Million Dollar Writing

By avoiding these common pitfalls and mistakes, you can make sure your manuscript rises to the top of the slushpile Turn those rejections into acceptances-and contracts. "Dear Author, Your story does not meet our needs at this time..." You know your story is good, but still it was rejected. Over and over again. What are you doing wrong? Are the odds against you? How can an author climb to the top of a pile of competing manuscripts and actually catch an editor's attention?

International bestseller Anderson has created many extensive fictional universes, ranging from sweeping galactic empires to complex steampunk fantasies, to humorous monster-filled cities. He has become known for his skill in worldbuilding. In Worldbuilding: From Small Towns to Entire Universes he describes his techniques in creating a rich fictional setting, leading writers through the countless questions and topics one must consider. Whether it's geography, climate, politics, economics, society, religion, science, arts, or history, all of these ingredients form the basis for a believable setting for your story to unfold.

Two New York Times—bestselling authors use personal experiences to teach how to work with a writing partner and what problems you may encounter. In a creative project, are two heads better than one? Writing partnerships can produce a remarkable synergy, building on each other's talents to create work unlike anything the individual authors could do alone. On the other hand, unsuccessful collaboration can be disastrous and has ruined many a friendship. Kevin J. Anderson has worked on numerous novels and stories with dozens of collaborators, and many of those projects have become bestsellers and award winners. Rebecca Moesta has written books and stories with numerous other writers. In this in-depth book Anderson and Moesta describe various collaboration methods with frank recollections of their own experiences. You'll learn collaborative techniques that will suit any sort of writer, as well as the pitfalls you may encounter. Includes a sample collaboration agreement to adapt to your own needs.

Tired of being stuck in a chair behind a desk? Do you want to write more without sacrificing your health and sanity? Learn how you can get more written while Hiking or just going for a stroll Driving Watching your kids play at the park Taking a bath Multiple New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson has written 160 books-nearly fifteen million words!-most of them by dictating into a hand-held recorder while hiking. Award-winning novelist and short story writer Martin L. Shoemaker dictates chapters and stories while driving, turning his daily commute into a productive work session. These two die-hard "dictators," share their techniques and insights into how dictation can help you Improve your writing productivity Use otherwise lost time to brainstorm, plot, develop characters, write articles, and more Get inspired by leaving your confined office and getting a fresh perspective elsewhere Stay in shape while writing On Being a Dictator, part of the Million Dollar Writing Series, will help you think outside the box, consider a different writing method, and up your game in the fast-paced ever-changing world of publishing.

Since the 1990s, bestsellers Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta have helped thousands and thousands of writers to develop the mindset of career professionals. Million Dollar Professionalism for the Writer presents lessons learned from the authors' decades of experience in publishing. They offer advice on working with publishers, editors, booksellers, and fellow authors, and using persistence and reliability to find continued work in the industry. Their tips cover professional courtesy, building a network of colleagues, reading contracts, meeting deadlines (and the domino-effect consequences of missing them), dealing with critics, and how to earn and maintain a reputation as a true professional.

Life is crazy and hectic for most of us. We're surrounded with personal and family obligations, jobs, fitness programs, virtual mountains of email, not to mention videogames, TV, smartphones, social networking, and millions of things to check out on the web. With all those distractions, how does an aspiring author find time to write? And when you do find the time, how do you make the most of it? Award-winning and #1 international bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson is one of the most prolific authors in the business. He has published over 125 novels-an average of five novels a year, every year, for the past quarter century. Anderson has taught numerous writing seminars and lectured on productivity, and here he shares his tips on how to find the time to write, and how to make the most of that time.

The newest volume in the Million Dollar Writing series, Once More, With Feeling is a guide by New York Times Bestselling author Jody Lynn Nye to revising your finished manuscript. Nye goes point by point over the topics you should review when working toward a final draft of a new book. From narrative hook to resolution, with discussions of formatting, resources, and numerous examples of problem-solving, this volume should be by the elbow of any aspiring writer.

Steven L. Sears has had a successful career in film and television encompassing over thirty years of involvement at all levels. From his beginnings as a staff writer on the hit NBC show THE A-TEAM, to Co-Executive Producer on the hit series XENA-WARRIOR PRINCESS for MCA/Universal, creator and Executive Producer of SHEENA for Sony/TriStar Television, and many pilot and development deals with the major studios and production companies, he has amassed a huge amount of experience and knowledge about the inner workings of the entertainment industry. In THE NON-USER-FRIENDLY GUIDE FOR ASPIRING TELEVISION WRITERS, he shares that experience and gives advice for those considering a career in television writing. Instead of the traditional academic and sterile approach, Steven answers questions from a personal, first person perspective. The questions have been culled from the real world, people seeking out his advice and looking for the experience that most books don't have. Some of what he writes about are hard and difficult facts to accept about the business. Other times it's his opinion based on his vast experience. But all of it is unsweetened and direct. Even if you don't like his answers, he will certainly make you think hard about your approach and choices when pursuing a career in an extremely difficult Industry. As a result, you will be better prepared to achieve the success that he has had. His style is accessible, personable and relaxed. "It's like having lunch with Steven and asking him questions about the business. Without having to watch him eat."