Writing with Reed

There’s a slew of new opportunities each month for submitting your short stories. That is, if you know where to look. I have my favorite places to check-out and narrowed down my list to seven interesting submission opportunities in October and November. FYI - these are all free to submit, which is an extra bonus! So, what are you waiting for? Join me in the excitement of furiously writing a new story or dust off that partial you were working on last spring. Whatever you do, j

There often comes a point during the #querying process in which a literary agent will ask you for a Book Synopsis. This might come as part of the initial querying package request, or as a follow-up from the agent if they are interested in learning more about your book. Either way, I don’t want you to go running for a paper bag to hyperventilate in just yet. Let me fill you in on a little secret... Remember those oral book reports you had to do as a kid? You'd stay up all nigh

The celebration of a New Year comes with the tradition of making “New Years Resolutions” which are generally geared towards self-improvement. For a writer, this can be an exciting time. Most of us are goal setters to begin with (you have to be to finish that current #WIP right?), so the ability to declare what we hope to achieve over the next twelve months is right up our alley. I can already here you yelling, wait, where do I start? I have so much going on! I can’t set writi

If you’re a writer and you’ve been around the Twitter #writingcommunity for any amount of time, you’ve seen the hashtags for the upcoming #PitMad on December, 2 (8am to 8pm EST). This is a quarterly event, so don't stress if you aren't ready for this one. Another #PitMad will be right around the corner. You may have a vague understanding of this hashtag; you know it has something to do with querying. But, if you aren’t in that stage of your writing process or you are already

You’d think the way it was spoken about within the writing scene that #Query was a four-letter word. But, it’s not. It’s just a part of the process. For some, it’s easy. For some, it’s the kiss of death. I know, I’m getting ahead of myself here, because many of you are new to the writing game and don’t know what a query, in the literary world, even is. Well have no fear. S.E. Reed is here! In the regular world, a query is a request for information. In the writing world, a que

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed with your new "career"? Let me tell you a few things... Okay-- so there are a ton of things new writers need to hear. Like, "You've got this!" and "YES! That scene was totally kick-ass!" But, if I had to boil it down to a few manageable mantras (which every writer should have taped to their bathroom mirror) then read on and take note. Write for YOU As a writer— your stories should bring you joy. The act of developing your characters and plots