Book Review and Contest Insights from Real Reviews and Submissions

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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...

Setting Reachable Word Goals

Typically, we would-be writers are busy making a living, whether through our own writing (some of us are truly blessed) or by other means (perhaps evaluating and editing the writing of others). I fall into both categories, but I crave precious time to work on personal...

Music as a Writer's Block Cure

Every writer experiences writer’s block at one time or another. I typically experience it more frequently if I put any pressure on myself to meet a self-imposed deadline. Before my first novel was published, I didn’t feel this pressure quite as often because my creative...

Mythical Creatures of Switzerland

In How to Write a Unique Spooky Story, I wrote about how to write a unique spooky story by either creating your own monster, creature, or horror yourself or by finding a monster that is not well known. I advised finding a monster by researching...

How to Find a Less Than Modern Monster

10 Useful Websites to Help Improve Your Grammar

Grammar is, quite possibly, the most important part of your writing. It is, after all, what conveys your idea or message. Many writers, professional and beginners alike, will agree that their skills could be refreshed every now and again. You could consider going back to...

7 Tips to Brush Up Your Grammar Skills

The subject of grammar can be quite a stressful one; not only is it complicated, it can also be quite confusing. That said, the correct use of grammar is critical to the success of your writing so use these simple tips to brush up on...

10 Writing Issues that Your Grammar Checker Misses

Grammar checkers that are included with word processing programs are great tools for picking up on minor issues, but they don’t catch everything. Here are 10 issues that they could be missing: Too Many Adverbs – do you really need them all or can you use...

Why Daydreaming Is Good

Have you ever wondered why you are told, as a writer, to always keep a notebook handy? The reason is simple; your best ideas will most likely come to you when you least expect them to, maybe while you are taking a shower, or just before...

Why Subtext Is Important

More often than not it's not what you say, but rather how you say it. A couple of complimentary words, with the correct manner of speaking, can turn into a sarcastic put-down. Of the eight components of speech, the subtext is likely the most vital...

The Most Evil Characters In Literature

There are many villains in literature, but those who follow, in my opinion, are the epitome of evil. They have the characteristics that present-day villains are based upon. Satan in Paradise Lost by John Milton. Year: 1667 - The ultimate villain in literature. Milton's continuation of this fallen angel is a...