Avatar photoKristen Tsetsi

Kristen Tsetsi is the author of the post-Roe v. Wade novel The Age of the Child, called a novel "for right now" and "scathing social commentary." She’s a former adjunct English professor, former reporter/columnist/feature writer for a daily newspaper, former writing instructor, and a former editor of the literary journal American Fiction (New Rivers Press). She lives in Connecticut.
How to Make Productive Use of ChatGPT: Q&A with Elisa Lorello
Photo of author Elisa Lorello with the quote: "ChatGPT has fueled my love for writing and being a writer, which is really saying something given how much I already loved both. I see what AI generates and it makes me want to write better, more creatively, and more productively."
Author Elisa Lorello’s exploratory dive into ChatGPT led her to discover its usefulness—rather than threat—to fiction and nonfiction writers ...
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Nobody Knows Marketing Like Romance Authors: Q&A with Kitty Thomas
Image: Book cover of Valkyrie by Kitty Thomas, with quote from the interview.
The author of dark- and paranormal romance discusses negative attitudes toward the genre, why sex scenes are the hardest to ...
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/ Author Q&A, Guest Post
Business and Creativity Go Hand in Hand: Q&A with Kern Carter
Photo of Kern Carter, with a quotation: Studying the industry gave me an understanding of what it would take to make my manuscript a commercial success. And I know some authors might be cringing at the word “commercial,” but I didn’t sacrifice an ounce of creativity when writing Boys and Girls Screaming. In fact, it’s probably my most creative novel and the story where I had to use my imagination the most.
The Toronto-based novelist discusses his journey from self- to traditional publishing, marketing, the art and business of writing, and more ...
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If You Don’t Feel “Literary” Enough: Q&A with Nikki Nelson-Hicks
Nikki Nelson-Hicks author photo and pull-quote: We do not bring more darkness into this world by writing horror. We show it to you. We mirror the monster hiding behind you. And we teach you how to kill it.
The author of “weird fiction” discusses why writers should never wait for permission, and the value of reading and writing ...
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The Benefits of MFA Programs: Q&A with Alan Davis
Photo of Alan Davis with quotation: "Publication, literary fame and monetary compensation either come your way or they don’t. Either way, writing well is always the best reward."
One professor addresses common questions and criticisms about MFA programs ...
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When You Change Alongside Your Book: Q&A with Mansi Shah
Mansi Shah
THE TASTE OF GINGER author discusses challenges in her quest for publication, writing about the immigrant experience, and much more ...
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Going the Wrong Kind of Viral: Q&A with Andrea Askowitz
Andrea Askowitz
The author and podcaster discusses what she learned from going the wrong kind of viral, the power of vulnerable truth ...
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Overcoming Writer’s Block Brought On By Childhood Trauma: Q&A with Marc Jampole
Overcoming Writer’s Block Brought On By Childhood Trauma: Q&A with Marc Jampole
The poet and author discusses writing through trauma, his novel’s path to publication, adjusting details to suit a higher truth, ...
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Writing With Sharpness: Q&A with Elinor Lipman
Image: Elinor Lipman
The author discusses film adaptation, writing effective humor and natural dialogue, using a light touch with character description, and more ...
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Writing and Publishing Horror: Q&A with Todd Keisling
Writing and Publishing Horror: Q&A with Todd Keisling
The horror author shares what scares him, the authors who taught him the most about the genre, crowdfunding, trigger warnings, ...
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/ Author Q&A, book publishing, Guest Post, interview, writing
The Joy of the Work: Q&A with Author Caroline Leavitt
Image: Caroline Leavitt
In this interview, the bestselling author discusses her indefatigable enthusiasm for writing, the importance of writers helping writers, and more ...
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On Multi-Genre Publishing: Q&A with Hybrid Author Catherine Stine
Catherine Stine
In this interview, she discusses writing to trends, the limits of writing what you know, taking the time to discover ...
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/ Author Q&A, book publishing, Guest Post, hybrid author, self-publishing, writing
The Exclamation Point: It’s More Than Punctuation
Image: brick wall with sign containing exclamation point
It may be on the wane for reasons ranging from linguistic evolution to feminism, but one writer says exclamation point ...
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/ Guest Post, Writing Advice
Art Versus Commerce: Q&A with Author-Cartoonist Bob Eckstein
Image: Bob Eckstein
In this interview, Bob Eckstein discusses art vs. commerce, newspaper/magazine cartoons vs. TV as communication delivery systems, the influence of ...
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/ Author Q&A, bob eckstein, cartoons, Guest Post, new yorker, writing
Knowing When You’re Ready to Submit: Q&A with Adela Crandell Durkee
Image: Adela Crandell Durkee
In this interview, she discusses discovering writing in mid-life, how she knew when her writing was ready, why she opted ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, Guest Post
From Romance Novelist to Literary Novelist: Anna Schmidt
From Romance Novelist to Literary Novelist: Anna Schmidt
In this Q&A, Anna Schmidt discusses how she became a romance novelist, the nearly accidental way she acquired her current ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, genre, romance, self-publishing
Why Read Women Writers? An Interview with Bill Wolfe
Bill Wolfe
Is it still necessary today to encourage men to read women, or to shine a targeted light on female writers? ...
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/ Author Q&A, book review blog, books by women, female authors, Guest Post
5 On: Jonathan Westbrook
Jonathan Westbrook
Writer and graphic designer Jonathan Westbrook discusses what it's like to win an extraordinary screenwriting contest, then have that win ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, Guest Post
Understanding Audiobook Production: An Interview with Rich Miller
Rich Miller audiobook
How much input should an author have when it comes to the narrator's interpretation? When is feedback helpful, and when ...
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/ audiobooks, Author Q&A, Guest Post
5 On: Amy Tipton
Amy Tipton
Freelance editor and former literary agent Amy Tipton discusses her love of young adult and middle grade fiction, the "unlikable ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, feral girl books, freelance editors, literary agent
5 On: Russell Rowland
Russell Rowland
Author Russell Rowland discusses the big mistake he made with HarperCollins, whether the journey of writing is truly its own ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, Guest Post, publishing, russell rowlanad, writing
Resolving My Cheater Shame: Listening to Books Instead of Reading Them
audiobook listening
I’ve been air-quoting “reading” since my first legitimate introduction to audiobooks this past winter ...
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/ Guest Post, Publishing Industry
5 On: Ian Thomas Healy
5 On: Ian Thomas Healy
In this 5 On interview, author and publisher Ian Thomas Healy shares what he learned from his experiences with literary ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, Guest Post, literary agents
5 On: Julie Smith
5 On: Julie Smith
Author, publisher, and book marketer Julie Smith shares what she loves to write—and read—in a mystery, how her writing obsession ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, ebooks, Guest Post, marketing, publishing
Why Pursue Traditional Publishing? (Are There Enough Good Reasons?)
why traditional publishing
What's the overriding reason for an author to find an agent and a traditional publishing deal? Is it possible that ...
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/ Getting Published, Guest Post
5 On: Lisa Tener
Lisa Tener
Lisa Tener shares important lessons learned when writing her first book, the ups and downs of co-writing, the most important ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, co-writing, Guest Post, publishing, writing coach
Emotional Etiquette for the Writer Seeking an Agent
comparing yourself to other writers
Sometimes guidelines for writers discourage perfectly private, internal envy, anger, indignation, etc., directed toward other writers, or toward agents (or ...
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/ Getting Published
5 On: Dario Ciriello
Dario Ciriello
Author Dario Ciriello talks about breaking writing rules, what publishing other writers taught him about the business, and how little ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, book publishing, Guest Post, writing advice
How Do Books Become Bestsellers? (Can Authors Increase Those Chances?)
bestsellerdom
Is a book's success all luck, even if 'luck' includes hitting the right subject matter at the right time, or ...
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/ Amazon, author promotion, book marketing and promotion, ebooks, indie authors, Marketing & Promotion, online marketing, publicity, self-publishing, traditional publishing
5 On: Debra Eckerling
Debra Eckerling
Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline), founder of the writers' support group Write On!, discusses common writer challenges, the value of blogs, what ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, blogging, Guest Post, networking, social media
5 On: Elizabeth Marro
5 On: Elizabeth Marro
Author Elizabeth Marro discusses literary vs. commercial fiction and what she learned from the sale and marketing of her first ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, book marketing, fiction craft, publishing
5 On: Caroline Leavitt
Caroline Leavitt
Author Caroline Leavitt reveals the fears behind her middle-of-the-night writer anxieties, the contents of her colored book tour folders, her ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, film adaptations, Guest Post, publishing, writer anxiety
5 On: Rosalie Morales Kearns
Rosalie Morales Kearns
Author, editor, and publisher Rosalie Morales Kearns discusses why she started a feminist press (and what it takes to run ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, publishing, writing exercises
5 On: R.J. Keller
RJ Kelly
Author R.J. Keller on the notion of the "second-book slump," how she dealt with a book idea similar to her ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, book marketing and promotion, publishing, second book slump, writing
5 On: Massimo Marino
Massimo Marino
Author Massimo Marino discusses what it's like to read science fiction as a scientist, his experience with the Booktrope publishing ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, booktrope, publishing, science fiction, self-publishing, self-publishing services
5 On: Rufi Thorpe
Rufi Thorpe
Author Rufi Thorpe discusses writing for men, her improbable path to publication, what she likes to see in a book ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, male and female narrators, publishing, writing, writing for men
5 On: Yi Shun Lai
Yi Shun Lai
Author and editor Yi Shun Lai discusses writing for the J. Peterman catalog, common problems she sees in short fiction ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, book marketing, copy writing, culture in fiction, writing
5 On: Che Gilson
Che Gilson
Author Che Gilson discusses what she as an unagented author learned to look for in publishing contracts, designing your own ...
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/ 5 On, appropriation, author contracts, Author Q&A, book cover design, contracts, editing, publishing
5 On: Philip B. Persinger
Phil Persinger
Philip B. Persinger discusses his attraction to sonnets, the broad art of writing and selling a play, why he published ...
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/ Author Q&A, book marketing and promotion, novel, playwriting, publishing
5 On: Henry Baum
Henry Baum
Author/songwriter Henry Baum discusses self-publishing services, the value of a paid review, why he started his own self-publishing service, and ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, book marketing and promotion, paid reviews, self-publishing, self-publishing services
5 On: Barry Eisler
Barry Eisler
Author Barry Eisler discusses the pros and cons (where they exist) of legacy, Amazon, and self-publishing; research and editing; selling ...
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/ 5 On, Amazon, amazon publishing, Author Q&A, book marketing and promotion, legacy publishing, self-publishing, traditional publishing
5 On: Reggie Lutz
Reggie Lutz
Author and radio broadcaster Reggie Lutz discusses her tendency as a writer to synthesize fiction genres, recommends qualities to look ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, book marketing and promotion, radio marketing, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing
5 On: April Eberhardt
April Eberhardt
Literary agent and publishing consultant April Eberhardt discusses effective book promotion, what makes writing exceptional from a publishing perspective, her ...
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/ book marketing and promotion, literary agents, Marketing & Promotion, publishing consultants, Publishing Industry, writers conferences
5 On: Patrick Walsh
Patrick Walsh
Book publicist Patrick Walsh discusses effective social media promotion, what it takes to make the same old book-marketing advice work ...
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/ Author Q&A, book marketing and promotion, Facebook, Facebook marketing, Marketing & Promotion, pr, publishing, social media, Twitter
5 On: Ashley Scott Meyers
Ashley Scott Meyers
Screenwriter Ashley Scott Meyers (@AshleyMeyers) discusses the critical writing lesson he learned over time, what it takes to make a ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, marketing, screenwriting, scriptwriting, time management
Overcoming My Fear of Twitter
A flock of birds in the sky
Chris Jane, who writes the biweekly Q&A series 5 On, discusses overcoming her fear of joining the Twitterverse ...
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/ Guest Post, social media, Social Media, Twitter
5 On: Elisa Lorello
Elisa Lorello
In this 5 On post, bestselling author Elisa Lorello discusses authenticity, using social media to connect with readers, rejection, and ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, book marketing and promotion, books on writing, Facebook, Facebook marketing, publishing, social media, social media marketing
5 On: Jane Smiley
Jane Smiley
Jane Smiley on necessary compromises, writing good sex scenes, and what makes her nervous about writing even now in this ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, jane smiley, publishing, writing, writing for free
5 On: Heather Hale
A portrait of Heather Hale with the quote: "Some writing is therapy. And probably doesn't ever need to be read by anyone but you."
Heather Hale discusses the top five mistakes screenwriters make, the usefulness of online script databases, and how to approach a ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, heather hale, loglines, pitching, screenwriting, Writing Advice
5 On: David Corbett
David Corbett
David Corbett discusses the decline in our country's writing skills, his personal approach to marketing, writing to the market vs ...
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/ 5 On, Author Q&A, book marketing and promotion, writing