I once had the extreme pleasure of meeting Dawnn Lewis about seven or eight years ago. You may remember her as "Jaleesa" from "A Different World", Robin from "Hangin' Wit' Mr. Cooper", or even Cheryl from "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka", but if you're a super nerd like me, you also know her as the voice of "LaBarbara" on "Futurama", which had me extra "fan stupid" when it came time to meet her. [caption id="attachment_5371" align="alignright" width="165"] Chatting with Dawnn Lewis after her speech.[/caption] Yes, I LOVE when Black women do voice-over acting. They hold a very special place in...
[BLOG] Is Your Manuscript Ready for Submission? 10 Rules to Know About Standard Manuscript Formatting
There are many common mistakes that authors make which result in their manuscripts getting rejected. Yes, you will read everywhere about the staggering odds you must overcome to be accepted by a traditional publisher; but oftentimes it's the author sabotaging themselves before they have a chance to even face those odds.I - along with many other publishers, editors, and agents - have read hundreds, if not thousands of manuscripts. So far, the most frequent error I see regarding manuscripts isn't regarding whether it's good or not - it's that the work they submit is not in standard manuscript format. I'm...
[BLOG] Before Seeking A Publisher, Should You Copyright Your Work?
This question arises constantly and with the rise of the "digital age", more and more authors worry about the risks of their work being stolen. Knowing your rights and how to navigate using them is what sets the pros apart from the newbies. While others may disagree, I am a strong believer that you should get your work copyrighted as soon as you've completed it. I debate this constantly with people online, and stand by my affirmation: protect your work. We live in the Internet age now. While there are many reputable people out there, an equal amount of not-so-trustworthy...
[BLOG] Tips To Keep Your Writing Sharp
Join writing groups. Even online ones. It's important to stay active and engage with other writers. Writing can be a lonely profession, and it's good to have the support of like-minded people around you. Remember to find your tribe, engage with them, and love what they contribute to your writing. It always feels great to have people in your corner who understand your woes as a writer. Take writing classes. There are many free classes out there online but here's a bit of advice: if you're an experienced writer, use them only to challenge yourself. Why? Because you get what...