Writing is an adventure. It takes numerous twists and turns and alternate routes. It has its frustrations, but ultimately can lead to triumph no matter how long it takes to finish. --Jordan Steven Sher Bio Jordan Steven Sher is the author of four books, three of which focus on Bosnia. His previous two books are a non-fiction and an historical ficti...

Whether you're just starting out or ready to refine your latest draft, let's work together to make your story flourish. Tu B'Shvat, the Jewish New Year of Trees, is a celebration of growth, renewal, and the cycles of nature. This year the holiday falls on February 12 to 13. The Jewish New Year is a reminder that every tree begins with a single seed...

AI-generated novels are expected to continue growing in popularity in 2025  In 2025, the literary world is set to embrace several notable trends, while moving away from others. Here's a breakdown of what's "in" and what's "out" in the book industry for the upcoming year: What's In: Diverse and Inclusive Narratives: There's a growing emphasis o...

I want to review some key takeaways to help you get the most out of your meetings with your editor in 2025. In 2024, I had numerous Zoom meetings with writers across various genres—fiction, nonfiction, and academic writing. During these sessions, I've seen a lot of different approaches, and I want to review some key takeaways to help you get the mo...

But as we step into 2025, does Zoom still meet the evolving needs of today's writers?  The new year often brings a sense of renewal, a time to set fresh goals and embrace new habits. For writers, editors, and academics, this might include reevaluating the tools that help us collaborate and create. One question many of us are asking as 2025 beg...

IntroductionPublishing in academic journals is a key milestone for faculty seeking to advance their careers and share their research. Yet, the process can be daunting. This guide simplifies the journey, offering actionable steps to help you navigate the academic publishing world. Step 1: Identify the Right Journal Scope and Audience: Choose journal...

Introduction As a faculty member, your book represents years of research, thought, and dedication. Ensuring it is polished, professional, and ready for publication is crucial. But how do you choose the right editor? And what steps can you take to streamline the process? This guide offers practical advice for faculty authors seeking professional edi...

The end of the year is the perfect time to focus on your writing goals. Whether you're dreaming of starting your first book, struggling with a messy middle, or trying to get across the finish line, there's no better time to take action. Here's why—and how working with a professional book coach can make all the difference. Fresh Start EnergyA new ye...

 What's almost as delightful as latkes and sufganiyot on Hanukkah?  New books, of course! Join me on December 18 for a Hanukkah Giveaway that's as warm and bright as the holiday itself. This special online event is hosted by the incredible Jews Love To Read! Facebook group—a vibrant community for book lovers and Jewish authors. I'll be gi...

The word "Chanukah" comes from the Hebrew word for dedication.  As the candles of Chanukah illuminate the dark nights of winter, they remind us of resilience, renewal, and the pursuit of clarity. These themes resonate deeply not only in life but also in the creative process of writing and editing. The Miracle of Beginnings Chanukah celebrates ...

Must They Be Two Separate Things? Here's Why They're Not Maybe you're even on a "goal diet," scaling back on ambitions to focus on fewer but more meaningful objectives. As 2024 comes to an end, many of us are looking ahead to what we hope to accomplish in the coming year. For writers, it's tempting to think of our writing goals as distinct from our...

"Just as the tribes had their own "gates in the heavens," each diaspora contributes its unique heritage to the mosaic of Judaism, enriching our shared tradition."  In the wake of recent events, the need for unity among the Jewish people has never been more pressing. In Genesis, we read, "Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness."...

"Today if you ask me what kind of Jew I am, I say Iraqi Jewish, because I want the world to know that there are Middle Eastern Jews." BIO Sarah is an Australian born, Iraqi Jewish writer, poet, and educator. She is the author of the award winning picture book, Shoham's Bangle and This is Not a Cholent. Her poetry micro chapbook, This is Why We Don'...

 Lately, I've started using photos from my week as a kind of visual diary. Here are some from last week. In the past, I've always written from a place of strong emotion, but something about this war has changed that. A kind of numbness has overtaken me. When I compare how I reacted to rockets before to how I react now, the difference is startl...

Even the most experienced editors, with years of meticulous proofreading under their belts, occasionally let surprising grammatical errors slip through the cracks. These aren't the glaring mistakes that leap off the page, like a misplaced apostrophe or a misspelled word. Instead, they're the subtle, nuanced errors that blend seamlessly into the tex...

My 2018 novel Passport Control was unavailable for a while. My publisher retired a while back and the rights reverted to me. But I was busy writing two more novels (With A Good Eye and The Inheritance). Meanwhile, a couple of book clubs requested Passport Control and I couldn't even get them back copies. In short, the link has been restored for pri...

We are not a monolithic group, and our experiences have varied depending on time and place.   Welcome to My Third Post in the Mizrachi Heritage Month Series Today, we have the privilege of hearing from the talented author Esther Amini. This marks our third post in the series, but it's our second visit to Iran, a country rich in history, c...

Today, I'm excited to bring you the second installment in my Mizrachi Heritage Month series, where we delve into the rich and diverse stories of Mizrachi Jewish communities. In this installment, we're shifting our focus to Iran, a country with a deeply intertwined and complex Jewish history. I'm thrilled to welcome Lyn Julius, a passionate advocate...

Welcome to November Jewish Book Carnival! I am honored to host the November Jewish Book Carnival, "a monthly event where bloggers who blog about Jewish books can meet, read and comment on each others' posts." Let's begin: On her blog, Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb, Deborah interviewed Marilyn Simon Rothstein about her new novel, Who Loves Yo...

  Grammar can be subtle, and certain tricky rules tend to fly under the radar. Here's a closer look at five grammar errors that might surprise you and how to avoid them. 1. Confusing "Due to" and "Because of" "Due to" is often used interchangeably with "because of," but they're not the same. "Due to" should only follow a form of "to be" and sp...

There is a world of exciting Sephardic-themed literature out there that I invite you to explore and perhaps contribute to yourselves.  This my first in a guest post blog series honoring Mizrachi Heritage Month. Welcome, Sarah Aroeste! A guest blog post by author Sarah Aroeste The Jewish experience cannot be boiled down to Seinfeld, matzoh...

AI, while incredibly advanced, doesn't experience emotions and therefore may produce content that resonates less with readers seeking authenticity and emotional connection. In recent years, artificial intelligence has gone from being a distant, futuristic concept to something we interact with daily—often without even realizing it. Now, AI is enteri...

 People have to realize that Israelis have all the same problems everybody else has—plus the war. Our other day-to-day issues don't go anywhere; they just get piled on top of the new, harsher realities.   I moved to Israel in 1994, armed with a Bachelor of Journalism degree, decent Hebrew, and no clue about the job market here. ...

 Thanks so much, Rachel Myerson. Hi Gila, I hope you and your family are doing alright considering what a year we've had. Praying for quieter days, weeks and months ahead.I'm excited to tell you that your harish recipe was selected to be included in an upcoming Nosher ebook on Jewish breakfasts. This ebook will be available for free to our aud...

 Fic­tion | Wit­ness­ing: Post Oct. 7We All Have to Com­fort Each Other Gila Green October 21, 2024 This piece is part of our Wit­ness­ing series, which shares pieces from Israeli authors and authors in Israel, as well as the expe­ri­ences of Jew­ish writ­ers around the globe in the after­math of Octo­ber 7th. It is crit­i­cal to under­stand h...

Writing a memoir involves digging deep into your life experiences, revealing vulnerabilities, and sharing personal truths. While the journey of writing can be incredibly rewarding, it also comes with the potential for criticism. Whether it's feedback from beta readers, editors, or even friends and family, how you respond to criticism can significan...

"Luna Levi may have graduated high school, but she is far from any kind of path to success. She works part time at a motel in Ottowa to help support her family since neither parent seem capable of it. Luna's mother has dreams of being a theater star and takes off for weeks at a time to perform in regional productions and her father, suffering from ...

With A Good Eye is finally out on audio. I recorded my first audio book and it's taken a while but it's finally ready to order. I'd love to hear feedback. Yes, I recorded it myself and I'm so excited to finally have a third format for With A Good Eye (also available on Amazon/Kindle).  I am debating as to which novel to record next and I'...

Thank you so much to Lauren Kasiarz of Diverse Jewish Books for the interview. We discussed my latest novel With A Good Eye and so much more. A real pleasure! 

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