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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 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...

How to Craft a Killer Opening Scene - Part 1

One of the most important aspects of writing a novel is creating an enticing opening scene. The opening scene of any book sets the scene of what is to come. A great opening scene grabs the reader’s attention from the beginning, making them want to...

Why You Should Never Quit on your Writing Goals - Part 2

Success is validating Think of when you worked so hard for something and, despite what the naysayers said, you finally got it. Remember the feeling of fulfillment that you felt when you got to the end? Success is the validating phase of a difficult process where...

Why you should Never Quit on your Writing Goals - Part 1

We all have those moments when we doubt ourselves and our capabilities, when we question whether we are on the right path, when we face obstacles and the idea of quitting is alluring. Still, we wonder what we could achieve if our dreams come true....

From Average to Expert, Becoming Better at Writing - Part 2

If you are not sure what your weak area is, solicit feedback from an experienced writer or from one of your readers. Your channels in gaining feedback could be social media, a writers' group or approaching a close friend who understands the writing process. Aggregate...

From Average to Expert, Becoming Better at Writing - Part 1

While there is nothing wrong in being an average writer, most of us crave to be better. Writing is a skill and a talent. If you have always had the passion to write, you could describe yourself as having the talent. However, since writing is...

Features of a Great Audio Book

Audiobooks have been with us for a while but it is only in the last three decades that they have become popular. Great audiobooks have distinctive features that set them apart from the rest. A good audiobook should, in essence, tell the story in a...