Chiang Mai wat and yellow buddha

Don’t Feel Guilty About “Playing Around” Online

"The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his
Kindle

5 Things Beginners Need to Know About E-Book Publishing

The e-book publishing landscape is changing fast—with new services, new terms, and new formats. Despite the pace of change, here
Darrelyn Saloom, 1958

Behind the Curtain of Memory

Before the kidnapping, I lived with my father and two older sisters in Austin, Texas. In second grade—1963—Daddy longed to
Christina Katz

The Secret to Twitter That Can’t Be Taught

I've found Twitter—and many aspects of social media—somewhat tricky to teach. Why? Here are 3 reasons to start: Using social
One of my Post-It lists

List Making & The Creative Process

A list on my work monitor I love making lists. Big-picture lists, daily lists, grocery lists, checklists … you name
Platform Inventory Worksheet

Draft Your Platform Action Plan: 5 Worksheets

Platform Inventory Worksheet, reduced size Last weekend at the Midwest Writers Workshop, I offered a workshop on author platform building.
Midwest Writers Workshop

The Basic Pitch Formula for Novelists

At the Midwest Writers Workshop, an agent panel gave some wonderful, straightforward advice about how to construct your pitch. You
Simon Sinek: If You Don't Understand People, You Don't Understand Business

Look for People Who Believe What You Believe

[Update: The discussion in the comments—on this site and on some of my other profiles—has made me realize that my
Conversation Prism

Build Diversity Into Your Online Presence

Back in 2008, a smart guy named Brian Solis created the Conversation Prism (above), and wrote a blog post titled
Jane speaking at the 2011 Writer's Digest Conference

Jane’s Writing Advice Archive

I've been offering writing and publishing advice for a long time. So I thought it might be time to create
There Are No Rules

The End of an Era: Goodbye to There Are No Rules

On the last day of April 2008, I launched my first professional blog, There Are No Rules. Every day since
Reading Notebook #31: A Writer's Appetite for Fame

Reading Notebook #31: A Writer’s Appetite for Fame

From "Writing and Winning" by Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker (October 18, 2010). Click here to read the full piece.
Reading Notebook #30: Existential Reasons for Procrastination

Reading Notebook #30: Existential Reasons for Procrastination

From "Later" by James Surowiecki, The New Yorker (October 11, 2010). Click here to read the full article online. But
Reading Notebook #29: When the Author Became More Important Than the Publisher

Reading Notebook #29: When the Author Became More Important Than the Publisher

From "Talent Grab" by Malcolm Gladwell, The New Yorker (October 11, 2010) … a parallel revolution was taking place in
Jane at AWP 2011

3 Boring Elements of Success

I don't think my age is a secret, but just to be clear: I'm 34. Sometimes when I speak at
Chief Culture Officer

Study Slow Culture, Not Just Fast

When I attended TEDxCincy in October 2010, there was one session where I was furiously taking notes: the session by
Solitude by Anthony Storr

Reading Notebook #24: Our Life at the Office Is (In Fact) Important

From Solitude by Anthony Storr: Human beings need a sense of being part of a larger community than that constituted
I Heart Social Media

The Pure Heart and Pure Superficiality of Social Media

One of the classes I'm teaching at CCM requires me to study up on the history and practice of public
Reading Notebook #18: There's More Bad Writing Than Ever

Reading Notebook #18: There’s More Bad Writing Than Ever

From an interview with Clay Shirky over at the Barnes and Noble Review: I’ve always adopted the Bill Burroughs mantra,
Here Comes Everybody

Reading Notebook #17: Technology Brings Author Empowerment—Yet A New Struggle to Surpass Average

As I was reading Chapter 4 of Here Comes Everybody, I was struck at how Shirky's description of the power
Reading Notebook #16: Life Interferes With Work & Vice Versa

Reading Notebook #16: Life Interferes With Work & Vice Versa

From Bill Murray interview in Entertainment Weekly (via TerryStarbucker.com): “I just really want to work when I want to work.
Kindle vs iPad

Reading Notebook #14: Best Coverage of Publishing’s Current Dilemma

Snippets from "Publish or Perish" by Ken Auletta (New Yorker, April 26, 2010). You MUST go read the full article.
Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

Have the Courage to Follow Your Heart & Intuition

A wonderful commencement address from Steve Jobs. I love that he mentions life can only be lived forward, and understood
Wonder Woman at Work

Can Excellent Advice Make You Unhappy?

There are a few people I read religiously for insight and perspective on work/business life. Probably on the top of
Reading Notebook #12: Existential Angst at Work

Reading Notebook #12: Existential Angst at Work

From Kenny Moore's blog post, "Losing Your Job? Psychological, Spiritual & Practical Advice." This is the most meaningful discussion I
Jane - 1997 in Cambridge - maudlin and idealistic youth

You Are Bad at Making Yourself Happy

My job as Writer's Digest publisher often leads people to remark what a great life I have. So young, so
Cathaoir Synge

The Dirty Secret Behind Writing Advice

I'll start by saying that I have always advised writers in good faith. I would never suggest a writer undertake
Reading Notebook #8: Another Secret to Success Is Confidence

Reading Notebook #8: Another Secret to Success Is Confidence

From "Beyond the Elevator Speech" by Michael Carroll, Shambhala Sun (March 2010) My survey indicates that most of us think we want
Reading Notebook #7: The Secret of Successful People (at Work)

Reading Notebook #7: The Secret of Successful People (at Work)

From "We Can Measure the Power of Charisma", Q&A with Alex Pentland, Harvard Business Review (Jan-Feb 2010); read full article at
Downtown Cincinnati Demolition

Why People Stay at (or Leave) Their Jobs

No talented person stays at a company for a paycheck or a sense of security. Talented people stay because they