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...
How Do I Publish? Let Me Count the Ways…
The novel is done, finished! You’ve typed the last page, read it through once or twice to edit your work (hopefully more than that and hopefully with the benefit of another set of eyes). Emboldened by the fact that it’s done (more or less), it’s onto...
Submitting Manuscript for Budding Authors (Part 2 of 2)
In getting an agent, some surefire ways to ensure you’re getting the right one is to use this checklist: 1) They should be a member of the Association of Author’s Representatives (AAR). Members of this association don’t charge reading fees. Consider it a red flag if...
Submitting Manuscript for Budding Authors (Part 1 of 2)
“Do you know of any publisher who would be interested in my book?” Does this question sound familiar? It’s typical for new authors to raise this concern and based on the experience of published authors, there’s no clear-cut way to answer it. Thousands of publishers ranging...
The Economics of Publishing Your Book (Part 2 of 2)
Publishing from a business perspective Once you understand what you expect to get out of your book, you’ll be able to decide on which publishing route you want to take. Doing your research beforehand saves you time and lets you spend your money in a cost-effective...
The Economics of Publishing Your Book (Part 1 of 2)
Money can be an issue when it comes to investing in your career. Aspiring authors are keen to ask about expenditures in varying aspects of publishing: How much does it cost to get published? How much commission will my agent get? How many royalties will...
Should You Consider the Print on Demand Route? (Part 2 of 2)
Control over your books If you want total control of your books, you may want to look elsewhere. Huge POD services market and brand products with their logo. For most writers, this is fine. However, if you wish to track who buys your books, this can...
Should You Consider the Print on Demand Route? (Part 1 of 2)
It’s never easy for authors to get accepted by traditional publishers. If you go back in history, you’ll discover a plethora of prominent authors who, early in their careers, had to dish out their own hard-earned money to have their first novels printed. Consider these...
Rushing to Publish Could Mean Blowing Your Best Opportunities
So, you’ve finally finished your novel. Congratulations. What you’ve accomplished is significant and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. How many people do you know who have spent countless hours by themselves sitting in front of a keyboard creating an imaginary world? It’s only a matter of time...
First Get Good, Then Get Lucky
If you’ve been a writer for any length of time, you’ve no doubt read many books that tell you how to write bestselling fiction. You’ve also no doubt been assailed by at least as many marketing experts telling you the best way to market your novel...
Almost Traditional Publishing
It can be an absolute headache when deciding what to do. If you are one of the many authors who don’t want to go through the motions of self-publishing, there are other options available. One of them is traditional publishing which can also prove to...