You Are Not Your Traumas. But Here’s How to Write About Them
Writing sustainably about trauma requires practicing moderation, focusing on meaning, and working in ways that limit your exposure.
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How to Pitch Like a Hollywood Pro
How to put your best foot forward, from the new book PITCH LIKE HOLLYWOOD: What You Can Learn from the High-Stakes Film Industry.
How to Write a Thought Leadership Book
Defining your why, who, what, and how is the start of writing a powerful thought leadership book that conveys your vision and impacts lives.
A Year Without Social Media as a Freelance Writer
For freelancers, forgoing social media can mean giving up crucial visibility. But it can also provide time to focus on being a better writer.
3 Shifts You Need to Make to Finish Your Book
If you’ve been seeking external solutions to your writing problems, these internal shifts might have a more profound effect on your progress.
3 Things to Ask Yourself Before Writing about Trauma
Writing about trauma isn’t like ripping off a Band-Aid. Here are some strategies for assessing whether you’re ready and proceeding gently.
Want to Write a Great Novel? Be Brave.
Imbuing a character’s story with your own life experience—the good, bad, ugly and transformational—unleashes your book’s full emotional power.
Use Telling Details to Connect Description to Character
One key to compelling fiction is in how details are conveyed. Not everything warrants description—only details that matter to the character.
When a Writer Dies: Making Difficult Decisions About the Work Left Behind
When an author’s death leaves a manuscript unfinished, her husband tries to put together the pieces and complete the book.
Yes, Writers Need to Hear the Hard Truths. But Warnings Can Go Too Far
One author considers the power that writing conferences have to inspire—and to discourage—their audiences.
What Kind of Book Translates Well to the Screen?
Well-constructed stories, snappy dialogue, and surprising twists can all contribute to a book’s chance of being chosen for adaptation.
How to Plan and Host Worthwhile Online Book Events
Learn best practices for online book events, regardless of the platform you’re using.
The Role of Causation and Plot Structure in Literary Fiction
Cause and effect plotting is every bit as important to literary fiction as to genre fiction or thriller; it’s just expressed in subtler ways.
Here’s What Can Happen When You Resolve to Write a Little Every Day
One author shares how creation of a daily writing routine has made all the difference in attaining her goals.
Don’t Let Your Characters Fall Into the Daily Routine Trap
When writers seek to humanize and bring their characters to life, they often fall into the “daily routine trap”: they overexplain the daily or mundane actions of their characters.
How to Get Your Writing Done When New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work (and They Usually Don’t)
Instead of resolving to make a big change in your habits, think of one small thing to do to support your writing in the new year.
To Everyone Who Wants Me to Read Their Writing and Tell Them What to Do
To achieve writing success—especially commercial success—requires an inner drive that pushes you forward no matter what feedback you receive.
What’s Selling in Children’s Books + What’s Ahead for 2022
Growth in the children’s market continues, especially for series and licensed characters. BookTok emerges as an organic social media boost for backlist YA.
What Makes a Story Feel Like a Story?
What’s the difference between a story and a narrative that merely relates a series of events? The protagonist’s internal struggle.
New Publishers and Agents in 2021
A roundup of new publishers, imprints, agents, and agencies announced in 2021.
7 Steps for Tackling a Revise & Resubmit (R&R)
Receiving an R&R is good news, and a great opportunity to show agents or editors your revising skills and how you accept feedback.
Choose the Perfect Title for Your Novel or Memoir: 7 Authors Offer Tips
Giving your book a good title that captures the essence of your story is one of the most important things you’ll do.
Launching a Book: Baby, Art or Product?
Promotion strategy for your book depends greatly on why you’ve written it, what it means to you, and its place in the larger context of your life.
Yes, Social Media Can Sell Books. But Not If Publishers Sit on Their Hands
Publishers need to closely collaborate with their authors if they expect that author’s large social media following to sell books.
When—and Whether—to Hire a Developmental Editor
A developmental editor is like any tool in your toolbox. Knowing whether and when to use one will help you get the most bang for your buck.
How to Overcome Perfectionism to Achieve Your Writing Goals
Perfectionism—the fear of risking failure—is anathema to the writing process, but can be overcome by establishing a different mindset.
The Kindle Vella Experience: Is It for You?
A literary fiction author dipped her toe into Amazon’s serialization platform Kindle Vella. Here’s why she did it, and her thoughts so far.
Art and Commerce Need Not Be at Odds
What does creativity have to do with business? A lot, it turns out. It’s just a different kind of creativity than you engage with when you write.
NFTs for Authors: Is This a Rush for Fool’s Gold?
One marketer offers an opinion about why the promise of NFTs will most likely not upturn the whole publishing industry.
Writing Compassionately about Parents
Applying craft techniques—like complexity and telling details—is crucial to bringing our parents, and their humanity, to life on the page.
The Short-Run Printing Option: Pros and Cons
There are three main ways to create printed copies of your book. Which one you choose depends on your budget and goals.
Debuting at the Age of 66
This author is living proof that neither age nor lack of experience writing fiction are barriers to becoming a novelist.
Deciding Between Simple and Complex Memoir Structures
Will you tell your story in a linear, chronological manner, or use a more complicated structure? Here’s how to decide what might be best.
How to Secure Early Endorsements (Blurbs) for Your Book
Even the most high-profile influencers may be reachable if you make the right connections and take the right steps.
Maybe It’s Not Your Plot
Character arc—a protagonist’s internal journey—is less obvious than the events of the plot, but it’s what makes a story meaningful.
NFTs: What Are They and How Much Should Writers and Publishers Care?
Much remains unknown about NFTs but some in publishing think they might be revolutionary for writers, and indeed the world.
Structure Isn’t the Holy Grail You’re Looking For
Your memoir’s structure can reveal itself later, once the primary elements are in place. In the meantime, concentrate on scaffolding.
Does the Idea of Promoting Your Book Make You Feel Queasy?
As an author, marketing your work will always be your job, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. To do it well, think beyond self-promotion.
NaNoWriMo: How to Fly by the Seat of Your Pants—and Win
For writers who prefer to work without a roadmap, here are some tips for reaching your NaNoWriMo goals.
Use Your Analyzer Switch to Increase Productivity
Envision your inner critic as an adjustable dial: turn it lower to let ideas flow freely, and higher when it’s time to analyze and revise.
Book Printing 101: What You Need to Know Before Approaching a Printer
Choosing the right materials for your printed book affects not just its appearance but how a potential customer perceives its value.
Adversaries in Fiction: Who Is Standing in Your Character’s Way?
Your story’s adversary might come in many shapes or sizes. Most important, ensure that the conflict they present has a reason for existing.
Your Writing Matters. A Coach Can Help.
Just as coaches help athletes, writing coaches can help authors be more productive, proficient, and proud of what they accomplish.
Why You Should Write a Novella for NaNoWriMo 2021
Only a fraction of participants reach the finish line. Setting your sights on the more compact novella form might help you go the distance.
What Do Authors Earn from Digital Lending at Libraries?
Does library lending help or hurt author and publisher income? The debate continues.
Buying Books for the Holidays? Be Prepared to Be Flexible.
From paper manufacturing to ocean cargo, books continue to be buffeted by a variety of supply chain challenges.
Can Fiction Make a Difference in the World?
When sociopolitical discourse seems entrenched, good fiction can dig deeper with honest curiosity about all facets of the human experience.
What It Takes to Be a Freelance Editor
Being a freelance editor requires lifelong curiosity, persistent self-education, ruthless support—and the ability to do all this quickly.
3 Writing Prompts to Spark Your Creativity
In this excerpt from her book The Joy of Writing Journal, Lisa Tener offers three prompts to help you see story ideas all around.