Owning your process and still being open to learning from what others do to sustain productive creativity and aggressively refill the well. Some data on BookBub Featured Deals and release strategy, too. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wil…

An update on the release of RELUCTANT WIZARD and teasing the upcoming cover reveal! A bit on how traditional publishing works. Also thoughts on Taylor Swift, being a "real" Swiftie, and why I use her to teach voice. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy ti…

A round-up of the wonderful weekend at the Jack Williamson Lectureship, including connecting with other authors, sharing advice and stories, and how all of that refills the creative well. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) here https://www.wil…

A special podcast today with fabulous author of fantasy, science fiction, and horror: Kelly Robson! We talk about the definition of fantasy vs. other SFF genres, tone, theme, choosing subgenre, and the difference between writing novels and shorter works. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy ticke…

Shaking my cane today at the concept of being "yanked out of a book" by something or other and in particular by what someone thinks is "not fantasy language." Spoiler: there is no such thing as fantasy language and I'll tell you why. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy i…

Advice on how to understand and become a part of the writing and publishing ecosystem, including how to know who's giving good advice and a bit on understanding traditional publishing and the associated math. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025)…

April Fool's Day and the cruelest prank I ever witnessed, my favorite reader compliment to get, and how author ROI varies depending on short or long term. Also, Clifton Strengths, Becca Syme, and what I've learned about Connectedness. The blog post on ROI is here https://blog.jeffekennedy.com/2024/03/31/calculating-roi-and-accounting-for-the-intang…

I'm following up on the Thread I posted this week on the supposed "divide" between traditionally and self-published authors, how we're all in this business together, and why I think everyone will be hybrid eventually. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (Febru…

A rant today on author coaches and the predatory nature of scavengers who feed on creatives, prompted by a request I received to share my "query letter" for a "free database." So much no to these people! The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) here…

Some schooling today on business, things authors should really know, and arcania on how traditional publishing decides how to handle releases. Also, the "new" genre term Romantasy and why I think it came to be coined. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (Febru…

Saying goodbye to Stepdad Dave, my third father, and musings on life and death and choosing happiness. (An explanation of where I've been all this time.) Megan Mulry's business - Mulry Studio - is here https://www.mulrystudio.com/ The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in P…

How writing a novel is like building a road brick by brick, and how some days you're nose in the mortar and other days you lift your head to look. Also thoughts on revision, the 3-Act structure, story logic, and knowing whether you have brain juice or not. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tic…

On busy brain work, how I'm not yet done with the book, nice words from my editor on gatekeeping and letting people in, even nicer words from Maria Vale on NEVER THE ROSES, and the loneliness of caregiving. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) h…

Sharing the OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL super exciting news today on NEVER THE ROSES, the book I sold to Tor. I'm explaining the Publisher's Marketplace lingo, how foreign sales work, and why creatives can't be thick-skinned. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA The article I mention on Kumail Nanjiani is here https…

Some big news on the official title of the book that was Oneira and a release date! Also, a thing I bought because of Taylor Swift that has Changed My Life, and more on coping as a creative when people hate you/your work. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA The article I mention on Kumail Nanjiani is here h…

My Friday Freakout and how even experienced authors have emotional crises about their books, along with insight on shaken baby syndrome in books, how interruptions cause issues, and Longshot: an underrated movie. You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) here https://www.wildandwindybookevent.com/phoenix-authors Join my Patreo…

On Sheryl Sandberg's LEAN IN and great advice for women in business that's given me insight into my own writing career, including keeping my eye on long-term and 18-month goals, and why I don't love the heroine's journey. You can find a recording of our Beastly Books panel on the FaRoFeb Instagram account. You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Ph…

Happy (almost) Mardi Gras! I'm talking planning author finances over the longer term, offering some predictions on the rise and (inevitable, eventual) decline of Romantasy, and looking at the 10 year anniversary of THE MARK OF THE TALA. You can find a recording of our Beastly Books panel on the FaRoFeb Instagram account. You can buy tickets for Wil…

More foreign rights news, this time Russian! Also a fun panel on Romantasy tomorrow at Beastly Books and Instagram Live. And thoughts on influencing social media algorithms being the new superstition. You can find out about tomorrow's panel here https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GV5ORvtg3/ You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025)…

Fun news on covers and Italian rights - along with some info on how selling foreign rights works. Also, my recent experience with a published book contest and how negative comments can be devastating. You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) here https://www.wildandwindybookevent.com/phoenix-authors Join my Patreon and Discor…

A deep(ish) dive into my process today, to give an idea of how far down the intuitive writer spectrum I am. Also more on nuking the idea that slower = higher quality, and quieting the conscious mind to liberate the subconscious. The Thread I mention is here https://www.threads.net/@jeffekennedy2016/post/C2pXUZTLwq4 You can buy tickets for Wild & Wi…

The TWISTED MAGIC audiobook is live! Also sharing a call for authors influenced by Tanith Lee. And why I think classes teaching "plotting for pantsers" are damaging to intuitive writers, and other thoughts on process. Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesCloset You c…

Defining success, tips on how not to go crazy as a creator, why I think competition is bad for us, navigating toxic positivity, why being told "no," AKA rejection, is so very good for us, and thinking about career paths long term. Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/Jeffe…

A few thoughts today on marketing, newsletters, why you can be like Enya and not HAVE to do anything, why empty, supposedly "Inspirational" sayings annoy me, and some thoughts on Brotopia by Emily Chang. Brotopia by Emily Chang is here https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/547571/brotopia-by-emily-chang/ Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring…

A historical perspective today on the LKH bruhaha this week regarding self-publishing, including Gen X cane-shaking, salacious gossip, and insight into how profoundly the publishing landscape has changed in 30 years. Register for SFWA's HEA Quest here https://membership.sfwa.org/event-5461969 Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and…

Author branding for the long game, being original instead of trying to draft off of someone else's success, authors using gimmicks to get attention, and the audacity of a woman failing to laugh at a man's joke. Register for SFWA's HEA Quest here https://membership.sfwa.org/event-5461969 Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conve…

The TWISTED MAGIC audiobook is on its way! Also thoughts on reading subjectivity, how reading a book even a few years apart can totally change, sample bias, residual impacts of the pandemic, and writing the whole book. Register for SFWA's HEA Quest here https://membership.sfwa.org/event-5461969 Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, a…

On beauty standards, vanity, aging, skin-care, Botox, and choosing your author brand. I promise they're related! Also Indie authors going to Traditional Publishing and the pitfalls, and a cool data point on series drop-off. Register for SFWA's HEA Quest here https://membership.sfwa.org/event-5461969 Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coachi…

Some advice today for newbie writers on writing your first book, including the importance of finishing and keeping it simple. Also, different muscles we use for writing and how approaching a work with various strategies exercises them. Register for SFWA's HEA Quest here https://membership.sfwa.org/event-5461969 Join my Patreon and Discord for mento…

Happy New Year! I'm back from an (almost) unprecedented two-week break, talking about working smarter not harder really panned out in 2023 and a deep dive into author finances as a full-time writer. Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesCloset You can always buy print…

The new portmanteau term "Romantasy" being used for Fantasy Romance and Romantic Fantasy, my own personal history with writing cross-genre and being a crack ho, and how I got namechecked in a most validating way! The article in Publisher's Weekly on Romantasy is here: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/people/article/93980-p…

How do we feel about Alexander Skarsgård being cast as SecUnit in the upcoming Murderbot series? Also the advantages for creatives of working in a corporate environment and Taylor Swift: dedicated businesswoman. Sign up for FaRoAdvent here! https://farofeb.com/faroadvent/ Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me…

A theory I've been mulling on a major influence on series sell-through, but that might be even more difficult than most to quantify. Also, a bit on author taxes, a quasi-epiphany on my work plan for December and being good with scaling back. Sign up for FaRoAdvent here! https://farofeb.com/faroadvent/ Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coac…

The kerfuffle in the writing world this week-where an author created sockpuppet accounts to downvote other books and upvote her own-why writers aren't in competition and the key importance of friendship. Sign up for FaRoAdvent here! https://farofeb.com/faroadvent/ The XKCD comic is here https://xkcd.com/386/ Nyad is here https://www.imdb.com/title/…

Some pitfalls to watch for in contracts with traditional publishing and literary agencies. Also author finances and taxes, why owning your process doesn't mean loving it, and why experienced authors find it hard to teach. Sign up for FaRoAdvent here! https://farofeb.com/faroadvent/ Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversati…

Authors behaving badly to other authors - signs to watch for, recognizing serendipity, plus a great cautionary tale. Also different revision processes and a fun December reader event: FaRoAdvent! Sign up for FaRoAdvent here! https://farofeb.com/faroadvent/ Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at htt…

TWISTED MAGIC is done and coming tomorrow! Also, the ROGUE FAMILIAR audiobook is free on YouTube. I'm also talking gratitude for being alive and about my writing/publishing plans for the next year. Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesCloset You can always buy print …

Balancing the desire to strive for more and better against the need to recognize how far we've already come and having gratitude for what we've achieved. Also, the role of serendipity in any creative career. Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesCloset You can always …

Some thoughts on starting for the day and how initial wordcount can be slow. Also Anne McCaffrey, dubious and non-consent, and how insightfully she portrays an ossified, patriarchal society. And The Morning Show finale! Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesCloset You…

I'm back from my Hawaiian Hiatus with thoughts on writer's conferences, bar-conning, and what conferences serve writers best. Also my amazing trip up the Na Pali coastline which was truly transformative. You can find the boat tour I mention (and other, milder ones) here: https://www.napali.com/raft/snorkel/ Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring…

How the patriarchy affects book covers, what about book covers makes books sell and other variables with a direct correlation. Also, revision and how I know when it's time to stop drafting and start revising. The podcast I mention is here: The Minimum Viability Threshold (Why Some Books Don’t Sell) https://publishingrodeo.wordpress.com/2023/07/14/s…

Why do some tasks feel more difficult that others and what makes them easier all of a sudden? Also, reader events and my process for deciding which to attend. And a recommendation for a really great, data-filled podcast! The Faroween giveaway is here https://farofeb.com/giveaway/ The podcast I mention is here: The Minimum Viability Threshold (Why S…

Battling the proliferation of secondary characters, and why that's key to shorter works. Shipping Alex and Paul on The Morning Show and ruminations on love and unconditional support. The Faroween giveaway is here https://farofeb.com/giveaway/ The Morning Show is here https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7203552/ Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, c…

A great sci-fi movie you've never heard of (at least, I hadn't), why I'm shipping Alex and Paul on The Morning Show, ROGUE FAMILIAR audiobook is now wide, a fabulous giveaway, & giving my books as gifts. The Faroween giveaway is here https://farofeb.com/giveaway/ The shows I mention are: Edge of Tomorrow https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1631867/ Spy ht…

The wrong way to ask for blurbs, choosing POV for a given scene and how experienced authors should give ourselves credit for more complex approaches, and a bit on animal behavior and whether cats can tell time. Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesCloset ROGUE FAMILI…

Why being selfish is good, refilling the well, and other thoughts on the variety of people who listen to this podcast, why Cats & New Mexico Weather is a thing. Re-reading DEERSKIN and realizing not everything must move the plot forward. Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.co…

Yes, I saw the Taylor Swift concert movie last night! Loved. Thoughts on TS and voice. Also, a trick for coping with those inertia-filled tasks that forever slide down the To Do List and remembering we're not being graded. Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesCloset …

An important trick I've discovered to improve my focus, a bit of a rant on boy fantasy and the trope of soldier, priest, scholar, and female. Followed by a waxing on of how much I love WandaVision! Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesCloset ROGUE FAMILIAR out now! h…

My strong - possibly unpopular - opinions on people out there selling classes, advice, and coaching to authors. How writing isn't always fun when it's your actual job. And happy news on the flip side of piracy. Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesCloset ROGUE FAMILI…

More on building focus and improving our ability to concentrate by making small changes in our environment, such as leaving the smart phone in the other room, and changing reading habits. Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesCloset ROGUE FAMILIAR out now! https://jef…