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Stephanie Van Orman
Bio
I write novels like I am part-printer, part book factory, and a little girl running away with a balloon. I'm here as an experiment and I'm unsure if this is a place where I can fit in. We'll see.
Stories (82/0)
Why You Can't Finish Your Book
I’m pretty good at writing a book all the way to the end. I may not even have that many other talents as a writer besides ferocious tenacity. One of the biggest mistakes I notice in newer authors is that they can’t stop telling people their ideas. I’m here to tell you it’s a bad habit and I’m going to give four reasons why it needs to stop.
By Stephanie Van Orman2 years ago in Journal
One Star Blues
I only leave five-star reviews. Seriously, if I’m going to review a book, I’m going to leave a five-star review or I’m going to shut up. I don’t do this because I’m a nice person. I do this because I am a novelist and the last thing I need is an angry author with a reasonably good vocabulary biting my face off in the footnotes on a bookstore’s website with no way to remove it.
By Stephanie Van Orman2 years ago in Journal
Do You Want a Publishing Deal?
Today, I saw a writer post a question about whether or not they should try to get an agent and then a deal with a traditional publishing house. These questions are not uncommon and there is a lot of conventional wisdom doled out when someone asks a question like that. I will answer the question, but only with what I have EXPERIENCED personally after getting that coveted deal.
By Stephanie Van Orman2 years ago in Journal
Why I Won't Edit Your Book. Top Story - July 2022.
The other day, I was talking to a newer writer who wanted me to go through their writing and explain how it could be improved. I outright refused and they were unhappy with that, but we were interrupted and I didn't get to explain why I wouldn't do it. So, instead of explaining why to that person, I'm going to explain why to you.
By Stephanie Van Orman2 years ago in Journal
Why I Call My Readers Ink Drinkers Instead of Bookworms
I'm a novelist. When I first started addressing my readers, sending out ARC invitations, newsletters, and such, I felt that I needed to call them something. I needed a pet name to call all of them that showed my love for them without the hassle of writing to each of them individually. Here were the choices:
By Stephanie Van Orman2 years ago in Journal
Hidden Library: The Second Spell Book
“You look beautiful when you dance.” My back straightened when I heard those words from the other side of the practice room. I hadn’t heard Antony enter. If I had, I would have stopped practicing. I glanced at the stereo system in the corner. My music had not been loud, yet the gentle melody had covered the sound of his arrival.
By Stephanie Van Orman2 years ago in Fiction
His 16th Face
“What's going on?” I whispered, startled in the darkness. “I'm holding you,” Christian explained evenly. Though he was familiar, the feeling of his arms around me was not. He lifted me clean off the bed as if I weighed nothing. In the rocking chair, he settled my head into the space between his chin and his shoulder. His breath feathered down my nose to settle on the moist curves of my lips.
By Stephanie Van Orman2 years ago in Fiction