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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...

A Character Who Speaks in Opposites—They Say One Thing but Mean Another!

Literature is filled with characters who mask their true intentions behind a facade of words. These puzzling characters, who often say one thing while meaning another, add complications and interest to the narrative. Understanding this literary device helps an author to create fascinating characters with...

Read Wisely to Become a Better Writer

Are you a writer who reads? Or do you avoid reading altogether? Have you considered why you chose to read or not to read? Did you know that readers make far better writers than non-readers? Either way, reading or not reading, you could improve your...

Writing For Blogs

Thirty years ago many of us would have asked what was a blog. The World Wide Web was making its way into our homes and, frighteningly, even then, taking over our lives. Surprisingly, although we may not have known about blogs, the first one did...

Do You Remember to Thank Your Reviewers?

When was the last time you wrote a thank you to someone? A reviewer, editor, or publisher? It’s quite simple when you think of it. Only two words: “Thank you.” But how often do we say them? In a world gone nuts (quite literally), one...

A Story Where The Hero's Destiny Changes Every Time They Blink!

Have you ever thought of a hero whose destiny changes with every blink of an eye? One moment, they're destined to save the world; the next, they're doomed to destroy it. An idea like this brings an exciting twist to the traditional hero story, raising...

The “I Don't Know” Syndrome

Are you besieged with multiple “I don’t know” dilemmas? Particularly about writing? Like, “I don’t know how to write a book-length story”? Or “I don’t know how to find ideas to write about”? Or “I don’t know how to find a publisher, or market my...

What's in a Name? Choosing the Right Name For Your Characters

I had a student, years ago, whose name was Priya. I loved that name, and the meaning associated with it. What does Priya mean? Quite simply, it means beautiful. I knew I’d have to use the name in one of my stories, not the character...

10 Practical Tips for Writing Your First Non-Fiction Book

Writing your first non-fiction book can seem daunting. If you are used to writing blog posts and articles, the number of words needed for a book seems overwhelming. I started writing my first non-fiction book in mid-February 2024, and 8 months later, I started editing...

What If the Internet Disappeared Overnight? Crafting a Plot Around the Chaos! 

Imagine a world without the internet. This scenario presents a compelling idea for writers: What if the internet disappeared overnight? This concept allows for the exploration of various literary themes and genres, depicting the chaotic impact of the absence of the internet on society. It...

7 Simple Tips to Develop and Stick to a Writing Schedule

When my company retrenched me after seventeen years, I started exploring opportunities to earn an income online. I've considered a virtual assistant business; part of that is writing articles on my blog. When it didn't work out, I combined my love for writing and reading...