Author Archives: Ann O'Brien

A Comprehensive List of Writer Grants so You Can Get Paid to Write!

Posted by Ann O'Brien
on September 2, 2017

You know it, your friends know it, and your parents certainly know it: you didn’t get into writing for the money. For most writers (especially those just starting out), another, more traditional job is necessary to pay the bills. You … Continue reading »

How to Solicit Book Reviews (Without Sounding Desperate!)

Posted by Ann O'Brien
on August 18, 2017

Looking to figure out how to solicit book reviews? You brainstormed, you drafted, you agonized over every little detail and cried a bit (a lot) when your editor suggested you scrap the whole scene you copied from a dream (but … Continue reading »

Your Marketing Plan for Your Self-Published Book

Posted by Ann O'Brien
on August 3, 2017

Who knows your book better than you? That’s why you are the perfect person to market it. You should sit down and write a marketing plan to keep you focused. It will take a lot of concentrated work, probably as … Continue reading »

Creating Characters Who Come to Life

Posted by Ann O'Brien
on July 22, 2017

How often have you found yourself clapping a book shut because the plot was ruined by poorly-developed characters? They were shallow, one-dimensional, or erratic, and they finally drove you to divest yourself from the story. All fiction readers and writers … Continue reading »

Why Is an Editor Necessary?

Posted by Ann O'Brien
on July 6, 2017

It’s easy to think you don’t need an editor … after all, you’ve come this far on your own, and it’s difficult to allow someone else to criticize and potentially make changes to your book. However, it’s important to remember … Continue reading »

Creating Lifebook Printing Projects to Leave a Legacy

Posted by Ann O'Brien
on June 26, 2017

Lifebook printing projects have become popular with some adoption agencies that want the children to have an idea of their family history. But they can also be a great way to ensure that your children know about their family heritage … Continue reading »

Short-Run Magazine Printing: Spotlight on the Great Lakes Surfer’s Journal

Posted by Ann O'Brien
on June 3, 2017

In this short-run magazine printing spotlight, we have a close-to-home client. Since we are located in Madison Heights, Michigan, we love that Great Lakes State is a company all about being Michigan Proud. They were founded in 2012 by a … Continue reading »

Writer’s Block: Understanding the Problem and Moving Forward