Author Archives

I am a writer of adventure stories (although this is not an official category my writing spans YA, NA, Speculative Fiction, and Romance) who taught high school English in a past life.

I am a freelance writers and editor who loves giving creative writing workshops and advising about the self-publishing landscape. I'll have 3 books published in my Chronicles of Xannia series as of April 2017, 3 non-fic industry publications, three short stories in two anthologies, and one essay on the believability factor in fiction writing in a guide to writing.

I am a mother and a wife with an OCD bent toward organization - but I hate cleaning and anything related to it, so I'm definitely not a housekeeper! ;)

I learned how to shoot an olympic bow when I was in high school and I look forward to taking it up again in the future.

I enjoy playing adventure games on my PSIII, X-Box 360, and Wii.

I have a quick mind and a good sense of humour but I am not a humourous person, though I try.

• Editing Tip #100 – When to Take a (BETA) Reader’s Advice

  By M.J. Moores on August 24, 2015 • ( 3 )

  

  We all know the importance of feedback when it comes to editing, revising, and re-writing our books and stories… it’s crucial. But how do you know which advice to take and which advice to leave? It’s not as difficult as… Read More ›

• Finding Where Your Market is and Making it Work for You

  By M.J. Moores on August 20, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  Publicity Tip #99 ~ Do you read online magazines or blogs in you genre with more than 1000 followers? If you don’t, you should. If you do, you’re one step ahead of the game 😉 While I can’t extol enough… Read More ›

• Editing Tip #99 – The Weight and/or Necessity of a Comma

  By M.J. Moores on August 17, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  I don’t usually focus on “Grammar Rules” in my editing tips, but when it comes to commas we’ve got a handy little punctuation item that spans the border between rule and style – and it’s important to understand the difference… Read More ›

• Book Review: Tales of a Dying Star / Sci-Fi Series

  By M.J. Moores on August 16, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  Tales of a Dying Star                                    Author: David Kristoph Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars. Highly Recommended Reading. Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Epic. Humans survived a dying sun once before and now the decedents of… Read More ›

• The Care and Conservation of Beta Readers (Guest Post)…

  By M.J. Moores on August 13, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  Originally posted on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog:
  Several years ago, a new phrase crept into my vocabulary. I wasn’t sure where I first heard it, but it was repeated regularly among writing circles in online conversations such…

• Editing Tip #98 – Repetitive Patterns to Avoid

  By M.J. Moores on August 10, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  When it comes time to dust off the first draft of your story, after having left it for at least one month, there are certain things you will notice straight off: a) that you’re a genius (yeah!) b) that you’re… Read More ›

• Getting FREE Working for You Instead of Against You

  By M.J. Moores on August 7, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  Publicity Tip #97 ~ Previously, I’ve touched on the uses of material we generate specifically for free purposes in order to help publicize yourself. Now, I’d like to take my musings on FREE CONTENT one step further. Earlier this week… Read More ›

• Editing Tip #97 – Beta Reading for Others Pt.2: Intent (likability)

  By M.J. Moores on August 3, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  What’s not to like about getting to read new, upcoming books for free? Well, I guess as a beta reader we’re spending valuable time and the gift of our literate opinion, then again we wouldn’t have accepted a beta book… Read More ›

• Trial & Error: Book Marketing Advice & Tools

  By M.J. Moores on July 30, 2015 • ( 2 )

  

  Publicity Tip #96 ~ I am always on the look out for free or low-cost tools that help authors in their never-ending quest to find their niche and then tap into it in the publishing world. Why do I do… Read More ›

• Editing Tip #96 – Beta Reading for Others Pt.1: Style

  By M.J. Moores on July 27, 2015 • ( 4 )

  

  One of the best ways to improve our writing is by having someone beta read our book before doing any final self-edits. If you’ve ever had a chance to experience this, it’s uplifting to see a first-reader’s positive responses and… Read More ›