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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...
Tips for Writing a Book Review Authors Will Love New!
A strong book review does more than summarize a plot or assign a rating. It demonstrates careful reading, thoughtful engagement, and, most importantly, an understanding of what the author hoped to accomplish. While readers may look for entertainment or recommendations, authors often look for something...
Why Meter Matters in Children’s Books New!
One of the most important elements in a children’s book is something many beginning writers overlook: meter. In rhyming picture books, especially, meter shapes the reading experience as much as the story or illustrations. A book can have imaginative characters, charming artwork, and clever rhymes,...
Building a Sci-Fi School System that Reflects Your World’s Values New!
Have you ever noticed how schools in stories say more about the world than any history lesson ever could? A sci-fi school isn’t just a place where characters learn things. It’s a mirror. It shows what your world values, what it fears, and what it’s...
Why Most Successful Novels Follow Three Acts New!
The three-act structure has existed for so long that many writers dismiss it as overly formulaic or outdated. Some assume it applies only to Hollywood films or commercial fiction. In reality, the three-act structure remains one of the most effective storytelling frameworks because it mirrors...
Writing a Professional Book Review? Don’t Ask the Reader Questions New!
A strong book review should inform, analyze, and evaluate. It should help readers understand the kind of experience a book offers while also offering insight into the writing. The best reviews balance summary with thoughtful commentary and avoid sounding either overly academic or overly promotional....
The Difference Between a Book Blurb and a Summary New!
Many writers use the terms “book blurb” and “summary” interchangeably, but they serve very different purposes. Understanding the distinction can make a major difference when pitching a novel, querying agents, writing marketing materials, or preparing back cover copy. While both describe the story, they are...
Do You Really Need a Logline? New!
Many new writers hear the word “logline” and immediately think of Hollywood pitch meetings, not novels. It can sound overly technical or even restrictive, especially for writers who prefer to discover the story as they go. Not every fiction writer begins with a polished one-sentence...
Why a ‘Save the Cat’ Moment Can Elevate Your Novel New!
One of the quickest ways to make readers emotionally invest in a character is through what writers often call a “save the cat” moment. When I teach creative fiction writing, I use Jessica Brody’s Save the Cat! Write a Novel. Brody does an excellent job of adapting...
The Catalyst: Fiction’s First Major Shift New!
Every story depends on movement driven by the two most critical elements of novel writing—the setup and the payoff. The setup introduces an idea, image, conflict, or emotional detail early in the story, while the payoff gives that earlier element meaning later. Without setup, a...
The "One Weird Habit" Rule: Making Sci-Fi Characters Instantly Memorable New!
Have you ever noticed how the most iconic characters in the galaxy aren't defined by their tragic backstories or their high-tech gadgets, but by something much smaller? In the vast, often cold expanse of science fiction, readers can get lost in the "hard science" or...