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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...
How To Keep A Positive Mindset
More often than not it is human instinct to take the simple and easiest option in life. To strive in the world of creativity takes a lot of hard work, and self-motivation. You also have to exude confidence in your ability. To have the confidence to excel in meetings with agents and publishers, you have to show you are more than willing to go the extra mile to become a writer. They will want to know if you are committed to working on your craft, more than other writers. Do you have what it takes to go beyond what every other writer thinks is acceptable? When you go the extra mile and hone your creative skills, that is when your confidence in your ability will grow. But how can you maintain this confidence when your mind tells you to give up? How can you keep the fire of inspiration burning in your heart and soul?
Tips On How To Keep Positive:
Realise that the majority of problems have been encountered by others at some point in the past. So, there is a big possibility that someone has faced and overcome the same issues you are having right now. Whenever you face a doubt in your mind, ask yourself a simple question. What options do I have? List those options with the consequences to each choice. If it is simply a case of lack of confidence in your ability, then the answer is to educate yourself. As they say, knowledge is power. You can also put the problem in perspective. Will this be as important to you a year from now?
As a writer, the majority of the time you are working alone. When you have a problem, you may have to deal with it on your own. But sometimes the best option is to talk to other writers. Visit forums and discuss your concerns with other creative people. I can guarantee that you will find someone who has experienced very similar concerns or doubts. Try not to face any challenges on your own. It is great to get another viewpoint on your issue, and probably a choice of solutions too.
Keep a positive mindset. Whatever you focus on, positive or negative, that is where your brain will look for the solution. Ask intelligent questions and you will get intelligent answers. Avoid negative thinking and getting frustrated with the situation. This can be difficult at times, especially when you are faced with constant obstacles. Always try to focus on solutions; there will always be an answer, you have just not found it yet. Surround yourself with positive people and they will inspire you to push forward.
Keep in mind that you never became a writer for the easy life. You became a writer because that is who you are. Writing is in your heart and soul, and you will never be true to yourself if you gave up on that dream Problems will come and go, and this will be the case throughout your writing career. By surrounding yourself with positive, like minded people, you will find the encouragement to pull yourself back on track and continue living your dream.
Written by Readers’ Favorite Reviewer Lesley Jones