Wednesday links: “Real” writers and cover designs

I love regularly reading tips and advice articles in certain subjects — particularly writing and publishing. I don’t always need the information right then, but I know that it’ll eventually come in handy. Or at least, I hope it will.

I know there are a lot of other people out there who feel the same way I do, but sometimes it can be difficult to find every useful advice article that’s out there. So I thought I’d bring you a few. Here are the tips and advice articles that jumped out at me the most over the past week.

1. What It Takes To Be A “Real” Writer, from Kristen Lamb’s Blog: Have you ever wondered when you can call yourself a “real” writer? That may not be the question you need to ask yourself. Excerpt: “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, did it fall? Or, if a writer writes a bazillion words and no one reads them, is the writer a “real writer?” Personally, I am into practicality, not philosophy.”
2. 9 Tips to Building the Book Cover Design You Always Wanted, from Jane Friedman: While many writers hire someone to design their book covers, others choose not to. If you’re in that second group, here are a few things you should keep in mind. Excerpt: “Your book cover design is what draws people into the story you crafted from only a blank page and an idea. It is likely the image that your readers will most associate with your story, so let’s look at nine ways you can start building the cover design you always wanted.”