Posts by Michael
Pitchforks Out for Generative Text Users?
I had an interesting discussion with colleagues today about student use of text generation tools, specifically the probability-based “AI” text generators built on large language models. The arguments I found most persuasive are that—regardless of what tools might be used in the workplace someday—students need to learn how to think, and that we lack evidence…
Read MoreCan Emailing A Lot Make You A Better Writer?
I have creative dreams too, just like you! But these days, most of the writing I do falls into two categories: Feedback on other people’s writing, including to authors who send submissions our way and to my students at Milwaukee School of Engineering, where I’m honored to teach writing as an adjunct professor. Emails, which…
Read MoreWill the AI Bubble Affect Publishing?
I’ve been dormant on this blog for a few months, busy busy busy with lots of exciting stuff! That’s the risk of putting a blog on your site—initial enthusiasm gradually fades leaving you with the onerous task of having to update a blog all while not necessarily having anything to say. I have some fantastic…
Read MoreRoyalty Payouts—What Do Authors Make Per Book Sold?
It’s royalty payout time again here at Orange Hat Publishing! This is one of my favorite things to work on for three reasons. First, I love it because I wrote the code that calculates royalties. It’s all written in the statistical programming language R, which is the language I’m most familiar with. I used R…
Read MoreBe like Samwise and Frodo and Help a Writer Out
In this guest post, Sharon Wagner, author of The Levitation Game, considers ways that writers (and friends and family of writers) can help support fellow writers. Friendship isn’t like a Lifetime movie. Often, our tribe can disappoint us. No one knows this better than a newbie writer. Most of us are counting on our friends…
Read MoreCrafting an International Story
In this guest author post, author Jeannée Sacken, author of the award-winning Annie Hawkins series, discusses how she crafts a story set in another country. My first three novels, the multiple award-winning Annie Hawkins Series, were all set primarily in Afghanistan—a place I’ve never been, although I’ve spent time in other nearby countries. My fourth…
Read MoreOrange Hat Activities from One Year Ago
On March 28, 2024, Orange Hat’s founder (and then owner) Shannon Ishizaki and I sat down for coffee to talk about the wild and obviously ridiculous idea of me purchasing Orange Hat. I had a list of questions prepared. Here are some of them: Why now? Are there publishing opportunities you wish you could pursue?…
Read MoreThe Editor’s Job is to Ask Questions
I was talking with one of my editors this morning. She was worried her edits would not be helpful to the author. Her doubt stemmed from all the issues she’d flagged in the manuscript, like repetitive language, anachronistic details, and certain scenes that might ring false to readers informed on the topic. Because she didn’t…
Read MoreThree Things to Remember When Publishing a Memoir
In this guest author post, memoirist Amy Sazama, author of Fleetwood Dreams, reflects on her own writing, publishing, and promoting experience. In 2024, I am publishing my memoir Fleetwood Dreams, recounting growing up and including the tragic loss of my mom and murder of my twin brother. The whole process, from starting to write to…
Read MoreWhat Percentage of Publisher Compensation Goes to Authors?
Big news! In time for our March royalty payments, I have completed our new royalty calculation tool. It’s all coded in the statistical programming language R, my programming language of choice. And it gives what I believe is unprecedented transparency in royalty calculations. Our authors can now see exactly the amount of compensation we received…
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