Say Yes to the Mess: A Meta Story

Say Yes to the Mess: A Meta Story

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 […]

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The Importance of Being Edited

The Importance of Being Edited

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.

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Coronavirus Confessions of a Surly Wench & Slattern

Coronavirus Confessions of a Surly Wench & Slattern

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 […]

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The Author & Her Dog Book Tour: A Teleseminar

The Author & Her Dog Book Tour: A Teleseminar

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 […]

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How I Accidentally Became a Travel Writer

How I Accidentally Became a Travel Writer

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 […]

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My Year of Family, Freud & Frommer’s

My Year of Family, Freud & Frommer’s

It’s been quite the year for new old things, including family history, travel publishing history, and European history. Last June, I went to London to a family reunion and to Vienna to see the unveiling of a Freud statue that was supposed to have been installed in 1936. Last August, I went to San Antonio […]

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Food Writing 101

Food Writing 101

In preparation for teaching a food writing class, I asked several experts for their input. Boy, did I get some great suggestions, many of them posted here.

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Media Mail & Other Weighty Matters

Media Mail & Other Weighty Matters

I spend a lot of time in the US Post Office these days, especially sending media mail with press releases. Who knew I was breaking the law?

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The Complete Shirker’s Guide to Book Marketing

The Complete Shirker’s Guide to Book Marketing

All book marketing is supposed to be done *before* publication, right? Not so! There’s plenty of time to get the word out. Remember, It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

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Twin Cities Book Tour, Nits & Ticks

Twin Cities Book Tour, Nits & Ticks

My summer book tour concludes with two readings in the Twin Cities: St. Paul on July 7, 7pm at SubText, Minneapolis on July 13, 7pm, at Magers & Quinn. Madeleine will be taking a well-deserved break from spokesdog duties.

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What’s On Your Business Card? The 3 Faces of Edie

What’s On Your Business Card? The 3 Faces of Edie

I contain multitudes. So said Walt Whitman. So showed one of my odder business cards. What can I say? It’s hard for me to pass up a good pun and the extremely talented Laura E. Kelley is my enabler, in this and other endeavors. The card it’s still more-or-less accurate in that it reflects the main divisions […]

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Memoir March: All Dogs Go to Kevin by Dr. Jessica Vogelsang

Memoir March: All Dogs Go to Kevin by Dr. Jessica Vogelsang

Outlining a narrative arc and creating composite characters helped make the memoir of veterinarian Jessica Vogelsang a success.

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