Emerald Stories

30 04, 2021

The Rules

2021-04-30T18:14:01-07:00

Attend any writing group or writing class and you will probably discuss rules for writers. These are usually some simple things to remember that you can easily jot down in a notebook. Don't start a sentence with a conjunction or preposition. Show, don't tell, etc. These rules can be helpful

The Rules2021-04-30T18:14:01-07:00
25 02, 2021

Royalties!

2021-02-28T21:08:50-08:00

(a/k/a Marketing is Worth it!) Yesterday, Isaac and I spent the day calculating royalties for all of the Emerald authors. Our books earned over $6000 for the last 4 months of 2020, with sales throughout the USA, in bookstores, via Kindle and internationally in Europe, Great Britain, Canada, and India.

Royalties!2021-02-28T21:08:50-08:00
12 02, 2021

Write toward vulnerablility

2021-02-12T20:05:25-08:00

Inspired by the upcoming Cup & Quill workshop on writing, I pulled out a copy of Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird. The advice that just shines through the page in her conclusion is about writers making ourselves vulnerable. How does this translate on the page? Create imperfect ("embarrassing?") characters. Make

Write toward vulnerablility2021-02-12T20:05:25-08:00
1 02, 2021

All the extra book stuff!

2021-02-01T03:47:49-08:00

There are so many pieces that go into creating a book, beyond just the text and narrative. When you are submitting a book to an editor or publisher, make sure you have thought about the following pieces: Copyright page table of contents About the Author: a professional bio of you

All the extra book stuff!2021-02-01T03:47:49-08:00
14 01, 2021

Writing tips for history

2021-01-14T02:23:39-08:00

Thought I would share what I instruct my undergraduate history students to do in their writing. I think that particulars and specificities help historians make arguments and tell stories. Here they go! Use the past tense to describe historical events. Ensure your statement is specific. Never use such phrases as:

Writing tips for history2021-01-14T02:23:39-08:00
11 01, 2021

When is a book done?

2021-01-11T21:26:00-08:00

This is one of the hardest questions to answer since it's never done. A book can keep going and going... and going. For years. In fact, full disclosure, I just submitted my "Revised" manuscript to an academic publisher. The project started in 2007, dissertation defended in 2012, pages first submitted

When is a book done?2021-01-11T21:26:00-08:00
8 01, 2021

an invaluable resource for writers and people looking to publish a book.

2021-01-08T01:37:21-08:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/selfpublish/wiki/index I always refer to this list just to check if a company is on the author beware list. The resources here for writers are outstanding. Emerald Books Gray Fox Walks: an artistic children's book celebrating the natural world The Brass Starling: mystery and magic in 1910 Manhattan

an invaluable resource for writers and people looking to publish a book.2021-01-08T01:37:21-08:00
7 01, 2021

new autobiographies for the new year

2021-01-07T21:00:55-08:00

For some reason, our new years are always filled with autobiographies. I think we've done four of them in December and January alone! We love making these family volumes to bring people closer and help them share the stories of their lives. These books become family treasures, and it is

new autobiographies for the new year2021-01-07T21:00:55-08:00
7 01, 2021

Writing mantra: Focus

2021-01-07T18:46:07-08:00

Focus is my January word. My daughter taught me about the "flow state." When I think about the work of writing and editing, I think about two kinds of focus: There is the necessity to just focus on one thing, the task at hand. For that, I use one of

Writing mantra: Focus2021-01-07T18:46:07-08:00
7 01, 2021

Today’s events

2021-01-07T00:34:21-08:00

I keep saying I'm shocked but not surprised about today's attempted coup d'état. What a time to be a historian. I see resonances of this event in the Beer Hall Putsch in 1923 and the attempted fascist coup in France on February 6, 1936. I know that democracy will prevail.

Today’s events2021-01-07T00:34:21-08:00