Author Archive: Ella Joy Olsen

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Publishing With Audible: Birdie & Jay

Publishing With Audible: Birdie & Jay

For my third novel, Birdie & Jay, I chose Audible as my publisher. So, how is that different from other methods of “traditional” publication? What it means is that my book will be available exclusively (and only) as an audio book on Audible for nine months. Like Netflix (and other premium services) Audible wants to […]

March 19, 2020 | By | Reply More
Too much Research – Part 2

Too much Research – Part 2

Too much Research – Part 2 (Read Part 1 HERE) (or why you must leave awesome things out of your book) Case Study: WHERE THE SWEET BIRD SINGS Subject: Can your spit tell you where you’re from? Authors choose to write about a subject, location, or timeframe because there’s something about one or all of […]

September 8, 2017 | By | Reply More
Too Much Research  (Or Why You Must Leave Awesome Things Out Of Your Book)

Too Much Research (Or Why You Must Leave Awesome Things Out Of Your Book)

Case Study: WHERE THE SWEET BIRD SINGS Subject: Canavan Disease Authors choose to write about a subject, location, or timeframe because there’s something about one or all of these things that makes them tick. They’re willing to spend time, often years, rolling around in the details, envisioning the scenes, researching. But if the work is […]

July 31, 2017 | By | 1 Reply More
Look Away. You Don’t Want to See This.

Look Away. You Don’t Want to See This.

He narrowed his eyes…with downcast eyes…her eyes darted to the window…she found him with her eyes…her eyes glistened with unshed tears…he blinked in surprise…she stared in amazement…he focused on the ground. Do you see the theme? These phrases are only a handful of the many I found in the rough draft of my work in […]

August 21, 2016 | By | 10 Replies More
Talking Yourself Down and Talking Yourself Up  (aka: Fighting the Two-Headed Dragon of Insecurity)

Talking Yourself Down and Talking Yourself Up (aka: Fighting the Two-Headed Dragon of Insecurity)

Insecurity, covered with writhing, glinting scales, is a dragon – a truly frightening creature. But here’s the worst part: the dragon has two heads. The battle against the beast begins the moment you put your fingers to the keyboard with serious intent. Your intent is to be a writer. A writer in the wool-stocking, coffee-gesturing, […]

April 26, 2016 | By | 17 Replies More