WMG Writer's Guides Series

The publishing world continues to evolve, but myths about who can make a living as a fiction writer maintain a life of their own. Whether you pursue traditional or indie publishing success, you need to know the pitfalls and traps that undermine many writers' careers. In this WMG Writer's Guide, USA Today bestselling author and former publisher Dean Wesley Smith addresses the ten most damaging myths that writers believe in modern publishing.

Even in today's fast-paced world, the myth that writing fast equals writing badly—or, conversely, writing well equals writing slowly—persists. Now, USA Today bestselling author Dean Wesley Smith aims to shatter this myth once and for all with this latest WMG Writer's Guide.  In a series of blog posts, Smith chronicled his process toward ghost writing a 70,000-word novel for a traditional publisher in just ten days. He wrote about his progress, his feelings about the writing, and how he approached and overcame obstacles. This book takes readers on a journey that demonstrates that writing fast, and writing well, comes from motivation and practice.

In this WMG Writer's Guide, international bestselling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch discusses the destructive ways peer workshops and the quest for perfection derail many writers' careers. Listening to critics and academics—amateur and professional—often strips out the joy of writing. And a failure to recognize writing as a business furthers the potential damage. But Rusch offers hope for writers who have suffered at the hands of critique—external and internal—and outlines a path to healing.

With more than a hundred published novels and more than seventeen million copies of his books in print, USA Today bestselling author Dean Wesley Smith knows how to outline. And he knows how to write a novel without an outline. In this WMG Writer's Guide, Dean takes you step-by-step through the process of writing without an outline and explains why not having an outline boosts your creative voice and keeps you more interested in your writing. Want to enjoy your writing more and entertain yourself? Then toss away your outline and Write into the Dark.  "Dean Wesley Smith's blog gives both a slightly different view of the publishing world than I'd seen before and detailed hands-on "here's how to get from A to B" instruction." — Erin M. Hartshorn, Vision: A Resource for Writers

As indie publishing flourishes, many, many myths form around this new booming area of publishing. USA Today bestselling author and major indie blogger Dean Wesley Smith takes a cut at killing some of the myths before they can take root. From the myth that indie writers can't get books into bookstores (they can) to the idea that indie publishing must be easy (it is and it isn't), Dean knocks ten myths down one after another and might just save you years of wasted time. Author of the acclaimed Killing the Top Ten Sacred Cows of Publishing, this companion WMG Writer's Guide for indie writers and publishers will become a necessity for your reference shelf.  

With more than a hundred published novels and more than seventeen million copies of his books in print, USA Today bestselling author Dean Wesley Smith knows how to write fiction. And he has traversed every stage of writing along the way. In this WMG Writer's Guide, Dean takes you step-by-step through the stages most fiction writers go through and how not to lose hope along the way. Want to enjoy your writing more and let your storytelling evolve in its own time? Then learn from Dean's experience and discover what to expect at each stage of a fiction writer's career. "Dean Wesley Smith's blog gives both a slightly different view of the publishing world than I'd seen before and detailed hands-on 'here's how to get from A to B' instruction." —Erin M. Hartshorn, Vision: A Resource for Writers

Discoverability: a modern marketing buzzword. For writers, discoverability means the difference between gaining an audience and publishing into the void. Now, USA Today bestselling author and renowned business blogger Kristine Kathryn Rusch deftly tackles the topic of discoverability in this latest WMG Writers' Guide. Rusch covers topics such as when to hire help, how to measure success and the most important thing a writers can do. With Discoverability, which was named one of the 11 Best Book Marketing Books, Rusch offers professional writers the most comprehensive guide available today to help them make an informed decision about the best marketing approaches for their writing businesses.   "Discoverability gets my highest recommendation and a must read for writers who want to develop a career and make a living in the Indie Publishing industry." —Marion Hill   "There are lots of books out there about how to market your book. Some of them are good. Some aren't. Discoverability is one of the best…" —TeleRead   "Kristine Kathryn Rusch's new book Discoverability is by far the best resource I have read to date to help indie authors succeed after the book is written." —Chris Syme, Principal of CKSyme Media Group   "Kristine [Kathryn Rusch]'s extensive experience in both traditional and indie publishing shines through in this amazing book. Though written for fiction authors, all writers will benefit from reading this book." —Tim Grahl, "11 Best Book Marketing Books"   "The bible for the self-employed." —John Ottinger III, teacher and editor of Grasping for the Wind, on The Freelancer's Survival Guide   "A soup-to-nuts guide for business. Don't be without it." —Virginia Baker, President, Indigo Ink Communications, on The Freelancer's Survival Guide   "Not many people understand the publishing business as well as the author business—Kris Rusch is one of them.  Her Freelancer's Survival Guide is balanced, ambitious, and packed with information that all writers, editors, and publishers should read." —Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling author, on The Freelancer's Survival   "[Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog,] The Business Rusch…is full of sound advice and analysis about what's going on." —Jeff Baker, The Oregonian

Making the wrong decisions on the business side of publishing can destroy a writer's career. Longtime writer, editor, and publisher Kristine Kathryn Rusch knows this better than anyone. So she decided to write a book on the dealbreakers in contracts, agency agreements, and other business things that will ruin a writer's future. Little did she know that it would take her seven months, lots of hand-wringing, and a lot of help from the readers of her blog. The result, Closing the Deal…on Your Terms, shows how the tiniest of decisions—talking to a Hollywood producer on the phone, falling for a typical agent's ruse of masking a contract for a letter—can have lifelong consequences. Written for every writer, whether self-published, traditionally published, or hybrid, Closing the Deal…on Your Terms takes writers on a journey that will help them understand what they're selling and what they could accidentally give away. "[Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog,] The Business Rusch…is full of sound advice and analysis about what's going on." —Jeff Baker, The Oregonian "Kristine Kathryn Rusch's new book Discoverability is by far the best resource I have read to date to help indie authors succeed after the book is written." —Chris Syme, Principal of CKSyme Media Group "The bible for the self-employed." —John Ottinger III, teacher and editor of Grasping for the Wind, on The Freelancer's Survival Guide

First, USA Today bestselling author Dean Wesley Smith shattered the myth that writing fast equals writing badly—or, conversely, writing well equals writing slowly—with his book How to Write a Novel in Ten Days. Now, Smith raises the stakes with this latest book, Writing a Novel in Seven Days.  Chapter by chapter, Smith chronicles his process toward writing a 43,000-word novel in just seven days. He writes about his progress, his feelings about the project, and how he approaches and overcomes obstacles. This WMG Writer's Guide demonstrates that setting an aggressive writing goal, and accomplishing that goal, can prove successful with the right attitude and tools.

A writer's attitude can help bring success. But what should that attitude look like? Rah-rah positive? Pragmatic? Take-no-prisoners serious?   USA Today bestselling author and renowned business blogger Kristine Kathryn Rusch helps guide writers to find the right attitude for a long-term writing career in this latest WMG Writers' Guide.   Rusch covers topics such as habits, the importance of routines, the dangers of following a crowd, and how to create—and follow—one's own vision of a writing career.   With The Write Attitude, Rusch shows writers how they can do what they love and love what they do without sabotaging their own success.   "[Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog,] The Business Rusch…is full of sound advice and analysis about what's going on." —Jeff Baker, The Oregonian   "Kristine Kathryn Rusch's new book Discoverability is by far the best resource I have read to date to help indie authors succeed after the book is written." —Chris Syme, Principal of CKSyme Media Group   "The bible for the self-employed." —John Ottinger III, teacher and editor of Grasping for the Wind, on The Freelancer's Survival Guide

With more than a hundred published novels and more than seventeen million copies of his books in print, USA Today bestselling author Dean Wesley Smith follows five simple business rules for writing fiction. And now, he shares how those rules helped shape his successful career. In this WMG Writer's Guide, Dean takes you step-by-step through Heinlein's Rules and shows how following those rules can change your writing—and career—for the better. Simple rules, yet deceptively hard to follow. Do you have the courage to take a hard look at your writing process and follow Heinlein's Rules? Dean shows you how. "Dean Wesley Smith's blog gives both a slightly different view of the publishing world than I'd seen before and detailed hands-on "here's how to get from A to B" instruction." — Erin M. Hartshorn, Vision: A Resource for Writers

USA Today bestselling author and former publisher Dean Wesley Smith knows how to navigate the complicated world of publishing. And now, he shares his experience to help writers tackle the most challenging writing of all: Fiction Sales Copy. In this WMG Writer's Guide, Dean addresses the major challenges that lead to bad sales copy—including using passive voice and too much plot—and offers 32 examples from his own stories to illustrate his points. Want to make your books stand out from the pack and grab the reader's attention? Then learn from Dean's experience and discover how to write copy that best sells your stories. "Dean Wesley Smith's blog gives both a slightly different view of the publishing world than I'd seen before and detailed hands-on 'here's how to get from A to B' instruction." — Erin M. Hartshorn, Vision: A Resource for Writers

As the modern publishing industry continues to evolve, writers look for help to navigate the changing landscape.   In this WMG Writer's Guide Bundle on the Industry, New York Times bestselling authors and renowned business bloggers Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith help writers find success in the ever-changing world of publishing.   In Rethinking the Writing Business, Rusch provokes writers to think about their own careers as a business with limits only the writers, themselves, impose. From information on IP and licensing to what the writing industry truly looks like today, Rusch lifts the veil on the potential for every writer's business to thrive.   In Killing the Top Ten Sacred Cows of Publishing, Smith addresses the ten most damaging myths that writers believe in modern publishing to illustrate the pitfalls and traps that undermine many writers' careers.   In Killing the Top Ten Sacred Cows of Indie Publishing, Smith knocks ten myths down one after another—from the myth that indie writers can't get books into bookstores (they can) to the idea that indie publishing must be easy (it is and it isn't)—and might just save you years of wasted time.   "[Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog,] The Business Rusch…is full of sound advice and analysis about what's going on." —Jeff Baker, The Oregonian   "Dean Wesley Smith's blog gives both a slightly different view of the publishing world than I'd seen before and detailed hands-on 'here's how to get from A to B' instruction." — Erin M. Hartshorn, Vision: A Resource for Writers

Making the wrong decisions on the business side of publishing can destroy a writer's career.   In this WMG Writer's Guide Bundle on Business, New York Times bestselling authors and renowned business bloggers Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith share the best practices that have helped shape their successful careers.   In Heinlein's Rules: Five Simple Business Rules for Writing, Smith takes you step-by-step through Heinlein's Rules and shows how following those rules can change your writing—and career—for the better.   In Closing the Deal…on Your Terms, Rusch takes writers—whether self-published, traditionally published, or hybrid—on a journey that will help them understand what they're selling and what they could accidentally give away.   In The Magic Bakery, Smith helps writers understand the very nature of their business, how to sell more, and make more money from every story. Using the metaphor of a magic bakery, copyright becomes easy to understand, and the writing business makes far more sense.   "[Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog,] The Business Rusch…is full of sound advice and analysis about what's going on." —Jeff Baker, The Oregonian   "Dean Wesley Smith's blog gives both a slightly different view of the publishing world than I'd seen before and detailed hands-on 'here's how to get from A to B' instruction." — Erin M. Hartshorn, Vision: A Resource for Writers

One of the most prolific writers in modern fiction writing shows you how he does it. Author of over one-hundred-and-fifty novels, USA Today bestselling writer Dean Wesley Smith gives an intimate day-to-day, minute-by-minute account of how he wrote a full novel in five days while traveling. From tips on how to prepare for the writing to what to do when the trip gets in the way, Dean deals with it all. A moment-by-moment account of what it feels like to write a novel in five days while traveling. And yes, he wrote this book while writing the novel. A don't-miss read into the mind of a prolific and bestselling fiction writer.

USA Today bestselling writer Dean Wesley Smith helps writers understand the very nature of their business, how to sell more, and make more money from every story. Using the metaphor of a magic bakery, copyright becomes easy to understand, and the writing business makes far more sense. This book functions as a guide to help writers gain more from every story they write, protect their property, and understand how to expand their business into the future. Clear, easy to read, and full of insights from a forty-year-career writer who understands how every story contains magic. Want more sales, more money from your writing? Come on in to The Magic Bakery.

Getting a book into readers' hands means achieving that modern marketing buzzword: discoverability. And the simplest way to gain that reader recognition? Branding. Branding helps readers find an author's work. But many authors fail to grasp the concept of creating an effective author brand. Now, New York Times bestselling author and renowned business blogger Kristine Kathryn Rusch expertly tackles the topic in this latest WMG Writer's Guide. In this guide, Rusch teaches the basic concepts of branding and helps authors convert those concepts into useful action to individually brand themselves to maximize reader recognition.  "There are lots of books out there about how to market your book. Some of them are good. Some aren't. Discoverability is one of the best…" —TeleRead "Kristine Kathryn Rusch's new book Discoverability is by far the best resource I have read to date to help indie authors succeed after the book is written." —Chris Syme, Principal of CKSyme Media Group "Kristine [Kathryn Rusch]'s extensive experience in both traditional and indie publishing shines through in this amazing book. Though written for fiction authors, all writers will benefit from reading this book." —Tim Grahl, "11 Best Book Marketing Books" "Discoverability gets my highest recommendation and a must read for writers who want to develop a career and make a living in the Indie Publishing industry." —Marion Hill "[Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog,] The Business Rusch…is full of sound advice and analysis about what's going on." —Jeff Baker, The Oregonian

In this WMG Writer's Guide, award-winning author and business owner Kristine Kathryn Rusch provokes writers to think about their own careers as a business with limits only the writers, themselves, impose. From newly professional writers to those with years in the trenches dealing with traditional publishers, Rusch shows how to expand author earnings and audiences beyond the obvious channels. Drawing from her own vast experience in the industry, Rusch demonstrates that potential markets abound, and every novel, short story, or creative nonfiction essay can become so much more than a one-and-done published piece. From information on IP and licensing to what the writing industry truly looks like today, Rusch lifts the veil on the potential for every writer's business to thrive.   "[Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog,] The Business Rusch…is full of sound advice and analysis about what's going on." —Jeff Baker, The Oregonian   "Kristine Kathryn Rusch's new book Discoverability is by far the best resource I have read to date to help indie authors succeed after the book is written." —Chris Syme, Principal of CKSyme Media Group   "Kristine [Kathryn Rusch]'s extensive experience in both traditional and indie publishing shines through in this amazing book." —Tim Grahl, "11 Best Book Marketing Books" on Discoverability   "Discoverability gets my highest recommendation and a must read for writers who want to develop a career and make a living in the Indie Publishing industry." —Marion Hill

In this WMG Writer's Guide, award-winning author Kristine Kathryn Rusch offers words of wisdom for writers who suffer from chronic illnesses and who want to keep working, to improve their craft and spread their creative wings. A long-time sufferer herself, Rusch reports from the trenches. She tells us her own struggle with health issues and how they challenge her. But none of it actually derailed her career; she worked out ways to keep writing, and in the process became an international bestselling author with hundreds of books in print. Rusch helps writers customize a plan of action based on the writer's individual experience. She shows how to increase productivity by developing a positive, and realistic, outlook. Importantly, Rusch points the way to reclaim the joy of writing, and celebrate success.

The secret of a great story often lies in the writer's ability to hone their craft. But many struggle to do so without destroying their unique voice.   In this WMG Writer's Guide Bundle on Craft, New York Times bestselling authors and renowned business bloggers Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith help writers successfully develop their skills for a long-term writing career.   In The Write Attitude, Rusch shows writers how they can do what they love and love what they do without sabotaging their own success.   In Writing into the Dark, Smith takes you step-by-step through the process of writing without an outline and explains why not having an outline boosts your creative voice and keeps you more interested in your writing.   In The Pursuit of Perfection, Rusch discusses the destructive ways peer workshops and the quest for perfection derail many writers' careers, offers hope for writers who have suffered at the hands of critique—external and internal—and outlines a path to healing.   In Stages of a Fiction Writer, Smith takes you step-by-step through the stages most fiction writers go through and how not to lose hope along the way.   "[Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog,] The Business Rusch…is full of sound advice and analysis about what's going on." —Jeff Baker, The Oregonian   "Dean Wesley Smith's blog gives both a slightly different view of the publishing world than I'd seen before and detailed hands-on 'here's how to get from A to B' instruction." — Erin M. Hartshorn, Vision: A Resource for Writers

Being a successful author requires more than just writing a great book. In the modern world of indie publishing, getting readers to buy your book takes marketing savvy.   In this WMG Writer's Guide Bundle on Marketing, New York Times bestselling authors and renowned business bloggers Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith help writers navigate the complicated world of publishing.   In How to Write Fiction Sales Copy, Smith addresses the major challenges that lead to bad sales copy—including using passive voice and too much plot—and offers 32 examples from his own stories to illustrate his points.   In Creating Your Author Brand, Rusch teaches the basic concepts of branding and helps authors convert those concepts into useful action to individually brand themselves to maximize reader recognition.   In Discoverability, which was named one of the 11 Best Book Marketing Books, Rusch offers professional writers the most comprehensive guide available today to help them make an informed decision about the best marketing approaches for their writing businesses.   "[Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog,] The Business Rusch…is full of sound advice and analysis about what's going on." —Jeff Baker, The Oregonian   "Dean Wesley Smith's blog gives both a slightly different view of the publishing world than I'd seen before and detailed hands-on 'here's how to get from A to B' instruction." — Erin M. Hartshorn, Vision: A Resource for Writers

All writers face obstacles to their productivity—sometimes physical, sometimes mental, sometimes both.   In this WMG Writer's Guide Bundle on Productivity, New York Times bestselling authors and renowned business bloggers Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith share their personal journeys to help guide writers to overcome these obstacles and reach their goals.   In Writing with Chronic Illness, Rusch offers words of wisdom for writers who suffer from chronic illnesses and who want to keep working, to improve their craft and spread their creative wings.   In How to Write a Novel in Ten Days, Smith aims to once and for all shatter the myth that writing fast equals writing badly—or, conversely, writing well equals writing slowly—while taking readers on a journey that demonstrates that writing fast, and writing well, come from motivation and practice.   In Writing a Novel in Five Days While Traveling, Smith gives an intimate day-to-day, minute-by-minute account of how he wrote a full novel in five days while traveling, including tips on how to prepare for the writing as well as what to do when the trip gets in the way.   In Writing a Novel in Seven Days, Smith chronicles his process chapter-by-chapter toward writing a 43,000-word novel in just seven days. He writes about his progress, his feelings about the project, and how he approaches and overcomes obstacles.   "[Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog,] The Business Rusch…is full of sound advice and analysis about what's going on." —Jeff Baker, The Oregonian   "Dean Wesley Smith's blog gives both a slightly different view of the publishing world than I'd seen before and detailed hands-on 'here's how to get from A to B' instruction." — Erin M. Hartshorn, Vision: A Resource for Writers

Many writers seem to view writing a novel while working a full-time job as an impossible task. USA Today bestselling writer Dean Wesley Smith once again proves that notion false. In this latest WMG Writer's Guide, Smith details out his days while he works at his publishing business, teaches online workshops, keeps fit, and writes the latest novel—all in 15 days. And enjoys doing it all! Author of more than one-hundred-and-fifty novels, Smith shares his strategies for staying focused, keeping upbeat, and enjoying what he loves most—writing. "Dean Wesley Smith's blog gives both a slightly different view of the publishing world than I'd seen before and detailed hands-on "here's how to get from A to B" instruction."— Erin M. Hartshorn, Vision: A Resource for Writers

Everyone fails at times. Writers fail in predictable ways—ways both foreseeable and preventable. In this WMG Writer's Guide, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Kristine Kathryn Rusch addresses the pitfalls writers face and offers solutions to help them overcome those obstacles. Because the best writers push through their challenges to ultimately find success, as Rusch brilliantly illustrates in these real-world examples. "Not many people understand the publishing business as well as the author business—Kris Rusch is one of them. Her Freelancer's Survival Guide is balanced, ambitious, and packed with information that all writers, editors, and publishers should read." —Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling author

Mention Hollywood and novelists hear promises of riches, fame and glory. But any writer who ventures into Hollywood alone or with an agent as their guardian actually walks buck naked and unarmed onto a battlefield filled with trained soldiers poised to strip that writer of everything that matters most to them, including the rights to their own work. In this invaluable guide, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch offers novelists an arsenal of survival tools and tips for the unwary. "Such wise words! Even successful, high-earning novelists can be lured by the siren song of Hollywood and end up getting sucked into projects that never make it to the screen." —Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author

In this WMG Writer's Guide, bestselling and award-winning author Kristine Kathryn Rusch tells the riveting story behind the creation of her epic fantasy series The Fey. Rusch speaks frankly about the mistakes she made, the bad advice she took, the problems in curation of the books themselves, and the unequal treatment she received from the publishing company that originally purchased the series in the 1990s. As Rusch now looks forward to writing new books in the world of The Fey, she reflects on those hard-learned lessons and offers spellbinding insights into book publishing's recent past as well as keen insight into the future for aspiring writers.