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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...

The Lessons I Learned About Being a Writer - Part Three

As a writer, you never stop learning. It is my pleasure to share all the things I have learned over the last 20 years. 31. Writing is hard Anyone can string words together, but knowing which of those words to combine to touch a heart and change...

The Lessons I Learned About Being a Writer

Who doesn't wish they knew what they know now as a teenager? At 15, while in high school, my favorite subject was English, especially short story writing. I will never forget the day my teacher approached me in front of the whole class, holding my...

The Lessons I Learned About Being a Writer - Part Two

This is the second part of all the things I wish I had known about writing as that 15-year-old teenager in High School.  11. Make good habits I always try to write something every day as part of my daily schedule. I never used to be very...

Pen and Paper vs. Computer

When I was a kid, a priest at my church, Msgr. James Nugent, took me aside to give me some advice. At the time, computers were not invented. He told me that if I wanted to write successfully in school, I should write everything down...

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Short Story

Writing a great short story may be one of the most important skills you will learn as a writer. It is a great way of using words to convey a powerful message through a brief passage. There are, however, many things that could go wrong....

Drinks To Uplift The Writer

When you write, an uplifting drink may help you get those words on paper, or should I say screen. I find certain drinks depressing. Drinks such as hot coffee, hot black or green tea, plain water and smoothies to me are downright boring and depressing....

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Themes for Your Novel

Structuring your novel can be a hard thing to do. For many authors, this is the part that takes the most time while the actual writing takes a fraction of it. Even though many authors may have an idea of what the story will be...

Tips for Writing a Sizzling Romance Novel Plot

Romance novels have a bad reputation for being clichéd with plots that seem to blend in with each other. However, fans of the romance genre know better. If the writer puts in the right amount of tension and a few other key elements to the...

Tips for Writing a Draft that Helps in Finishing the Novel Quickly

Writing the rough draft of your novel can be a little difficult, especially if you are following a guide that you found online. Writing a draft can never have a one-size-fits-all approach, in fact, it is the worst approach you can have. Every plot is...

Are You Ready to Become a Writer?

So, you have a dream of becoming a writer as a full-time career, whether you have always loved to write and have a deep yearning to make your dream a reality. Or, maybe friends and family have always remarked what a great storyteller you are....