Writers' Roundup

Happy Friday! Lots of good links out there this week:

• What makes a blog successful? By Penelope Trunk.

• Should new authors go to BEA? (BookExpo America, that is.) Literary agent Janet Reid says don’t bother.

• Literary agent Rachelle Gardner rebukes some publishing myths, including that authors should never write proposals for fiction.

• Back from the Baltimore Writers’ Conference, Ami Spencer talks about how she networked with other writers there.

• Annoyed that Publishers Weekly’s best books of 2009 didn’t include any female authors? You’re not the only one. Here’s what one blogger is doing about it.

• Literary agent Jessica Faust writes about the benefit of critique groups. She says feedback from others is crucial, but it’s most important to trust your own instincts.

• Great post from author Mary Carroll Moore on rethinking what your book is about.

• 24 Things to Do when Launching a New Blog. Solid ideas here.

• Editor Alan Rinzler has some fabulous hints to make your author appearances successful.

• And for your non-writerly read: Emily, a voluntary simplicity newbie, offers some thoughts on leaving journalism. Or, rather, how it left her.

Cheers to a productive weekend!