Category Archives: Writing

Judge a Book By Its Cover: My Novel, A Remarkable Kindness

I posted the book jacket of A REMARKABLE KINDNESS on my FB page but now present it here. Can you tell a book by its cover? Doesn’t this cover make you want to dive right in? The work of this … Continue reading

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The Tin Horse Author Janice Steinberg’s Rule #1 On Writing: Go Toward What Scares You

I’d like to welcome novelist Janice Steinberg whose novel, The Tin Horse, (Random House) has been translated in four languages with Portuguese and Japanese in the works. Diana Bletter: How did you move from writing as an arts journalist to … Continue reading

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Andria Williams’ Debut Novel: The Longest Night

I’m happy to welcome Andria Williams, who just sold her debut novel, The Longest Night, to Random House. The sale of her novel (originally called The Falls) and the sale of my novel, A Remarkable Kindness (originally called The Women’s … Continue reading

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Good News from Israel (For a Change): Got My HarperCollins Contract for My Novel, A Remarkable Kindness

There may or may not be a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. But you want to know what is definite? My novel, A Remarkable Kindness. Here is a photo of the contract from HarperCollins Publishers signed and stamped by them and … Continue reading

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One Way to Get a Happy Ending? Write a Novel, Says Reuters Journalist Dan Williams.

I’m happy to welcome Reuters Journalist Dan Williams, based in Jerusalem, who has just self-published his novel, Strip Mine. Diana Bletter: Strip Mine is your first published book starring an unflappable heroine, Jodie Moore, a Mossad agent, who tackles nothing less … Continue reading

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Writers: What’s The Nicest Rejection Letter from A Literary Agent You Ever Received?

Calling all writers: what’s the nicest rejection letter from a literary agent you ever received? Or, for that matter, from a journal or newspaper? I’ve gotten hundreds of rejections. First, there’s the kind that most editors practice these days. The … Continue reading

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Positive Acts Build Self-Esteem: Do the Small Things Well

Even if all you’re doing today is hanging up four sad socks (like this photo, taken in China) cleaning up the mess, sweeping the floor (again), changing diapers or flipping burgers, do the small things well. That goes for your … Continue reading

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Writers, Got Novel? Here’s A Sample Query Letter to a Literary Agent That Might Help You Sell It.

Finished your novel? Wrote your best chapters? Anxious to get a literary agent? Here is a sample query letter to send to an agent. But waaay before you do that, make sure you: Have the manuscript ready, and as good … Continue reading

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This Self-Published Writer’s Dream Comes True: A Publishing House Contract.

Itching to hear the story of what happens when a writer works hard, hard, hard and doesn’t give up, up, up? One day, she gets a letter in her Inbox from her agent, Steven Chudney, of Chudney Agency, saying that … Continue reading

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Pam Mingle: On Writing, Finding A Literary Agent–and Your Third Career

I’m happy to welcome Pam Mingle, author of The Pursuit of Mary Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Novel, and Kissing Shakespeare. Diana: The Pursuit of Mary Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Novel, like Kissing Shakespeare, your first book (which was for young adults) starts with … Continue reading

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