Delilah S. Dawson

39 quotes

Novelist · Female

Delilah S. Dawson is an American author, primarily of fantasy and science fiction, whose works have been published since 2012. She writes fantasy as Lila Bowen and erotica as Ava Lovelace. 2Career Dawson's work includes the Blud series of steampunk paranormal romance novels, the Shadow series of Weird West novels (as Bowen), as well as several young adult novels and erotica. She has also written Star Wars tie-in short stories, including the 2015 Bazine Netal adventure "Star Wars: The Perfect Weapon", and the 2016 Greer Sonnel story "Scorched", published in Star Wars Insider #165. In September 2017, Dawson released Star Wars: Phasma, a novel chronicling the backstory of Captain Phasma. 2Personal life Dawson lives in Dahlonega, Georgia. 2Reception In 2016, Alex Brown of Tor.com wrote that Dawson is "producing some of the best underappreciated books of the last few years", noting the "difficult subject matter [and] intense imagery" in her young adult works, and her diverse protagonists. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly appreciated that in Dawson's Wake of Vultures, "themes of self-worth, gender, and the complexity of identity are treated with frank realism and sensitivity", as well as her "gritty and well-realized paranormal Wild West". Kirkus Reviews wrote in a starred review of Wake of Vultures that "Bowen has created a fascinating, textured Wild West worl

All Writing (33)Writing Advice (23)publishing a book (10)Writing Tips (8)Writer's Truth (8)Motivational (7)publishing industry (6)Writing A Book (5)getting published (5)Publishing (5)writer's advice (5)selling books (4)Books (3)success in writing (2)writing a novel (2)

From “via twitter.com”

“Please don't forget that you are important and special and you deserve care. Be gentle with yourself so you can be fierce in the world.”

Tagged: Self Care, self control, Self-Trust, Self-Love, Motivational

“Dudes, here's a little primer on how to know if a girl is into you, based on an interaction I witnessed on a ferry yesterday in which the girl was clearly uncomfy. 1. Should you approach a lone woman? If she's wearing headphones, reading a book/device, or is napping, DO NOT APPROACH. She's not open.…”

Tagged: interacting with women, Male, Men, knowing when women are uncomfortable, approaching women

“Let's say you write a book. You get an agent. Your agent thinks the book is flawless and requests no changes. She sells it to an editor. The editor thinks the book is flawless and requests no changes. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED. IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. STOP IMAGINING IT. So if you want to be…”

Tagged: publishing a book, getting published, writing truth, Writer's Truth

“Before you have a support structure, you can ask people who know and like you. If you've found a writing community online, you can find a critique partner, take a writing class, or join a writing group. It usually involves a trade, as crit. takes time.”

Tagged: Writing, writing community, joining writing community

“"Almost publishable" is, unfortunately, a great pat on the head into which you can't read deeper meaning. It could mean the book, or it could mean you. But it's a good sign! I'd start writing the next book. And if you're still querying, keep querying.”

Tagged: Writer's Truth, Writing Advice, Writing, rejection letters, getting published

“Talent, potential-- none of that matters. Literally the only thing that will get you published is writing the best book that you can and going through the right steps to get it published. Nobody pays for potential. They can't publish potential. They need an actual book.”

Tagged: Writing, Writing A Book, getting published, Writing Advice

“Every book can't be a bestseller, obviously, and they know that. Publishers buy plenty of books that are well written to fill out their lists. That's why we have midlisters and quiet books. That's why I have a career.”

Tagged: Writing, Writing Advice, Writer's Truth, publishing a book, getting published

“You have to write it for you. Then put in the work to make it the best book you can write. And then think about how to get it on bookshelves. Always write the book for you, first.”

Tagged: Writing, Writing Advice, write for yourself

“...writing is an individual journey. There's no norm. Getting an agent/sale can take 10 months or 10 years. Write the best book you can, edit it the best you can, polish the best you can, and hit the send button. Repeat until you reach your goal. You got this.”

Tagged: Writing, Writing A Book, Writer's Truth, Inspirational, Motivational

“If you're passionate about telling a story, write the book. Time spent writing isn't time wasted. You're making art. That's worth something.”

Tagged: Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Tips, writing is art, Motivational

“Another painful writing truth = You can follow every bit of advice, do everything you're supposed to do, and still not succeed the 1st time. Writing = art. It's not about ticking all the boxes. Your story must, above all, compel. If it doesn't, you've got to figure out why. There's this thing we…”

Tagged: Writing, Writing Tips, Writing Advice, Editing, publishing a book

“So if you want to know if your edits are improving your book, consider all these points. It doesn't matter how many times you check for typos if you don't have an active plot or your main character doesn't have an arc. The book should feel TIGHTER with each edit. Here's some tough love: It's very…”

Tagged: Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Tips, publishing a book

“So when it comes to how you know if your book is any good, I'd say that if you can hire an experienced pro to tell you, you'll *actually* know. If you're going it alone, querying will tell you. I didn't know if I was technically ready to query, but I was doing it anyway. I suggest sending out 5…”

Tagged: Writing, Writing Tips, Writing Advice, getting a book publish

“So I'm going to take on two related editing questions: How do you know if your edits are improving your book, and how do you know when you're ready to query? The bad news: There is no surefire way to know. But I can give you some tips! So let's say you have a 1st draft. It's garbage, because all 1st…”

Tagged: Writing, Writing Advice, Editing, editing advice, getting published

“We had a question this morning: How do you come up with names for characters and places in Science Fiction and Fantasy? Easy. STEAL 'EM. Kidding. You can't have Mr. Spuck go to Chogwarts. But you can take inspiration. Start by considering names that stuck with you. Why? Luke Skywalker = Timeless…”

Tagged: Writing, Writing Tips, naming characters, Writing Advice

“For me, I want to query a finished book--not end on a cliffhanger, assuming they'll pick up a series. So I would make build a rich world with places to explore and plenty of characters but definitely end the book in a satisfying way. If it sells, you can switch up the ending.”

Tagged: Writing, Writing Advice, story endings, ending a book, ending a novel

“If your writing is compelling from page 1, NO ONE CARES WHAT THE TITLE IS. Titles can change. No one rejects an amazing book because the title is bad.”

Tagged: Writing, Writing Advice, finding an agent, publishing a book

“I'm still with my 1st agent, but from what I hear, some red flags with an agent are: 1. If they take more than a week to return a simple email, more than 6 weeks w edits 2. If you've been working on a book for over a year and still haven't gone on sub. 3. That sinking feeling...”

Tagged: Writing, publishing a book, agents, finding agents, publishing industry

“I don't edit a thing until I have a finished first draft. That way lies madness, or at least the opportunity to fall into a pit of hot garbage that will remind me how much I suck and convince me I forgot how to write. Finish the first draft. fix it later.”

Tagged: Writing, Writing Advice, just write, Writing A Book

“1. Here's the question: How do you get more comfortable with descriptive writing? And I'll add: Without verging into purple prose or an info dump. This ties in with worldbuilding, which is one of my favorite things. 2. So. Worldbuilding starts on page 1. The words you use, the things you point out,…”

Tagged: Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Tips, descriptive language, descriptive writing

Delilah S. Dawson

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