Writing and Publishing Horror: Q&A with Todd Keisling

Writing and Publishing Horror: Q&A with Todd Keisling

The horror author shares what scares him, the authors who taught him the most about the genre, crowdfunding, trigger warnings, and more.
Catherine Stine

On Multi-Genre Publishing: Q&A with Hybrid Author Catherine Stine

In this interview, she discusses writing to trends, the limits of writing what you know, taking the time to discover your identity as an author, and more.
Image: Bob Eckstein

Art Versus Commerce: Q&A with Author-Cartoonist Bob Eckstein

In this interview, Bob Eckstein discusses art vs. commerce, newspaper/magazine cartoons vs. TV as communication delivery systems, the influence of just the right validation, and much more.
Russell Rowland

5 On: Russell Rowland

Author Russell Rowland discusses the big mistake he made with HarperCollins, whether the journey of writing is truly its own reward, why his Indiegogo campaign worked so well, and his experiences with publishing—from one of the Big 5 to self-publishing.
believable chain of events

Building a Believable Chain of Events in Your Novel

Every action in your novel should be justified by the intersection of setting, context, pursuit, and characterization. They all need to make sense. They all need to fit. If you have to explain why something just happened, you’re telling the story backward.
writing for free

When Should You Write for Exposure? 5 Questions to Ask

When deciding whether to write for free—or for exposure—here are 5 questions writers should ask.
unlock your momentum

2 Keys to Unlock Your Momentum

Before you can take someone else's advice, you have to develop a realistic picture of who you are, what your tendencies are, and what you’re willing and able to change.
A stone angel resting her head on a plinth in apparent grief

5 Ways to Keep Writing When Life Intervenes

Author and editor Jessica Strawser offers guidance on how to write through illness, grief, and other major life events.
A bird apparently singing full out

5 Ways to Develop Your Writer’s Voice

Author Jennifer Louden offers five tips for developing and strengthening your writer's voice.
How to Create an Internal Mindset Conducive to Writing

How to Create an Internal Mindset Conducive to Writing

As a product of the human brain, writing is particularly influenced by emotions, moods, and worldviews. Learn how to create a mindset conducive to writing.
RJ Kelly

5 On: R.J. Keller

Author R.J. Keller on the notion of the "second-book slump," how she dealt with a book idea similar to her own beating hers to the market, why to write the things that scare you, and more in this 5 On interview.
A pen resting on a blank journal page.

How to Finish Your Book in Three Drafts

Stuart Horwitz explains how you can complete your book in three drafts: the messy draft, the method draft, and the polished draft.
writing description

12 Tips for Improving Your Description

Think in terms of "telling details": details that let the reader see your characters while also revealing something about their minds.
Rufi Thorpe

5 On: Rufi Thorpe

Author Rufi Thorpe discusses writing for men, her improbable path to publication, what she likes to see in a book review, and more in this 5 On interview.
Ghostly hands at a keyboard

How to Become a Ghostwriter

Author and ghostwriter Roz Morris discusses the necessary characteristics for a ghostwriter, as well as who hires ghostwriters and why.
Yi Shun Lai

5 On: Yi Shun Lai

Author and editor Yi Shun Lai discusses writing for the J. Peterman catalog, common problems she sees in short fiction and short nonfiction, why she decided to start writing about being Asian, and more in this 5 On interview.
How to Use a Plot Planner

How to Use a Plot Planner

A plot planner enables you to keep the larger picture of your story in full view as you concentrate on writing individual scenes.
Foggy Trees

Why Writers Should Consider the Habits of the Flâneur

The advantages of walking are well-known and long-heralded. Likewise delightful, the urban perambulatory habits of the flâneur. Less heralded perhaps are the practical creative benefits of stretching one’s legs with neither exercise nor aimlessless in mind.
Reggie Lutz

5 On: Reggie Lutz

Author and radio broadcaster Reggie Lutz discusses her tendency as a writer to synthesize fiction genres, recommends qualities to look for in a writing critique group, offers advice on pitching and interviewing with radio hosts, and more.
Gabe Herron

You Can’t Rush Your Development

A couple weeks ago, I advised young writers to have patience—with themselves, with the publishing process, and with their development.
Writing Advice for Children and Teens

Writing Advice for Children and Teens

What young people need to know about writing and publishing.
Jane Smiley

5 On: Jane Smiley

Jane Smiley on necessary compromises, writing good sex scenes, and what makes her nervous about writing even now in this 5 On interview.
A red stylized rocket with neon rings around it

The Big Reason Why Agents and Editors Often Stop Reading

Agent Paula Munier explains how to imbue your writing with narrative thrust to keep your readers turning the pages.
David Corbett

5 On: David Corbett

David Corbett discusses the decline in our country's writing skills, his personal approach to marketing, writing to the market vs. to the passion, and more.
Allyson Rudolph

5 On: Allyson Rudolph

Allyson Rudolph discusses some of her favorite experimental fiction, the day-to-day life of an associate editor at a publishing house, common problems she sees in fiction and nonfiction, her commitment to increased diversity in media and the arts, and more.
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5 On: Mollie Glick

Literary agent Mollie Glick on what drew her to being an agent, what kind of query letter gets a quick delete, thoughts on chick lit, and more in this 5 On interview.
A variety of pens by Maureen McLaughlin | via Flickr

Spellbinding Sentences: 3 Qualities of Masterful Word Choice

Author Barbara Baig discusses word choice and how it affects tone, voice, and clarity.
Jim Thomsen

5 On: Jim Thomsen

Editor Jim Thomsen discusses freelance editing, story craft, favorite authors, and his own authorial aspirations.
5 On: E. E. King

5 On: E. E. King

In this interview, author E. E. King (Elizabeth Eve King) explains her approaches to writing, humor, marketing, and publishing.
Robert Kroese

5 On: Robert Kroese

Robert Kroese reveals the process that allows him to write up to three books per year, and how authors can increase their sales potential.
Brian Felsen

5 On: Brian Felsen

BookBaby founder Brian Felsen discusses the push against the gatekeeper and the prevailing belief that not being on top is synonymous with being a "loser."
The Muse and the Marketplace 2014

Writing & Money: A Brief Syllabus

For my upcoming keynote talk at The Muse & The Marketplace, I've been immersing myself in histories of publishing and
Beth Ann Fennelly

A Collaborative Novel Is Twice the Work, Not Half the Work

In an essay about writing a novel with her husband, Beth Ann Fennelly discusses that the process did not lead
Celeste Ng

The Challenges and Opportunities of an Omniscient POV

The most prevalent point-of-view used by writers today is the third-person limited POV (sometimes spread across multiple characters), as well
photo by Rami / Flickr

A Valuable Lesson About Revision

Writing is rewriting.