top of page
Search
WATCH OUT FOR THE RIPPLE EFFECT
Seven-ish years ago, I worked for my church helping proofread the latest edition of our scriptures for publication. It was the first time...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Nov 23, 20202 min read
15 views
0 comments
COURSE LAUNCH: MANUSCRIPT-CRITIQUE CERTIFICATION COURSE
This is becoming a launch week. While you're waiting for Indie Writing Wisdom (available December 1, links to come), check out my...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Nov 5, 20201 min read
7 views
0 comments
COVER REVEAL: INDIE WRITING WISDOM
I've been waiting to make this announcement until I got the go-ahead from the lead author. Introducing . . . If you can't tell, that's my...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Nov 2, 20201 min read
11 views
0 comments
HOW MUCH DOES EDITING COST, ANYWAY?
I'll let you in on a secret: Based on my own experiences, most people have no idea how much they should expect to pay for editing....
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Oct 6, 20202 min read
48 views
0 comments
THINKING ABOUT TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING? READ THIS FIRST
In one of the author groups I belong to on Facebook, an admin recently shared these articles. If your goal is having your book...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Sep 18, 20201 min read
29 views
0 comments
A REASON FOR THE EXPENSE OF EDITING
I found this in an editors' group on Facebook recently. If you've ever wondered why editors charge so much, this is a major reason. Write...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Sep 5, 20201 min read
4 views
0 comments
"GUARANTEED," EH?
Not long ago, an author sent me a message that read, in part, as follows (edited for clarity): "The consensus is: nobody can guarantee a...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Sep 3, 20201 min read
15 views
0 comments
THINKING ABOUT USING SMASHWORDS? HERE'S WHAT I'VE LEARNED
I've seen many self-publishing authors post questions on social media that go something like this: "How do I pick a self-publishing...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Jul 6, 20202 min read
4 views
0 comments
WE INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED POST FOR AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
So . . . this happened today. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1029374 I published my first book! Granted, I've edited other...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Jun 24, 20201 min read
7 views
0 comments
BESTSELLING TAKES TIME
I stumbled across this helpful article in one of the Facebook groups I belong to. Enjoy and happy Friday! https://www.bookscharming.com/2...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
May 22, 20201 min read
4 views
0 comments
"YOU KEEP USING THAT WORD. . . ."
Yesterday, someone asked me how I differentiate between some of the services I offer. (You know who you are—thanks!) I've updated my...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Apr 27, 20202 min read
6 views
0 comments
HOW DOES TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING WORK, ANYWAY?
After yesterday's post, it occurred to me that a lot of new authors probably don't know what happens to a manuscript once they send it to...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Apr 24, 20206 min read
6 views
0 comments
HOW WELL CAN YOU EXPECT YOUR BOOK TO SELL?
Last night, I was doing some research about how well sequel books sell compared to originals. There's a surprising lack of information...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Apr 23, 20201 min read
8 views
0 comments
ARE YOU WRITING FOR AN EIGHTH GRADER?
In my editing capstone class in college, I learned about something called popularization. Essentially, it means taking a highly technical...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Apr 15, 20203 min read
9 views
0 comments
WHY DOES EDITING COST SO DOGGONE MUCH?
To answer the question in the title, I'd say that at least 90 percent of the time, a manuscript needs (much) more work than its author...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Mar 5, 20202 min read
9 views
0 comments
SHAME ON THIS ANONYMOUS PUBLISHER
This afternoon, I was looking at listings from publishing companies who hire freelance editors. I came across a listing from a company in...
Candice Bellows, The Story Engineer
Jan 16, 20202 min read
6 views
0 comments
THE STORY ENGINEER BLOG
bottom of page