When my thriller The Torah Codes gets a review, the reviewer almost always says the novel is a page-turner. One of my favorite reviews said, “the pages seem to turn themselves.” I use a specific method for coming up with a page-turning plot. Here is how I do it.
Being a writer isn’t easy! You are in front of the computer for hours typing away, creating amazing pieces for your audiences to read. I know there are moments where it can be frustrating and you can get writer’s block. Instead of stepping away from the piece you are creating, you may sit there staring at the screen, pulling your hair out and angry with yourself.
Do people truly change? Other than lightbulbs, I mean. People constantly change their superficial appearances—hair color, weight, corrective lenses, clothing styles—but do they, can they, change their fundamental behavior? This is your job as a writer to explore.
by Ezra Barany · Published March 21, 2012 · Last modified March 22, 2012
There are many different kinds of “one-sheets.” A one-sheet for reviewers and libraries can contain the contact’s name, a hook, some reasons why readers want your book, your book blurb, a call to action, reviews, and a bio. You’ll send the one-sheet to prospective reviewers and to librarians. Be sure to include the book’s genre and for reviewers a page count or word count.
When you step into your vision and begin running forward into your new self, life and your ego will create reasons to stop. Some of those things might be out of our hands and some are created by us, whether consciously or subconsciously. The resilient and purpose-driven author will continue forward despite setbacks to create the success they desire.
book marketing / Book Promotion / Book Reviews
by Ezra Barany · Published March 14, 2012 · Last modified March 20, 2012
I think it’s absurd that indie authors have to fight to get their books in libraries! Even if you’re a bestselling indie author, libraries won’t order a single copy of your book unless they get enough requests from their members. So what’s an indie author to do?
artist entrepreneur / Author Career
by Beth Barany · Published March 10, 2012 · Last modified March 9, 2012
I read a recent blog post about collectors who asked an artist to cut down a painting they bought from him because it was too big to fit over the couch. The artist’s snarky reply was to cut the legs off the couch. I expected a backlash, but to my surprise, the collectors followed the advice and liked the end result. (guest columnist, Aletta de Wal)
book marketing / Book Promotion / book sales / social media for authors
by Ezra Barany · Published March 7, 2012 · Last modified March 16, 2012
If you just take some time to learn the kinds of words your readers use and the issues your readers face daily, you’ll be able to get in rapport with them better and help them feel like you understand them.
book marketing / book sales / Creativity Tools and Tips / inspiration
by Ezra Barany · Published February 29, 2012 · Last modified February 28, 2012
My method for finding the right title is designed to help your fans-to-be discover your book. Recently, I’ve finished the draft to the sequel of my bestselling thriller The Torah Codes. Now I’m applying my method of finding the best title, and the system works so well that I’ve discovered all of my title ideas are bad titles!
It’s not what you think. No self-destructing, selfmedicationg, self-denial. Okay, a little…chocolate is okay. Make sure it’s 70% dark (Lindt, yum!) so you get the medicinal properties, too. Really, how do you deal with overwhelm as you navigate your busy indie author career? Well, I can only share with you what I do, what others suggest that I ignore, and things I’ve heard others say work for them.
book marketing / Book Promotion
by Beth Barany · Published February 26, 2012 · Last modified April 30, 2014
So you’ve taken the plunge and have decided to make your book free for the Kindle using the Kindle Select program. (See “How KDP Select Will Make You An Amazon Bestseller” about the Kindle Select program written by bestselling award-winning author, Ezra Barany.) Now comes time for promotions!
Welcome to my new weekly series on writing prompts to overcome writer’s block. More prompts and tools can be found in my Amazon bestseller, Overcome Writer’s Block, available on Kindle, Nook, and Smashwords. As Anne Lamott encourages us: Shitty first drafts welcome here. Goal: Write for 20 minutes without stopping to get the writing moving.
artist entrepreneur / Author Career
by Beth Barany · Published February 24, 2012 · Last modified February 23, 2012
Welcome to the monthly series on legal issues for authors to empower you, the artist entrepreneur. Today we focus on trademark protection for fictional characters from our monthly guest columnist, Kelley Way, a lawyer specializing in literary law and other aspects of law.
Welcome to the Writer’s Fun Zone and to the next installment of craft posts by new monthly guest columnist, Kay Keppler. Today she’ll share with us how to define your hero.
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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?
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