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The stars of self-publishing certainly shine bright and cast a long shadow. But beyond the Amanda Hockings and J.A. Konraths of the self-publishing world, have you ever wondered exactly who it is who is making it big? Recently we bought you great feedback from Smashwords founder Mark Coker, designed to help you self-publish smarter. But today join us for a rousing game of Mythbuster: The Truth About The Stars of Self-Publishing.

Show, don’t tell. Most writers have heard this maxim at some point, whether from a teacher, an editor or an agent. But what does this writing advice mean, in practical terms? While a certain amount of exposition is unavoidable (and even useful) in your writing, it’s easy to “over-share” the minutiae of your story’s background and your characters’ lives. When writing a novel, keep these guidelines in mind to achieve a balance of showing and telling: