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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
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)
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...
Writing Faster and More Frequently
If you want to write, do so. Don’t dither about, wishing you were doing the one thing you often dream of doing: writing. Becoming a writer won’t happen until you are writing. As Louis L’Amour wrote, “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not...
When Political Nonfiction Writing Falls Into the Rant Trap
Political nonfiction is an essential genre for understanding and engaging with the pressing issues of our time. However, even the most well-meaning authors can fall into a common pitfall: transforming their work into an extended rant. This all too common issue not only diminishes the...
What the Punk is the Difference? Cyberpunk vs Steampunk vs Dieselpunk
I've found myself drawn into Punk literature and have turned to the main "punk" subgenres to get my fill: cyberpunk, steampunk, and dieselpunk. I admit that I ventured first into cyberpunk, blindly, and then ploughed forward from there. It was a crash course for an...
As You Know, Bob.... Info Dumps Stink
Ah yes, the lazy and totally ineffective "info dump" seems to have reared its ugly head once again, despite it being the literary equivalent of a bucket of cold water. It is the abrupt, often clunky delivery of background information, history, or exposition that halts the...
OMG! Social Media Influence and Fiction Writing
In the digital age, social media has become an undeniable force in shaping how we communicate. From memes to tweets, hashtags to emojis, the rapid evolution of online platforms has influenced not just spoken and written language but also literary expression. For authors, this linguistic...
Social Criticism in YA Dystopian Writing That Won't Sink It
Young Adult (YA) dystopian fiction has a unique capacity to work deeply with societal issues. It taps into the very real concerns of younger audiences by mirroring their fears, aspirations, and difficulties that are singular to their age group. However, embedding social criticism into YA...
Switch it Up! Fantasy over Supernatural in Horror Fiction Writing
Horror fiction has long drawn readers into its terrifying embrace, with supernatural/paranormal elements like ghosts, demons, and cursed relics dominating the genre. But a fascinating shift is gaining traction—one where fantasy elements take the lead over traditional supernatural tropes, creating stories that bend the imagination...
Tackling Class and Economic Disparity in Victorian Historical Fiction
Victorian historical fiction simply does not work without the incorporation of class divides, where depictions like the contrasting of an opulent drawing room are heightened by the grim realities of working-class life. Writing about class and economic status authentically for a contemporary reader requires careful...
Establishing Your Niche in the Freelance Market
I envision the writing process as being similar to a cross-stitch pattern. The instructions clearly state, “Begin in the middle of the fabric and the middle of the pattern.” I never start in the middle when I cross-stitch, though I can see the benefits of...
Write a Story Where Every Time Someone Lies, Their Favorite Memory Fades Away!
Let's imagine if every time you told a lie — even a little one — you lost one of your most cherished memories. Not all memories, not the bad ones — the good ones. You know, the ones that make you smile on a bad day...