 From the myths they once believed, to the quiet habits that sustained them, these authors remind us that mastery isn’t a straight line, rejection isn’t failure, and the path to "making it" is rarely what we imagine.
 A guest column by Herta Feely.
These days, whether published by a traditional press, a hybrid press or you’ve self-published, you will inevitably need to do some book promotion. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but I’m here to tell you that while it can be wearying (and even costly), it can also be fun, and costs can be contained. I’m sure you’re also aware that it’s important to plan your book’s promotional efforts starting at least three months in advance of the release date. Most presses provide some guidance and support, and there are countless webinars, books, and podcasts on the subject. Hiring a publicist can also be immensely helpful. If you decide to add a publicist to your promotional team, make sure to do your due diligence before hiring him or her to help you create and execute a plan. If you're feeling gung-ho and motivated, consider one of our 2026 writers conferences. We are planning many around the country and also online (where anyone can join from anywhere). See the graphic in this post for our official list of events for 2026. Our events have over 170 success stories of writers who signed with agents following meeting them at an event. That's the best proof we can offer. Go to writingdayworkshops.com to sign up now.   ABOUT THE AGENT:
Shannon Snow is an associate agent with Rosecliff Literary. Shannon worked in finance and marketing for nearly twenty years before turning to her childhood first love – books and writers. She started her publishing career in 2018 as an intern and then an associate agent with Creative Media Agency, Inc, before moving to Rosecliff Literary Agency in 2026. Shannon holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature with a minor in Creative Writing. She has an eclectic reading taste spanning most genres in the commercial and upmarket space. Keep reading to see if Shannon Snow is your dream agent!  The publishing industry can feel like a battlefield where many writers decide it's time to hang up their pens. In this post, four seasoned authors open up about the reasons why they haven't quit.  Whether you're just starting out, battling the middle of a manuscript, or seeking sustainable creativity, James L. Rubart's wisdom reminds us that great stories aren't rushed—they're forged with patience, rest, and unflinching honesty. Dive in and discover what he wants you to know about the writing life.  ABOUT THE AGENT:
Andrea Colvin founded Andrea Colvin Creative Agency in 2025 after three decades in the publishing industry. For the past 15 years she has held a variety of editorial leadership roles. She founded Little, Brown Ink, the graphic novel imprint from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, was editor in chief at the inclusive comics publisher Lion Forge, and spearheaded Andrews McMeel Publishing’s push into children’s books. She is best known for having acquired and published the graphic memoir Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, one of the most banned books in the US for the past half decade, and for her development role in Jerry Craft’s New Kid, the first graphic novel to win the prestigious Newbery Award. Andrea’s list focuses on books and illustration for young people, from picture books through new adult. She is especially looking to represent illustrators, middle-grade and YA prose authors, and creative nonfiction aimed at kids. She lives in New York City with her partner, teenage daughter, and elderly pets. Keep reading to see if Andrea is your dream agent!  I love pickleball! I love pickleball so much that I’ve started writing about it to celebrate that love. Let me share some of my books with you.
As of fall 2025, my new Pickleball books are out (and they make great gifts)! One is a picture book from Running Press Kids, the other a calendar from Sellers Publishing. Thank you for considering getting a copy for yourself or friends. Every sale and review truly helps. They make great holiday gifts. GOODNIGHT, PICKLEBALL got a buy from Target and is a USA Today best-selling book. Find GOODNIGHT, PICKLEBALL on Amazon here. Find GOODNIGHT, PICKLEBALL at Barnes & Noble here. You can buy it online from B&N, or use the “Find in Stores” button to see if it’s at a physical store around you. Find GOODNIGHT, PICKLEBALL at Target here. You can buy it online from Target, or click the “Pickup” button to investigate if it’s at a store around you. As of fall 2025, it’s in about 1/3 of Targets nationwide. Find GOODNIGHT, PICKLEBALL through Bookshop here (formerly called IndieBound) to support local independent bookstores, which is always an amazing thing to do.  (A guest column by literary agent (and author) Mike Nappa of Nappaland Literary.) To become a master at anything—basketball, rock-n-roll, fiction writing, even crime—takes about 10,000 hours of practice.[1] So, while you’re putting in (roughly) ten years of rehearsal toward your mastery of fiction, use these skill-builders help you: PLOT SKILL BUILDERS: 1. Play with a Child What you’ll learn: To plot with imagination. In Anika’s play-world, she’s a magical queen—so obviously that corner lamp is trying to dethrone her! Anything is possible in Anika’s self-story, and everything acts according to her imaginative worldview. A smart writer knows that Anika’s play-time is really uninhibited story plotting. Are you a smart writer? Then jump in and practice plotting with her! Make sound effects, crawl through swamps, turn yourself into a toad. Pay attention to plot decisions your child-mentor makes, and ask why. When you’re done, you’ll be exhausted—and ready to create something wonderful.  A guest column by Nour Sallam of The Caldwell Agency. Why do literary fiction writers struggle with maintaining a propulsive plot? When I first sat down to write this post, I wanted to write about how you can maintain a propulsive plot. But the more I thought about this topic, the more I realized that it’s worthwhile to examine the why before we delve into actionable advice. After all, if we don’t understand why we’re struggling with the thing we’re struggling with, how can we even begin to apply someone’s advice? |