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Book Review & Contest Insights from Real Reviews and Submissions

What separates great books from the rest? Below are articles with insights from real reviews and contest submissions—what works, what doesn’t, and how to improve your book. You’ll also find a wide range of articles covering writing, publishing, marketing, and more. Each article has a Comments section so you can read advice from other authors and leave your own.

Why Some Books Win Awards (And Most Don’t) — Insights From Real Contest Submissions New!

What separates award-winning books from the rest? After evaluating contest submissions across a wide range of genres, certain patterns become clear. Some books consistently rise to the top. Others, even with strong ideas and clear effort behind them, fall short. The difference is rarely dramatic—it...

What We’ve Learned From Reviewing Hundreds of Thousands of Books (And Why Most Don’t Stand Out) New!

After reviewing and evaluating books across thousands of submissions over the past two decades, certain patterns become impossible to ignore. Some books immediately stand out to reviewers. Others—even well-intentioned ones—fade into the middle or fall short. The difference is rarely luck. It comes down to...

Addressing Social Issues

As society has changed and evolved, so must the way authors write the things that influence the following generations. Every seasoned author has written about a touchy subject at one time or another. It should go without saying that some subjects require some sensitivity, understanding and sometimes even empathy.

Everyone has a right to an opinion but it's not all right to make anyone feel like they are less important because we do not agree with what they are doing. There are lots of ways to word our opinions without inflicting pain on already open wounds in society.

Obviously, if you write something that is in agreement with how some things have changed, there are going to be millions of people that absolutely agree with you while another million or so will detest the fact that you chose to write about the subject to begin with.

Whether you agree with some of society’s views or not makes no difference. You, the author, can write about your opinion whether it be for or against certain social issues. However, it takes some serious dedication to your readers to admit how you feel about something in a way that they understand even if you don’t agree.

It may seem almost absurd that writing what we feel needs to be done in a specific manner but it really does have to be this way. This day and age, bullying comes in all forms which means we authors must take the appropriate steps to ensure that our readers feel that we understand how sensitive some topics are.

Think about it, no one wants to go to a family member’s or friend’s house to be treated poorly and pushed around. In the same sense, no reader wants to open a book that is nothing but a long list of degradation when all they were looking for was some insight from a different opinion.

When writing about social views, always make sure to approach the subject in a dignified manner that lets the reader clearly know how you feel. Always maintain a good focus on the subject no matter how sensitive it is, but do it with a kind tone. Above all, make sure that you address social issues respectfully and honestly. Be mindful of the words you choose to write so that they do not come across as hostile, vengeful or hateful. Keep in mind that an opinion is just that, an opinion, and everyone has the right to feel or believe how they choose to without feeling like others look down on them.

Remember, social issues are called social issues because they are issues that arise from the controversy found within our society. As authors who sometimes put these opinions, thoughts, and ideas into words, it is only right that we should always make our readers feel welcome and understood without contributing to or fueling the anger that some touchy subjects can spark off.

Keep your tone civil, respectful, dignified and honest so that readers can understand how you feel without feeling pressured or degraded. Hatred and bullying happen way too much in today’s society. As authors, we have the amazing opportunity to share all sides of a single issue without making anyone feel bad about themselves.

Written by Readers’ Favorite Reviewer Amy Raines