Today’s three tips provide some dead-on great advice about

1. Your VOICE
2. PITCHing your book
3. STRIKING THE HEART of your reader

The advice comes from Chris Keeslar, who’s been a leading industry professional for over 20 years. Keeslar started editing romance for Dorchester Publishing, where he worked with authors such as Marjorie M. Liu, Victoria Alexander and Lynsay Sands. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for Boroughs Publishing Group, an e-book publishing house that accepts submissions in almost all romance sub-genres.

Although Keeslar edits romance, his advice is applicable to ANY genre of writing. This particular article was published last month on the Romance University (R U Ready?) blog. I have no hesitation in recommending this blog to all writers; it’s been one of Writers Digest 100 Best Websites for Writers since 2013.

There are a lot more tidbits than the ones I’m picking out below, so I recommend you read the article in its entirety HERE.

Now the Advice, in a Nutshell

On finding Your VOICE

1. “When authors or teachers or editors tell you to “Find your voice,” they’re not just talking about what words you use and how you naturally arrange them; they want you to discover that inner core of yourself that makes you write, what it makes you write and why.”

   On PITCHing your book

2. “A pitch is just using your Voice to tell a friend why they should read a book, see a movie or listen to a song.”

   On STRIKING THE HEART of your reader

3. “What are all the reasons people shouldn’t be together? Know them. Then know the reasons of your characters. Finally, know your audience and how they will benefit from watching your characters learn the truth.”