Writing Thoughts
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What’s New On Substack?
The final installment of our Can I Do That? copyright series is now available. In Part Four, we look at a question every author should understand: How do you protect your own copyright? We’ll cover when copyright begins, why registration matters, when it makes sense to register, and why understanding your rights is an important part of…
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A New Series for Poets at Old Scratch Press
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Linger
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Your Work Has Value Before It’s Published
Protect Your Own Copyright, Too Most writers spend a lot of time worrying about accidentally infringing someone else’s copyright. Far fewer spend time understanding their own. The final installment of our “Can I Do That?” series turns the conversation around. We’ll look at when copyright begins, why your first draft already matters, what registration does (and doesn’t)…
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Please Stop Quoting….
Every writer has experienced it. You’re working on a scene when the perfect song lyric pops into your head. It says exactly what your character is feeling, and suddenly you’re wondering whether you can borrow just a line or two. Unfortunately, copyright law isn’t quite that simple. In Part Three of our “Can I Do That?”…
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The Indie Author Companion, Episode 3: Fair Use Isn’t a Magic Phrase
James: Copyright law: the one area where writers confidently say “I looked it up” and then get it completely wrong. DianneP is here to help with that. Claire: This episode follows a single thread — what writers actually get wrong about fair use, and why the answers are almost never as simple as the questions.…
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Fair Use Isn’t a Magic Phrase
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Happy Independence Day from Current Words Publishing
When I was a kid, the Fourth of July meant decorating my bicycle for the neighborhood parade, watching the Phillies play baseball, and proudly wearing a pair of red, white, and blue low-top sneakers that I thought were the coolest shoes on earth. I also remember six-year-old Jacque McGough, wildly rebellious and tiny, sneaking sips…
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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…
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Lonely Writers
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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!)…
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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…
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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…
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“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…
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“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…
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“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…
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“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?!…
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“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…
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(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…
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“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…