Joanna, Ellen, me, Colin, Lydia, Ben’s Deli, 2014. Baby Felix is not in the picture but he was attached to Joanna. Eugene is not in the picture because he was taking it.

These are chaotic times. Perhaps in an attempt to impose order on the world’s mess, several people I know are decluttering their homes. (This is distinct from cleaning, though that is often required when the removal of clutter reveals a warren of dust bunnies.) It was in that spirit that I started Marie Kondo-izing my […]

Editing is essential to establishing the credibility of any book, fiction and non-fiction, self-published or traditionally published. Here’s a basic look at the process, including a definition of terms.

It’s hard to read the expressions on the faces of mask wearers, but I knew the two women walking together on the opposite side of the street were smiling at me and my dog: We’ve had plenty of pre-coronavirus encounters that involved friendly salutations. Also, it’s tough to resist smiling at Madeleine, a little white […]

A few years and several lifetimes ago, I put together a book tour that involved my dog, Madeleine. I’m going to talk about the logistics of its creation in a teleseminar on “How to Host Your Own Book Tour” for the Nonfiction Authors Association on Wednesday, April 1, 10am PT, 1pm ET. You’re talking about […]

It’s summer — the perfect time to read Getting Naked for Money: An Accidental Travel Writer Reveals All. This excerpt from my memoir–plus bonus text about my worst job interview, ever–is a teaser. Is Travel Writing Real Writing? I had writer’s block before I ever became a writer. By the time I was 25, I […]