and novelist about drafting query letters, convincing agents to ask for a full manuscript, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free worksheet, Writing the Perfect Query Letter, for this episode that will walk you through how to implement these concepts in your own writing life, so take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym.com/full . Don’t forget the dash!
Aaron Finegold is an author and member of the Writing Gym. He has written a 90,000 word debut novel, Another Form. He has been published in McKinsey Quarterly.
-How do I get my characters to behave?
-How come my characters will not stick to my outline?
-How do I figure out what kind of writer I am?
In this week's Tuesday Writing Tip Annalisa answers the question, How do you find your Best Writer?
Annalisa Parent Summea speaks with Carey Nelson Burch, owner and consultant of My Own Shingle, about how to find the right agent to maximize your publication and media rights, how to advocate for your manuscript in the publishing industry, and how to find the right professional partners for your creative work.
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, How to Publish your Novel Across Multiple Media, for this episode that will walk you through the multiple media your manuscript can take in addition to a published book. Take a minute and download our free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/EXPAND. Don’t forget the dash!
Carey Nelson Burch is the Owner of My Own Shingle where she consults for several companies while managing a handful of screenwriters, authors and influencers. Previously she was a packaging agent at William Morris Endeavor for over twelve years and an Executive at NBC in Los Angeles. Carey currently serves on the boards of the Nashville Film Festival, Belmont’s Film & TV Advisory Committee, and Film Com.
-How do I create plot?
-How do I create character sketches?
-How do I deal with fears of writing?
-How do I deal with my inner critic?
In this week's Tuesday Writing Tip Annalisa answers the question, How do you find your Best Writer?
Annalisa Parent Summea speaks with Stephen Oliver, Writing Gym member and prolific science fiction and fantasy novelist about turning publication dreams into reality, the Writing Gym’s approach to editing manuscripts, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, How To Get a Publishing Deal, for this episode that will walk you through the magic of dreaming big, and why there’s no better time than the present to pursue your writing goals, so take a minute and download resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/dreambig. Don’t forget the dash!
Stephen Oliver is a member of the Writing Gym and a science fiction and fantasy novelist. He was previously a software engineer, but he always knew he was destined to become an author. Join us in celebrating Stephen!
How do I write believable characters?
What if character outlines aren't working for me?
How can I finally finish writing this book well?
In this week's Audio Writing Tip, Annalisa answers the question, "What is the best way to develop characters?"
Annalisa Parent Summea speaks with Sara Wigal, Director of Publishing at Belmont University about the timeline of a book getting published and what publicity and marketing for your books looks like, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free worksheet, The End is Only the Beginning, for this episode that will walk you through how to implement these concepts in your own writing life, so take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym/dive. Don’t forget the dash!
Sara Wigal is an Assistant Professor of Media Studies and Director of Publishing at Belmont University. She is also the Fundraising Chair for the Next Chapter Society which supports the programming made possible by the Nashville Public Library Foundation. Wigal has been published by The Tennessean, Publishers Weekly, and Writer's Digest.
Are you a 'Pantser' or a 'Plotter'? Do you explore through action or do you write a character sketch? Maybe there is a deeper question at hand, how do you find your best writer?
In this week's Tuesday Writing Tip Annalisa answers the question, What is the best way to develop character?
Annalisa Parent Summea speaks with Barbara Pattee, Writing Gym member and author about the importance of encouraging feedback, her growth as a writer since joining the Writing Gym, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free worksheet, Never Give Up On Your Writing, for this episode that will walk you through how to implement these concepts in your own writing life, so take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym/nevergiveup. Don’t forget the dash!
Barbara Pattee is a Writing Gym member and author. She has previously published poetry, short stories, and memoir pieces.
It’s Worth the Struggle: Inspiration for Contemporary Writers
“On the Shores of Detroit”
Writer’s Digest Conference
See Barbara demonstrate the book the she’s reading (youtube)
In this week's Tuesday Writing Tip, Annalisa answers the question, "How do I find reliable resources to move towards publication?"
Annalisa Parent Summea speaks with Rachelle Gardner, a literary agent with Books & Such Literary Management about pairing a business mindset with a writing mindset, the importance of your author platform, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free worksheet for this episode, It’s Not Just About the Book that will walk you through how to implement these concepts in your own writing life, so take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym.com/standout. Don’t forget the dash!
Rachelle Gardner is an agent with Books & Such Literary Management, representing both fiction and nonfiction. She’s been an agent for 12 years and currently represents an impressive list of 75 bestselling and award-winning authors
Writers often struggle with providing their manuscripts to professionals in fear of their idea being stolen. Do I ask for a signed agreement? Do I get a copyright? What prevents them from taking my work?
In this week's Tuesday Writing Tip Annalisa answers the question, How can I trust the Agent or Publisher with my Manuscript?
Annalisa Parent Summea speaks with Hannah Johnson, a Writing Gym member and fantasy novel writer about how she wrote a novel in under two months and how she excelled in our Publishing Mastermind program.
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free worksheet, You Can Write a Novel in Under Two Months, for this episode that will walk you through how to implement these concepts in your own writing life, so take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym.com/possible Don’t forget the dash!
Hannah Johnson is a Writing Gym member who minored in short story fiction writing in college. She has now since shifted to writing long fantasy novels. Join us in celebrating Hannah!
How does a writer avoid the most common writing traps: Overthinking, Over-Researching, and your Inner Critic.
In this week's Tuesday Writing Tip Annalisa answers the questions, How to avoid Overthinking your writing?
How to avoid Overthinking your writing?
How to avoid it's close cousin Over-Researching?
How to overcome your Inner Critic?
Annalisa Parent Summea speaks with Stephanie Beard, Executive Editor at Turner Publishing about the role of an Executive Editor, how publishers support their titles, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free worksheet, A Peak Behind the Publishing Curtain, for some insider brainstorming to get you thinking ahead for your own writing life, so take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym.com/btsediting .
Don’t forget the dash!
Stephanie Beard is the Executive Editor at Turner Publishing, an industry leading independent publisher based in Nashville, TN, which has a backlist of over 5,000 books and publishes 36 new books per year across all genres. In addition to acquiring all of the books for the front list, she is also the Subsidiary Rights Director. She has a J.D. from Vermont Law School where she specialized in International Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution and a B.A. from Centre College in International Relations and French.