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  • You've Got a Book in You

    "Elizabeth Sims proves herself a true writer's friend."

    —Jamie Morris, Director, Woodstream Writers

  • The Actress

    "Sims' wry commentary on life in Hollywood is dead-on."

    —Publishers Weekly

  • The Extra

    "an intelligent thriller."

    —Jay Strafford Richmond Times-Dispach

  • On Location

    "You just have to love Rita."

    —Kirkus Reviews

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "Packs a twelve-week writing course into 280 pages."

    —Julie Compton, author of Keep No Secrets

  • The Actress

    "Intricate and surprising, this is a gripping read."

    —Kristine Huntley Booklist

  • The Extra

    "The two leads, Rita and George, are engaging and believable."

    —Hallie Ephron Boston Globe

  • On Location

    "Sims orchestrates the action—and occasional comic relief—for maximum impact."

    —Publishers Weekly

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "The spark of inspiration to get started writing a book."

    —Hallie Ephron, award-winning author

  • The Actress

    "A page-turner from stem to stern!"

    —Kirkus Reviews

  • The Extra

    "Goes down easy, like a perfect cup of coffee."

    —Crimespree Magazine

  • On Location

    "A fast-paced, atmospheric mystery. Sims shines."

    —Melinda Bargreen The Seattle Times

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "The approach is always positive and well worth the price of admission"

    —Ellen Hart, award-winning author

  • The Actress

    "The fascination will keep you up late."

    —Jay Strafford Richmond Times-Dispach

  • The Extra

    "An engaging thriller."

    —Harriet Klausner

  • On Location

    "As smart as it is compelling."

    —Michele Leber Booklist

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "It doesn't have the arrogant undertone found in other writing books."

    —The Book Depository

  • The Actress

    "Sims has a well-plotted and engaging winner here."

    —Melinda Bargreen The Seattle Times

  • The Extra

    "...and a lost beagle."

    —Kirkus Reviews

  • On Location

    "Heart-pounding and page-turning."

    —Jay Strafford Richmond Times-Dispach

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "In-depth, comprehensive and witty, but never complicated."

    —the office of LETTERS AND LIGHT

  • The Actress

    "Exhilarating! Elizabeth Sims provides a fascinating tale."

    —Harriet Klausner

  • The Extra

    "Brisk prose, facile storytelling, engaging characters."

    —Michele Leber Booklist

  • On Location

    "Rita's best role to date."

    —Lynne F. Maxwell Mystery Scene

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "I found great little gems of advice."

    —L.J. Sellers, bestselling mystery author

  • The Actress

    "Rita is a strong and believable voice."

    —Roberta Alexander The Mercury News

  • The Extra

    "A perfect blend of mystery, comedy and romance."

    —Rosa St.Claire Miami Books Examiner

  • On Location

    "A fabulous novel."

    —Harriet Klausner

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "Encouraging, practical and witty."

    —Gesa Kirsch, Ph.D., Professor of English, Bentley University

  • The Actress

    "A veteran mystery writer with a crackerjack tale."

    —Seattle Post-Intelligencer

articles & stories

by Elizabeth Sims

articles and guest blogs

from various magazines especially Writer's Digest Magazine where Elizabeth is a contributing editor.



Pick up a copy of Writer's Digest at a newsstand or click here to subscribe.

  • "Store Wars" by Elizabeth Sims
    lead article in LOGOS: Journal of the World Book Community, vol. 13, issue 2, (2002).
  • Book reviews by Elizabeth Sims
    for The Detroit Free Press:, 1991-92.

Elizabeth's
Guest Blogs:

Writer's Digest,September 9, 2013
Tapping Your Inner Villain

Jane Friedman, May 14, 2013
To Be Great, Strive to Be Ordinary

Writer's Digest, May 13, 2013
Zest + Small Things = Great Writing

Abbott Press, April 25, 2013
THE "STRESS-FREE" ART OF WRITING

Writer's Digest posted an excerpt from
You've Got a Book In You April 23, 2013
STORMWRITING: WHAT IT IS AND WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT



Elizabeth Sims correspondent reporter
click here for the newspaper article list.

articles included in reference books
2014 Novel & Short Story Writer
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Kindle Edition *
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2014 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market

Everything You Need to Know to Write Great Fiction

Rachel Randall, editor

Elizabeth Sims, Contributor

"HOW TO DEVELOP ANY IDEA INTO A GREAT STORY" p. 6

Published by Writers Digest Books; (August 14, 2013)

The best resource for getting your fiction published!
The 2014 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market is the only resource you'll need to get your short stories, novellas, and novels published. As with past editions, Novel & Short Story Writer's Market offers hundreds of listings for book publishers, literary agents, fiction publications, contests, and more. Each listing includes contact information, submission guidelines, and other important tips.

  • You'll also find an increased focus on all aspects of the writing life, from insightful articles on craft and technique to helpful advice on getting published and marketing your work. The 2014 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market offers everything a fiction writer needs to achieve publishing success.



    • 2013 Guide to Literary Agents
    buy 2013 Guide to Literary Agents
    Kindle Edition *
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    2013 Guide to Literary Agents

    Everything You Need to Know to Write Great Fiction

    Chuck Sambuchino, editor

    Elizabeth Sims, Contributor

    "8 WAYS TO WRITE A GREAT CHAPTER 1" p. 37

    Published by Writers Digest Books; (September 6, 2012)

    The Best Resource Available for Finding a Literary Agent!
    No matter what you're writing--fiction or nonfiction, books for kids or adults--you need a literary agent to secure a book deal. The 2013 Guide to Literary Agents is your essential resource for finding that literary agent--without fear of being scammed--and getting your book published. This new, updated edition of GLA includes:

  • Completely updated contact and submission information for more than 1,000 literary agents seeking new clients.
  • Craft and business advice from more than 35 literary agents--on topics such as query letters, children's books, synopses and proposals, memoir writing, first chapters, conferences, platform and more!
  • 12 Breaking In" success stories from debut writers who explain how they got their books published.
    Includes "New Agent Spotlights"--profiles on literary reps actively building their client list right now.



    • Crafting Novels & Short Stories
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    Crafting Novels & Short Stories

    Everything You Need to Know to Write Great Fiction

    Elizabeth Sims, Contributor

    Chapter 3: "Depicting Convincing Relationships"

    Chapter 13: "Write a Five-Star Chapter One"

    Focus on the Writing Life: Beating Writer’s Block "Start Me Up"

    Chapter 34: "How to Gain Perspective on Your Work"

    Published by Writers Digest Books; (December 15, 2011)

    Learn How to Create Stories That Captivate Agents, Editors, and Readers Alike!

    Inside you'll find the tools you need to build strong characters, keep your plots moving, master the art of dialogue, choose the right point of view, and more.

    "You’ll find many exercises already in the book, waiting for you. Don’t know what to write? Try Elizabeth Sims’s 'Random Sentence Kick-Start' on page 129." —James Scott Bell



    The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing (Writer
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    The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing

    Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work

    Elizabeth Sims, Contributor

    Chapter 31: "Rough Up Your First Draft"

         Get messy with your first draft to get to the good stuff.

    Chapter 38: "Write This, Not That"

         Forget formulas. Infuse your mystery with suspense.

    Published by Writers Digest Books; 2nd edition (August 22, 2010)

    Get advice from the best in the business on every part of the novel writing and publishing process!

    In The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 2nd Edition, you’ll learn from the invaluable advice of established writers. Discover new ways to generate ideas, implement intriguing techniques, and find the inspiration you need to finish your work. This fully-revised edition includes a revamped marketing section that covers the unique challenges of today’s publishing market and the boundless opportunities of online promotion.

    Inside you’ll find expert advice from dozens of bestselling authors and publishing professionals.



    fiction and poetry
    • The Smudge, a populist-style literary journal based in Detroit (now defunct). Poems in Spring 1978, Summer 1978, Winter 1978-79.
    • Moving Out, a feminist literary annual (now defunct):
      • Short story "Beautiful" vol. 13, 1987.
      • Short story "Cleva" vol. 14, 1989. Co-winner, prose contest.
      • Elizabeth also served on editorial board, 1992-93.

    A Woman's Touch
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    A Woman's Touch

    edited by Valerie Reed. Published 2003 by Alyson Books


    An anthology of love stories with "For Faye", a short story by Elizabeth Sims.

    Best Lesbian Love Stories, 2004
    buy Best Lesbian Love Stories, 2004
    excerpt
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    Best Lesbian Love Stories, 2004

    edited by Angela Brown. Published 2004 by Alyson Books


    This collection of love stories includes the short story, "Play Money" by Elizabeth Sims
    Printable Page