Author Services
Author Articles
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...
What I Wish I’d Known Before Publishing: The Quiet Tension Between Publishing for the Work and Publishing for the System
Before I published my work, I believed that the hardest part would be writing it. I assumed that once the work was finished and released, it would stand on its own. I didn’t expect publishing to change my relationship with the work itself. What I wish...
Choosing How a Story Enters the World Matters More Than I Realized
When I first began publishing my work, I believed the story itself carried the greatest responsibility. I focused on language, pacing, and emotional truth, trusting that if the story were honest, it would find its place. What I didn’t fully understand at the time was...
The Training of AI and Author/Illustrator Impact
Just when I thought artificial intelligence couldn't possibly get worse for authors and illustrators, a new issue is on its way to the Australian courts that has me fired up, and writers and illustrators should be too. Many have recently learned that their books and...
Who Really Holds the Keys: The Editor Beyond the Agent
If you're a writer seeking representation, you may believe that signing with an agent means you are standing on the threshold of publication. I want you to pause right there, because that assumption can set you up for confusion and disappointment. Between your agent’s belief...
The Moment You Create It, You Own It: Copyright vs Trademark in Publishing
Let me start by telling you something that should steady your pulse: The minute you put original words onto paper or into a digital file, federal law recognizes that work as yours. Under the 1976 Copyright Act, protection attaches the moment your manuscript is fixed...
When Your Self-Publishing Sales History Follows You Into the Traditional Publishing Office
Everyone has an opinion on whether or not a debut novelist should take the traditional publishing route or just get the work out there and self-publish. The elephant in the room on almost all of those forums, however, is that most authors would rather be traditionally published,...
Who Do I Need? An Agent, a Lawyer, or Both?
When a writer signs a publishing contract, that signature carries more weight than many people realize. I have sat across from plenty of smart professionals who believed talent alone would protect them in business, and that belief cost them more than pride. The question of...
Tips for Handling Spammers and Scammers as a Self-Published Author
There are spammers in every industry, individuals who beg for your business. The self-publishing arena is no different. The first step is understanding how to recognize these people. The best tip I have for recognition is to watch out for flattery. A spammer that messages...
Success as a Self-Published Author
At first glance, it might be obvious what defines a successful indie author. A deeper dive into the topic, however, tells another story. Let me explain. When I started as a self-published author, I suspected that success meant a loyal following, being on the best-sellers...
How to Handle Constructive Criticism as an Indie Author
As a self-published author, you’ll likely receive constructive criticism at some point. I would like to share my top suggestions on how to handle that situation based on personal experience. I clearly remember the first time one of my books received constructive criticism. In actuality,...