You are here:

Writing Books/Experts

ExpertAverage RatingsExpertise

Bobbie Christmas

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.92
  • Clarity of Response 9.97
  • Politeness 9.97
  • Response Time(hr) 8.6
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 3.0
  • Total Questions 307
 Book Doctor Bobbie Christmas owns Zebra Communications, a book-editing firm in metro Atlanta. She not only edits books, she also helps writers power up their prose to increase their chances of success. She is the author of Write In Style (Union Square Publishing), a creative-writing guide that won three awards.

Jannie Balliett

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.86
  • Clarity of Response 9.79
  • Politeness 9.90
  • Response Time(hr) 7.2
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 5.6
  • Total Questions 409
 I am a published writer, Chief Editor and own A1 Editorial Service. I teach writing, specializing in novel writing, and creative writing. I can answer most any question concerning writing a book, plot and characterization, tighten the prose, and the editing process, and help advise with publishing and the requirements of obtaining a literary agent.

Susan Rand

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.90
  • Clarity of Response 9.91
  • Politeness 9.96
  • Response Time(hr) 14.3
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 17.8
  • Total Questions 832
 I can answer questions about the elements of fiction and non-fiction writing: how to get started, writing techniques, re-writing, etc. I will NOT write for you, do critiques except from my website at http://pygmypress.com, or give you ideas. I will not answer home-or-schoolwork questions in any category. If English is your second language, please say so, and I will make an exception. Please submit no more than one or two questions at once, as I tend to go into detail in my answers.

Wayne Groner

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 10.00
  • Clarity of Response 10.00
  • Politeness 10.00
  • Response Time(hr) 14.9
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 31.0
  • Total Questions 13
 I can answer questions on all aspects of writing memoirs, life stories, family histories, and corporate histories including handling sensitive issues, interviewing, editing, self-publishing, and setting up a business as a memoir writer.

Mark David Gerson

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 10.0
  • Clarity of Response 10.0
  • Politeness 10.0
  • Response Time(hr) 2.6
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 0.4
  • Total Questions 27
 Happy to answer questions about writing, writer's block, publishing/self-publishing. Can answer general questions, but not available to critique work.

Dorothy K Morris

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.86
  • Clarity of Response 9.89
  • Politeness 9.95
  • Response Time(hr) 9.8
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 2.7
  • Total Questions 885
 I can answer questions about writing fiction, creating characters and re-writing. I cannot answer homework questions.

Cathy Clamp

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.97
  • Clarity of Response 9.93
  • Politeness 10.00
  • Response Time(hr) 67.7
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 151.1
  • Total Questions 530
 I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of writing novels, from the beginning kernel of an idea through completion. I can help with writing a query letter and synopsis to an agent or editor. I can explain publishing terminology and acronyms. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of agents/publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication. I can teach the rules of formatting a manuscript, creating viable plots, characterization and flow in the following genres: romance, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, suspense, horror, women's fiction, mainstream and mystery.

Jefferson Bales

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.87
  • Clarity of Response 10.00
  • Politeness 9.87
  • Response Time(hr) 24.9
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 22.6
  • Total Questions 23
 I can assist writers in developing their stories and novels or screenplays and enjoy story-development(esp. very much. I can lead writers to information on the Web that will help them write, find an editor, agent or publisher; though I can't(and nobody can) guarantee that they will find one. I know other writers seeking to publish with whom I can connect aspiring writers who may be able to help them and places online seeking writers to publish. I most prefer helping writers develop(primarily humorous) stories employing techniques that editors/agents/publishers expect. Thank you very much, JB - tutorjb1

Richard Seltzer

Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.94
  • Clarity of Response 9.82
  • Politeness 10.0
  • Response Time(hr) 14.4
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 0.2
  • Total Questions 164
 I prefer questions that directly relate to my current areas of interest: historical works and historical fiction dealing with Russia and Ethiopia around 1900.

Sandy McCutcheon

Morocco
Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.92
  • Clarity of Response 9.97
  • Politeness 10.00
  • Response Time(hr) 20.2
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 10.2
  • Total Questions 467
 Author of 22 plays, 10 bestselling thrillers, a memoir and children's fiction.I can work with people on the process of writing, what to expect and ask for from an editor. How to work with the publisher`s marketing and publicity people. And how to survive book launches and publicity tours!

Paul Watt

Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.62
  • Clarity of Response 9.86
  • Politeness 9.97
  • Response Time(hr) 13.8
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 9.5
  • Total Questions 131
 Advice on rewriting PhD dissertations into books; advice on sending manuscripts to scholarly publishers; how copyediting works; what to expect in the production process; explain what to do if a university press rejects your manuscript. I do NOT assess manuscripts

Ann Charles

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 10.00
  • Clarity of Response 10.00
  • Politeness 10.00
  • Response Time(hr) 100.7
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 235.0
  • Total Questions 21
 I can answer questions from unpublished fiction authors (especially those who write in the mystery and romance genres) regarding building name recognition and platforms PRIOR to landing a publishing contract.

Vincent M. Wales

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.87
  • Clarity of Response 9.94
  • Politeness 9.94
  • Response Time(hr) 5.2
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 5.2
  • Total Questions 977
 I am a writer, specializing in novels (fantasy, science fiction and others) and poetry. While I may be able to answer questions on non-fiction, my specialty is fiction. Please keep that in mind when asking questions.

Jamie Darrach

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.90
  • Clarity of Response 10.00
  • Politeness 10.00
  • Response Time(hr) 18.6
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 23.2
  • Total Questions 35
 I can answer just about any question regarding the composition, editing, and publishing procedures for all forms of literature. I will give aspiring authors ample tips on how to strengthen plot, how make story-lines and characters credible, how to improve visual description and dialogue, and how to make works flow easily and naturally. In addition, I can give writers advice on how to adequately edit and revise their works. I have knowledge of the literary market, and can advise writers in which route would be best for their piece, including offer examples of presses and agents who work with manuscripts in the author's category.

Sue Viders

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.67
  • Clarity of Response 9.85
  • Politeness 9.94
  • Response Time(hr) 12.4
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 142.8
  • Total Questions 120
 I can answer various questions about how to create characters for fiction writers.

Rhonda Campbell

U.S.
Available
  • Knowledgeability 9.71
  • Clarity of Response 9.60
  • Politeness 9.90
  • Response Time(hr) 24.5
  •  --Last 90 Days(hr) 39.8
  • Total Questions 121
 I can answer questions on how to get published in magazines and newspapers; how to market your own books; how to earn a living writing; how to write press releases; how to find a good editor; how to edit your own books; finding a good printer; finding a good book illustrator; doing your taxes as a freelance writer. Questions I can't answer include specifics around working with a print on demand publisher

Recent Answers

2012-01-30 How do you make a best selling first book?:

Dear Jacqueline,    Thanks for the question. There is no easy answer, because it is the reader who decides if the book will sell. If you have good ideas for a book, then simply write it first and worry

2012-01-30 co -authors /ghostwriters:

Hi,    Congratulations on working on your new book!    I just did a quick search in Google. You may want to contact the Association of Ghost Writers.  You can also place an ad on job boards (e.g. Indeed

2012-01-25 Writing a non-fiction book about my life:

Hello Ricky:    You have two options in this situation:    1. Tell them what you mean to say about them, and get them to sign a release. This is best handled by a lawyer.    2. Disguise them so thoroughly

2012-01-22 fiction writing and potential legal issues:

Hello Steven,    Yes.  There are legal issues.  Fictionalize everything to be safe if you have to use a brand name.  When you see brand containers in movies, the producers have acquired permission to use

2012-01-12 Trade names of cheeses for fictional characters:

Hi, Kate    I sincerely apologize for taking so long to get back to you. I've been having computer problems that have disabled me from accessing the internet.     To be honest, I'm not familiar with trademarks

More Answers in Category Writing Books


Writing Books

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.