I only get to help two or three writers a year develop their work, but nearly all the authors I help have a tale of editing woe. And it’s nearly always the same tale. They sent their book to a freelance fiction editor, but what they got back were basic spelling and grammar corrections thatContinue reading “Indie authors! Is your editor wasting your money?”
Category Archives: Writing Journal
Frank Herbert, legendary author of Dune, on the vital importance of story
Frank Herbert’s Dune is one of the most successful novels in history. A defining work of science fiction, Dune still outsells most new novels in the genre to this very day, almost 50 years after its publication. “What is “story”? It’s the quality that keeps the reader following the narrative.” While none of Herbert’s sequels,Continue reading “Frank Herbert, legendary author of Dune, on the vital importance of story”
Writing is the best therapy
Perhaps I overstate my case. If writing isn’t THE best therapy. It’s a very good one. And an excellent article at Harvard Business Review sheds some light on why. I am not alone in believing that writing can have a stress reducing and revelatory effect. A research psychologist at the University of Texas, James Pennebaker,Continue reading “Writing is the best therapy”
The teachings of Alan Watts animated by the makers of South Park
Yes, the creators of South Park have given many gifts to the world. Now they’ve turned their attention to Buddhism and Zen philosopher Alan Watts by animating a selection of his teachings, in their usually hilarious and irreverent style. It’s wonderful. Press play and enjoy. And match Watt’s spoken word with his written thoughts inContinue reading “The teachings of Alan Watts animated by the makers of South Park”
The shitty #vatmoss laws mirror our shitty piracy laws
If you haven’t encountered it already #VATMOSS refers to a bloody awful new law passed by the European Union on the taxation via VAT of digital goods – which includes things like ebooks and online courses. The aim of the law is to stop Amazon and other big digital retailers from running all their VATContinue reading “The shitty #vatmoss laws mirror our shitty piracy laws”
I interview B&N about their new Sync-Up initiative
DAMO: So tell me about Sync-Up!* B&N: Well, if a B&N customer buys a paperback book from us, they can now buy the ebook as well for $4.99! DAMO: But…isn’t that about what ebooks cost anyway? B&N: Actually the average ebook price is £3.99. DAMO: Er…so why not just buy the ebook the usual way? B&N:Continue reading “I interview B&N about their new Sync-Up initiative”
Branding for writers – just don’t
Nicola Griffith has an excellent and in depth post up about the balancing act between developing depth of craft as a writer, and branding the art that comes of craft. Branded. It’s a brutal word for a brutal practice: a label burnt into the hide without permission. On a cow a brand marks an animalContinue reading “Branding for writers – just don’t”
Why I support #ReaderGate
They want you to believe that #ReaderGate is evil. The Literery Elite want to tell you, that we, the silent majority of readers, yes readers who are the only reason the Literery Elite even get to be elite at al, who have been silent too long, are wrong. But I’m here to tell you not toContinue reading “Why I support #ReaderGate”
Are these words by Russell Brand baffling nonsense?
I just read a good humoured but frustrating interview with Russell Brand by Lucy Kellaway of the Financial Times. Every time Kellaway quotes anything Brand says, she follows up by calling it nonsense and saying she is baffled. This is a fairly common strategy in response to Brand, whose ideas draw a lot on spiritualContinue reading “Are these words by Russell Brand baffling nonsense?”
What do authors really look like?
A new guest post today from Ferdinand Page asks what, exactly, authors look like? Ferdinand lurked around doing everything to books except write them until the writer’s digestive tract kicked in. An urban fantasy, scripts and short stories are now poised, waiting to re-write the world. Read Ferdinand’s blog and follow @ferdinandpage * What do authors lookContinue reading “What do authors really look like?”
I have a copy of the magnificent Sci-Fi Chronicles to give away
One of the side projects I managed to slot in last year were some entries for the rather magnificent Sci-Fi Chronicles. I can now claim to have literally written the book on Gene Wolfe, Ray Bradbury, Ursula K Le Guin and a bunch of other SF novelists. The Sci-Fi Chronicle is a visually sumptuous book,Continue reading “I have a copy of the magnificent Sci-Fi Chronicles to give away”
Brene Brown’s 10 guideposts for wholehearted living
Brene Browne is a scientist of human stories. As an academic and researcher she has interviewed thousands of people about their life experiences, and from this data she draws insights about human behaviour and emotions. In 2012 she became famous for her research on shame – the powerful emotion that leads us to “close down”,Continue reading “Brene Brown’s 10 guideposts for wholehearted living”
Damien Walter 