Ask the Editor

Write How You Write, Not How You Speak

Filed in Ask the Editor by Blair Townley on September 13, 2013 • 8 Comments

Everyone enjoys telling a story, whether it’s a treasured memory from the past or the funny incident that occurred on the way to work. When it comes to writing a self-published book for the enjoyment of others, more thought will be needed to turn a memorable story into a well-written manuscript. It doesn’t matter if […]

A Story About Me — That’s Easy, Right?

Filed in Ask the Editor by Blair Townley on August 23, 2013 • 0 Comments

We’ve all had that thought in our minds – “I should write down my life story and share it.” You may have endured several trials, climbed many mountains and witnessed several miracles in your timeline that could make even the most critical reader an instant fan. So, how do you start to put years of […]

Ask the Editor: Front Matters

Filed in Ask the Editor by Brittnee Newman on July 25, 2013 • 14 Comments

Until recently, most incoming manuscripts to Xulon HQ had a title page and, maybe, an Acknowledgements page. This month, however, we have been inundated with Prefaces, Introductions, Author’s Notes, Forewords, and every flavor of frontmatter that only people who are paid to care about can actually define. Usually.

Ask the Editor: Making Your Cookbook “Picture Perfect”

Filed in Ask the Editor by Brittnee Newman on June 20, 2013 • 0 Comments

This month, Xulon Press is all about self-publishing your recipes—we’ve gone cookbook crazy! One of the most important components of a cookbook is, of course, the pictures! To get the skinny on how to capture your picture-perfect casseroles, sauces and sides, we’ve tapped into the brains of our resident food & photography experts. Meet our panel: […]

Ask the Editor: The Particulars of Prose

Filed in Ask the Editor by Vanessa Correa on April 25, 2013 • 2 Comments

I’d venture to say that when most people hear the word “poem”, they think of rhymes and jokes – either due to high school Shakespeare or college limericks about drinking. The other side of poetry, non-rhyming and more thematic, tends to either elude or scare people. The fall of the line break is unpredictable. It’s […]