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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. 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...

Romantic Inspirations: The Fall of the House of Usher

Edgar Allen Poe was a prominent figure in the American Romantic Movement. From his dark, gothic works, to his tragic love stories, he was revered for his short stories and poems. One of these stories was The Fall of the House of Usher. The story begins...

The Episodic Novel in Its Opening Chapter

Often, the first chapter of the novel introduces the reader to the technique that the writer will use throughout the novel. The reader may not be familiar with this, but it affects how he will engage with the plot and characters in his reading experience....

Foreshadowing in Fiction

You may have heard of the term 'foreshadowing' before. In fiction, it is a technique used in present situations that gives a hint of what may happen in the future. It works like a cliffhanger, a type of whetting the reader’s appetite as the writer...

The Alchemy of Writing

You write in a way that comes naturally to you. Still, none of your writing manifests any rhyme and reason. Your characters lack depth. Your plot is too contrived. You fear that your story is too clichéd. You feel that you have written something that...

Romantic Inspirations: Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë is a book that provided a stark contrast to the otherwise clean image of Victorian society. From its dark dealings with morality, mentality, and appearance, to its countless inspiration of various dramatizations, Wuthering Heights remains a classic to this day. Its dark...

Romantic Inspirations: Innocents in Prison

For the longest time, criminals have fascinated and terrified writers. From The Deprived by Steffen Hou to Death Row, Texas by Michelle Lyons, it’s true that criminals who have been abandoned by society are interesting subjects to write about. Some are guilty beyond all measure,...

The Legacy of Mary Wollstonecraft

With the advent of women’s rights in America, as well as the increasingly common discussions of gender identity and sexuality, it’s important to remember the many historical figures that have brought these topics to light. From writers to philosophers to politicians alike, there are a...

Romantic Inspirations: Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway was one of the most influential writers of the Lost Generation, with his most famous work, The Sun Also Rises, garnering national attention. His other works were also considered American classics, much of which was inspired by his own experiences. He remains an...

Romantic Inspirations: Henry David Thoreau

Humanity is marked by strife and conflict. Whether it be against the government, or the environment, or annoying tasks we have to do on a day to day basis, humanity has had a thriving relationship with conflict. This is especially true when it comes to...

How to Craft a Killer Opening Scene - Part 2

Hint at what the reader should expect in the following pages When a reader chooses to read your book, they already have an idea of what the book is about. The opening scene serves as a way to continue their attraction to the story. The opening...