With the growth of online media and the current economic climate, many publishers have begun to cut costs, and one of the first things to go is an author’s marketing budget. This means authors and authors-in-waiting are expected to do the lion’s share of their book promotion. We may not like it, but it’s a fact. Many of us love crafting a story, but few love tooting our own horn. So how can we promote ourselves effectively while staying true to our writer-selves and our budget? The experts in this issue will show you how to do that and… MORE >>

Let WOW! help you start and grow your freelance career! Premium-Green isn’t just markets listings, it’s a guide with community benefits. As a subscriber, each month you receive a 100+ ebook filled with articles not found elsewhere and markets for writers of every genre and profession: freelance gigs for editors, copywriters, ghostwriters, bloggers; fiction markets; anthology calls; magazine markets; writing contests; niche markets; and… MORE >>

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Wendy Sherman, has made her final decisions. Read the winning entries of the open prompt Spring ’09 Flash Fiction Contest…MORE >>

What is branding? What's the difference between an author brand and a book brand? What’s a “shadow brand?” When it comes to getting your book published, it pays to know your way around promotion. The savvy writer posts regularly on her blog, keeps her website current, and gets in plenty of social networking. And if she’s really savvy, she incorporates branding into every aspect of promotion. Cathy C. Hall interviews marketing expert Shelli Johannes-Wells about how to brand yourself as a writer and author… MORE >>

How can Twitter help us as writers? With Twitter, we can create a buzz about our work before it’s released. We can build an image that attracts a larger audience. We can also use Twitter to test-drive ideas and measure how well they are accepted. We can even use Twitter to network with other writers, publishers, and editors and get our name and work out there. Kathi K. Browne shares tips and tools, which include using hashtags, groups, and chats, so you can master Twitter… MORE >>

WOW! Women On Writing interviews Sandi Ault on the topics writers are most interested in, such as editing, self-promotion, and belief in our writing abilities. But columnist Chynna Laird also got Sandi to open up about causes close to her heart, including the protection of wild wolves. And, of course, Sandi chatted about the WILD mystery book series, including the newest release, WILD SORROW—a touching and heart-wrenching story filled with the usual action, suspense and adventure of Jamaica WILD… MORE >>

Lilian Pizzichini gives readers an insightful look at the life and writing of novelist Jean Rhys, who is said to be one of the greatest female writers of all time. In The Blue Hour: A Portrait of Jean Rhys, Lilian takes you on a journey from the Caribbean to London and beyond, through Rhys’ often tumultuous relationships, Rhys' psychological struggles, and the failures and triumphs of Rhys' writing. Anne Greenawalt interviews Lilian about what inspired her to write a book about Jean Rhys and how that experience prompted her to give back to the community by working as a writer-in-residence at several different prisons… MORE >>

Penny C. Sansevieri, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., is a bestselling author and internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert. Her company is one of the leaders in the publishing industry and has developed some of the most cutting-edge book marketing campaigns. In this interview conducted by Jodi Webb, Penny shares her tips on author promotion, blog tours, social networking, writing media releases, and creating a successful author website… MORE >>

With dwindling promotional dollars—and nonexistent budgets for small press writers or those whose names aren’t Roberts or Evanovich—what’s a “poor” author to do? In one word—anything! Today’s author has to be almost a Jill-of-all-trades, reinventing herself as blogger, public speaker, publicist, lecturer, reading specialist, and more. Then there are the more, er, “creative” approaches. Christine Verstraete interviews eight authors on their creative promotional gimmicks to find out what worked for them, and what didn't… MORE >>

Teaching is a great way to promote yourself in your community and beyond. Teaching sets you up as an instant expert and gives you access to people you might not otherwise meet. This means you have great networking opportunities and a lot of free (and even paid!) exposure and promotion for you. As a trained teacher, Lisa Tiffin provides you with the ABCs of promoting yourself through teaching: Accessing your know how, Beating the bushes for opportunities, and Committing to the client… MORE >>

Cindy Ballman’s life changed drastically when her husband, Police Officer Tom Ballman, was shot and killed during a mass shooting at a city council meeting in Kirkwood, Missouri. Cindy Ballman is left with her two small children, Josh, who is now 7, and Rachel, who is now 4 ½; but she has not let this incident break her loving spirit or faith. Columnist Margo L. Dill chats with Cindy about dealing with grief in this inspirational interview… MORE >>