Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

What making reels taught me as an author

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I joined TikTok in my late 60s and survived When I signed with Regal House Publishing for my second novel in the summer of 2024, I challenged myself to learn the ins and outs of TikTok before my book was published. I heard the platform had a growing book community. Was it true? Could I find readers there? How? So I set a goal: reach 1,000 followers before publication day—October 27, … [Read more...]

Stop pitching your work and start telling your story

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For Writers Who Hate Self-Promotion: I recently attended a Zoom workshop given by Jennifer Mrozek Sukalo on how to talk comfortably about your work—your writing, your art, your book—without feeling like you need to sell yourself. I went in feeling hopeful and a bit skeptical. The advice was surprisingly simple. And surprisingly hard. Instead of crafting a pitch, she asked us to consider a … [Read more...]

Blogging isn’t dead—maybe you’re just using it wrong

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Is blogging still a valid way to create a platform? Maybe you’ve seen headline titles: “It’s Time for Authors to Stop Blogging” or “Why You Shouldn’t Blog Your Book.” And then there’s the definitive opposite: “Start Blogging Now and Watch Your Career Soar!” Blogging is not a magic shortcut to bestseller lists. But for authors, it’s still one of the most undervalued tools for reaching out … [Read more...]

Grace for the Socially Awkward

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The comfort of watching someone else get it wrong: Confession: I adore Jamie from the Progressive Insurance commercials. Jamie is so freaking enthusiastic but terribly socially miscalibrated. He over-explains, misreads the room, tries to hard and his jokes fall flat. Yet no one fires him or kicks him off the island. They just look at him and say, “Um, Jamie, that’s not how it works,” and … [Read more...]

The five-star question that divided my book club

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When an “unlikable” character cost a book two stars: I went to a book club discussion the other evening about Little One by Oliva Muenter, and I left with a question I can’t stop thinking about: How do we decide what makes a five-star book? Twelve readers gathered around tables in a bookstore that evening, all clearly invested. Before the discussion even began, they voiced strong and … [Read more...]