Steven Hutson

Writers! Don't ever underestimate the power of a good platform. It's your brand. When I worked in supermarkets, Oreos always outsold the store brands. Even though they cost more. (Yes I'm looking at you, too, novelists.) #pubtip

A felow agent recently tweeted about an agent's job: It's straight-commission self-employment, with no union or benefits. Well, the same goes for book authors: You only eat what you kill, and no one owes you anything. Get used to it. #pubtip

Want to succeed in publishing? This is a business, just like any other. Network like crazy (and no I don't mean FB and Twitter). After a while, you'll know who to trust. #pubtip

Don't be defensive and suspicious toward agents and publishers. It's a waste of energy and emotion. Instead, learn what a good deal looks like, and you'll know when the good isn't there. #pubtip

Want to learn how to succeed as an author? Attend a writers' conference at every opportunity. #pubtip

Don't ask "which are the best-selling genres?" before you write your book. Just find your passion, and write your book. #pubtip

Don't give in to the paralysis of analysis. Just write your book! If you're waiting until (you're perfect, you learn more, you gain confidence, etc.), it will never happen. #pubtip

If the muse is whispering in your ear RIGHT NOW,
And the ideas are flowing RIGHT NOW,
Then the time that you should be writing, is RIGHT NOW. #pubtip

Note to writers:
If it takes you a full paragraph to describe your target audience, it probably means that you don't know. #writing #pubtip

Writers! Before you submit your work to an agent or publisher, PLEASE get a handle on your genre. "Christian," "children's," and "fiction" are not genres. #pubtip

Writers! Your genre is NOT "general fiction." #pubtip

How to pitch an agent. wordwisebooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/how-to… #pubtip

Yes, you need professional editing. #pubtip

Social media will not get you where you want to go. Get on a plane and go do some real networking in the biz. It's who you know. #pubtip

Your straight-A's in high school composition don't matter anymore. You're in the big leagues now. #pubtip

Yes, you need decent platform to sell a novel. Don't let anyone tell you differently. #pubtip

Know the vocabulary: Query, proposal, synopsis, etc. What that editor calls, you need to know what to do. #pubtip

If an agent asks for your proposal, don't say "Google me." Even "what's a proposal?" is better. It means you're thinking. #pubtip

Thousands of social media contacts are nice. But how many of them represent your target audience? #pubtip

By the time that you identify a trend, chances are that it has already passed you by. Write your own story. #pubtip