UK vs US Spelling as a Canadian Writer

Photo by Lara Jameson on Pexels.com Is it favourite or favorite? Traveller or traveler? As a Canadian writing for a (hopefully) global readership, do you choose to write with UK or US spelling when writing your manuscript? As a Canadian writer, I often find myself in a unique position. As a child in a commonwealth …

How to Write a Back-Cover Blurb

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com The back-cover blurb has many names: book blurb, blurb, flap copy, back-cover copy, jacket copy, and book description. Whatever the name, the blurb has one major purpose, to sell your book. It is a marketing tool designed to produce sales and is the first thing a potential buyer will read …

Creating Emotionally Rich Characters Through Trauma

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com Creating characters that resonate with readers can be difficult. As writers, we have the tendency to strive to design the perfect character. Like an artist at the potter’s wheel, we take a nondescript hunk of clay, and we mold, shape, and smooth it until we cultivate the traits, behaviours, …

Interview With Steven Salpeter, Literary Agent with Curtis Brown Ltd.

After finally finishing your book, you are ready to release your masterpiece to the world – preferably to high acclaim. Getting published can be a tricky business, so, what’s the next step?  Do you self-publish or go the traditional route? How do you create that perfect query letter and land an agent? How do you …