Writing Thoughts
-
We Missed You!
Over 30 people joined us at last weekend’s mixer, and three lucky attendees walked away with signed books or custom art. The room was buzzing with conversation, laughter, and new connections, and we truly wished you could have been there. It was an evening full of energy, creativity, and good company. I love meeting people…
-
Lonely Writers
Hey there lonely writers! Having trouble keeping the momentum going? Let’s have some fun! Check out my newest video, where I take a look at Edward Gorey’s Fantod Pack, and then let’s see what you can come up with. Our first card leads us into…. The Tunnel!
-
Popping the Cork on Champagne, or champagne?
Did you know there is a difference between Champagne and champagne? Well, honestly, there never was in my house growing up. My parents called Asti Spumante, Lancer’s Rose, and cold duck, “Champagne,” because they thought they all were the same. (And I can still remember the oohs and aahs over pink champagne! It was pink!)…
-
Dan Cohen’s Father’s Dementia Made Dan Into an Author, and One of Our Partners
When did you become a writer? For myself, I had been a writing since elementary school. I began as a playwright. I would write one-act comedy skits I would coerce my friends into performing with me. Fortunately for me, the teachers at Leedom Elementary School were very encouraging, and they always managed to find a…
-
Thank You For This Morning, Authors
Thank You, Authors—Here’s to 2026! Every month, Current Words hosts a free Author Marketing Meeting for our clients—past and present. These sessions are a space where writers come together to learn, share, and grow. We explore practical strategies that help authors find new readers, boost visibility, and increase book sales. It’s one of the ways…
-
“You Wrote It. Now Sell It.” Cross-Promotion
One of the most powerful tools authors have today is each other. Cross-promotion allows writers to share audiences, build credibility, and expand their reach without feeling like they’re shouting into a void. The key is to approach it as a partnership: you’re not selfishly asking others to share your work, you’re offering to amplify theirs…
-
“You Wrote It. Now Sell It.” The Reader Magnet (part II).
Last time, we shared the concept of the reader magnet and its importance in helping expand your readership. If you missed that post, you’ll find it here. As mentioned in part 1, a reader magnet is a free, high-value offering—anything from a bonus chapter to a prequel to an upcoming work or an exclusive short…
-
“You Wrote It. Now Sell It.” The Reader Magnet.
A reader magnet is a free piece of content—like a short story, guide, checklist, or novella—that you offer to your audience in exchange for subscribing to your mailing list. Its primary goal is to attract readers, engage them, turn casual visitors into long-term fans, and add stickiness to your site. By giving something valuable up…
-
“You Wrote It. Now Sell It.” Practical Marketing Tips for Authors: Elevator Pitch vs Hook
Writing a book is a major accomplishment worth celebrating. But finishing the manuscript is only the beginning of a larger journey—one that includes crafting a strong elevator pitch and doing the work to get your book not just published, but also read. Today’s question: Can you give me the elevator pitch quickly? Quicker than that?!…
-
“You Wrote It. Now Sell It.” Practical Marketing Tips for Authors: Market Early and Often
Writing a book is a major accomplishment—and one worth celebrating. But finishing the manuscript is only the beginning of the larger journey: getting your work not just published, but read. Much of an author’s success depends on their willingness to market early and often—transforming your story from something known only to you into a book…
-
(Dis)Associating ~ Aspen Greenwood
It is almost time for the next issue of INSTANT NOODLES. The Old Scratch Press crew is working on finalizing the selections (and if you were chosen, but didn’t receive your contract yet, it’s coming.), with a deadline of July 11th, and we’ll have the whole issue designed and ready for reading by August. I…
-
“You Wrote It. Now Sell It.” Practical Marketing Tips for Authors: Collect Readers
Writing a book is a major accomplishment worth celebrating. But writing the book is only the beginning of a larger journey to seeing your work not just published, but also read. Today’s question: Who is going to read your book? It’s time to collect readers. Take about six minutes with me today to think about…
-
Join Our Monthly Marketing Meetings as a Guest Speaker
Current Words Publishing offers monthly marketing meetings for our authors. We’re looking for marketing, and especially book marketing, professionals who would like to be a guest speaker at a future meeting. All meetings take place via Zoom at 9A PT on the second Saturday of the month barring any holidays. They are drop-in for all…
-
Introducing “You Wrote It. Now Sell It.” Practical Marketing Tips for Authors
Writing a book is a major accomplishment worth celebrating. But writing the book is only the beginning of a larger journey to seeing your work published. That’s why we’re excited to launch, “You Wrote It. Now Sell It,” a new video series of marketing tips. This series is designed for writers who want to take…
-
Happy Pride!! Celebrate!
At Current Words Publishing, we’re proud members of the Safe Space Alliance and thrilled to say: Happy Pride Month! We’re about to hang the Love Is Love flag out front, alongside the flag that always flies at our home, that is like this: I’ve got that one suspended above the planter TikTok swore would yield a bounty…
-
The Line Edit
Have you subscribed to our new biweekly newsletter that provides free, helpful editing tips? It’s called THE LINE EDIT. Here’s a copy of our first issue: Welcome to THE LINE EDIT, your go-to source for practical, professional insights that help you strengthen your writing one tip at a time. Whether you’re polishing your novel, rewriting a…
-
Old Scratch Press Update
If you didn’t know it, CWP runs a poetry/short form collective called Old Scratch Press (OSP). Founded in 2022, and publishing its first books in 2023, the collective was formed as a way to make publishing poetry, and all types of short form creative writing, affordable and possible. It’s incredibly tough to get a traditional…
-
How to Get the Most Out of Critique Groups: A Guest Post by Virginia Watts
I have participated in quite a few of writing critique groups for many years now, and I can say that the feedback I have received from fellow writers has been critical to my success in publishing my work. It is true that if you remain with the same group over an extended period, there will…
-
Publishing with Us: What You Get, What It Costs, and Why You’re Worth It.
The Current Words Publishing Package Publishing with us is personal, economical, and free of add-on expenses, hidden costs, and vague promises. What our publishing package includes: What our service costs: Why you’re worth it: Why do you need a partner publisher? Many authors think partner publishers are simply out to make a buck, whereas a…
-
Authors Helping Authors
One of the things we know, from experience, is that publishing your book is only one part of the process. Another vital and incredibly time-consuming process is building an audience. It’s possible that Stephen King’s publisher has a list of email addresses of people who buy Stephen King’s books, and so can spam them with…