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BBC News is reporting that Rushdie, famous for his book The Satanic Verses, has warned that free expression is under threat. He delivered his remarks in a video address at the British Book Awards. Nine months after he was was stabbed on stage, acclaimed author Salman Rushdie in a rare […]

Salman Rushdie warns free expression is under threat

16th May 2023 in Uncategorised tagged British Book Awards / free expression / Salman Rushdie by Matthew Brown

bionic hand and human hand finger pointing — Recently I grilled ChatGPT about what it would take to be a full-time author and writer in the UK. A lot of what the AI said was common sense. It sounded right although you should probably do your own homework as ChatGPT is very good at being confidently wrong. My […]

Everything you need to know about being a UK author ...

8th May 2023 in Advice tagged Author Platform / blogging / ChatGPT / demographics / guide / hard work / ideas / networking / questions / readers / sell more books / social media / success / technology by Matthew Brown

man in white shirt using macbook pro — Hey, y’all! My name is Jason, and I’m a new writer who’s still trying to figure things out. I’ve been a member of this community for a little while now, and I’ve learned so much from all of you. But today, I wanted to talk about the struggles that new […]

The Struggles of a Newbie Writer

29th April 2023 in Author Theory tagged struggle / Writing by Jason Latnar

As you work to expand your platform consider hosting a book club or reading group. This allows you to not only make friends with like-minded people but foster deep relationships with potential readers. Hosting a reading group is a reliable way to connect with readers and promote your book to […]

Author’s platform tip: Book clubs and reading groups

29th April 2023 in Platform Building Prompts tagged beta readers / book club / reading group by Matthew Brown

crop man taking notes in copybook in dark home office — As an editor for a publishing house that specializes in genre fiction, I have had the privilege of working with many talented writers over the years. From my experience, here are some tips and advice for new writers hoping to be published. Read widely One of the best ways to […]

Tips for writers hoping to be published

28th April 2023 in Advice tagged networking / publishers / writing life by Guest Writer

Speaking at local events, such as book clubs, libraries, or literary festivals, is a great way to connect with readers and promote your work. Local event organisers often need speakers to fill out their programs. A volunteer speaker (you) might be exactly what they are looking for. How to find […]

Platform building: If you can, speak at local events

1st April 2023 in Platform Building Prompts tagged events / public speaker / sell more books / speaker kit / speaking by Matthew Brown

business card VIP — Do not overlook the benefits of attending writing conferences and events. Writing conferences and events are great opportunities to network with other writers, learn from industry experts, and promote your work. When you go, make sure you come prepared with business cards, bookmarks, or other promotional materials. Business cards are […]

Platform Building: Attend writing conferences and events

18th March 2023 in Platform Building Prompts tagged business cards / conferences / events by Matthew Brown

serious ethnic young woman using laptop at home — When you don’t have anything to sell to your email list, there are still several ways you can engage with your subscribers and provide value to them. Share Your Writing Journey As an author, your subscribers may be interested in your writing process and the journey you take to create […]

What to do when you don’t have anything to sell ...

15th March 2023 in Publicity tagged email list by Guest Writer

Building a platform takes time and effort. Be patient and persistent, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks or slow progress. Keep focusing on providing value to your readers and building your brand, and success will follow.

Platform building tip: Be patient and persistent

11th March 2023 in Platform Building Prompts tagged persistence / slow and steady by Guest Writer

Being a British author means having access to a vibrant publishing industry, with a wide range of UK publishers offering opportunities for writers to share their work. From traditional publishers such as Penguin Random House and Bloomsbury to independent presses like Jacaranda Books and Influx Press. While there is a […]

British publishing and diversity in UK authors

8th March 2023 in Opinion tagged Andrea Levy / Bernardine Evaristo / Bloomsbury / Eurocentric / Influx Press / Jacaranda Books / Nikesh Shukla / Penguin Random House / UK literary scene / underrepresented voices / writers of colour / Zadie Smith by Arves Corral

One way to generate engagement on social media is to ask interesting and fun questions. They do not have to be serious questions but they do have to be enjoyable to engage with. For example, a fantasy fiction writer might ask, “if you were transported to the shire on a […]

Platform building: Ask fun questions

4th March 2023 in Platform Building Prompts tagged fun / questions by Matthew Brown