A Brief History of Why Poetry Matters

“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings,” William Wordsworth once beautifully articulated. This encapsulates the essence of poetry’s profound impact on human emotion and thought. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, poetry remains a vital force, offering a sanctuary for expression, reflection, and connection. 

This blog post delves into the multifaceted importance of poetry, unraveling its historical roots and exploring its enduring relevance in our lives. Whether it’s the lyrical rhythm that captures our heart or the powerful imagery that provokes thought, poetry has an unparalleled ability to resonate deeply with individuals across various cultures and times. Additionally, for those inspired to embark on their poetic journey, we will touch upon ‘how to write a poem‘, guiding aspiring poets to discover their voice in this timeless art form. Join us as we explore why poetry, with its nuanced beauty and depth, continues to be an indispensable thread in the tapestry of human expression.

The Historical Significance of Poetry

Tracing back to ancient civilizations, poetry has been more than mere art; it has served as the heartbeat of cultural and historical narratives. In ancient Greece, epics like Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey” were not just stories; they were poetic chronicles, preserving history and societal values in rhythmic cadences. Similarly, in medieval times, poetry was a revered form of storytelling, often intertwined with music and performed publicly. This oral tradition enabled stories and lessons to be passed down through generations, long before the widespread availability of written texts. As we journey through different eras, poetry evolved, reflecting the changing landscapes of societies. It became a tool not just for storytelling, but for personal expression and political commentary. This transformation highlights poetry’s adaptability and its profound impact on human culture, making it as relevant today as it was in ancient times. The historical significance of poetry is a testament to its power in shaping, reflecting, and transcending human experiences.

Emotional and Psychological Benefits of Poetry

The realm of poetry extends far beyond its literary merit, serving as a powerful catalyst for emotional and psychological well-being. For readers, poetry offers a unique form of solace and understanding, creating a space where emotions can be both explored and validated. The rhythmic and often metaphorical nature of poetry allows for a deeper emotional connection, enabling readers to resonate with the experiences and feelings conveyed in the verses. This emotional resonance can foster a sense of comfort and companionship, particularly during times of solitude or distress.

From a writer’s perspective, poetry is a profound tool for self-expression and introspection. It provides a creative outlet for articulating thoughts and feelings that might be difficult to express in everyday language. The act of writing poetry can be therapeutic, offering a sense of release and clarity. Many people find writing poetry to be a cathartic process, helping them to process and make sense of their internal emotional landscapes.

Furthermore, studies in the field of psychology have highlighted the therapeutic potential of poetry. Engaging with poetry has been found to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression, promoting overall mental well-being. Some therapeutic practices even incorporate poetry as a form of expressive therapy, recognizing its ability to aid in emotional healing and personal growth. This intersection of poetry with mental health underscores its significance as a tool for emotional resilience and psychological healing.

Cultural and Social Impact of Poetry

Poetry’s influence extends into the cultural and social fabric of societies, serving as both a reflection of and a catalyst for change. Its ability to distill complex emotions and experiences into concise, impactful verses has often made poetry a voice for the voiceless, providing a platform for marginalized communities to express their narratives. Poets like Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou, for instance, have used their words to highlight issues of racial inequality and social injustice, influencing generations and sparking crucial conversations.

In many cultures, poetry is integral to national identity and heritage. It captures the essence of a people’s history, struggles, and triumphs, often becoming synonymous with their collective memory. Traditional poems, passed down through generations, keep languages and customs alive, fostering a sense of unity and belonging.

On a broader scale, poetry transcends geographical and linguistic boundaries, building bridges between disparate communities. International poetry movements and translations have facilitated cross-cultural understanding and empathy, revealing the shared human experiences that bind us all. This universal language of emotion and thought, expressed through poetry, has the power to unite people across different cultures in a shared experience of humanity.

Moreover, contemporary poets continue to shape societal perspectives, using digital platforms to reach wider audiences. Their work often addresses current global issues, from environmental concerns to mental health awareness, demonstrating poetry’s ongoing relevance in initiating social discourse and change. Thus, poetry not only mirrors society but also has the power to mold it, making it a vital, dynamic force in cultural and social evolution.

‘How to Write a Poem’: A Beginner’s Guide

Writing poetry is a journey of self-expression and discovery, accessible to anyone willing to explore their creative instincts. To begin, immerse yourself in the world of poetry. Read a wide array of poems to understand different styles, from classic sonnets to contemporary free verse. This will help you find your own voice and understand the endless possibilities that poetry offers.

Start by observing the world around you. Inspiration can strike from the simplest moments—nature, urban landscapes, personal experiences, or even overheard conversations. Write down your thoughts and feelings, no matter how disjointed they may seem at first. The beauty of poetry lies in its ability to transform the ordinary into something profound.

Experiment with different poetic forms. Try writing a haiku for its brevity and structure, or a free verse for its flexibility. Playing with rhyme, meter, and rhythm can also add unique layers to your poetry. Don’t be afraid to bend the rules and use poetic devices like metaphors, similes, and alliteration to bring your words to life.

Most importantly, write from the heart. Poetry is deeply personal, and your unique perspective is what will make your work resonate with others. Remember, the goal is not perfection but expression. Keep practicing, be open to feedback, and enjoy the process of crafting your own poetic voice.

The Future of Poetry

As we look ahead, the future of poetry is poised for exciting evolution, driven by digital innovation and global connectivity. The rise of social media and online platforms has democratized poetry, enabling poets to share their work with a vast, global audience instantaneously. This digital era has given birth to new forms and styles, making poetry more accessible and diverse. Interactive and multimedia poetry, combining text with visual and auditory elements, is gaining popularity, broadening the scope of how poetry is experienced. The essence of poetry, as a powerful form of human expression, remains constant, but its mediums and reach are ever-expanding, promising a vibrant and inclusive future for this timeless art.

In conclusion, poetry is much more than just words on a page; it’s a vital part of our cultural tapestry, offering profound insights into the human experience. From its historical roots to its modern-day impact, poetry continues to be a powerful medium for emotional expression, cultural reflection, and social commentary. As we have explored, anyone can embark on the rewarding journey of writing poetry, finding their unique voice in this versatile art form. As poetry evolves with technology, its essence remains timeless, continually enriching our lives. We encourage you to embrace poetry, whether as a reader or writer, and experience its transformative power firsthand.

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Beyond the Cover – An Introduction to Effective Interior Book Design

If you’re a self-published writer, you understand the power of a great cover design for your book. The cover design grabs the prospective readers’ attention. The adage “a picture says a thousand words” is true in this instance. The cover design gives the reader subtle and not-so-subtle clues about the content, building expectations.

Unfortunately, the book’s interior often doesn’t receive the same attention from the author. The novel might have an amazing, compelling cover but a terrible content structure. It’s like going to McDonalds. The picture on the menu looks tasty, plump, juicy, and inviting. Then you open the burger box and see a flat bun with lifeless meat and synthetic cheese poking out of the side. Talk about overhyped expectations.

A well-balanced book interior satisfies the eyes in two important areas: the layout – the columns, margins, artwork, and illustrations. The typesetting (Type size, font, spacing, hyphens, and line breaks. 

Understanding Typography Basics

The typeface is a critical component of effective interior book design. Books feature traditional typefaces in serif fonts such as Caslon, Garamond, Goudy, and Baskerville. However, art books and guidebooks use sans-serif for a modern look and feel and for easy reading.

Choose a legible font well-suited for your book layout. Ensure the font includes features like italics, small caps, semi-bold, and bold. Commercial novels like mysteries and thrillers are usually set with larger fonts due to the audience being an older demographic.

11pt is a comfortable font for most books. The “leading” or white space between lines is equally important to include in your interior design best practices. Leading ensures readers get a better reading experience without all your lines jammed together.

Because it costs more money to publish books with more pages, some authors feel there’s an incentive to get as many lines as possible on the page. This strategy might save a few dollars, but the book’s readability suffers tremendously. As a general guideline, look to build 33 to 36 lines on a page.

Use the Correct Trim Size

Selecting a trim size is the next step in effective interior book design. Standard sizes like 5.5 x 8.5 or 6×9 are best for chapters in memoirs or novels. Or maybe you’re designing an art book with small text captions on each page and plenty of room for large images or illustrations?

If the book is more than 250 pages, use a smaller trim size of 5 x 8 or under, or you’ll create a thicker book, turning off prospective buyers. When writing poems with long lines, you’ll benefit from choosing wider formats, so you don’t break the lines.

You’ll also need to decide on a paperback, a hardcover with a dust jacket, or a casebound book with art printed on the cover. Hardcover and casebound books have higher production and logistics costs, adding to your publishing expenses.

Use Margins

While it’s a use of blank space, margins are one of the most important design aspects for book interiors. A page has three margins (top, bottom, and outside) and a gutter. The gutter is the inside margin where the pages are sewn or glued.

Each margin has a specific task. The outer margin gives room for the reader to place their thumbs when holding the book. The top margin features the author’s name, the book or chapter title, and the page number.

The bottom margin provides white space supporting the text block, and the gutter ensures the text doesn’t fall into the glued or sewn area.

Traditionally, the top, outside, and bottom margins are close to each other in size. Typically, they’re around half an inch each, with the gutter being the largest, usually 0.75 to 0.9 inches.

Use Running Heads/Feet

The running heads are the lines featured at the top of the page. They give the reader information like the book title, author’s name, and page number. Occasionally, the page number might appear in the bottom margin, making it the “foot.”

They assist the reader with charting progress through the book and finding their way back to their last point of reading. Typically, they’re placed slightly to the left or centered in the text margins. 

Feet and running heads also provide a visual frame to the text block. These elements must be clear and legible while small enough to avoid intruding on the text.

Effective Images and Artwork

If your book features illustrations, images, or artwork, you’ll need to adjust the layout to accommodate these content elements. Depending on your genre, the art and text interact in different manners. For example, in children’s books, the small amount of text on pages goes on top of the artwork.

In cookbooks, you’ll place the dish’s image on the left and your recipe in two columns on the right. A photography book may feature beautiful, large photos on every page. There’ll be room for captions under the images and an introduction from the photographer at the beginning.

Always ensure you provide enough room for the art to breathe. A single good photo is usually more visually effective than a collage. These small details “pop” the design visually, separating great interior design from cranked-out templates.

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Important Questions To Ask a Manuscript Editor

Manuscript editing is a special branch of the writing process, and it can be called one of the most important jobs in the entire publishing industry. Writers and publishers rely on manuscript editors, often to prepare work just before its submission or final publication.

Without the help of manuscript editors, books would sure look a whole lot more confusing – and there would be many more spelling mistakes and plot holes on the published side of the business.

Books aren’t filled with unnecessary errors and glaring plot holes thanks to manuscript editors.

If you are a writer, you have the power to hire a freelance manuscript editor at almost any point in the publication process.

As most experienced writers should know by now, you can’t just hire anyone to polish your manuscript into the gem it was meant to be.

This post examines some of the most important questions that you can ask a manuscript editor to make sure they’re the right one for your book.

What Is Your Experience?

One of the most important questions for a prospective editor from their client is their experience. 

Great editors have experience, and it’s your right to ask for more information about this experience before you contract them to work on your book.

Where have they worked before, and what have they worked on?

Every great editor can present their next clients with a portfolio that tells the potential client everything about why they should hire them (as opposed to the client’s second or third choice!).

Experience matters, especially if you know that you would like your manuscript to match up with a specific editor’s expertise and style.

What Are Your Specialities?

The job description of “editor” isn’t just about taking a manuscript and making it better. Editors can be specific to their careers, or might have certain areas in which they have more experience than in others – and in this case, take a close look at everything an editor has worked on before.

Some editors are better suited to editing a horror fiction manuscript, while others might have spent most of their career working on nonfiction autobiographies.

If you have a specific genre or topic to edit, remember to ask about an editor’s specialities and how this could contribute to the betterment of your work.

Who Are Your Previous Clients?

Reading through an editor’s Reedsy profile or biography is not going to tell you everything you want to know about their work. 

For a writer in need of an editor, it can be just as important to ask for specific information – such as who their previous clients have been.

It’s important for the prospective client (that’s the writer) to develop a good feeling for what the editor does, and the other way around. Samples, and sometimes a list of their past clients, allows you to do exactly this.

Always ask an editor for more specific details about who they have worked for in the past; the answer will usually contain a little more information than what you could find in their public profile, and it can help you to decide if they’re the right editor for your manuscript.

What Have You Edited?

If you are a writer who wants to make sure you find the right editor for your manuscript, then examples of their work can be just as important to ask for as to ask who their previous clients were.

Most prestigious and successful manuscript editors should be able to show you more than just a list of their past clients, but should also be able to tell you what they have edited before. 

The good thing to see here is works that are actively in publication.

Editors, the ones that are good at their jobs, contribute to authors getting published.

However, less experienced editors will be able to show less samples.

How Long Can It Take? 

The projected time-frame is an important question for any professional relationship, especially one that exists between an editor and their client.

As a writer, one of the first questions you should ask your prospective manuscript editor is this: how long can it take? 

While an exact time-frame is not always possible or practical to give, most professionals are able to provide an estimated time in which a job can be completed.

The answer an editor will give you depends on their schedule, and the turn-around-time of their business. It can also have a lot to do with the length of your manuscript, and how much has to be changed.

Remember that it’s always your right to ask about the practical turn-around-time of a job.

How Much Will It Cost?

Cost is calculated in a different way by each editor, and there is no single price for “manuscript editing” in the world. When you pay for a manuscript editor, you pay for their time and experience – and this is why it’s so important to make sure that you hedge your bets with the right editor for what your book needs.

According to Reedsy, editors can charge depending on their individual level of experience and competency. Rates might be charged per project, but there are some editors who charge by the hour instead.

Ask about the estimated cost before you decide to stick to one editor for your manuscript.

Which Manuscript Format Do You Prefer?

Manuscript formatting is an important convenience that makes sure everyone in the publishing industry is on the same page. Standard formatting eliminates funny fonts and frills, and changes it in favor of a standardized font and size throughout.

Format can also refer, these days, to the electronic format a manuscript should be submitted in.

Some editors prefer PDF, while others do their edits in DOCX. 

Many editors still prefer to do their most intensive edits on paper.

Always ask, or you’re not going to know.

Could I See Your Progress?

Once the project has started, a client is allowed to ask for a progress report – and in fact, this is something that most editors and writers would encourage a writer to do.

Editors and their clients have to remain in contact with one another, often trading thoughts and progress reports as the manuscript edit goes forward.

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Freelancing and Taxes: What Is and Is Not Deductible?

Tax deductions rarely stress you when formally employed because your employers automatically make them from your monthly salary. However, freelancers may find it challenging to comply with tax regulations because they need to organize themselves and pay the taxes quarterly without any employer initiating the process. 

Knowing what is and is not deductible helps you save a few pence that you could divert to something else and better your freelancing. Still, this article shares essential advice. 

You need to talk to your accountant or tax lawyer to know which deductibles you qualify for.

1. Home office or workspace deduction

If you are freelancing from home and dedicate a section of your house to your home office, you may qualify for the home office deduction. The taxmen establish how much belief you can get by measuring the home office’s square footage and dividing it by the square footage of the entire house. The resulting percentage equals the amount of the rent or mortgage deduction you will have.

2. Phone deductions 

This tax-deductible applies for freelancers who do their jobs using their phones which they also use for personal stuff. The US IRS allows them to deduct part of their phone bills to cater to these expenses. 

3. Office supplies 

Suppose, in the course of your freelancing, you buy office supplies like pens, pencils, staples, stapling pins, books, ink cartridges, and many others from time to time. In that case, you may qualify for the office supplies deductions. This provision allows freelancers to deduct the cost of any office item they use for freelancing.

4. Internet service

Internet service cost is also a deductible freelancers can benefit from. The internet service deductible allows businesses and freelancers to deduct the cost of network connectivity as office or utility expense. 

However, suppose you use the same connection for freelancing and personal use. In that case, you can deduct only a percentage of the bill and not the total amount.

5. Self-employment tax deduction

In the US, the IRS requires freelancers to pay the 15.3% self-employment tax. However, freelancing does not have an employer, who would usually take up half of the tax. 

Therefore, there is a 50%-57% tax deduction freelancers can take off from the self-employment tax. Talk to your accountant to know whether you qualify for it, and if not, get to see what you can do to prepare.

6. Health insurance premiums

As a freelancer, you have no employer, hence no health insurance coverage, and you need to pay for it. Therefore, you are allowed to deduct the health expenses from your tax. However, this deductible should not exceed your total income earned throughout the year.

7. Travel 

As a freelancer, you will have to travel from time to time, and the travel deductions got you covered. To benefit from this tax deduction, you must keep the air ticket printouts and bus receipts. In addition, the trips must be entirely business-related.

8. Business technology and equipment

This tax-deductible allows freelancers to take off the expenses of buying business items like a computer, especially if it is expensive. Two options are available for this; deducting the entire cost one, or the depreciation technique, where the price is spread over the years. The latter will likely apply if you anticipate that the income and bills will be higher in the coming years. However, many opt to deduct the whole amount once.

9. Mileage

If you qualify for the mileage deductions, you can subtract mileage expenses at the rate of $0.56 per mileage, which is a good amount and typically adds up. You can make this easy by using software like the QuickBooks Self-Employed to log your details or jotting mileage details, including the start and the end, the destination, and the purpose of a book.

10. Hardware and software

Suppose your freelancing job requires you to source particular hardware and software. In that case, you may qualify for the hardware & software deductions. However, if they are costly, talk to your accountant about whether the one-time deduction or depreciation will be the best option.

11. Advertising and marketing expenses 

Does your freelancing job involve advertising and marketing? These could make up the advertising and marketing deductions. Many marketing and advertising activities include radio ads, TV, print, promotional events, direct marketing, marketing collateral, and public relations. 

12. Business website 

Some freelancers have a website for freelancing. The business website deductions cater to the cost of designing, developing, launching, managing, hosting, and updating the website. This, too, does not have to exceed the total annual income.

13. Liability insurance premiums 

These deductions mainly apply to freelancers who pay state unemployment tax or insure their employees with the workers’ compensation policy. These liability insurance deductions come in handy with one issued and will offer protection against a lawsuit.

14. Education 

Are you taking certification or qualification to sustain freelancing? You can qualify for the educational expense deduction, provided that the pursuit is directly related to your current gig and not a new carrier. Make your work easier by keeping a good track record of your educational expenses to claim the deductions throughout the year.

15. Membership dues

Suppose you are a member of an organization or a club directly related to your freelancing job and pay for the membership. In that case, the cost may make up the membership deductions. However, country clubs do count. In addition, state boards, Chamber of Commerce, or trade association dues can be catered to and deducted from your tax.

16. Retirement contributions

As a freelancer without a formal, you are responsible for your retirement contributions and account. Therefore, the amounts you pay towards retirement benefits are deductible. Make your work easy by maintaining a record of your IRA or SEP contributions and claim deductibles while filing taxes.

The bottom line 

Although freelancing is a beautiful gig that makes you your own boss, it also comes with tax obligations that you must attend to. This article has shared what you need to know about what is and what is not deductible. Focusing on the deductibles helps you maximize deductions and save money. Talk to your accountant and know which ones to pick to enjoy what you do while getting paid for it.

Rose Rosie is a writer for the personal finance website, Joy Wallet, which provides readers with useful information, resources, and tools to help maximize their financial fitness. 

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Bucket Book Reading List

A “bucket list” is a list of things we want to do before we “kick the bucket.”  The expression, “kick the bucket,” is a bold and humorous euphemism for dying. It sounds so much better than books to read “before I die” which isn’t very literary, whereas “kicking the bucket” sounds almost defiant, almost optimistic.  So how do we choose which books to read before we die?

Take a number

Whilst our demise is not a goal, having a number of books to read as a goal is a way of positively challenging ourselves at any age. It’s a great way to encourage children to read, especially with a short list like three books a month to begin with. Having a list also makes you a good role model for children and grandkids. The number depends on how much time you have available – not left to live, but spare time for reading.  One person set a target of 2 500 books. Others calculate how many years there are between their current age and 100. Then they calculate how many months that is and commit to one book per month or one book per week. It might be an idea to set annual target. It really doesn’t matter as long as the goal is achievable.

Bookshelf savings

Your bucket book list doesn’t have to drain your retirement fund. Most of us have books we bought on impulse with the idea of reading them one day, so do it now. Some of us have been given books as gifts that we have politely shelved, thinking “that’s not my cup of tea.”  If possible, contact the giver and ask them to remind you of why they recommended the book to you. If you like and respect the giver, give their gift a go. On your shelves there are probably books that you would love to read again. There is no rule about the bucket book list that says the books have to be new. Another money saving idea, if you belong to a book club or have friends who read, is to ask members and friends to share their lists and stock of books with you. Bucket list reading can become a “team” sport.

Optional extra rules

There are no rules unless you want some. A forty page, trashy ebook and its sequel doesn’t really count, but can. Have fun, but preserve some dignity. Here are some guidelines for what to include:

ClassicsYou can skip “War and Peace” and Milton’s “Paradise Lost” and “Paradise Regained,” but there should be a classic in the way of a Dickens, a James, a Shakespeare or a Conrad. There should also be a post-modern classic like to “Kill a Mockingbird”, or “Fountainhead.”

Non-Fiction
Non-Fiction can be a biography, an auto-biography, a true crime investigation, a Dummy’s Guide to Psychology or the history of a place or a country. Reading is always as much about learning as it is about edification, regardless of age. The ultra- keen may want to take on philosophy and the likes of Plato and Homer.

Genre
Take a detour from your comfort zone. If you are an avid romance reader try a science fiction story. Spy and crime fans could try a book of poems.

Read because .. 

Read because you want to. Never feel obligated to read or finish a book. It should never feel like a chore or homework. The worst that can happen is that you don’t finish reading a book, but nobody needs to know. It’s a secret you can take to your grave when you finally kick the bucket.

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What are Literary Agents? 

After painstakingly honing your creative juices and developing what is surely a fascinating story that must be shared with the world, you’re ready to move forward and get it published. But how do you do that? What’s the next step in your journey? Well, it might involve pursing the guidance, support, and assistance of a literary agent. These agents ca help to get your writing out to and grab the attention of publishing houses, as well as boost the amount of your advance, and may even be able to help shape the course of your career as an author. 

But what is a literary agent? How can they help you? Why might you want to consider working with one? To find the answers to these questions and more, keep on reading. 

What is a literary agent, anyway? 

A literary agent, as the title suggests, is an individual who represents the business interests of authors, as well as the texts that they’ve created. Literary agents work with both new authors who are looking to publish for the first time, as well as experienced authors who have bestselling titles under their belts. These professionals function as business-minded mediators between writers and publishing firms, as well as the producers of movies and theatrical performances. 

Typically, literary agents are paid a fee, which usually ranges between 10 and 20 percent of the sales of the creative pieces that they help to negotiate on behalf of the individuals they represent. 

What do literary agents do? 

Literary agents wear many hats. These professionals can offer assistance both in regard to the creative aspect and the business aspect of the writing industry. Some of the responsibilities that a good literary agent will undertake include:

  • Assist clients with securing work. A key element of a literary agent’s job entails getting work for the clients they represent. They know how to act as an intermediary between publishing houses and their clients. They help negotiate contractors, oversee those contracts, and even help the authors they represent secure public speaking arrangements, as well as licensing deals. They do all of this while also keeping tabs on payments for all of these arrangements. 
  • Reviews manuscripts. A reputable literary agent will review their clients works, including manuscripts, nonfiction books, short stories, and plays. They’ll offer helpful tips and suggestions, such as creative insights, as well as edits. A credible literary agent will also ensure that their clients manuscripts are as appealing as possible before they submit those manuscripts to publishers. 
  • Develops query letters and pitches. When the time comes to submit a manuscript to a publishing house, a literary agent will assist authors with developing their query letters, book proposals, samples of chapters, and marketing plans, which will be combined to act as a pitch package for the creative work. Literary agents will also help keep tabs on submission guidelines and formats to ensure that the process is being done correctly. 

Why Hire a Literary Agent

There are several reasons to consider hiring a literary agent. Some of the benefits of receiving the guidance of one of these professionals include: 

  • Increased success. An agent can help to not only get your manuscript out in front of high-profile publishing houses, but can also help to increase the amount you’ll receive for an upfront advances. Most big publishing houses, such as Simon and Schuster, Harper Collins, and Penguin, won’t accept unsolicited manuscripts; particularly if the manuscript is from a new author. Plus, they’re only likely to accept manuscripts that have the potential to become a bestseller. 
  • Reduced stress. A literary agent takes care of the business side of the publishing process so that you can focus more on your writing. 
  • Guidance and support. An agent will help to guide and support you throughout the publishing process, thereby increasing your chances of success. 
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When you realize you need a proofreader

When you’re writing a paper, a blog post, website content, an email, or any other content, most people tend to focus on the information that that the content is comprised of; the facts, the wording, the theme, the emotion, etc. While the words and message are your main focus, if you’re like so many other people, you probably overlook some of the most essential components of a well-written piece: grammar. It’s easy to misplace words, to forget capitals, or to use the wrong punctuation, for example. Imagine the horror if you were to publish a blog post on your business website, only to find that it’s littered with grammatical errors! There’s no doubt that you’ll turn off potential and existing clients, and you’ll turn away new customers that you’re trying to target. 

Fortunately, there’s a way that you can clean up your writing before you share it with the public. How? By hiring a proofreading service. 

What is a proofreading service? 

Proofreading refers to the process of checking over written content for spelling mistakes and formatting errors before submitting it. In other words, the goal of proofreading is to ensure that the writing is cleaned up and free of errors before it’s published on a website, a blog, or a social media site, sent out in an email, sent to an academic or scientific journal, or sent out to a literary agent or publishing house. 

A proofreading service, then, is a professional individual or organization that offers to check over documents for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and formatting issues. 

Why hire a proofreading service? 

Because proofreading is so vital, instead of doing this task yourself, hiring someone to do it for you is your best bet. When you proofread your own writing, it isn’t uncommon to overlook errors that you’ve made. By hiring a professional do the job for you, not only will you have another set of eyes looking at it that will be looking for and correcting any errors, but because they’ll have experience, they’ll know exactly what to look for and what corrections to make. In other words, a professional proofreader will be able to successfully clean up your writing so that it’s ready for publishing and ready to impress and/or inform your readers. 

Why hire a professional proofreader? 

Why should you hire a professional proofreader? There are actually several reasons, and here’s a look at just a few: 

  • It will save you time. Proofreading a single document can take upwards of 3 to 4 hours. When you add that time to the time you have already invested in creating the writing in the first place, proofing can be downright exhausting. By hiring a pro, you’ll be able to save yourself a good bit of time. 
  • You’ll get much better results. Professional proofreaders are highly proficient at their job. They have the qualifications and experience that are necessary to proof and edit various types of writing in an assortment of genres; emails, blog posts, website content, books, manuscripts, marketing materials, and so much more. They will be able to make your content error-free and ready to be viewed and consumed by the public. 
  • They’ll increase your reputation and your success. Since your writing will be error-free, you’ll convey your professionalism, which will most certainly increase your success. 

How to find a reliable proofreading service? 

Checking online boards, like Indeed.com, or posting advertisements for proofreading services it the best way to find a professional who you can hire to undertake the task of proofreading your writing for you. Make sure that you look at their credentials, ask to see samples of their work, inquire about – and contact – their references, and ask if they can complete a paid sample for you, too. 

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How To Outsource Your Work As An Indie Author

Let’s be real. As indie authors, writing isn’t our full-time job. We have a ton of other things on our plate from taking care of our kids to full-time jobs. Writing in itself is hard. Then you have to worry about growing your audience and promoting your book and keeping up with industry happenings. You need to keep your social media profiles updated and share promotions and do business deals. You need to monitor all of your numbers, tweak ads, set up accounting systems. And then you have to stay on top of all the questions and emails you get from readers and engage with fans. And if you don’t have fans yet, even worse, you need to spend all the effort into learning how to get fans and readers and then do the work to make it happen.

Long story short, as an author, you have your hands full. Publishing is a hard job even if it were your full-time job. It’s even harder when it isn’t your full-time job.

That’s where outsourcing can come in. As a writer, you can outsource a number of things for fairly cheap to make sure that you have time for what really matters. The writing. While you will certainly still need to know the business end and learn how to do things, more repetitive tasks can be passed on to people you outsource, often overseas, for fairly little cost.

You can generally find good talent on sites like Upwork or Fiverr. Only work with people that you that are highly reviewed and have a lot of reviews. As an author, you can’t take too many risks because of your time and budget, so go with people who are trusted and already vetted.

Do a basic interview to see if they align with what you want and then go into a short trial period. Pay for a short period of work and see how they perform. If they’re good, you’ve found the right person to work with. If there are hesitancies, keep looking and trying. If you can’t find anybody, then choose your best option.

There are a number of tools you can use for vetting. On the programming side, if you need somebody to build you a website or a tool, you can use something like HackerRank. Otherwise, have them doing a little bit of a task you already need to be done to see if you can work with them.

What can you outsource?

The short answer is almost anything except for the writing. Well, actually you can outsource the writing too, but you, as an author, probably don’t want that.

The most common things to outsource are related to repetitive tasks and marketing.

Perhaps you want to post short snippets onto writing communities to drum up buzz. You can have your assistant go onto reading apps and writing apps and have them post on your behalf.

Maybe you want nice quotes to go onto social media. Get your assistant to go onto Hootsuite and schedule up nice quote posts every month in advance so that your Twitter and Instagram are nicely filled. Some even have their virtual assistants create very short stories of their works that can be used for Twitter.

Maybe somebody has written some nice fanfiction about your stories. Your assistant can go in and respond to all the comments.

Maybe you want to reach out to a bunch of book blogs. You can have your assistant reach out to which blogs fit your genre and come back to you with a nice list.

There are even freelancers that can do your book cover and editing for you. If you want to a graphic novel version, or want to put it on a graphic novel site, you can have them do that too.

Think about what you want to spend your time on. Do that stuff and for everything else, there’s an assistant out there for you.

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Transitioning From Technical Writing to Book Writing

Technical writing is just one of the absolute most in-demand skills in the internet community. Your writing needs to be clear and understandable to your intended audience. Generally speaking, academic style writing isn’t suitable for internet content. The things that you write can vary greatly, but technical writing is a skill that translates well to book writing.

The very first thing an author has to do is to find their voice. In case the author mentioned something that you do not quite agree with, or fully understand then you have to inquire and suggest. In the event the writer wishes to, he can change the mental image within the next sentence. Though some expert essay writers are skilled and equipped enough with the ideal writing tactics to employ.

There are times that you meet writers that are echoes of different voices. Some writers locate their voices early. To locate your voice for a writer, you first have to find yourself. Many writers have dreams that turn into nightmares since they struggle for a means to get published. Most creative writers have a secret urge to enter a writing or poetry contest sooner or later in life. In any case, it’s a good idea to practice with some writing contests

What matters is how words are accustomed to clearly convey the function of the piece  You’d be surprised to discover that a large part of the best ideas are already in your head. If you realize that you are writing all of the time, you’re a writer. You will need to live the life which you have, explore whatever options are open to you, go after the things you need and need, or learn how to avoid or suffer the situations you don’t want.

Getting started with writing contests

Writing contests have come to be the location for writers of just about any type to become noticed. The writing groups hold a great deal of unique kinds of contests. There are a lot of basic methods that can be placed on the process of producing successful flash fiction.

Do exactly what you’re told or your entry is going to be thrown out. Do add the calendar year, or you’re going to be returned a good deal of ancient entries. It is possible to always compose a contest entry.

The prizes are extremely small, but the point is, it is an excellent place to start building a name and getting attention. If you opt to enter a writing contest, there are lots of advantages that a writing competition can give you. More than 2000 writing competitions show up on the web annually.

No matter your skill for a writer might be, there’s sure to be someone seeking your help. The capacity to relate to readers is crucial especially in the internet setting. Travel as soon as the opportunity presents itself. As a consequence, it is not hard to multiply your opportunities for a cash prize. Finding out how to persuade and influence will produce the difference between hoping to have a better income and having a better income. Some of us will say yes, some folks will say no.

The real words used in legal writing can be split into four categories, Words from different languages. Not everybody has a way with words. Writing a tribute is easy, but sifting through your knowledge base to find the appropriate words is often quite tricky. Entering a writing contest helps a lot with that.

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185 Short Story Writing Contests Available in 2019

185 Short Story Writing Contests Available in 2019

Do you enjoy writing short stories? Why not enter a short story competition and see how your skills stack up against others? Winning a writing competition could be the spark you need to ignite a career as a famous author. It all starts with entering your first contest, pick one of the 5 mentioned below and get to work on your masterpiece!

1. The Weekly Reedsy Short Story Contest

Do you enjoy writing short stories? Visit Reedsy.com and sign up for their email newsletter. Every Friday, Reedsy publish guidelines for their weekly short story contest. Select of five themes offered by Reedsy and create your short story based on those guidelines.

Weekly winners have their work published on the Reedsy Medium blog, which has thousands of unique visitors every day, including famous writers and editors that may like your work! Reedsy also offers a cash prize of $50 to the winner.

2. Write the World

This contest is for young writers aged 13 to 18. This kiddies contest helps sharpen their skills by providing them with a mini writers boot camp. Contestants are allowed to submit the first draft of their project for editor feedback. After receiving their editor notes, the kids have the chance to make adjustments before submitting their final piece.

The winner receives a cash prize of $100, and the runner-up gets a $50 prize, with the winner of the editor’s award receiving $50 as well. All three winners have their work published on Write the Worlds blog, with comments from a judge run alongside them. This monthly contest features new prompts for every competition.

3. African Poetry Book Fund Prizes

The APBF awards prizes annually in three different categories. The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets awards $1,000 and a publication contract to the winner. African authors must submit an unpublished book-length collection of poetry to enter.

The Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry awards $5,000 for a book of authentic African poetry published in the year before the competition.

The Brunel University African Poetry Prize is the latest addition to the contest; A £3,000 prize awarded to an unpublished poet of African descent. Submissions must include 10 unpublished poems.

4. Prose.

Prose offers a weekly writing competition for short story-tellers. The focus of the contest is on creativity and fun. Prizes are anywhere between $100 to $200 with low word counts between 150 and 500-words.

The judges aren’t concerned with length; they want to see quality, not quantity. This contest is a fantastic platform for storytellers looking to enter their first competition, visit their website for further details.

5. To Hull and Back

This annual free contest is open to writers from around the world. The competition praises works of fiction and non-fiction told with humor and a light-hearted feel. You’ll need to be imaginative if you want to impress the judges with your work.

The maximum word count for submissions is limited to 2,500, and the deadline for entries is July 31st, 2018. A small entrance fee of £11 is required to process your contest application.

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