Moving Forward

Issue #50

Photo by Wil Stewart on Unsplash

Before we look at the year ahead, pardon me if I pause to pose and then answer my own question.

Image by Dagmar Yanbak from Pixabay

Why am I doing this E-Newsletter?

Shucks, I thought you’d never ask. Writing Rhythm is free, but in this industry, self-promotion rules. I am indeed a fiction writer, here to promote my own material. I’ll sneak that in now and then, striving not to be obnoxious. I’m in the final stages of releasing my long-teased five-volume psychic-detective series (“Touch”). Here’s a cover mockup of the first book.

It’s not available yet, but when it is, you’ll hear about it here (you can also keep posted on my website or on X.).

FYI, I’m also working on a series of short, linked horror-themed books which I also hope to begin promoting and releasing next year. Several issues from now, I’ll share the critique of a small passage from this project.

I’m not talking up this whirlwind of writing to be vainglorious (or boastful). I’m simply sharing that I’ve been “on the run” with my own writing lately.

Image by Prawny from Pixabay

There are small feature tweaks ahead for Writing Rhythm.

First, I’ll demote “The Question of the Month” from “every-other-issue” to a “now and then” status.

Second, under this graphic I’m adding a “My Two Bits?” section, to signal when I’m about to highlight my own personal reflections on any particular subject.

Third, this video graphic will signal an occasional feature on new novels and their creators called “Let’s promote it…and spotlight who wrote it.” In these issues, new books will be described, and we’ll meet the authors. Whenever possible, I’ll arrange for special prices and perks for my readers who purchase the book. We’ll introduce this feature in the very next issue.

(Pssst. Authors. Got a book out or coming out? Contact me! At this time there’s no charge.)

Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay

So let’s look ahead at content.

This coming year Writing Rhythm will have more vital writerly subjects on character and dialogue, literary scams, plus the already-mentioned subject index. And in the following issue we’ll begin a series on critique and revision, starting with definitions of partners and readers who can help.

Hopefully you won’t be under the impression that I’ve been talking myself up too much. ’Cause that might make you think of this issue’s vocabulary word.

What does it mean to be vainglorious?

Action Plan

On X (formerly Twitter), I post a new daily rhyming writing tip on which many of these issues are based. Follow—you know you want to.

Next up:

Twisting the Aces, Issue #51

This is our very first “Let’s promote it…and spotlight who wrote it,” the aforementioned occasional feature on new novels and their creators. In two weeks we’ll look at the story and writers behind the brand-new Eli Marks mystery…and offer you all a link to receive a pair of complimentary Eli Marks short stories!

—Craig