The Orange Prize for Fiction, the UK’s only annual book award for fiction written by a woman, announces its 2011 shortlist. Agent Jenny Bent thinks of herself as “a conduit, not a gatekeeper,” and she is “somewhat gleefully celebrating the fact that electronic publishing is really blowing apart the thinking that we in publishing somehow [...]

By Edie Ramer I’m an indie author and proud of it. In addition to RWA-WF, I belong to two chapters and several loops, and quite a few of the writers in those groups are either self-published or interested in it. That includes mystery, paranormal, urban fantasy, romance, romantic suspense and erotica. A friend who writes [...]

Looking for an agent? QueryTracker has tips from 20 agents on how to make your query shine. Agent Sara Megibow is looking for romance novel queries. Agent Rachelle Gardner gives advice on writing one-sentence pitches. She also gives advice on Sussing Out Legitimate Publishers. Harlequin announced a new licensing deal with a Russian publishing house. [...]