Impeccably researched, all novels and stories by Donna Carrick are known for their intricate plotting and fully-developed characters. Geography is the hallmark of Carrick's work. Her stories are often set in exotic lands. When closer to home, her locales are hauntingly familiar. The First Excellence ~ Fa-ling's Map is the Winner of the 2011 Indie… Continue reading A montage of covers for novels and stories by Donna Carrick
Category: Carrick Blog
Our thoughts on the independent literary arts, excellence, writing, publishing and more.
A montage of covers for the 3 volumes in the “Scoops” series of books by Alex Carrick:
Heart-warming, insightful and often ingenious, each of the books in this outstanding series contains a full array of stories that are designed to delight. Mr. Carrick is a two-time Honorable Mention winner in the prestigious Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition. His "Caboose Follies", included in "Four Scoops", was short-listed for the Award in 2011.
The e-Publishing enchilada…
As many of you know, we at Carrick Publishing are firm supporters of the burgeoning independent e-publishing industry. As such, we are often asked to comment on the perceived quality of e-books that appear daily on both Kindle and Smashwords. Both Alex and Donna Carrick are committed to presenting only the highest-quality e-books for your… Continue reading The e-Publishing enchilada…
What’s in a name? ~ coming up with the perfect title
Most writers will tell you the one aspect of their craft that causes them the greatest pleasure is that instant when the perfect title presents itself. It's an "Ah-Hah!" moment of grand proportions, as the author rubs his hands together gleefully, checks Google to be sure it isn't already in use, considers such things as… Continue reading What’s in a name? ~ coming up with the perfect title
The Burgeoning World of e-Books
What an exhilarating time to be an author! The old rules are changing â in some cases being trashed altogether. Walls are crumbling. Writers everywhere are trying out new tools, new canvasses upon which to create and showcase their work. The bravest among us are thrilling to new-found freedoms. History shows that in times of… Continue reading The Burgeoning World of e-Books
Turning the page ~ 10 tips for maintaining reader interest
As writers, we know it's vital to keep the reader interested. This is true whether we're constructing a thriller, a poem or a technical document. Without the reader, there is no transaction. There are only words on a page. Given the subjectivity of our art, how can we ensure our work is compelling to our… Continue reading Turning the page ~ 10 tips for maintaining reader interest
To print and beyond ~ the brass tacks of independent and self-publishing
The decision to self-publish or to sign a contract with a small, independent publisher is a difficult one for most writers. Last week, we took a look at some of the reasons Alex and I chose to "go indie". This week, we'd like to carry the topic further by sharing some of our personal experiences… Continue reading To print and beyond ~ the brass tacks of independent and self-publishing
Why Self-Publish?
For Alex and me, the decision to self-publish was arrived at after much discussion. In 2006, after a number of "near" victories with The Noon God and Gold And Fishes, I personally made the leap. It was apparent to me that glowing rejections, no matter how flattering and well-meaning, would not be enough to sustain… Continue reading Why Self-Publish?
The Outline — the war against writer’s block
When it comes to story outlines, there seem to be as many opinions as there are authors in our community. Some will not begin to write until they have carefully constructed a voluminous "story-tree" that needs only its leaves to become a first draft. Some prefer to draw a loose arc, allowing for deviations as… Continue reading The Outline — the war against writer’s block
Welcome to Carrick Publishing!
Based in Toronto, Canada, Carrick Publishing was formed in 2010 by Donna and Alex Carrick. As dedicated authors, we've fully embraced the excitement of today's independent literary scene. With 5 titles to our credit, we bring a dynamic approach to the challenges of independent publishing. What an exhilarating time to be an author! With the… Continue reading Welcome to Carrick Publishing!