Action + Clarity + Energy = Momentum

Take action to get where your authorly self is going, notes on the future of publishing, open writing contests (!), and the monthly roundup of craft advice for June 2025

May 31, 2025

Hey, y’all!

Sometimes, just being in the room with other writers or editors can get the blood moving, get the cogs turning, in new and interesting ways.

Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with a Substack fiction editor and all-around interesting person. We chatted a bit about current work, both the successes and the struggles, shared our professional resumes for the fun of it, learned more about each others’ ideal stories and authors, and through the conversation, I landed on a key truth:

Making decisions fast, getting out of your own way, is really the key to this whole “being a successful artist” thing.

Actions bring clarity which fosters energy, the trifecta of which results in momemtum. But momentum suffers during moments of stagnation, moments of “should I?,” moments of doubt.

When those moments of doubt undoubtedly creep in, pause. Reflect. Then, figure out what action you can take to gain clarity.

From there, you can only go forward!

Notes on the future of publishing

I believe that the future of publishing lies in independent and grassroots efforts.

The Big Five in the United States seem to live under an industry microscope and for good reason: The collective traditional-publishing business model has changed relatively little over the last three decades despite the fact that everything else in the world seems to have changed ten times over.

Traditional publishers aren’t strictly to blame here.

While there’s a knee-jerk part of me that wants to point all my fingers at Amazon for trashing the publishing industry with its poverty-wage price controls, the fact is that Amazon can’t do anything at all to affect culture without people.

Y’all, we are the problem.

Well, maybe not you and me directly.

You’re here likely because you like and respect the work of indie authors, plan to be an indie author yourself, or both. And you may already know that I choose to work with indie authors, as well as small traditional and hybrid publishers outside the Big Five and its tentacular imprint-web for a reason.

The Honest Broker, Ted Gioia, recently shared in a Substack essay titled, Are We Living in a Time of Cultural Collapse that:

Places like Bandcamp or Substack are exciting because so many different voices have been attracted to these freewheeling platforms. The Darwinian intensity of the fight-for-survival in these environments may not be entirely fair or dispassionate, but they will ensure that more than a few deserving individuals will get heard.

(Bold emphasis is mine.)

I mean . . .

The time for indie voices is now, y’all.

Bandcamp is shaking up corporate music, while Substack is busy shaking up corporate publishing.

When interesting novels are being serialized to great outcomes, it’s time to acknowledge the world of change in which we live.

What a time to be alive!

I must have told my partner a hundred times in the last year or so that we are on the precipice of an arts revolution, the New Renaissance — and Ted seems to agree.

While corporate media and old industry players are scrambling to keep up while releasing and re-releasing the same sht they’ve been peddling for decades, the rest of us are moving on and building systems that actually help us do what we want to do and go where we want to go.

Refreshing, like a frosty lemonade on a sweat-drenched day that leaves a sugary sweetness on the lips.

While I don’t have all the details worked out, I am looking ahead at my role during the New Renaissance and how I can best connect readers with authors, authors with readers. In that vein, I’ve been noodling over a publishing cult of sorts, a collaborative and cooperative model where you get to have every single cent you relentlessly worked for while having the pro-bono support of a brand behind you.

If this sounds like a “have your cake and eat it too” model, you’d be right. I like cake, having it and eating it. And I’m really good at sharing, so grab a fork and let’s get beyond this ridiculous analogy:

If you want to receive updates on this publishing cult venture down the line, consider joining The Novel Nest Writers group (and make sure you’re subscribed to this newsletter!).

Join Nest Writers

Open writing calls and contests

One of my goals this year is to spread more writing joy in the world by spreading news about writing opportunities to you all. So, let’s get to it!

The Next Big Story first chapter contest is open now through July 31, 2025.

I will be submitting the first chapter of my novel-in-progress to this contest, and I’d love for you to submit, too.

With a $100,000 grand prize, there’s really nothing to lose (except the $15 submission fee).

And since you’re here . . . I have a special offer for you.

If you plan to submit your first chapter to The Next Big Story contest, I’m offering on-the-fly feedback for just $50 — the lowest rate I’ve ever offered.

Here’s how to get that low rate:

Book your The First 1500 submission review below. Once I receive your payment, we’ll meet in The Novel Nest’s private Coaching Room. Together, we’ll read your first chapter aloud in full (I’m happy to read aloud if it makes your belly squeezy) and review your chapter for story development opportunities.

In about 20 minutes, you’ll walk away with insights you can use to revise your chapter and submit it with aplomb, knowing you’re putting your best work forward.

The First 1500

Beyond The Next Big Story, here are some other open contests awarding prize money. Yes, there are entry fees; I can’t control those.

If you choose to submit to any of the contest I’ve mentioned here, I’d love to know so I can cheer you on and watch for the contest news.

Monthly writing craft roundup

I love having the creative freedom to draw my own pictures for MetaStellar’s writing advice blog!

Editing a Bloated Manuscript (what to cut, and how)

Edit out the bloat, pare back the book to its essence and message, and trust your readers to handle the rest with these tips.

Tension in Fiction: What it is and how to build it

If you want to write a novel that keeps readers hooked, imbuing your story with tension is a surefire way to grab onto your reader and not let go.

Editing an Emaciated Manuscript (what to add, and how)

Identify an under-written, or emaciated, manuscript and and fluff your manuscript to meet reader word-count expectations with these three methods.

Balanced Writer, Balanced Story

The life of a busy writer is complex, exhausting, and often imbalanced. Striking the right balance is what will keep you writing and keep readers reading for the long term.

Now, a few questions for you . . .

I am a real human being on the other side of this email/post, and I like getting mail just like anyone else.

What kind of story are you writing? (Genre, subgenre?)
For whom are you writing your story? (Intended audience, age?)
What do you want that person to get from your story? (Your message?)
How far along are you in the novel (or other story) you’re writing? (Starting, halfway, finishing, done?)
What do you foresee as the next step toward your writing and publishing goals?

And if you’ve recently had a piece accepted for publication, please reply to this message or leave a comment letting me know.

I’d love to celebrate your success and maybe even help you find some new readers.

The Novel Nest was borne of the belief that we are at our bests when we help each other get better, so let me know if and how I can help you move forward.

You’ve got this! And until then, I’ve got you.