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Publishers hate manuscripts.
As a rule, if there’s one thing most publishers and literary agents really hate to see, it’s a manuscript. You’re probably surprised by...
Sally Collings
Feb 10, 2021


I have the best clients.
I've been honored to work with some remarkable clients over the years: smart, driven, funny, passionate. I can't wait to work with more...
Sally Collings
Dec 20, 2020


Book proposals are simple to write. But never, ever easy.
I’m not really a step-by-step kinda person. I’m suspicious of any book, course, guru, or product that promises me any of the following:...
Sally Collings
Oct 5, 2020


Interview tip #7: Give people a magic wand
The last in a series of seven blog posts on #interviewing techniques for #nonfiction authors. Toward the end of every interview, I love...
Sally Collings
Sep 16, 2020


In search of the perfect book
Books are deceptively simple things. Front cover, back cover, pages in between. What can be so hard about making one? Turns out, plenty....
Sally Collings
Sep 10, 2020


Interview tip #6: Choose your words carefully
Sixth in a series of seven blog posts on interviewing techniques for nonfiction authors. Even the smallest words you choose in your...
Sally Collings
Sep 1, 2020


Interview tip #5: Why you should include a trust fall in every interview
Fifth in a series of seven blog posts on interviewing techniques for nonfiction authors. “[When a guest is hesitant], I say, hey, our...
Sally Collings
Aug 24, 2020


Land a Literary Agent in 2020 With Three Fundamental Attributes
In 2020, I’ve collaborated on three nonfiction book proposals. All three have been picked up by leading literary agents within one week...
Sally Collings
Aug 16, 2020


Interview tip #4: Ask all the stupid questions
Fourth in a series of seven blog posts on interviewing techniques for nonfiction authors. Maybe you are concerned that if you interview...
Sally Collings
Aug 13, 2020


Interview tip #3: interviewing colleagues can be awkward
Third in a series of seven blog posts on interviewing techniques for nonfiction authors. In your nonfiction book, you will often want to...
Sally Collings
Jul 26, 2020


Interview tip #2: Throw away your list of questions
Second in a series of seven blog posts on interviewing techniques for nonfiction authors. In the first article of this series, we...
Sally Collings
Jul 19, 2020


7 tips for conducting great interviews
First in a series of seven blog posts on interviewing techniques for nonfiction authors. #1: Find out what makes people tick You may be...
Sally Collings
Jul 13, 2020


Put your book to the “lying eyes” test.
You can't hide your lyin' eyes And your smile is a thin disguise I thought by now you'd realize There ain't no way to hide your lyin'...
Sally Collings
Jun 30, 2020


Run your book through the “so what?” machine
Where can you find some of the best big game hunting in the world? It's a place that may surprise you. Tonight, we're going to take you...
Sally Collings
Jun 23, 2020


Do you have the tools for the job?
The water dispenser in our fridge has been leaking for over a week now. Drip, drip, drip. You can imagine that one drip per second adds...
Sally Collings
Jun 15, 2020


Do people want what you’re offering?
When you think about launching your nonfiction book, you may have in mind a grand opening, where you dazzle the planet with the...
Sally Collings
Jun 9, 2020


Books are bridges in disguise
If you’ve visited my website or my Teachable course page, you may have noticed a recurring theme in the images I choose. Bridges. ...
Sally Collings
May 31, 2020


Smug alert
Warning: this is the equivalent of a “happy dance” celebrating my clients’ achievements. If you don’t want to know about it, look away...
Sally Collings
May 25, 2020


Finding creative focus in the midst of chaos
Today I want to tip you off to a couple of very timely webinars from the good folks at Gotham Ghostwriters. (Disclaimer: I’m one of...
Sally Collings
May 19, 2020


To write a book, you need to plan for dragons
“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations if you live near him.” —JRR Tolkien, The Hobbit Honestly? I’m not even...
Sally Collings
May 18, 2020
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