Grammar & Punctuation Grammar Mistakes Writers Make: Fewer vs. Less—Why Precision Matters These two words seem interchangeable, and in casual speech, they often are. But for writers, especially those who care about clean, professional prose, this distinction still matters.
Grammar & Punctuation Grammar Mistakes Writers Make: Its vs. It’s—The Apostrophe That Trips Everyone Up The difference between its and it’s looks tiny—just an apostrophe—but that small mark can completely change the meaning of your sentence.
Grammar & Punctuation Grammar Mistakes Writers Make: There, Their, and They’re—The Triple Threat of Grammar If there’s one trio that makes spellcheck shrug in defeat, it’s there, their, and they’re. Get them mixed up, and even the strongest prose starts to wobble.
Grammar & Punctuation,Writing for Authors Grammar Mistakes Writers Make: Lie vs. Lay—The Grammar Rule No One Remembers Few grammar tangles trip up writers more than lie and lay. Even editors and bestselling authors stumble here, and readers notice.
Grammar & Punctuation,Writing for Authors Grammar Mistakes Writers Make: Affect vs. Effect—The Mix-Up Every Writer Makes You’re writing along, feeling brilliant, and then you hit that speed bump: affect or effect? Even seasoned writers pause at this one. The good news is that once you know the difference, it’s easier than you think to get it right every time.
Promotion & Marketing Building Your Dream Team: How to Create Loyal Beta and ARC Readers One of the most valuable assets an author can have isn’t just a great book—it’s a trusted group of readers who give feedback, spread the word, and stick with you through your writing journey. That’s where beta readers and ARC readers come in.
Writing for Authors 7 Must-Have Elements of Writing Great Historical Fiction The best best historical fiction makes the past feel alive and relevant, using history as a lens to examine the eternal complexities of human nature. Let’s take a look at the key elements that elevate the genre.
Writing for Authors The Art of Deception: How to Write a Thrilling Mystery That Keeps Readers Guessing Writing a mystery isn’t just about creating a whodunit; it’s about becoming an architect of suspense, a master of misdirection.
Writing for Authors Writing for Different Age Groups: PB vs. MG vs. YA vs. NA vs. Adult Fiction Writing for middle grade (MG), young adult (YA), new adult (NA) and adult fiction each comes with its own expectations and boundaries. Understanding these differences will help you craft a story that resonates with the readers you’re aiming for.
Writing for Authors How to Write a Killer First Chapter That Hooks Readers A killer first chapter doesn’t just set the scene—it creates curiosity, sparks emotion, and leaves the reader thinking I need to know what happens next.
Writing for Authors Writing YA Fiction: What Works and What Doesn’t To connect deeply with teen readers (and the many adults who love YA), it’s important to understand what makes this category tick—and what can sink a story before it has a chance.
Writing for Authors How to Write Horror That Actually Scares: A Guide for Authors Who Want to Go Beyond Gore and Get Under the Reader’s Skin Writing horror that truly scares people isn’t just about blood, monsters, or loud noises. It’s about unease. Dread. That moment when the reader lowers the book and glances around the dark room, suddenly unsure of what’s in the shadows.
Writing for Authors The Power of Writing Sprints: How to Finish Your Book Faster Many writers struggle with productivity—not because they lack ideas, but because focus is fleeting and time is limited. Enter the writing sprint: a simple but powerful tool that can help you finish your book faster, beat procrastination, and even reignite your love for the craft.
Promotion & Marketing Book Marketing 101: How to Promote Your Novel on a Budget So you’ve written a novel—and now it’s finally published. But unless readers know it exists, your book won’t sell. With the right tools and a bit of strategy, you can promote your novel effectively—even on a shoestring.
Promotion & Marketing How to Write a Book Blurb That Sells Writing a book blurb seems simple—but it might be one of the hardest parts of marketing your book.
Writing for Authors How to World-Build Like a Pro in Fantasy & Sci-Fi Whether you’re conjuring distant galaxies or ancient kingdoms, a richly layered world can transport readers so completely that they forget our own.
Writing for Authors How to Write Dialogue That Feels Real Crafting authentic dialogue is one of the most essential—and challenging—skills for any fiction writer. If your characters sometimes sound like robots, therapists, or exposition machines, this post is for you.
Writing for Authors 8 Tips on How to Write a Page-Turning Thriller: Secrets to Keeping Readers Hooked Whether you’re writing a psychological suspense, action-packed espionage, or a fast-paced crime novel, crafting a thriller that holds readers captive requires more than a good idea.
Writing for Authors Setting Your Story: Tips and Tricks to Help You Describe the Setting of Your Story Your setting is more than just a backdrop. It’s a powerful tool that shapes your story’s mood, grounds your characters, and subtly influences plot. But describing setting can be tricky—too much, and readers get bogged down. Too little, and the world feels hollow.
