C. M. Skiera's Blog

As the holiday crunch closes in on us, I thought I'd share some of my favorite freebies, in case you're in need of another stocking stuffer, or just want to get a little something for yourself. Free e-books are all over the internet, but if you're looking for some quality free e-books, I think these suggestions stand out above the crowd. I've read the books below and found each of them valuable: Smashwords Book Marketing Guide  By Mark Coker An easy-to-implement guide on how to market ebooks. My rating; 5 stars. The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success  By Mark Coker The 30 best practices of bestselling self-published ebook authors. My rating; 4 stars. Put the Cat In the Oven Before You Describe the Kitchen   By Jake Vander Ark Twenty writing tips for novice (and intermediate) writers. My rating; 4 stars. How to Write More Words More Easily (Fiction Writing HELP)  By Terrance Field Guidelines for writing an interesting, page-turning story. My rating;...

Although Dwight V. Swain's  Techniques of the Selling Writer is older than I am (which is pretty darn old), it stands the test of time and remains a valuable read for writers, especially beginners and those still striving to perfect their craft. So, you may be asking, why bother reviewing a 49-year old book? Fair question. It's one of the most cited and referenced books on writing I've encountered, and after reading it, I can understand why. If you haven't heard of it, or given it a try, I'll attempt to convince you. Techniques of the Selling Writer  focuses on the premise of understanding your reader’s motivation for reading. With that goal in mind, the book then provides instructions on how to successfully assemble your story to give your readers a powerful emotional experience. Dwight V. Swain's book can be thought of as a builder's manual for crafting a satisfying and rewarding story. Possibly the most well-known concept Swain presents in this book ...