KN Magazine: Articles
This Crazy Writing Life: Four Million And Counting! Please, Somebody, Make It Stop!
In this installment of This Crazy Writing Life, Steven Womack examines the explosive rise of AI-generated books and the growing challenges facing today’s writers. With millions of titles flooding the market each year, he explores how shifting publishing models, algorithms, and emerging technologies are reshaping the industry—and what it means for authors striving to create meaningful, lasting work.
There’s No One Right (or Write) Way
In “There’s No One Right (or Write) Way,” bestselling author Lois Winston reflects on the overwhelming flood of writing advice that authors encounter online and in the publishing industry. From contradictory craft rules to questionable experts, Winston reminds writers that every author develops their own process over time. Through humor, personal experience, and practical insight, she encourages writers to think critically about advice, trust their instincts, and remember that there is no universal formula for success.
This Crazy Writing Life: When Publishing Throws You A Curve Ball—Again—And The Scammers Circle Above
Publishing is a people business—until it isn’t. In this installment of This Crazy Writing Life, Steven Womack shares the rollercoaster saga of his novel Pearson Place, from near-acquisition heartbreak to unexpected second chances. But just as hope resurfaces, scammers swoop in with AI-generated flattery and too-good-to-be-true offers. This candid, sharp-edged craft essay offers hard-won wisdom about perseverance, publishing politics, and protecting yourself in a predatory literary landscape.
This Crazy Writing Life: AI And Indie Pubbing—Is This The End Of The World As We Know It?
A deep dive into how AI is transforming indie publishing—from audiobook narration to foreign translations—and what this disruption means for authors, narrators, and the future of creative work.
This Crazy Writing Life Performs Killer Nashville Post Mortems
In This Crazy Writing Life, Steven Womack reflects on the energy, community, and evolution of the Killer Nashville conference. With humor and honesty, he shares insights into the changing landscape of mystery and crime writing, the importance of connection in a writer’s life, and why building relationships—not just networks—remains at the heart of every successful writing journey.
My Ten-Year Journey from Clueless to Getting a Clue
Bestselling author Lois Winston shares her honest, funny, and hard-won insights from a decade-long journey through the publishing world. From scams and setbacks to breakthroughs and bestseller lists, Winston reveals what it really takes to go from clueless beginner to seasoned professional—and how every writer can learn from the clues along the way.
Creating Your Personal and Business Road Map to Success as an Author! – Wrapping Up the Lessons Learned
In the final installment of her craft series, Pamela Ebel ties together the essential strategies for building a successful writing career—reminding us that writing is both an art and a business. From identifying your readership to managing contracts and sustaining long-term goals, this article provides a practical framework for mapping your personal and professional author journey.
This Crazy Writing Life: Some Random Reflections On The Reality of This Crazy Writing Life
In this candid and insightful column, Steven Womack dives deep into the overwhelming realities of the publishing world—from sobering statistics to the evolution of indie publishing. With wit and honesty, he unpacks the frustrations, surprises, and small victories that come with living this crazy writing life.
This Crazy Writing Life’s Conversation with Emma Boyer of Written Word Media
In this insightful conversation with Emma Boyer, Vice-President of Digital Operations & Author Relations at Written Word Media, Steven Womack explores how indie authors can successfully navigate book marketing. From giving books away for exposure to leveraging targeted digital platforms, Emma shares practical advice on overcoming the challenges of indie publishing and building momentum with readers.
Creating Your Personal and Business Road Map to Success as an Author!
Becoming a successful author requires more than just writing—it demands a strategic, business-minded approach. This article explores how to define personal and professional goals, understand the publishing industry, and avoid the trap of believing there’s only one right path to success.
Overcoming Blinking Cursor Syndrome
USA Today bestselling author Lois Winston explores the reality of writer’s block—aka Blinking Cursor Syndrome—and offers practical, experience-backed advice to overcome it. From news-inspired story prompts to the fine art of eavesdropping and setting boundaries, this article delivers insightful tips to reignite your creativity and get your writing flowing again.
This Crazy Writing Life: Okay, Let’s Talk About The 800-Pound Gorilla: Marketing
A bold statement: I'd rather write five novels than market one. Here's a dive into the necessary evil of book marketing for indie authors and the principles to guide your marketing journey.
This Crazy Writing Life: On Defining a Book By Its Cover
Book covers aren’t just decoration—they’re essential marketing tools. In this installment of This Crazy Writing Life, we explore how covers impact book sales, indie publishing strategies, genre expectations, and why you might want to leave the design to a pro.
This Crazy Writing Life: Defining Irony In The Time Of Covid
In this month's edition of This Crazy Writing Life, the author reflects on the irony of missing major mystery conferences due to a Covid diagnosis while also diving into the technical challenges of indie publishing print books.
Gotta Go Through It
Reflecting on the obstacles writers face, Chrissy explores how perseverance in the writing journey mirrors the message of “Going on a Bear Hunt”—you can’t go over it, can’t go under it, you’ve got to go through it.
Covers
A great book cover is your first, and sometimes only, chance to make a professional impression. In this guide, Dale T. Phillips explores what makes a cover work, what can doom your book to obscurity, and how Indie authors can compete with the big publishers on visual appeal—and win.
Getting Started In Indie Pubbing — Part Two – The First Few Choices
In part two of my series on independent publishing, I discuss the first critical choices you’ll need to make when deciding how to publish your book. From selecting the format—hardcover, paperback, or eBook—to considering production quality and distribution, these decisions will shape your indie-pubbing journey.
The Writer’s Playbook: A Lesson in Spray Hitting
Former pro sports exec turned writer shares a lesson from baseball legend Al Avila about the value of specificity—on the field and in your writing career. Discover how the concept of spray hitting applies to asking targeted questions, networking at writer’s conferences, and building meaningful professional connections.
Why Book Signings Aren’t What They Used To Be
Book signings used to be the crown jewel of an author’s life—but times have changed. Join me in the Wayback Machine for a nostalgic trip to the heyday of bookstore events, and a reflection on why today’s signings often don’t measure up.
Why I Hate Self-Publishing
Self-publishing used to mean your book was too bad for anyone else to touch. But the world’s changed, and so have the rules. Here's a candid look at the past, present, and future of indie publishing—and why giving away your work might just be your smartest move yet.
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