Category Archives: Publishing

Professional Wednesday: Most Important Lessons — Understand Your Contracts

Posted on June 22, 2022 by dbjackson

Today’s post won’t be overly long. It doesn’t need to be, as the advice is fairly straightforward. One of the advantages of having an agent, beyond increased chances of selling our work to a traditional publisher, and increased access to … Continue reading →

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Tuesday Musings: This is Why People Post Photos of Kittens…

Posted on June 21, 2022 by dbjackson

I am having a bit of a “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all” moment right now. There are some things I would like to write about. I have a couple of rants percolating … Continue reading →

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Professional Wednesday: Listening To My Own Work

Posted on June 15, 2022 by dbjackson

About seven years ago, I received out of the blue, an email from the actor Bronson Pinchot, who is probably best known for playing the role of “Balki” in the sitcom Perfect Strangers. He was, by then, enjoying a successful … Continue reading →

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Professional Wednesday: Most Important Lessons — Dealing With the Slog, part I

Posted on June 1, 2022 by dbjackson

Just keep swimming Just keep swimming Just keep swimming… Yes, I am a Pixar fan. Sue me. My kids were the perfect age for the magical first generation of Pixar movies — Toy Story (1 and 2); Monsters, Inc., Finding … Continue reading →

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Professional Wednesday: Roger Angell, 1920-2022

Posted on May 25, 2022 by dbjackson

If you are not a baseball fan, and not a reader of The New Yorker, chances are the news of Roger Angell’s passing, at the age of 101, had little significance for you. But if you are familiar with his … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: I’m Basically Ted from “How I Met Your Mother”

Posted on May 23, 2022 by dbjackson

Are you familiar with the TV show How I Met Your Mother, which ran on CBS from 2005-2014? Ah, good! [Puts out hand.] Nice to meet you. I’m Ted. For those unfamiliar with the show, it was a sitcom that … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: Giving Clueless Advice

Posted on May 16, 2022 by dbjackson

This past week, I spent a good deal of time going through old magazines and books in my office trying to clear out some of the clutter. (More on that in Wednesday’s post.) For years, I have subscribed to a … Continue reading →

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Professional Wednesday: My Approach to Writing Book Reviews

Posted on May 11, 2022 by dbjackson

After publishing my review of Guy Gavriel Kay’s marvelous new book, All the Seas of the World (coming from Viking Press on May 17), the good people at Black Gate Magazine approached me about writing more reviews for them, something … Continue reading →

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Professional Wednesday: What We Can Learn About Writing From a Horny Bluebird

Posted on May 4, 2022 by dbjackson

I got you with the title, didn’t I? I thought I might. The horny bluebird in question lives in our yard and is so hopped up on testosterone, so eager to make himself THE player among breeding bluebirds in the … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: The Power of Professional Friendships

Posted on April 25, 2022 by dbjackson

Coming off a fun, productive weekend at JordanCon in Atlanta, I find myself thinking about the power of professional friendships. I am fortunate beyond measure to have a wonderful life partner, children I adore, family (immediate and extended) who mean … Continue reading →

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