Just write

Yep, that’s the advice so many "experts" give us authors. They say it’s the best way to improve. Is it?

🧑‍🍳 If you suck at cooking and just keep cooking, you’ll likely improve a little. Trial & error can be a decent teacher. 🤔 But would you open a restaurant if you’re the only one who ever tasted your food and you consider it good?

I think it’s true that writers improve by writing, but only so much. If no one reads and critiques our work we’ll keep making the same mistakes. We need coaches, books/videos/courses on the craft, beta readers, and editors to let us know what’s working and what needs improvement. (See my YouTube channel suggestions below)

When writers skip these necessary steps, the market (looking at you Amazon) gets flooded with sub-par books 🤮 that clutter the search results, obscuring better-written stories.

Confession: I did this when I rushed my first book onto Amazon KDP, because anyone can do it. I’ve since edited Colony’s Dawn and republished it. That has grown into a trilogy I’m proud of.

What am I up to?

Thanks for asking. I've got a new serial killer crime thriller set for a December release. Good news for you: it's looking for ARC readers. Read a free book now. Post a nice review later. Win-Win.

• A City Haunted by Unsolved Murders
• A Killer Who Believes He’s Saving Souls
• A Detective Who Can’t Let Go

THE 12TH CLEANSING is perfect for fans of chilling psychological thrillers and morally complex detectives.

Choose your preferrer ARC platform:

StoryOrigin
​BookSirens
​BookSprout
​My Author Site

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🙋🏻‍♂️ I'm also plugging along on my space opera series. Inspired by The Expanse and Firefly, it's set in the asteroid belt after Mars fought for its independence from Earth. Less political than The Expanse, and not as "cowboy" as Firefly, it's full of excitement and mystery as the asteroid scouting crew of The Outlier discovers something sinister lurking in the black of space.

Are you my paisano(a)?

Meaning "villager" in the literal sense, in colloquial Italian a paisano(a) is someone in common, cut from the same cloth, so-to-speak.

✍🏼 If you’re an author (or aspiring), here are some YouTube channels with practical guidance. Some offer paid services or training but provide real value in their free videos.

BookFox: Experienced editor with great advice and examples

StoryGrid: An author and writing coach

Alyssa Matesic: Developmental editor with real-world tips

Brandon McNulty: Author with screen examples for novel writers

🤩 If you're looking for editing services, please hit me up. With no affiliation, I'd be happy to share my experience and recommendations.

Indie Author Spotlight

INCARNEX Trilogy Book 2 He gave humanity resurrection. They turned it into a weapon. Now he's taking it back... David Harris has spent years in isolation, desperate to protect his adopted daughter Celia. But when his technology is weaponized in horrific new ways, hiding is no longer an option. 🤩 I enjoyed both books

Whatever you're reading, enjoy the journey!