Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your First Business Book

Are you an expert in your field, eager to share your knowledge and insights with a wider audience? Have you always dreamt of writing a business book but didn’t know where to start? Look no further! This comprehensive step-by-step guide will provide you with the roadmap you need to transform your expertise into print. From determining your book’s premise and outlining its structure to navigating the complexities of publishing and promotion, this guide covers every essential aspect … Read more

The “Would” Problem: When Conditional Verbs Weaken Storytelling

One small word can quietly drain energy from a memoir: would. Writers of fiction and nonfiction often use would when describing past experiences, but the word frequently creates distance between the reader and the action. Instead of stating what happened, the sentence shifts into a conditional or habitual structure that weakens the verb. Consider this example: Pinocchio would lie whenever he was afraid. This sentence summarizes behavior rather than showing it. Now compare it to … Read more

Stop Separating Description and Dialogue: Let Beats Do the Work

One of the fastest ways to weaken a scene is to split dialogue and description into separate paragraphs when they belong together. Writers often think they’re adding depth by spacing things out. In reality, they’re diluting momentum, repeating information, and—worse—introducing POV problems the reader can feel even if they can’t name. Let’s talk about how dialogue beats work, and why combining dialogue and description often makes scenes tighter, clearer, and more immersive. The Problem: Fragmented … Read more

Mastering Research Techniques: Effective Methods for Gathering Accurate Information and Sources

In the world of nonfiction writing, thorough research is the cornerstone of credibility and depth. Whether you’re writing a biography, a historical account, or a business book, mastering research techniques is essential. Here we will explore effective methods for gathering accurate information and sources, including the use of archives, libraries, and digital resources to enrich your nonfiction work. Understanding the Importance of Research Before diving into specific techniques, it’s important to understand why meticulous research … Read more

How to Standardize the Punctuation in a Manuscript Before Submitting or Formatting Your Book

In a previous post, I showed you how to Remove The Extra Sections, Breaks, and Spaces Before Submitting or Formatting Your Book. This is not the only messy situation you might encounter in your manuscript. Your punctuation can be just as inconsistent, which causes major issues when formatting your book. Plus, your book looks sloppy, and sloppy books get bad reviews. Below is an example of inconsistent punctuation. Forgive my pathetic use of ellipsis and … Read more

Stop “Beginning to Do” Things: Why -ING Verbs Weaken Your Writing

If your sentences are constantly “beginning,” “starting,” or “continuing” to do something, I’ve got bad news: your writing is dragging its feet. Even worse, it’s announcing that it’s dragging its feet. Phrases like: are some of the most common culprits in weak, flabby writing. They don’t add meaning. They delay action. And they quietly drain energy from your sentences. Let’s talk about why this happens—and how to fix it. The Real Problem Isn’t -ING. It’s … Read more

Two New Pinterest Accounts, Two Very Different Creative Worlds

If you’ve followed my work for a while, you already know I don’t fit neatly into one creative box. I write children’s books and horror comedy. I design clean nonfiction book covers and create unsettling horror collages. I help authors polish manuscripts—and then I turn around and make art with creepy dolls, ravens, and blood splatter. Because of that, I recently launched two separate Pinterest accounts, each representing a very different creative persona. This wasn’t … Read more

Backward Thinking (and the One That Escaped the Floor)

Every once in a while, I step away from faces and let the rest of the body take over. This was one of those moments. These two pieces came out of the same session—same mindset, same flow, same refusal to behave. One became Backward Thinking. The other… just kind of slid off into existence as a body stretched out on the ground like it gave up halfway through making sense. Backward Thinking This one is … Read more

Navigating the World of Business Book Publishing

In the ever-changing landscape of the publishing industry, understanding the intricacies of the book business is crucial for authors, publishers, and marketers. But with so many options and factors to consider, how do you navigate the multifaceted world of business book publishing? How do you ensure your book reaches its intended audience and stands out in a crowded market? Introducing the Concept Map of the Book Business, a visual overview of the key components that drive the creation, … Read more

The Problem with “Seemed” Sentences

Words like seemed, appeared, and phrases such as seemed like often weaken a sentence by introducing uncertainty where the writer could state the idea directly. These words act as filters between the reader and the moment being described. Instead of presenting the experience clearly, the sentence suggests that the narrator is interpreting or guessing. Consider this example from the world of Pinocchio: It seemed like Geppetto was disappointed. Now compare it to a more direct … Read more

Manuscripts Are A Dirty Business: Remove The Extra Sections, Breaks, and Spaces Before Submitting or Formatting Your Book

Let’s face facts. It’s hard enough to write a book, let alone keep the manuscript file clean. Eventually you find yourself with an edited book that you want to submit to agents or self-publish, but there’s all kinds of extra line breaks, spaces, tabs and other inconsistencies that make your manuscript look like a giant mess. Sure, you can turn it over to a book formatter, but the up front work to clean up the … Read more

Say What It Is, Not What It Isn’t

One subtle habit that weakens prose is describing something by what it isn’t rather than stating what it is. Writers often do this without realizing it. Sentences slip into constructions using not, didn’t, wasn’t, or similar negatives. While these sentences may technically communicate the idea, they force the reader to mentally process the opposite of what the writer actually means. Clear writing moves forward. Negative constructions make the reader take a detour. Consider the difference: … Read more

Breaking the Repetition Trap: When Every Sentence Starts the Same

Memoir and personal nonfiction naturally rely on first-person narration, but that doesn’t mean every sentence should begin with “I.” One of the most common structural problems in early drafts is the repeated use of sentence openings like I didn’t, I remember, or I felt. When this pattern appears several times in a row, the prose becomes predictable and the emotional impact weakens. Readers don’t consciously analyze sentence structure, but their brains quickly recognize repetition. When … Read more

Angels Dark & Dumb: The Holiday Gifts from Hell (That’ll Make You Laugh While You Burn)

If your holiday shopping list includes at least one person who prefers their cheer with a dash of chaos, sarcasm, and infernal misbehavior, then the Angels Dark and Dumb series is the perfect gift. Forget the cozy Christmas romances—these books deliver slapstick demon hunts, accidental heroism, and a truly impressive amount of bad decisions. This dark comedic urban fantasy saga follows the reluctant, perpetually-in-over-his-head Barry Frost as he battles demons, fallen angels, celestial politics, and … Read more

Unlocking Your Book’s Potential: Simple Marketing Steps for Non-Fiction Authors

In this article, we will guide non-fiction authors on the steps they can take to effectively market their business book. From self-publishing tips to cost-effective book marketing strategies, we will provide you with the tools and techniques to increase book sales and promote your book to the right target audience. Key Takeaways: Understanding Your Target Audience Before diving into marketing your business book, it’s crucial to understand your target audience. Identifying who would benefit from … Read more

Discover the Wonderfully Twisted Worlds of Michele Emmy

If you love fantasy with heart, wit, and that sly thread of absurdity only a master storyteller can pull off, then Michele Emmy belongs at the top of your reading list. A Clarion graduate and Colorado Gold Fantasy Award winner, Michele builds magical worlds filled with relatable chaos, flawed heroes, and creatures both delightful and diabolical. Her books are clever, compassionate, and always beautifully human. When she’s not wrangling imaginary realms or dreaming up unexpected … Read more

Beyond the Book: Maximizing Impact

Now that you’ve got the blueprint for turning your business book into a growth engine from our previous post, let’s talk about what comes next. It’s not just about having a book out there; it’s about leveraging it to its fullest potential. Turn Readers into Clients Think of your book as the ultimate business card. It’s more than just a way to share your knowledge; it’s a tool to convert readers into clients. Include calls … Read more

Graphite, Grit, and a Bit of Obsession

Every artist has that one medium they keep crawling back to like a comfortable bad habit. For me, it’s pencil. Not flashy. Not trendy. Just graphite, pressure, patience—and a borderline unhealthy attention to detail. These three pieces span years of work, from high school all the way to more recent explorations, and they show exactly why I’ve never been able to quit this medium. Each one uses a completely different approach, but they all come … Read more

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