by Beth Barany · Published September 14, 2012 · Last modified September 20, 2012
Welcome to Artist Entrepreneur Fridays, where we talk about the fun, wild and scary ride of succeeding as an artist entrepreneur of all stripes and types and mediums. Welcome back guest columnist, Aletta de Wal. She...
Welcome to a guest post from acquisitions editor for Damnation Books and Eternal Press and author, Erin Lale. Her latest book is How to Turn Your Fan Fiction into a Novel. *** Reading the slush pile for...
Author Career / Author Entrepreneur / book marketing / Book Promotion / business of writing
by Beth Barany · Published September 12, 2012 · Last modified July 10, 2013
In my last post, I revealed how I thought the reason E.L. James’ 50 Shades of Grey became so popular was because of the tie on the cover. Women all around the world were reading what they thought would be a light romance and instead practically fainted from the shock of reading about bondage, dominance, and sadism. Where else have we seen that? I’d say The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Author Career / Author Interviews
by Beth Barany · Published September 10, 2012 · Last modified January 10, 2025
Monday, September 10, 2012, 1pm PST. Interview on Red River Radio with Dellani Oakes for Dellani’s Tea Time along with author Jim Beuhler. You can call in to speak with the host (646) 595-4478 or chat...
Twitter for Authors / Writing Tips
by Beth Barany · Published September 8, 2012 · Last modified February 14, 2014
What if you could share what you write in one sentence and immediately know if your listener was curious, or not, about what you write?
Author Career / book marketing / Book Promotion / book sales / business of writing / Guest Columnists / Writing Tips
by Beth Barany · Published September 7, 2012 · Last modified July 10, 2013
I’ve heard a lot of erotica writers say, “I don’t get it! Why is 50 Shades of Grey so Popular?” Many of us get our panties in a bunch, jealous that someone else’s first-time work of erotica can be a national bestseller. The truth is, what Erika Leonard, aka E.L. James, did can be a guide for all of us fiction authors, and you, too, can become a bestselling author.
Setting should never be an afterthought in your story planning. Where you place your characters—and how you describe their geography, time period, and other setting elements—can expand or clarify themes, build story unity, tighten plot structure, intensify suspense, motivate and explain character, and intensify reader involvement.
Have you ever seen someone roll her eyes so much they pop out? Me neither, but that would be a great premise for a horror story, wouldn’t it? Unfortunately I’m much more likely to receive a story labeled horror in my slush pile that is fan fiction based on the 20 year old quickly-canceled TV show spin-off of the role playing game Vampire: The Masquerade.
In Parts 1 and 2, we covered defamation and privacy rights, and how they applied to literary law. Today we turn to the right of publicity, which is a favorite among celebrities.
Enjoy this Skype interview I did in May 2012 with Laura Howard. “My guest is author entrepreneur Beth Barany. Beth started her career helping writers get there message out into the world. As a certified Creativity Coach, she has a passion for helping authors build successful careers. She teaches through speaking, coaching and consulting with authors.
Knowing your creative process, and knowing what stage you’re in, helps you be a better artist — by adding more awareness and understanding to your life.
Author Entrepreneur Magazine, August 2012 is out! This free online magazine is dedicated to helping authors create successful and sustainable careers.
We love villains in literature. WE want to spend time with the antagonist. We like the hero to have a good challenge, but it’s more than that. For good to triumph, it has to contrast with something. We can’t know what’s right till we see what’s wrong.
Author Career / Author Entrepreneur / book marketing / Book Promotion / book sales
by Ezra Barany · Published August 15, 2012
Has this happened to you? You’re chatting about your book on Amazon and they react to the word “Amazon” as though you mentioned the Devil. They want to ban Amazon. Well I’d rather ban indie bookstores before banning Amazon.
Subscribe here to get notified each time we publish a post.
Welcome to the Writer’s Fun Zone, a blog for creative writers by Beth Barany, fiction writing teacher and novelist.
Articles by creative writers like you.
Check out the How To Write The Future podcast.
Subscribe to Writer's Fun Zone blog for resources, inspiration, and free resources:
Get these goodies:BONUS
As a bonus, you will also be subscribed to the CreativitySparks (tm) newsletter, full of tips and tools for novelists building a successful career. (Sent 1-2 times per week) By Beth Barany, Editor and Publisher of the Writer's Fun Zone, and a Creativity Coaching for Writers, and a novelist herself.
Beth Barany helps authors get their books completed and out into the world, into the hands of their readers.
Creativity Coach for Writers, NLP Master Practitioner, and Master Teacher, Beth Barany has been there and knows how hard it can be to take your idea and turn it into a real book, that people will actually be interested, and even yearning, to read.
She walks the talk, as her clients like to say. She is the author of the 2012 award-winning young adult fantasy novel Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, as well as the author of the bestselling nonfiction books for authors and aspiring authors.
Ready to finish your book but not sure how?
Hire Beth to help you or take a class at Barany School of Fiction. Or join her Group Coaching Program.
Still have questions? Email Beth.
Recent Comments