Deborah Cooke

Thank you!

November 30, 2009 | Deborah Cooke | Comments (4)

Well, we've reached the end of the residency. Thank you all for your participation – by visiting the blog, attending the receptions and chat, and/or submitting your work, you've helped to make the residency a success. It's been a busy two months for me, but I had a wonderful time. Thank you! And every good […]

On Romance – Guest Eloisa James

November 27, 2009 | Deborah Cooke | Comments (2)

I met Mary Bly – who writes as Eloisa James – at the launch party for her first book, POTENT PLEASURES. RWA National was held in Chicago that year, it was hotter than Hades, and the talk of the conference was the three historical romances scheduled for release in hard cover. Mary's was one of […]

Panel Discussion & Closing Reception

November 26, 2009 | Deborah Cooke | Comments (8)

Don't forget – our panel discussion is tonight at the TPL North York Central Branch. Agent Amy Moore-Benson and editor Brenda Chin will be sharing their expertise as we discuss the romance genre. That's 7 to 9 pm tonight at the North York Central Library, in the auditorium. Bakka-Phoenix Books will also be catering a […]

Simon Fraser U – the Writer’s Studio 1st Book Competition

November 25, 2009 | Deborah Cooke | Comments (0)

This notice turned up in my inbox this week, and might be of interest to you. "This year, The Writer’s Studio is celebrating its tenth anniversary with the 1st Book Competition.  Because we believe it’s becoming increasingly difficult to publish a first book, we want to help three emerging Canadian writers who have not previously […]

About the Submitted Manuscripts

November 25, 2009 | Deborah Cooke | Comments (0)

I've finally finished all of the critiques and all of the appointments. If you did not have an appointment scheduled, your work and my comments may still be in the mail, en route to you. Thank you all for your patience! The submitted work was interesting and more diverse than I'd expected, and I wanted […]

Q&A Day

November 25, 2009 | Deborah Cooke | Comments (8)

Well, after seven weeks of my nattering away at you, it's time for your questions.

Week Eight – Closing Comments

November 23, 2009 | Deborah Cooke | Comments (6)

Wow. I can't believe the residency is nearly over. It's been quite the whirlwind these past eight weeks for me and I hope that this blog has been helpful to all of you. I was honoured to read so many submissions, and pleasantly surprised by the calibre of your work. Thanks to all of you […]

Author Self Promotion – Guest Kayla Perrin

November 20, 2009 | Deborah Cooke | Comments (2)

Authors often are shy about promoting themselves and their work, although publishers increasingly prefer that authors do so. The romance genre is quite well populated with authors who are enthusiastic self-promoters, but even in our niche, Kayla Perrin stands out as a very energetic self-promoter. I invited her to guest blog today on the topic […]

Readings for Writers – VII

November 18, 2009 | Deborah Cooke | Comments (2)

Today's pick up post is more about career strategy, maybe about charting a course for your future as a writer. • The Escalator Myth

Week Seven – Marketing Your Work

November 16, 2009 | Deborah Cooke | Comments (0)

Once upon a time, I believed that authors just wrote books. (Isn't that enough?!) I thought that authors remained in their studies or spare bedrooms or offices and wrote books, sent those books to publishers to be printed and packaged, then wrote more books while waiting for the cheques to arrive. I had no idea […]