books

Learn from the greats: reading recommendations!

Books are, no surprise, my favorite things to talk about, and I get asked for recommendations all of the time. There are some books that are just plain enjoyable, some that are examples of everything you SHOULDN'T do as an author, and then some who have particular strengths. I've started a reading section on the Turn the Page website, but I will start sharing some of those recommendations here.

This week, let's talk about BOOKS WITH AN INCREDIBLE SENSE OF PLACE.

In addition to great stories and themes, these books all transport the reader into the books’ worlds. You can see, hear, smell, feel, even taste alongside the characters – the level of detail is intoxicating, but not overwhelming. Regardless of what type of book you are writing, you want to transport your readers, too – and these books can provide some inspiration in doing so:

The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli

Three photographers are brought together during the fall of Saigon: Helen Adams, an ambitious ingenue; Linh, a local who is torn between his homeland and his burgeoning feelings; and Sam Darrow, who is addicted to the danger of his job – and Helen, too. This is a gripping, emotional read.

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9780312674441

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VT3d4r

Tangerine by Christine Mangan

A juicy, suspenseful melodrama, this is set in Tangier and Morocco in the 1950s. Upon arriving in northern Africa, Alice Shipley is surprised to see childhood friend Lucy Mason. Once inseparable, they have not spoken in quite some time. The two friends reunite, but soon Alice begins to feel stifled by Lucy. When John, Alice’s husband, goes missing, she begins to question everything, even her own state of mind.

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9780062686695

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Csa11R

The Dry by Jane Harper

One of my favorite books (and authors) in the last five years, this is a mystery set in a small town in Australia. When Federal Agent Aaron Falk returns home for his childhood friend’s funeral, he learns that there is more this apparent murder-suicide than meets the eye. As he investigates, and goes up against hostile locals and a hostile environment, he is forced to confront his past.

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9781250105622

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Qnc25f


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Let’s talk about the P-word

Let’s talk about the P-word

I’ve got to be honest with you – the vast majority of the authors I meet have no interest in building their platform. They will resist delving into that world with every fiber of their being. I’m going to be honest again – I get it. I do. I am an introvert, and a writer myself, and nothing makes me happier than helping people from the privacy of my own office, doors closed, camera off, comfort food close at hand.

Let’s talk about book proposals: your sample chapter

Let’s talk about book proposals: your sample chapter

We’re at the tail end of our series on book proposals! So far we’ve talked about the five main parts of the book proposal - the Overview, the Author’s Bio, the Competitive Analysis, the Marketing Plan and the Chapter Summary. So, what do you need to know about choosing your sample chapter? Let’s get into it. First of all, it’s always a good idea to include your first chapter/introduction, as well as a later chapter. If you’re writing a self-help or guidebook, you want to make sure that one of the chapters is prescriptive – this is where you’re teaching them something, or detailing a particular step they need to take.

Let’s talk about book proposals: the Chapter Summaries

Let’s talk about book proposals: the Chapter Summaries

The Chapter Summaries section is basically an annotated outline of the structure of your book. The point of the Chapter Summary section is to give the editor an idea of your content and your method of presenting that information, AND to make sure you are organized and know what you are writing about. Most books are around 60,000 words, and most have 12 chapters (each chapter is usually about 5,000 words long, including 2,000 words in stories/anecdotes/case studies).

Maybe it's time we get to know each other...

Maybe it's time we get to know each other...

My career has been a bit of an adventure, beginning in the entertainment industry before finding my home in the world of publishing. After working in business and legal affairs in television and film production, I realized I needed to follow a new path. I had already been editing book and script projects, so publishing felt like the logical next path – a path I’m so glad that I took.