Bill Arnott’s Beat: Original Art
To my delight I was contacted by the Royal Geographical Society in London, informing me I’d been granted a Fellowship in their venerable group of professionals.
Bill Arnott’s Beat: Webinar on The Power of Cross-Promotion
Originally presented on September 13th, 2020, This two-hour webinar features Bill Arnott giving a recorded workshop he gave for the Federation of BC and Yukon Writers for both self-published and traditionally published authors. Workshop attendees paid $45, but accessing the … Continue reading
Writers’ Tips from Bill’s Workshop Series II
The Essentials of Ads and Promo
Here’s something you might know. If not, let me share.
For some time, we’ve needed to see an ad multiple times before it resonated—stuck—sufficiently looping in our headspace to motivate us to act, in … Continue reading
Writers’ Tips from Bill’s Workshop Series I
Writers, whether you know it or not, you’re a business owner. Specifically, an entrepreneur. The sooner you acknowledge and embrace this, the better. And the easier it’ll be to promote and sell books.
Crafting Arts
Go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way … Continue reading
Unexpected Beauty
Unexpected beauty. In a highrise, surrounded by a sky-scraping copse of towers, nature abounds. Gulls soar, fixed-wing on thermals pumped from rooftop HVACs. Summer settles into place, reluctantly, with every shade of green—Irish hues in streetscapes, courtyards, boulevards—while deciduous and … Continue reading
Open Mics: Lifeblood of Local Writers
First time I showed up at an open mic I was the only one there. It was a Vancouver pub. (Still is, I suppose.) I had my Seagull six-string acoustic (no pickup), both the guitar and I showing our age. … Continue reading
Writers’ Primer: Ratios, the Sure-Fire Way to Get Published
Ratios are a simple, effective way to quantify your effort as a writer. And if your primary goal is getting published, knowing your ratios is essential.
The Story of Steve – Part 2 of 2
Six years later, with my pet Steve-the-African-tree-frog, I headed off to grad school, a four-thousand-kilometre drive. Late on the third day, I was stopped for speeding. It was starless dark and the officer used a flashlight to approach our car. … Continue reading
The Story of Steve – Part 1 of 2
Fifteen years ago Wonderful Magical Words, my first book, was published, raising twenty grand for Make-A-Wish Foundation, for which I’m eternally grateful. Here’s a passage I hope you enjoy, The Story of Steve …
I was twelve. And I … Continue reading
Marketing for Writers
You may not know it but if you’re a writer, you’re an entrepreneur. Whether you publish traditionally or self-publish you’re a business owner, and every business-owning entrepreneur needs to create and promote their brand along with knowing their market. Here … Continue reading
Career Experience: A Four Part Series
Career Experience Part Four finds Bill Arnott, still in high school, but he needs to critique a ZZ Top concert for his creative writing class.
Career Experience: A Four Part Series
Part Three: Reporting LIVE
One of my first typewritten scoops took place at my friend Clayton’s. It was Christmas holiday, grade one. And my first sleepover. Mom packed me a large suitcase and a canvas duffel – clothing for a … Continue reading
Career Experience: A Four-Part Series
Part Two: The Big League
Easing into the editor’s chair – adjustable plastic arms, swivel-claw base and cracked leatherette, I surveyed my new domain: three-drawered metal desk decorated in leaning stacks of clippings and papers, aforementioned chair, half a cup … Continue reading
Career Experience: A Four-Part Series
Part One: CEP
The Career Experience Program. CEP. It had the ring of 1980s progressive rock, something Jeff Lynn would produce. What it was, was an opportunity to get three weeks “off” in Grade 10 and go to work for … Continue reading