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      Chip MacGregor

      When he was in first grade, Chip hurried home one day and announced to his mother, “When I grow up, I’m going to be a book guy!” He clearly could see the future —from high school literary magazine editor to writing bestselling books, from speaking at writing and publishing conferences to representing renowned writers, Chip MacGregor is a book guy.

      Latest posts from Chip MacGregor


      • January 6, 2012

        The Dark Files

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        Tim wrote to ask, "So what's the worst stuff you've been sent this past week?"

        1. A guy sent me a proposal this week detailing how we can reduce the instances of sexual abuse and the problems caused by …

      • January 6, 2012

        The Dark Files

        by

        Tim wrote to ask, "So what's the worst stuff you've been sent this past week?"

        1. A guy sent me a proposal this week detailing how we can reduce the instances of sexual abuse and the problems caused by …

      • January 4, 2012

        What will REALLY happen in 2012?

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        I've been reading a bunch of "2012 Prediction" posts from people, ranging from the insipid ("We're going to see a lot of growth in e-books") to the inane ("I see a huge comeback for westerns"). So if we leave aside …

      • January 4, 2012

        What will REALLY happen in 2012?

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        I've been reading a bunch of "2012 Prediction" posts from people, ranging from the insipid ("We're going to see a lot of growth in e-books") to the inane ("I see a huge comeback for westerns"). So if we leave aside …

      • December 31, 2011

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        More notes on "the best writing advice…"

        Diana Crosby wrote to say, "At a conference, Nora Roberts said, 'Give yourself permission to write crap. You can edit crap, but you can't edit a blank page.'"

        Shirley Brosius noted, "The best …

      • December 30, 2011

        What's the best writing advice you ever got?

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        I've had several people write to share the best writing advice they've ever received. 

        Vince Zandri, who has done numerous novels and sold more than a quarter million books, wrote to me and said, "The best writing advice I ever …

      • December 27, 2011

        What's your best writing advice?

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        Denise wrote in to ask, "What's the best writing advice you've received? Can you sum up the big picture for us?"

        I can try…in ten lessons:

        1. There are very few great books, but every great book begins with a …

      • December 23, 2011

        Merry Christmas to All!

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        Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
        Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
        The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
        In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

        The children were …

      • December 22, 2011

        Happy Birthday Amanda (and other stuff)

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        Lots of stuff to catch up on:

        -Today is Amanda Luedeke's birthday — happy birthday, Amanda! Here's hoping you get both birthday AND Christmas gifts this year. (Amanda is a literary agent who works with me here at MacGregor Literary.) …

      • December 21, 2011

        The Last Step: Go Back and Evaluate

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        Some people have twenty years of experience. Some people have one year of experience twenty times. The difference? The former keep track of their progress and learn from their mistakes as well as their successes. The latter keep trying something …

      • December 20, 2011

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        By the way… Funds are being collected for author Sandi Rog's uninsured cancer treatments — she was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma on the same day her debut novel released in November of last year. This is the last week …

      • December 20, 2011

        Step Nine: Execute Your Plan

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        Now that you've done all your research and planning — you've figured out WHAT you need to do, WHERE you need to do it, WHEN you're going to get it done, WHO you're going to be reaching, and WHY you're …

      • December 19, 2011

        Step Eight: Create Your Calendar and Budget

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        At this point, you're probably wondering what else there is to do with a marketing plan. Take heart — we're almost to the end of the process…

        Once you've written down everything you want to do, you need to tie …

      • December 16, 2011

        Step Seven: Write Your Plan

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        Okay, you've come to the point in the process where you really get into the details… you've done a bunch of research. You know who you are, and what it is you want to say. You've figured out who your …

      • December 15, 2011

        Step Six: Choose Your Tools

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        Now that you've figured out which basic strategies you're going to use, you need to select that actual "tools" you'll use — that is, the actual WORK you will do to help you market your book. For example, if you …

      • December 13, 2011

        Step Five: Map Out Your Strategies

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        Now that you know what your brand is, what your strengths and weaknesses are, what goals you're trying to reach, and who your target market is, you need to make some specific choices. What are the basic strategies you're going
        …