In a recent interview with Hank Phillippi Ryan, best selling author, I heard her give a GREAT answer to why you don’t start a novel with backstory. Let’s say you are going to tell a friend a story about what happened to you at the pool today. How do you start? When I was seven,Continue reading “Let me tell you what happened to me at the pool yesterday OR why you don’t open a novel with backstory”
Author Archives: Robin Henry
Historical Novel Society 2024
I am thrilled to be presenting a pre-conference session for the 2024 Historical Novel Society Conference UK. It is a book study of The Lincoln Highway. Register Here, I hope to see you at the pre-conference and in September for the in person event.
What if you flipped the script?
All kinds of information online for writers focuses on getting a deal, how to query, and hooking an agent. When I work with clients, I no longer offer services related to pitching without some history of working with them on their novel. Here’s why: pitching a novel that isn’t ready is an exercise in futility. Continue reading “What if you flipped the script?”
Book Review: The Fury by Alex Michaelides
I cannot lie, I like a dark and twisty tale. Having read The Maidens, a previous novel by this author, I was willing to give this one a go. So glad I did! This one is much more well developed than The Maidens, which I found a little predictable. The Fury is like Agatha ChristieContinue reading “Book Review: The Fury by Alex Michaelides”
New Podcast Episode: Author Interview
New Podcast Episode: The Mystery Guest
Take a listen to this shorty episode about a highly anticipated sequel. There are a few nuggets in it for writers to be aware of as they strive to give readers an elevated experience.
Book Review: If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio
I have had my eye on this one for a while. It has been staring at me from the English Language shelves in my favorite Tallinn bookstore, and the best bookstore in the world, Rahva Raamat for quite some time. Two things tipped me over the threshold to go ahead and buy…1. It was onContinue reading “Book Review: If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio”
Rejection isn’t personal, really..
In my work as a Short Story Acquisitions Editor at History Through Fiction, I frequently have to deliver bad news. Your story was not selected. Most authors are great about it. They understand that I don’t like telling them we can’t publish their story, but it is my job to choose which stories History ThroughContinue reading “Rejection isn’t personal, really..”
Is Your Draft a Little Jaga Jaga?
In a previous blog post, I wondered whether your draft might be like a hoarder’s house. In this post, we will look at a different issue, the scattered draft. One of my volunteer gigs is to teach a children’s Bible class in Tallinn at our church. My class is very small, and the students areContinue reading “Is Your Draft a Little Jaga Jaga?”
Is reading your novel like trying to walk through a hoarder’s house?
I love to work on manuscript reviews. When an author has a completed draft that they are willing to let an Editor Book Coach review, it signals their commitment to the writing process and to doing the best work they can. They are serious about writing a good book. As you may suspect, there tendContinue reading “Is reading your novel like trying to walk through a hoarder’s house?”