The most common red flags I see in nonfiction book proposals by otherwise qualified authorsThese things aren't just unnecessary; they indicate to me that an author is still focused on meeting their own emotional needs and hasn't thought enough…
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The most common red flags I see in nonfiction book proposals by otherwise qualified authors
neonliterary.substack.com
In the unlikely event of a water landing, DO NOT INFLATE YOUR LIFE JACKET WHILE YOU ARE STILL INSIDE THE PLANE.Forget that stupid "put on your own oxygen mask" cliché. Please allow me to turn over your seat-back safety card and point out the TRULY useful metaphor…
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In the unlikely event of a water landing, DO NOT INFLATE YOUR LIFE JACKET WHILE YOU ARE STILL INSIDE THE PLANE.
neonliterary.substack.com
February 2023
"My editor [or agent] is taking FOREVER with my edits. They keep making and breaking promises about when they'll be done with their notes…This is the single most common, gnarly professional conflict that comes up in book publishing. If you're an author stuck in it right now, here's the…
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"My editor [or agent] is taking FOREVER with my edits. They keep making and breaking promises about when they'll be done with their notes. What the f*ck?"
neonliterary.substack.com
The best book for learning how to communicate with publishing professionals....is unfortunately also a 43-year-old classic on how to parent…You must read HOW TO TALK SO KIDS WILL LISTEN AND LISTEN SO KIDS WILL TALK if you want to be a Good Art Friend (and effective publishing communicator).
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The best book for learning how to communicate with publishing professionals....is unfortunately also a 43-year-old classic on how to parent small children
neonliterary.substack.com
January 2023
…Relational energy is real. Our intimate relationships have a material effect on our cognition, and as such, they can make or break a publishing career.
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Is there a mismatch between what you think you're capable of as a writer and what you're actually managing to write? The problem might be sitting next to you right now. (People. It's other people.)
neonliterary.substack.com
Serious about finally finishing that novel this year? DON'T force yourself to make it a daily practiceIf you find your executive function overtaxed by stress--or that part of your brain is feeble by nature--I recommend the opposite approach: make tedium…
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Serious about finally finishing that novel this year? DON'T force yourself to make it a daily practice
neonliterary.substack.com
FIGHT, FLIGHT, FAWN, OR FREEZE: the highly specific ways in which authors' stress responses weaken their books--and how to mop up yours on…Hand me a draft manuscript: within minutes, I can generally tell you exactly how the author responds to acute stress. The signs manifest on the page in…
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FIGHT, FLIGHT, FAWN, OR FREEZE: the highly specific ways in which authors' stress responses weaken their books--and how to mop up yours on the page
neonliterary.substack.com
