25 books for $13 is an absolute steal and will cover you for the whole of spooky season. itch.io/b/3260/spook...

#WriteSky I'm sure this anthology will appeal to at least a few writers in the #WritingCommunity. #CallForSubmissions

I don't have the skills necessary to "wear all the hats", so I don't. I do what I can myself, then I pay others to fill in the gaps. It's best to think of #indiePublishing like indie films. You don't need to do it all by yourself. But you are paying the bills yourself. #WritingLifeMonthly #BookSky

Exactly 5 years ago today, my mother unexpectedly passed away. But she left a legacy of memories that still make me laugh today. She was a force that was larger than life, and she knew how to laugh. #RememberingLife

This one is hard to answer because I could use the money right now. But I knew that making a living as a writer was going to be hard. So, I'm in it for the long haul. I'm marketing to sell books in a year's time, not "right now". Does that make sense? #WritingLifeMonthly #AmPublishing #BookSky

I encounter many writers who believe that #editing is just about punctuation and grammar... but it's so much more than that. In today's #MondayBlog, I'm breaking down the stages of editing as I define them. #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #WriteSky

Todays partial solar eclipse. Luckily the clouds stayed away until after maximum eclipse. From South Canterbury, New Zealand Lunt LS80tha and Grasshopper 3 camera #eclipse

Even back in the day when I was seeking traditional publication, I still wrote what I damn well wanted to write. I have to write the story that I'm passionate about, or it will feel forced and won't work. Simple as that. #WritingLifeMonthly #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #writeSky #BookSky

While I'm alive, my work is my work. If people find joy in it, then I want to be a part of that. After I'm dead... Well, I'm dead. If the only way the work lives on is if someone else takes it over, then I'd be happy with that. #WritingLifeMonthly #AmPublishing #BookSky #WriteSky

My main characters are typically strong female protagonists. But one has zero filter. Another is a trained assassin & the leader of her people. Another is the unwilling victim of a society that has to be brought to its knees. There are similar traits, but they are different. #PretendPanel #AmWriting

IMO, what makes a character memorable is their flaws. It's the flaws that readers empathize with, and they want to see how those flaws are going to impact on interactions. And those flaws can manifest in so many ways. #PretendPanel #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

It's through talking with readers that I get some awesome ideas. So, yes, I like talking to readers. #WritingLifeMonthly #BookSky #Books

I've already abandoned the traditional path. But I didn't make that decision because of money. I didn't choose to go indie because of control either. There were a lot of reasons why I chose to jump ship. The way AI tech is being used is part of it. #WritingLifeMonthly judylmohr.com/2024/07/26/g...

Okay... Turning closing down this Wikipedia article before I fall out of my chair laughing so hard... or have a mental meltdown, developing a human-AI complex, because I'm guilty of so many of these things in my personal work. #AmWriting #AmEditing #WritingCommunity #NoAI #TotallyHuman

And the editor in me wants to edit this Wikipedia article, turning all of the heading into title case... because they SHOULD be in title case. But most people don't use it because most people don't know the rules of title case. But I do, because I was taught them. #BookSky #WritingCommunity

OMG, I can't stop laughing of the top 22 "Signs of AI Writing" listed in this Wikipedia article, I'm guilty of 18 of them in my personal writing. So, clearly I'm a human-powered AI-gen tech LLM, because I never use AI-gen tech in my writing. OMG, this is hilarious. 🤣😂 #AmHuman #BookSky #WriteSky

Because of a list on Wikipedia about the "Signs of AI Writing," I can guarantee that many legit writers (and editors), myself included, will now be accused of using AI-gen tech in our work. But curly quotes are industry standard for published works. #BookSky #WritingCommunity 1/6

Further to my comment about my publishing schedule, some might want to publish as soon as they're done writing, but IMO the rapid release model is not sustainable. It can kill the creative spirit & rush the editorial process to a book's detriment. #WritingLifeMonthly #BookSky #amPublishing

I'm using a traditional publishing model for my production schedule. It's because I understand the TIME it takes for certain tasks. I'm currently prepping a novel that won't be published until August 2026, and I'm writing the 2027 and 2028 novels. #WritingLifeMonthly #BookSky #AmPublishing

SQUEE! Check out the cover for my upcoming release! Antagonistic Beats of a Story: Understanding the Role of the Antagonist in Story Structure. For writers of all genres wanting to take their writing to the next level. Released in February 2026. #BookSky #WriteSky #WriteTips #AntagonisticBeats

The idea of "full control" is a fallacy, because there is always external factors in play. But I like knowing that I'm able to have final say over the quality of the work produced. And the options available are also improving day by day. #WritingLifeMonthly #AmPublishing #BookSky #IndieBooks

I have already abandoned the traditional publication path. There were many reasons why. Certain trad houses using AI for audio and translations was just one of them. More on my reasoning for going self can be found at judylmohr.com/2024/07/26/g... #WritingLifeMonthly #WritingCommunity #BookSky

SQUEE! Cover reveal is almost here! Tomorrow, I get to show it to the world. (If you are a subscriber to my newsletter... check your emails!) #BookSky #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #CoverReveal #AntagonisticBeats

When I hear comments from other editors saying that we're dumbing down language and that we should publish more books like Jane Austen, I want to scream. Language evolves! #MondayBlogs #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #BookSky

Skippers sunset Tāhuna Queenstown, New Zealand Theres's a reason rental cars aren't permitted in this canyon, it's fun! #NewZealand #Nikon #GreatNZRoadie

Like so many industries built on subjective opinion, connections & networks matter—a lot! It's who you know in this business, particularly when it comes to marketing books. Which is why it's important to build networks early in your #writing career. Talent only gets you so far. #WritingLifeMonthly

There are days when I would prefer to just be writing... but other days, I'm glad I do more than just writing. #WriteSky #BookSky #WritingLifeMonthly

This is not really something I think about... because anything not in the book wasn't worth including. #BookSky #WriteSky #PretendPanel

This is one aspect where my pantser nature kicks in. Characters are developed on the fly. #AmWriting #PretendPanel #WriteSky

I'm a professional editor myself... and even I use a professional editor for my personal projects. That should tell you something. I know it can be expensive, but a good editor is worth their weight in gold. #WritingLifeMonthly #AmEditing #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

Check out the speakers and programme and sign up here: events.humanitix.com/specficnz-pr... #specficnz #professionaldevelopment #summit2025 #publishing #marketing #writingcommunity

I was on my back doorstep, basking in the sun, hyperaware that I was being admitted to hospital later that day to have labor induced. My son was born 30 hours later. The lives lost matter, but not everyone's #memories of that day are filled with pain. #September11 judylmohr.com/2016/09/14/9...

My sense of silence is now shattered. The pile driver is back! (The joys of having construction across the street.) #WritersLife #FirstWorldProblems

It was concerning how many editors made it easy for me to say, "No," to the services they offered. #WritingCommunity #AmEditing

IF the right opportunity came along (favorable contract terms AND a good fit), then I would 100% sell my film rights. I write #SciFi #technothrillers, which lend themselves nicely to the visual medium. In fact, if I can't see the "movie" in my head, then I can't write the story. #WritingLifeMonthly

Author events and book festivals are not a big draw for me, but partly because I live in New Zealand where these things don't happen often... and travel overseas (particularly to the Northern Hemisphere) is EXPENSIVE! #WritersLife #WritingCommunity #WritingLifeMonthly

Less than a week to go before the full cover is revealed to the world. But the subscribers get to see it first. If you would like to subscribe to my newsletter, visit: judylmohr.com/subscribe/ #BookSky #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #CoverReveal #AntagonisticBeats

I finished reading 'Dancing in the Purple Rain' last night and it's still clinging onto me. What an absolutely brilliant book. When I thought I knew what was happening and had happened everything would change to something completely different. It was like trying to find my way out of a mirror maze.

Validation for a #writer is a personal thing & is different for everyone. It might be a #tradPublishing contract. It could be seeing the book on the shelf. It could be the number of reviews, or awards. Or even praise from a someone who means so much to us. #WritingLifeMonthly #WritingCommunity

If I could afford a publicist, I would 100% do it. Sadly, my marketing budget doesn't stretch that far. Maybe one day. #AmPublishing #BookSky #WriteSky #Books #WritingLifeMonthly

Ever pop open your manuscript file and feel … nothing? Not dread, not excitement—just a dull emptiness. Author and book coach Anne F. Haag suggests what you might do next.

Sometimes, it's the mundane things that send us down rabbit holes that we struggle to get out of. This rabbit hole all started with my husband and I debating about the type of toilet paper we should buy. Yep, toilet paper. #FlashFromThePast #MondayBlogs #ToiletHumour

For those seeking the #TradPublishing path, awards definitely matter. They help to expand the author's reach, increasing sales... ultimately increasing advances. However, some awards are better than others. But not getting awards doesn't diminish the value of your writing. #WritingLifeMonthly

I have JUST discovered that finding my book in the library is a reality. I've woken up to a message from a friend with a photo of my novel in the local library. Seriously, that is so cool! #WritingLifeMonthly #BookSky #SciFi #technothriller

I've never deliberately inserted myself into my stories, but it turns out that many of my main characters are just facets of myself that I've never fully explored. And my closest friend can see my main character's personality leak to the surface in me. #amWriting #WritersLife #PretendPanel

Back when I didn't know anything, I would have spent the advance on a holiday... or a car. But now I know what I know, I would use the first part of the advance to hire a publicist. Subsequent portions would go to pay for an editor for the next book. #WritingLifeMonthly #TradPublishing

My main characters have this habit of knocking on my dreams... and sticking around until I finally write their story. Then the next character gets persistent and wants attention. Sometimes, it takes a long time to get their names, but their personalities take over. #AmWriting #BookSky #PretendPanel

12 more days to go before the cover can be revealed to the world. But subscribers to my newsletter get to see it first. If you would like to subscribe to my newsletter, visit: judylmohr.com/subscribe/ #BookSky #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #CoverReveal #AntagonisticBeats

For those who have now read my novel "Dancing in the Purple Rain", there's another snippet floating around the internet (a confession letter from Tam) that might change your viewpoint regarding Tam's antagonistic perspective. Enjoy. #BookSky #SciFiThriller theprotagonistspeaks.com/2025/08/01/t...

Any #writer seeking publication has already invested so much time in #writing that book. I think many of us just see the added time and effort as an extension of that. But I have to admit that upfront costs (of any kind) are a leap of faith. #WritingLifeMonthly #WritingCommunity