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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...

Reviewing Non-Fiction - Part 2

The author’s personality As a reader, I am mostly attracted to honest writing where an author is willing to be open about the experiences that they include in the book. This is especially important for memoirs. The information contained in the book should not feel bland; the...

Reviewing Non-Fiction - Part 1

Unlike fiction writing, non-fiction work may not contain the basics of a story. A non-fiction book may not have characters, settings, a storyline, different subplots or dialogue and any other related aspects which can be used to judge the success of a book. Even then,...

Writing a Character with Autism

Most people's idea of autism is usually that of a child that struggles to communicate, becomes distressed when they fail to be understood and have little willpower over their actions. But the medical spectrum of autistic disorders is varied and many. Every autistic person has a unique set of symptoms. In this...

How To Avoid Stereotypes In Minor Characters

When you are beginning to create the characters for your next novel, it is important you pay attention to the minor roles too, and not just focus on your hero and villain. There are many examples of minor characters that stand out in novels; they are only in...

Persuasive Writing Techniques

As we read different articles and books every day and take in so much information, there are messages and written work that stick with us and never go away. It seems to linger on and we keep referring to this information that we read somewhere, sometimes even...

How to Learn to Wait as a Writer

As writers, we have to wait for almost everything. From waiting from feedback from publishers, editors, readers, potential clients or agents, there is no way we can escape having to wait. Waiting can be grueling and unbearable, but we can make it easier for ourselves....

10 Reasons for Writing Flash Fiction - Part 2

Benefit #4 - Helps in Learning How to Write in Different Genres As a first time author who is undecided on what genre they should explore, writing flash fiction can help you get a feel of different genres and then decide which one is the most...

10 Reasons for Writing Flash Fiction - Part 1

Many published authors sharpen their craft through writing flash fiction which is not surprising considering the benefits of writing in this style. Writing flash fiction comes with many benefits to a writer that eventually result in the ability to write and write well. These benefits...

Words to Use to Spice Up a Story

Many of us hit a writer's block where we can't find ideas to further our plot, how to end a conflict, or maybe even to just start our great novels. But what about the other kind of block? The block where you can't find words...

Literary Translation: Writing with a Difference

Literary translators, like writers, come from many different backgrounds. Many literary translators are writers themselves. For them, translation is a natural extension of their work. Others may be academics or professional translators who do it to earn a living. But whoever they are, they all...