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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. Below that are hundreds of articles on topics all authors face in today’s literary landscape. Get help and advice on Writing, Marketing, Publishing, Social Networking 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 Joys of Travel Writing: Capturing Adventures with Words

Traveling the world is a journey of exploration, which has been cherished by humanity since ancient times to this day as, throughout history, people have voyaged to discover new lands and cultures and explore the world through the act of self-discovery. Travel writing serves as a...

Concrete Misconceptions That Might Be Formed From Fiction

Given that all forms of fiction are based, to a greater or lesser extent, on reality (one can't, for example, conjure up an imagined, truly unique color that is not based on those present in reality), the lines between what is completely fictional in popular...

Craft Your Masterpiece - Free Book Writing Software for Novice Writers

When I decided to write a nonfiction book, I realized that word processing software like Word or Google Docs wouldn't suit my purposes. Thus, I started researching the available book-writing software. But popular programs like Scrivener, Plottr, Atticus, and Novelpad were too pricey for me—and...

Cryptic Cafés: Writing Stories Inspired by the Unusual Regulars of a Mystery Coffee Shop

Picture yourself in your beloved café, immersing yourself in the atmosphere as you interact with fellow patrons and savor your coffee. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee is not about fixing your caffeine craving; it's about tapping into a whole world of creativity. By discovering...

The Office Supply Olympics: How Writers Turn Stationery into Tools of Creativity

In the diverse world of creative expression, artists have endless avenues to explore their imagination. Likewise, writers rely on a unique set of tools to craft their stories. Pens, paper, and sticky notes take on a new role as instruments of creativity. They're more than...

A Humorous Examination of Writerly Anxiety

Being a writer is like going on a wild roller coaster ride through a minefield. Sometimes, it's super exciting; other times, it's terrifying, and now and then, things blow up unexpectedly. We swing between feeling really happy and creative, when ideas flow easily, and feeling sad...

The Diary of a Commuting Writer: Navigating Plot Twists on Public Transportation

When you take a bus ride, you're drawn to the vibrant scenes outside your window; the lively streets, towering skyscrapers, and the joyful laughter echoing from parks and playgrounds. These moments are everyday scenarios and not exactly the highlight of anyone's day. But for a...

Language and Dialect: How Local Speech Patterns Contribute to Authentic Dialogue 

Language is the most effective key to communication. However, different people speak even the same language differently. The verbal communication among people from similar communities living in different geographical locations might differ. This difference in language can be referred to as dialects. Within dialect, thus,...

Language of Flowers: Incorporating Floral Symbolism and Meaning in  Writing  

Flowers have been used for ages in the works of literature, poetry, and art as timeless symbols for expressing secret emotions, ideas, and hidden meanings. This non-verbal communication through the means of assigning specific meanings to the flowers is called floriography, and it provides subtle symbolism...

Green Writing: Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices for Authors  

E-books have become more popular over the past decade, but physical books are still in demand. Many people enjoy holding a book while they read. There is nothing wrong with that. However, printing books has a significant impact on the environment. Authors, publishers, and sellers...