Writing Fiction vs. Selling Fiction

Writing Fiction vs. Selling Fiction

In his comment on my previous marketing post, reader Misha Burnett draws an important delineation between writing fiction and selling fiction: And this is exactly why I gave up trying to write for money. It's a sales job, and I don't like sales. Having a fairly decent product line helps,…
June 7, 20175 Comments
Marketing Is Everything

Marketing Is Everything

Author Russell Newquist helpfully informs us of the difference between marketing and advertising while explaining why marketing is essential for authors. First of all, you have to understand that marketing and advertising are two separate but related things. Any business you run (and remember, selling your own books is a…
June 6, 201718 Comments
TANSTAAFL: Marketing Edition

TANSTAAFL: Marketing Edition

Author Russell Newquist highlights two vital principles that all authors must embrace: marketing is not optional, and you have to spend money to make money. But going into business for yourself means that you want to make money. And if you want to make money – real money – in…
June 1, 201711 Comments
On the Books: Characterization

On the Books: Characterization

Which qualities define a strong character? How can writers make their characters well-rounded? Join me and author Justin Knight as we discuss characterization on the latest episode of Geek Gab: On the Books. Ethics disclosure: Justin has hired me to edit his upcoming novel. @BrianNiemeier
May 31, 2017
How to Write Action

How to Write Action

How much action is enough? Is character important to fun, engaging action? Is Dan Brown any good at writing action scenes? Find out on the latest episode of On the Books with Declan Finn, author of the Love at First Bite series. Action flows quickly and keeps the reader on…
May 24, 20175 Comments
How to Write Nonhuman Characters

How to Write Nonhuman Characters

How should writers approach designing nonhuman species? What is the best way to write nonhuman characters so that they will be three-dimensional individuals while still being alien? Yakov Merkin, author of the new epic sci-fi novel A Greater Duty joined me on Geek Gab: On the Books to share his thoughts…
May 17, 2017

On the Books: Author Marketing

Dragon Award-winning author Nick Cole, author (and my Soul Cycle editor) L. Jagi Lamplighter Wright, and Geek Gab host Daddy Warpig convene with me to discuss author marketing strategies on this star-studded episode of On the Books. Do blog tours build buzz for a launch? Do podcasts sell books? Is…
May 11, 20173 Comments
On the Books

On the Books

It's my sincere pleasure to announce the launch of Geek Gab's second spinoff series: On the Books. Geek Gab listeners have been asking us to do episodes that are more focused on particular areas of interest. Instead of narrowing the scope of our flagship podcast, we've decided to do gaiden…
May 5, 2017
Pulp Speed

Pulp Speed

Greetings, writers, critics, and fans of the Pulp Revolution! Today I bring you a two-in-one history and writing lesson from one of the smartest and most prolific indie authors working today: Mr. Dean Wesley Smith. Lest you're tempted to think that's just flattery, Mr. Smith displays knowledge of the real…
April 21, 201718 Comments
How to Be Productive

How to Be Productive

A reader and fellow author approached me with a question that I think is worth sharing. Hey Brian, I had a question for you as an aspiring writer. What are some tricks that you do to keep on top of your production? Most days I can barely get 500 words…
February 24, 20174 Comments