Belinda Pollard
@belindapollard.bsky.social
Award-winning Aussie author and speaker. Co-host Gracewriters podcast. IPEd accredited editor and book coach. Hates housework. Loves wilderness, dogs and chips.
https://smallbluedog.com/welcome
https://smallbluedog.com/welcome
Hello! Haven't dropped into Bluesky for months, but over on Threads they are saying it's the place to be for writerly types.
Which is all very meta. (but not Meta)
How are you all? What are people writing? Who has a pet they'd like to share?
I'm still trying to publish my prequel short stories.
Which is all very meta. (but not Meta)
How are you all? What are people writing? Who has a pet they'd like to share?
I'm still trying to publish my prequel short stories.
December 6, 2024 at 11:09 PM
Hello! Haven't dropped into Bluesky for months, but over on Threads they are saying it's the place to be for writerly types.
Which is all very meta. (but not Meta)
How are you all? What are people writing? Who has a pet they'd like to share?
I'm still trying to publish my prequel short stories.
Which is all very meta. (but not Meta)
How are you all? What are people writing? Who has a pet they'd like to share?
I'm still trying to publish my prequel short stories.
Reposted by Belinda Pollard
New Writer Beware blog post: It's important to be pragmatic when considering a publishing contract--not just because emotion can lead you into a bad decision, but because the publisher could be gaslighting you writerbeware.blog/2024/07/26/e...
Evaluating Publishing Contracts: Six Ways You May Be Sabotaging Yourself - Writer Beware
(If you’re a regular reader and are feeling some deja vu at the title of this post, it’s because I’ve published it before, in a slightly different form. I’m updating and re-running it because I’ve got...
writerbeware.blog
July 26, 2024 at 5:29 PM
New Writer Beware blog post: It's important to be pragmatic when considering a publishing contract--not just because emotion can lead you into a bad decision, but because the publisher could be gaslighting you writerbeware.blog/2024/07/26/e...
Editing is an art…
Is #editing just checking #grammar & #spelling? No, it's much more: "[G]ood editors are #technically proficient. ... However, truly excellent editors also follow their #instincts. ... Editing, then, is not just an intellectual exercise but an emotional one too." tinyurl.com/y8f3eup3 #AmEditing
Intuitive Editing: Adam Moss on The Importance of Trusting Our Reactions
by Andi Benjamin A recent episode of The Ezra Klein Show featured an interview with storied editor Adam Moss. Moss served as editor-in-chief of New York Magazine from 2004 to 2019 and is lauded for hi...
tinyurl.com
July 12, 2024 at 1:57 AM
Editing is an art…
If you see this, post your pets ❤️
June 27, 2024 at 4:07 AM
If you see this, post your pets ❤️
June 19, 2024 at 6:25 AM
Reposted by Belinda Pollard
Hey Kobo readers,
fancy a medieval Breton snack? Then go and grab "Squire and Sword", the prequel to my Northumbria Trilogy, for only 99 cents this week. Offer ends on 21 June.
#BookSky #Kobo #MedievalSky
fancy a medieval Breton snack? Then go and grab "Squire and Sword", the prequel to my Northumbria Trilogy, for only 99 cents this week. Offer ends on 21 June.
#BookSky #Kobo #MedievalSky
June 17, 2024 at 7:16 AM
Hey Kobo readers,
fancy a medieval Breton snack? Then go and grab "Squire and Sword", the prequel to my Northumbria Trilogy, for only 99 cents this week. Offer ends on 21 June.
#BookSky #Kobo #MedievalSky
fancy a medieval Breton snack? Then go and grab "Squire and Sword", the prequel to my Northumbria Trilogy, for only 99 cents this week. Offer ends on 21 June.
#BookSky #Kobo #MedievalSky
Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth 😇 despite the 2000 little piranha teeth in there.
Who’s had a puppy and knows what I’m talking about? 🙋♀️
#CycloneHenry 🥰
Who’s had a puppy and knows what I’m talking about? 🙋♀️
#CycloneHenry 🥰
May 21, 2024 at 9:10 PM
Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth 😇 despite the 2000 little piranha teeth in there.
Who’s had a puppy and knows what I’m talking about? 🙋♀️
#CycloneHenry 🥰
Who’s had a puppy and knows what I’m talking about? 🙋♀️
#CycloneHenry 🥰
Nourishing, encouraging interview with Australian Christian poet Jodie McCarthy on the Gracewriters Podcast. Seasons of the writing life and how to add gracenotes in tough times when people are feeling “heavy”. Her Prayer for the Creative is especially beautiful 💜
gracewriters.com/gracewriters...
gracewriters.com/gracewriters...
March 13, 2024 at 12:00 PM
Nourishing, encouraging interview with Australian Christian poet Jodie McCarthy on the Gracewriters Podcast. Seasons of the writing life and how to add gracenotes in tough times when people are feeling “heavy”. Her Prayer for the Creative is especially beautiful 💜
gracewriters.com/gracewriters...
gracewriters.com/gracewriters...
Can anyone tell me:
If I sell a short story (including on Amazon) but also give it away as a subscriber bonus, will that break any rules?
Eg Amazon’s insistence that they get the lowest price.
#selfpublising
If I sell a short story (including on Amazon) but also give it away as a subscriber bonus, will that break any rules?
Eg Amazon’s insistence that they get the lowest price.
#selfpublising
February 27, 2024 at 12:41 AM
Can anyone tell me:
If I sell a short story (including on Amazon) but also give it away as a subscriber bonus, will that break any rules?
Eg Amazon’s insistence that they get the lowest price.
#selfpublising
If I sell a short story (including on Amazon) but also give it away as a subscriber bonus, will that break any rules?
Eg Amazon’s insistence that they get the lowest price.
#selfpublising
When you don’t even need to speak the language… 😁
February 27, 2024 at 12:38 AM
When you don’t even need to speak the language… 😁
Reposted by Belinda Pollard
Time to write my January newsletter... Quite a lot to share with you, so if you'd like to stay updated, do sign up for the monthly email: landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/lan...
Oh, and you'l be able to download a free book with two short stories as a thank you.
Oh, and you'l be able to download a free book with two short stories as a thank you.
January 14, 2024 at 11:59 AM
Time to write my January newsletter... Quite a lot to share with you, so if you'd like to stay updated, do sign up for the monthly email: landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/lan...
Oh, and you'l be able to download a free book with two short stories as a thank you.
Oh, and you'l be able to download a free book with two short stories as a thank you.
When you end a text message to a friend with a comma as a form of mystery, 😎
January 8, 2024 at 11:46 PM
When you end a text message to a friend with a comma as a form of mystery, 😎
I’m now working on two short stories instead of one novella. I have two main continuing characters in the series but they can’t both appear in the same story as they haven’t seen each other for many years prior to book 1. Has anyone done short stories as a subscriber bonus? Did it work for you?
I think I’m going to write a novella as a subscriber bonus, introducing the main character of my series. What do you think? Have you done similar?
Also, how long is a novella? I know it’s one of those “how long is a piece of string” questions but a omeone suggested 15,000 words.
Also, how long is a novella? I know it’s one of those “how long is a piece of string” questions but a omeone suggested 15,000 words.
January 4, 2024 at 9:50 PM
I’m now working on two short stories instead of one novella. I have two main continuing characters in the series but they can’t both appear in the same story as they haven’t seen each other for many years prior to book 1. Has anyone done short stories as a subscriber bonus? Did it work for you?
Reposted by Belinda Pollard
2024 Let’s start at the very beginning…
#DancersintheWind introduces investigative journalist and single mother Hannah Weybridge in 1990s London
tinyurl.com/9eb4tpys
#DancersintheWind introduces investigative journalist and single mother Hannah Weybridge in 1990s London
tinyurl.com/9eb4tpys
January 4, 2024 at 10:45 AM
2024 Let’s start at the very beginning…
#DancersintheWind introduces investigative journalist and single mother Hannah Weybridge in 1990s London
tinyurl.com/9eb4tpys
#DancersintheWind introduces investigative journalist and single mother Hannah Weybridge in 1990s London
tinyurl.com/9eb4tpys
Reposted by Belinda Pollard
In a tumultuous 2023, this was one of my biggest achievements. Publication of my second Wild Crimes mystery VENOM REEF and the second revised edition of POISON BAY.
Please reply with a pic of you with your 2023 books, if you’ve got ‘em. Let’s celebrate.
belindapollard.com/my-recent-bo...
Please reply with a pic of you with your 2023 books, if you’ve got ‘em. Let’s celebrate.
belindapollard.com/my-recent-bo...
January 1, 2024 at 3:09 AM
In a tumultuous 2023, this was one of my biggest achievements. Publication of my second Wild Crimes mystery VENOM REEF and the second revised edition of POISON BAY.
Please reply with a pic of you with your 2023 books, if you’ve got ‘em. Let’s celebrate.
belindapollard.com/my-recent-bo...
Please reply with a pic of you with your 2023 books, if you’ve got ‘em. Let’s celebrate.
belindapollard.com/my-recent-bo...
Why yes, Autocorrect, when I type:
“which has befn interesting”
I mean:
“which has Vern interesting”
Thank you so much for your help! 😀
“which has befn interesting”
I mean:
“which has Vern interesting”
Thank you so much for your help! 😀
December 22, 2023 at 10:25 PM
Why yes, Autocorrect, when I type:
“which has befn interesting”
I mean:
“which has Vern interesting”
Thank you so much for your help! 😀
“which has befn interesting”
I mean:
“which has Vern interesting”
Thank you so much for your help! 😀
Another great article from @annerallen.bsky.social with the various bad ideas we get from well-meaning advisors.
annerallen.com/2023/11/bewa...
I don't really attend writers groups myself, but I have tended to people-please by following the various advice I read online.
I have actually just... 🧵
annerallen.com/2023/11/bewa...
I don't really attend writers groups myself, but I have tended to people-please by following the various advice I read online.
I have actually just... 🧵
Beware Over-Workshopping your WIP
Overworkshopping can be as big a problem as ignoring rules. If you try to follow all the rules and please everybody, you'll bore readers.
annerallen.com
November 20, 2023 at 3:07 AM
Another great article from @annerallen.bsky.social with the various bad ideas we get from well-meaning advisors.
annerallen.com/2023/11/bewa...
I don't really attend writers groups myself, but I have tended to people-please by following the various advice I read online.
I have actually just... 🧵
annerallen.com/2023/11/bewa...
I don't really attend writers groups myself, but I have tended to people-please by following the various advice I read online.
I have actually just... 🧵
I think I’m going to write a novella as a subscriber bonus, introducing the main character of my series. What do you think? Have you done similar?
Also, how long is a novella? I know it’s one of those “how long is a piece of string” questions but a omeone suggested 15,000 words.
Also, how long is a novella? I know it’s one of those “how long is a piece of string” questions but a omeone suggested 15,000 words.
November 8, 2023 at 5:17 AM
I think I’m going to write a novella as a subscriber bonus, introducing the main character of my series. What do you think? Have you done similar?
Also, how long is a novella? I know it’s one of those “how long is a piece of string” questions but a omeone suggested 15,000 words.
Also, how long is a novella? I know it’s one of those “how long is a piece of string” questions but a omeone suggested 15,000 words.
What could possibly go wrong? Artificial wombs a la Brave New World.
#books
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-06/artificial-wombs-premature-technology-bodily-autonomy/103028332
#books
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-06/artificial-wombs-premature-technology-bodily-autonomy/103028332
www.abc.net.au
November 6, 2023 at 3:50 AM
What could possibly go wrong? Artificial wombs a la Brave New World.
#books
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-06/artificial-wombs-premature-technology-bodily-autonomy/103028332
#books
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-06/artificial-wombs-premature-technology-bodily-autonomy/103028332
Reposted by Belinda Pollard
NYT Bestseller Ruth Harris gives some great tips on how to revise your ms. when it's in deep doo-doo. annerallen.com/2023/10/radi...
October 30, 2023 at 3:00 AM
NYT Bestseller Ruth Harris gives some great tips on how to revise your ms. when it's in deep doo-doo. annerallen.com/2023/10/radi...
Trying to work while this sunset was going on outside the window. I gave up for 10 minutes and just watched the skyshow. 😍 Do you notice the sky?
October 25, 2023 at 4:43 AM
Trying to work while this sunset was going on outside the window. I gave up for 10 minutes and just watched the skyshow. 😍 Do you notice the sky?
Reposted by Belinda Pollard
A friend asked me for tips on finding your crowd here. I've been lucky in finding cool folks I know from elsewhere & new folks, but it does take a little investigating and work :) So here are a few tips if you're new and wondering where to start (not comprehensive!)
Thanks @kateburgener.bsky.social
Thanks @kateburgener.bsky.social
![How I found my crowd on BlueSky
*not about followers
#1 Look, it's me!
• Upload an avatar
[drawing of avatar blob-person, underneath it says: It's me | I make arts]
• fill out the bio. Make sure you mention what you do if you're looking for peers/fellow travelers
•Make an intro post (so folks can see more of who you are)
#2 SEARCH (a little)
[drawing of magnifying glass]
• Find folks you know from other places (you only need to find a few, BECAUSE...)
• Look at the follows/followers of folks you know! Just like in real life, they probably know other folks you do.
#ENGAGE
[drawing of two faces sharing a heart in a thought bubble]
• Post stuff that has something to do w/the people you want to connect with
• Comment on posts. On here replies are out front, other people see these and can find you!
TIP: set your replies to 0 in Home Feed setting to see more replies
NOTE: Comment sincerely and positively, not just to be seen. Avoid sarcasm and irony because they can come off as shitty.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:n5f7w4v7l65vjfaljp4727ng/bafkreigwprv4hkvrnmdrttp6lq2v7swqek3jbt6v2ng4co5om7us6wi6ta@jpeg)
![#4 FIND YOUR FEEDS!
[drawing of blob-person yelling "it's all about feeds!"]
• Find/follow feeds that collect what you're interested in...
[Liked by 200 users 9with curser arrow pointed at it)]
• Look at "liked by" to find folks to follow...
[drawing of blob-person w/ hand to chin, saying "hmmmm"]
• Inspect the feed to discover terms the feed uses to select posts (some feeds tell you)
• Use these terms when posting about the thing (kinda like a #) so more people can find you.
TIP: there's no algorithm here, so you can repost your own post without being penalized. You can also repost old posts, it's fine! You don't need to be a "content" machine
♥Rori!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:n5f7w4v7l65vjfaljp4727ng/bafkreieeqynblg62l4b6hwgmce75qkkhvjk6odg2kzq56hhesrmal7axha@jpeg)
August 26, 2023 at 9:05 PM
A friend asked me for tips on finding your crowd here. I've been lucky in finding cool folks I know from elsewhere & new folks, but it does take a little investigating and work :) So here are a few tips if you're new and wondering where to start (not comprehensive!)
Thanks @kateburgener.bsky.social
Thanks @kateburgener.bsky.social
Reposted by Belinda Pollard
A little tip I was told. For book stuff add 💙📚to your words! Helps to get things seen
October 3, 2023 at 6:33 PM
A little tip I was told. For book stuff add 💙📚to your words! Helps to get things seen
I am trying to upload two books to Ingram Spark today. 😳 Wish me luck?
#amwriting #selfpublishing
#amwriting #selfpublishing
October 2, 2023 at 4:10 AM
I am trying to upload two books to Ingram Spark today. 😳 Wish me luck?
#amwriting #selfpublishing
#amwriting #selfpublishing