Digital Media

5 Literary Journals Born of the Digital Age
Today's guest post is by lit addict, movie junkie, writer Emily Wenstrom. A new generation of literary journals is taking

Plympton: A New Effort to Produce Successful Serial Fiction
In the past year, I've run two posts specifically related to serial fiction—a guest post by Roz Morris and a

5 Free Services That Help You Build Author Platform
Today's guest post is by Matthew Turner (@turndog_million). You may remember him from a previous post, 100 Tips to Alleviate

Building Your First Website: Resource List
When writers ask me what the most important thing they should be doing to further their career—aside from write—it's almost

Creating a Successful App Without Programming Skills
Today's guest post is by Jason Braun. You may remember him from an earlier guest post here at JaneFriedman.com: If

Selling Flash Fiction Via E-Mail—Successfully
Today's guest post is by author Bruce Holland Rogers, whom I recently met while teaching at the Whidbey MFA program.

Why I Stopped Using Feedburner to Serve My Blog Subscribers
Update (April 17, 2021): Google's Feedburner will stop offering email delivery of RSS feeds in July 2021. When I launched

Notes From My On-Air Interview With Writer’s Block
Last week, I was a guest on KFUN radio, where I offered advice and insights for writers. Topics covered: First

3 Worthwhile Reading Tools (Plus 3 Sources for Great Reads)
Today I sent out the latest issue of my e-newsletter, which focuses on three tools for reading on digital platforms.

Should You Self-Host Your Blog or Website?
Update: I've written more advice on this topic at Self-Hosting Your Author Website: How and Why to Do It. Recently I was

3 Resources to Help You With Tech
Last week, I asked for your insight regarding: What Makes You Anxious or Fearful About Tech? There are 85 comments

What Makes You Anxious & Fearful About Tech?
Today I'm looking for your insight on a phenomenon I see a lot with people over a certain age: fearfulness

3 Horrible Mistruths About Social Media That Drive Me Insane
This post really needs no introduction. Let's just get to the rant, in my favored numbered list format. "Who cares

Groundbreaking Tools for Creating E-Books
In my latest e-newsletter over the weekend, I shared three new tools for creating e-books. If you missed it, then you can

5 Principles for Using Facebook
It's difficult to give advice about Facebook because it keeps changing—in structure, functionality, and effectiveness. For instance, I used to

The Future of Publishing: 14 Variations (Now Free!)
Last year, on April 1, I released an e-book, The Future of Publishing: Enigma Variations. It was mostly an April Fool's

My Latest Thoughts on Literary + Tech
In the past couple weeks, I've been interviewed as part of a couple pieces from others in the literary

If the Book Is Dead, Then Why Buy a Zombie?
Today's guest post is from Jason Braun, who produces hip-hop sonnets from the Midwest. A year has passed since Jane

Are You Committing These E-mail Sins?
I encourage authors to use e-mail as one of the most powerful tools in their marketing arsenal. But with great

Your Homepage Is Not As Important As You Think
Today's guest post is from Dan Blank of We Grow Media. Author platform is about more than your homepage. Perhaps

The Tech-Empowered Writer (AWP Panel Resources)
This week I'll be in Chicago for the Association of Writers & Writing Programs annual conference. I'm a panelist on
![Effective Website [Robert Hruzek / Flickr]](https://www.janefriedman.com/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/lazy_image.png)
Build a More Effective Author Website
Every author website should include these elements, whether on the homepage or elsewhere. About/bio page. I recommend a brief, professional

Back to Basics: 5 Keys to Online Writing
Over at Writer Unboxed, where I'm a monthly contributor, I'm breaking out the principles I teach my university students: 5

3 Numbers That Matter to Your Platform
Nonfiction authors have probably heard the refrain, "Build your platform! Build your platform!" but may not know what a strong

Do You Hold E-Rights to Your Traditionally Published Book?
I recently received this very challenging question and scenario from traditionally published author Dr. Liz Alexander. I have an issue

A Model for Crowdsourced Publishing
Today's guest post is by Scott Vankirk (@mightyscoo). As much as we (aspiring authors) tend to get joy and satisfaction

My Best Advice for Writers From 2011
Last week I shared 12 Must-Read Articles From 2011. Now I'm going to share a list of the best advice

Serial Fiction: An Old Form Made New
Yesterday, my feature article for Publishing Perspectives went live: Experimenting With Serials for Fun and Profit Here's a little excerpt:

The Design of Authorship
In the visual realm, story and technology are intricately tied together. Ask any screenplay writer about the story development process and they will tell you there are three stories: the one the writer creates, the one the director shoots, and the one the editor puts together. Each story is different and each is intimately changed by the technology used to tell that story.*

12 Must-Read Articles From 2011
Here are the most brilliant online articles I read this past year. You may not agree with the arguments you'll

Video Interview: The Future of Publishing
Earlier this year, I had a video chat with Jon over at Children's Book Insider about the future of publishing,

How Social Media Can Change Your Life
Sometimes I find myself defending social media to the experienced user and beginner alike. It can be easily accused—and rightly

The Big Mistake of Author Websites and Blogs
One of the easiest ways for an author to get a site up and running is to use Blogger

How We May Read
Today's guest post is by Brad King, a professor at Ball State with a brilliant mind for emerging media and

Turn Your WordPress Blog Into a Book
I've written about this tool before, but so few people know about it—and it's so incredibly useful!—that it's worth mentioning

3 Reasons to Have a Website If You’re Unpublished
When I tell writers it's mandatory they have a website, those who are unpublished will immediately ask, "But what do

3 Free Books to Open Your Eyes to the Future of Authorship
In my most recent e-newsletter, I discussed 3 books (free to all!) that I consider mandatory reading for every author.

Too Many Facebook Friends: Blessing or Curse?
On my personal Facebook profile, I am slowly but inevitably reaching the cap for friends (3,810 of 5,000). It's prompting

3 Tools for Curation
I love a good curator. I find curation more valuable these days than content. My latest e-newsletter focused on 3

How to Hire the Right Website Designer
Today's guest post is by Eliana Berlfein, a website designer based in Boulder, Colorado. A website is a big investment in

When’s the Right Time to Leave Your Big Six Publisher?
I received the following question from published author Lisa Earle McLeod—who I remember first meeting at a Foothills Writers Guild

Can Children Develop Adequately Without Books?
It is a pleasure to bring you this lovely essay from April Line. April is a freelance writer and writing

How to Sell Low-Cost Subscriptions to Short Stories
I received the following question from Gail McConnon: Re: Question on Serializing a Short Story Collection through a Paid Subscription

WordPress Plug-Ins: The Bare Essentials
This past weekend, I was a presenter at PodCamp Cincinnati. Many talented people in social media attended from the region,

3 Indispensable Software Tools for Writers
This past Sunday, I sent out the latest issue of my e-newsletter, Electric Speed. It featured 3 indispensable software tools

What Advertising Can Teach a Children’s Writer
Today's guest post is from Gerry Renert, a three-time EMMY nominated kid's writer, who has recently become a published children's

Listen to 20 Minutes of My Advice for Authors
I was recently interviewed on the StoryWonk podcast, with author Lani Diane Rich and Alastair Stephens. It's a 20-minute discussion

Telling Important Stories Through Apps, Not Books
Today's guest post is by Steve Rosenbaum. In the past ten years, the very nature of storytelling has changed so

To Learn About Your Readers, You Need a Site
In the newest edition of Writer's Market (and Writer's Market Deluxe), there's a featured interview with me, where I discuss the

Expect Resistance With New Technology
This phenomenon comes up a lot when I talk about Twitter (or—really—any new media tool). People don't use it. They