Mia Garay

Thank you!!! I will check it out.

The Why Files: Operation Podcast Documentary Podcast · Updated Weekly · The Why Files covers mysteries, myths and legends. We tell stories and seek the truth in a fun and lighthearted way. Our content is heavily researched; we don't ...

I’ve been doing a lot of research into conspiracy theories for the sci-fi book I’m writing… and I came across this little gem.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

#writingcommunity #podcasts #scifi #conspiracytheories #writing #authorlife

Which writing conference are you going to??

Promote your work. Share your deals.

Just skip the “only”.

It assumes I have spare cash sitting around.

I don’t.

And seeing that a deal is “only [insert price here]” adds to the guilt I am already feeling.

#BookSky #blackfriday #sales #deals #moneystruggles #singlemom #holidaysales #budget

Thriller 101 Books Podcast · Updated Weekly · A podcast for readers and writers of thriller, mystery, suspense, and crime fiction.

Are you a thriller writer or just want to learn more about how to write one?

I highly recommend this podcast:

#booksky #writing #writingadvice #writingtips #podcast #thriller #writingpodcast

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

How ARC Readers Support Your Release A look at what they do and what you can expect

What is an ARC reader and how do they help?

#booksky #writing #writingcommunity #arcreader #arcreaders #betareader #authorlife #publishing #booklaunch

open.substack.com/pub/miagaray...

How ARC Readers Support Your Release A look at what they do and what you can expect

What is an ARC reader and how do they help?

#booksky #writing #writingcommunity #arcreader #arcreaders #betareader #authorlife #publishing #booklaunch

open.substack.com/pub/miagaray...

Readers want to know what other readers think.

This is why putting together an ARC team is worth the effort when you publish your book.

#booksky #writingcommunity #arcreader #arcreaders #writingadvice #writingtips #booklaunch #bookrelease #publishing

I’m feeling stuck.

A writer friend recommended that I go back to the basics and only use pen and paper instead of my computer.

Do you have any other advice that could help?

#writingcommunity #authorlife #writingadvice #writingtips #booksky

Grumpy Teen (my daughter) called me a boomer again.

Not for anything I did, just because it brings her joy.

#AuthorLife #writingcommunity #parenting #grumpyteen #honestyhurts

20 Character Questions Worth Asking Because the right question can change how you see your characters.

“Did you like the main character?” tells you nothing.

“Who surprised you?” tells you everything.

#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #books #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #authorlife #writing #substack

miagaray.substack.com/p/20-charact...

20 Character Questions Worth Asking Because the right question can change how you see your characters.

I’ve read a lot of manuscripts.

I’ve also seen the same beta reader questions over and over.

Here are 20 not-so-common character questions for your beta readers.

#booksky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #substack

These are so cool!!!

I’m glad you found it useful! Let me know if you think of any that you think should be added to the list.

Worldbuilding Questions That Get Better Feedback And make your beta reader want to answer them

A quick yes or no won’t fix your draft.

But a thoughtful answer might.

Make sure you are asking the right questions.

miagaray.substack.com/p/worldbuild...

#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #authorlife #writing #editing #substack

Beta Readers:

Honesty does not give you permission to be mean.

Always remember there’s a REAL person reading your comments.

#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #authorlife #amwriting #writing

Beta Readers:

Have you ever been asked to sign an NDA?

(I’m curious how common this is.)

#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #writing #editors

Do you use any of those?

I’m curious, which do you prefer: Substack, Medium, or Wattpad? Why?

Am I missing any others?

#writingcommunity #writing #substack #medium #wattpad #blogging #newsletter #authorlife #booksky #amwriting #5amwriterclub

Don’t confuse feedback with instruction.

Beta readers give the first.

Editors give the second.

#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #writing #editing #editors

If you skip beta readers, you end up paying editors to tell you things a reader could have told you for free.

#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #writing #editors

I get just as frustrated when authors ask me how to fix their manuscripts or get upset when I didn’t include an editorial letter.
I just patiently explain my role as a beta reader and then recommend to hire an editor.

Beta Readers vs. Editors Why knowing the difference could save you money

Why pay an editor when a beta reader could have caught that first?

#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #editing #editors

Beta reading is not about fixing.

It’s about noticing.

#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #writing

A man in a brown tweed jacket, white shirt, and red tie smirks knowingly at the camera. He has dark hair neatly combed and is standing outdoors with blurred water in the background, giving a mischievous, humorous expression.

Mr Bean is a comedic genius.

He always starts with a simple goal, makes a mess of it, then somehow makes it worse.

It shouldn’t work, but it always does.

As a new writer, I’m taking notes…

#booksky #writing #writingcommunity #mrbean #writersky #writingtips #writingadvice #fiction #writinggoals

When your teenager swears you’ve ruined everything…

Remind them that every good story starts with an inciting incident.

#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #writingadvice #writingtips #authorlife #writing #parentingadvice

My daughter thinks getting her phone taken away is a punishment.

I like to think of it as a plot twist.

#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #parenting

I just did a scary thing…

I sent out a pitch to be a guest at an author network event where I’d give a mini class on beta reading.

I’m desperately hoping they say yes.

Wish me luck!!!

#betareader #betareading #writingcommunity #authorlife #collaboration #booksky #writersky #freewebinar #writer

My daughter told my mom, “Let’s work on keeping our thoughts inside our heads.”

I’ve been using it as writing advice ever since.

#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #writingadvice #writingtips #writing

Yay!