I originally wrote this guide to writing and submitting press releases to help the readers and advertisers of my newspaper Boyne City Gazette but much of the information applies to authors hoping to get the news of their new books out. I understand how important it is for you to share information about your group, … Continue reading Press release writing tips

Tony Soprano once told Dr. Melfi that doing therapy is like taking a shit. As a veteran of the DSM-IV style of shrinkage, I'm not sure I agree. But, I will say that writing a book is like trying not to soil your pants in public. Frantically hurrying to finish. Sweating and fussing. Trying like … Continue reading Here’s to clean pants and finished novels

The wife suddenly decided the husband needed to begin doing daily yoga with her. Other than the physical activity, the weird positions, and the bizarre hours involved (she yogs at 5 a.m.), I wouldn't mind the yoga so much. It doesn't help that my rotundness prevents me from doing most of the positions correctly. The … Continue reading Can yoga save your marriage? No, it can’t

I was once accused of bias in an opinion column I wrote. That this person took issue with my opinion appearing on the opinion page of the newspaper was not a first but it did get me to thinking about bias in news. There are several types of bias: institutional, bias by omission, spin, bias … Continue reading A totally biased look at the issue of bias

The Writer's Circle [sic] on Facebook (I know, it should be “The Writers Circle” because it's a circle of writers and not a circle that belongs to the writer—see the AP Style Manual, which covers “farmers markets” and “teachers lounges” in the same manner.) put out this 30-day writing challenge. Being that I have two … Continue reading Taking the 30-minute writing challenge