Author Services

Author Articles

Hundreds of Helpful 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. Below that are hundreds of articles on topics all authors face in today’s literary landscape. Get help and advice on Writing, Marketing, Publishing, Social Networking 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...

Celebrate Your Weirdness as Writer (Part 1 of 1)

You either have always wanted to be a writer, or you never expected that you would become one. Perhaps you were gunning for a more lucrative career like becoming a rock star or a linebacker. But you have a way with words. The issue of...

Horrific Inspirations: American Cults

For centuries, America was thought of as one of the most prominent countries in the world. From its rich history with violence and war to its peacefulness and love, America has been a constant contradiction in and of itself. For some, its a source of...

The Interview as the Writer's Source (Part 2 of 2)

If you are using the interview for fiction, it is easier to incorporate the facts within the story, and you don’t need to document the minutes of your interview. For example, if you are writing a science fiction story about an intergalactic band of rogue...

The Interview as the Writer's Source (Part 1 of 2)

Research and information are vital elements in creative writing, whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction. Facts lend credibility and provide a solid ground for the author. It backs up an author’s sense of accountability. Even when the Internet has allowed researchers easy access to...

Elements of Dystopian Fiction

Brave New World. The Handmaid’s Tale. 1984. Fahrenheit 451. Dystopian fiction explores social and political structures featuring attempts at perfecting living standards, yet fall short in all aspects and veils this nightmare through conformity, oppression, and control. It is an author’s vision of a possible...

Why Keep Writing is Bad Advice

Have you ever received a rejection letter that says, “Thank you for submitting your work. Keep writing,” which means that you need to further polish your craft? Similarly, you may have heard of famous authors telling literary hopefuls to “keep writing.” Others have a way of...

Horrific Inspirations: The West Virginia Peniteniary

America’s citizens have often criticized its justice system. From false convictions and multiple innocents on death row to the misconduct and alleged abuse of the system by prosecutors, police, and judges, it’s clear that the system doesn’t do much for any of the accused. In...

Horrific Inspirations: The Dullahan

In Ireland, there’s a legend of a fairy that, similar to the banshee, is associated with the calling of Death. However, unlike the banshee, it’s also heralded as a harbinger of death, and whoever is unlucky enough to encounter it will either have blood thrown...

Horrific Inspirations: The Key of Solomon

During the European Witch Trials, many of the Catholic Church’s practices came under fire. Some priests stated magic that includes God’s blessing was allowed. Others said that using any kind of magic was a sin and that defending the practice alone was grounds for witchcraft....

Romantic Inspirations: Annabel Lee

I remember watching a certain movie while waiting in a doctor’s office one day. The wait was really long, and since there were a ton of books and toys nearby, I decided to play with them. Someone turned the TV on, and at first, I...