There's a useful pitching thing called a "log line", which is a very brief (one line) take on your not brief full-length novel. Boiling down to an outline is hard. Synopsis in a query is even harder. But a log line?? Whew. How do you boil it down that far?
Is every word on every page of your novel gripping for readers? Maybe not!
Amazing to see THE LIBRARY AT HELLEBORE by Cassandra Khaw, THE MEMORY HUNTERS by Mia Tsai, and MAD SISTERS OF ESI by Tashan Mehta included on Reactor Mag's list of 30 More SFF Titles to Look Forward to in 2025!
reactormag.com/30-more-sff-...
If you haven't heard yet, AppleTv+ has renewed Murderbot for a second season! Congratulations to all involved in making the world of Martha Wells come to life! We're so excited and proud here at DMLA!
www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2...
Your opening has passed muster with critique partners and beta readers, but it may fail on submission--why? And what can you do about it?
A great interview from Jim Butcher about his journey writing The Dresden Files. The 18th book in the series will be published January 2026.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/b...
Love seeing so many of our DMLA authors listed as Finalists for the 2025 Fiyah Magazine's Ignyte Awards! Congrats everyone!
ignyteawards.fiyahlitmag.com/current-fina...
"...a remarkable, strange, unsettling ride that will bewitch you on every page."
What a fantastic starred review from Bookpage for THE STARVING SAINTS by Caitlin Starling!
www.bookpage.com/reviews/star...
The 2025 Hugo Award finalists have been announced and it's always exciting to see DMLA authors honored! Congrats everyone!
seattlein2025.org/wsfs/hugo-aw...
Huge shout out to DMLA author, Robert Jackson Bennett, as his novel, A DROP OF CORRUPTION, hits the USA Today Bestseller List at #66!
Why do readers read? Because of the way your story makes them feel. @donaldmaass.bsky.social writerunboxed.com/2025/04/02/a... #writingcommunity #authorcommunity #WritingHacks #skywriters
The ALA 2025 Rainbow Book List was released and so proud to see SCHOOL FOR INVISIBLE BOYS and LAST BOYFRIENDS RULES FOR REVENGE listed! Congrats to DMLA authors Shaun David Hutchinson and Matthew Hubbard!
@donaldmaass.bsky.social
Loving this👇right now. Great advice for authors, obviously. But life lessons in there too I reckon.
It's amazing to see so many DMLA authors represented in the Locus 2024 Recommended Reading List! Full list in the link and many heartfelt congratulations to everyone whose work was selected!
locusmag.com/2025/02/2024...
A great starred review from Publishers Weekly for Aggie Blum Thompson's YOU DESERVE TO KNOW!
"Thompson drops her fully fleshed-out characters into a mile-a-minute plot peppered with blindsiding twists...This is domestic suspense at its finest."
Congratulations to DMLA author, Robert Jackson Bennett, on his 2025 Edgar Award nomination for Best Novel with his work, THE TAINTED CUP!
mysterywriters.org/2025-edgar-a...
Bread Upon the Waters by Irwin Shaw
More great news! THE TOMB OF DRAGONS by Katherine Addison gets a coveted starred review from Library Journal! Verdict?
"Readers who are enthralled with the new cozy fantasy trend or love a cozy mystery will be delighted with Celehar and his latest investigation."
Congratulations to DMLA author, Martha Wells, as her novel, SYSTEM COLLAPSE (narrated by Kevin R. Free) was named a 2025 Audie Award Finalist!
www.audiopub.org/audies-final...
"Solid action and quippy dialogue will keep readers engaged for the long haul."
Excellent review from Library Journal of James J. Butcher's COLD IRON TASK (coming Mar 4, 2025)!
Sir, I would be disappointed if you wrote in the same vein over and over again. That's for some genre and series authors, but you are a unique and original writer.
BTW, I teach advanced fiction writing and cite your work all the time. In particular "Fault", which makes "stuck" characters active.
I'm guessing most of my writer friends already know Don, or know about his wonderful teaching sessions and craft books. If those don't include you, follow him and start learning.
Seattle! Waving! (Except I’m in New York.)
"Benjamin Brinks" was pleased to be among the readers at last night's "Brooklyn Books & Booze" event at Industry City, featuring contributors toLancelot Schaubert and Emily Munro's anthology "Of Globes and Gods III". "Benjamin" read from his story "The Legend of Johnny Comet." Great fun.
Hello friends on Bluesky! Please stop by and follow me, so I know you're here and can follow you too.
