Reading Time: 7 minutes Self-editing your novel can be a challenge for many new (and experienced) writers. You must analyze your own writing from a different perspective and be extremely critical of yourself. Have you ever made mistakes you didn’t even know you could make? We usually leave it up to experienced editors to catch those missteps, but when … Read More
How to Get Your Work Noticed by these 9 Traditional Publishers
Reading Time: 6 minutes Publication is not an easy step for most authors, and the barriers surrounding traditional publishing can seem monstrous, especially to new writers who looking for a home for their first book. If you’re in search of your first publisher, knowing where to start can be a big task on its own. Luckily, you have options. … Read More
7 Quick Tips for Planning Your First Non-Fiction Novel
Reading Time: 6 minutes Non-fiction novels can be one of the most intriguing forms of writing. Their unique style allows writers to tell real-life tales through a variety of perspectives in a way that both informs and captivates the audience. Because of the genre’s unique characteristics, non-fiction writers must constantly balance truth and entertainment as they plan out their … Read More
6 Books About Writing to Help Hone Your Craft
Reading Time: 5 minutes “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” – Stephen King There’s a pervasive myth among readers and writers alike that great books come from talent. We believe that some writers are just born with a book in their heart, and that their success is fate. … Read More
13 Resources for Self-Publishing your Latest Book
Reading Time: 6 minutes You’ve taken the first step towards a publication and decided to self-publish your latest novel. Great! But which companies are the easiest to work with? Which ones have the best deals? It may be difficult to know where to start. Worry not! We’ve compiled some of the best businesses that will help you get your … Read More
Finding a Story Idea for Your Fantasy Novel
Reading Time: 5 minutes In our previous article, Choosing Your Fantasy Subgenre, we described many of the most common subgenres in which a fantasy novel might fall, with the understanding that while one should be chosen as the primary subgenre, your fantasy novel might have aspects of several of them. Now it’s time to think about the next step … Read More
How to Build Fictional Characters in Novels
Reading Time: 7 minutes If your characters in a novel aren’t interesting, you won’t be able to keep readers. That’s why it is vital to carefully consider how you will want to present them to your audience. The more developed a character is with traits and an engrossing background, the more likely you will be able to breach ideas … Read More
Choosing Your Fantasy Subgenre
Reading Time: 6 minutes Thanks to the smashing success of book/movie and book/tv combinations like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games and many others, fantasy fiction is alive and thriving. If you’ve decided you want to write a fantasy novel, you’ve chosen a good genre. And although science fiction has done quite well … Read More
3 Ways to Develop Characters for Your Book
Reading Time: 6 minutes Good stories are about developed characters in a certain plot. What seems like a common-sense statement is actually difficult to put into practice. It does not matter what elements your story contains–the most exciting adventure, the most heinous crime, the most shocking ending–if your characters do not inspire emotions in the reader. Without a genuine … Read More
5 Tips to Start & Finish Your Book
Reading Time: 5 minutes “What advice do you have for someone just starting out?” This question comes up at every literary event that includes a Q&A with published authors. Answers vary, and everyone’s writing process is different, but here are five common pieces of advice to help you start and finish your novel. Loosely Outline the Main Scenes Writers … Read More