Author Archives: Jill Swenson

The Four Bs to Be: Social Media for Authors

The Four Bs to Be: Social Media for Authors

Social media marketing of books is an extension of the tried and true method of word-of-mouth advertising. Reviews and personal recommendations have historically  played a more fundamental role in a reader’s decision of what book to read than traditional advertising. Today friends and family share what they are reading on Facebook, GoodReads, Twitter. What technologyContinue Reading

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Interview with Cathryn J Prince, author of Death in the Baltic

Interview with Cathryn J Prince, author of Death in the Baltic

Jill Swenson: Cathryn Prince, this is your fourth book of historical non-fiction. Death in the Baltic: The World War II Sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff is a featured selection for the Military History Book Club this spring, advance reviews are positive and Amazon sales rankings impressive.. How does your experience working towards publication on this fourth bookContinue Reading

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What’s the premise of your book?

When you write a book, it needs to be about something. When someone asks what your book is about, how do respond? Do you stumble over your words trying to describe your book? Time to pin down your premise. Premise: The central idea, situation, or set-up which provides the foundation and pushes the narrative forward.Continue Reading

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In Search of Structure: Finding Your Non-Fiction Narrative Arc

Do you have a non-fiction work-in-progress? Are you in search of structure to your manuscript? The organization and order of information in a non-fiction book is every bit as important as plot is to fiction. Immersing yourself in the subject matter is no guarantee that the structure of a book will reveal itself as self-evident.Continue Reading

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Writing the First Draft of Your Book Manuscript

Writing the First Draft of Your Book Manuscript

“Every first draft is perfect,” wrote Jane Smiley, “because all a first draft has to do is exist.” Her words soothe like balm on a writer’s spirit. This simple truth about the process of writing a book is that every author starts with a first draft. Smiley’s words carry the weight of wisdom since herContinue Reading

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