Tag Archive - James Scott Bell

Start the New Year Writing for Life

It’s a new year, and perhaps you’ve made some writing resolutions for 2013. Maybe you read through last month’s posts on strategic planning and you’ve set some practical goals for your writing career. If you are a writer who needs to write, wants to reach an audience with the stories you yearn to tell, and don’t see writing as just a passing hobby, then you might want to redefine yourself—if you have not thought of yourself yet as a “true” author.

“Clothes” Make the Writer

You don’t have to wait until you’ve been published or have sold thousands of copies of your books to think of yourself as an author. The sooner you see yourself as one and wear that hat, the better you will feel about your writing life. They say “clothes make the man.” In a sense, if you clothe yourself as a writer, you will not only “look” the part, those “clothes” will help adjust your mind-set and help you think like a professional writer. I’m not talking about real clothing, although maybe there is some form of dress that screams “writer.” But we put on a mind-set or attitude that bespeaks professionalism and dedication to our craft. Continue Reading…

5 Unbreakable Laws of Self-Publishing

I’ve been featuring guest bloggers who’ve had some success with self-publishing, in print and with ebooks. Some have been traditionally published and others have ventured out as indie authors. By having many authors writing in various genres around the world speak about the publishing experience and sharing helpful tips, hopefully their insights and suggestions will smooth out your road to success.

Today’s guest post is by my wonderful friend, author James Scott Bell:

Sometimes you get to be first at something, and this year it was my turn. I was the first author to have a self-published work nominated for an International Thriller Writers award. ITW allowed active members to submit stories that appeared first in digital. My novella, One More Lie, got nommed for the big prize. The other four nominees were from traditional venues. And while I didn’t come home with the trophy, I did have the pleasure of confirming once and for all that this is no longer an either/or publishing world. It is both/and and why-the-heck-not? Continue Reading…