ARCHIVE FOR Katrin Schumann
Reading Novels While Writing Novels: Yes or No?

I'm amazed by writers who stop reading in their genre while writing their own books. The majority of them seem to be worried about becoming overly influenced by the voice, themes and even plot of the book they're reading.
Personally, I can't imagine not reading fiction for the many years it takes me to complete a novel. And in terms of being influenced: I'm actively looking for inspiration and ideas. I want to be influenced.
August 5, 2020 | Katrin Schumann
Books & Reading Craft Advice New Writing The Workshop The Writing Life
Launching a Book During an Epidemic

By Katrin Schumann
For those of you reading this who haven't yet published your first book, I'm sure you've dreamed about your book launch. You'll have thought about whether to go big or small, have it at a bookstore, in an event space, bar or library, and who you hope might turn up (maybe even local media!).
There are a lot of misconceptions out there about launches - both the launch event itself and the "book tour" that happens afterwards. They're a bit like the three martini lunch which used to be common practice and underwritten by your employer, but not so much anymore. …
July 1, 2020 | Katrin Schumann
What You Need to Nail in the First Pages of Your Book

By Katrin Schumann
Last month, feeling unmoored and wanting to build community during self-isolation, I launched something I called #fivefreepages, in which I offered to critique five pages at the beginning of a nonfiction book or novel, free of charge
May 6, 2020 | Katrin Schumann
What Writers Do in Times of Crisis

By Katrin Schumann
I sat down to write this post and have now written four openings and ditched them all.
What do writers need to hear in times like this? How can I be helpful to others when that which binds us--our obsessive love of words, books, writing--is overshadowed so universally by our fear of the unknown?
Do I tell you how to make lemons out of lemondade?* Do I reveal that I'm writing page after page despite the uncertainty and boredom
April 1, 2020 | Katrin Schumann
Books & Reading Craft Advice New Writing The Workshop The Writing Life
Research While Writing: Handle With Care!

By Katrin Schumann
Today, March 4, is the official Boston launch of my second novel, This Terrible Beauty. It's a momentous occasion for me for many reasons, not least of which is that I feel proud of finding what I think is the right balance between fact and fiction.
What I mean is, I had so, so, SO much material for this book