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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...
What's Foil?
Why do you like that villain in your favorite TV show or favorite novel? Why do you admire that hero or heroine? How did you even first learn that a particular character was a hero or a villain? Those are the questions that will help...
What is Allegory? The Meaning, Functions and Examples
Allegory is a literary device that portrays complex ideas in a simplistic narrative form. Writers have used it to illustrate philosophical notions and historical events, from the import of Christianity to the Russian Revolution. In this article, we discuss the meaning, purpose and notable examples...
Hyperbole Explained: Definition, Functions and Examples
Hyperbole is a straightforward, efficient literary and rhetorical technique employed by writers and speakers. Including hyperbole in your writing can help boost your prose and captivate your readers effectively. In this article, we explore the meaning, uses, and notable examples of hyperbole. What is Hyperbole? Hyperbole is...
4 Narrative Perspectives and How to Effectively Use Them
The narrative perspective or Point of View (POV) you use can make or break your novel. Using it incorrectly will hurt your reader's trust and negatively affect your credibility as a writer. Choosing the POV for a character is not a simple issue since the four different POVs have specific uses. Let's look at...
What is Alliteration? Definition, Usage and Examples
The prevalent everyday use of alliteration is hard to miss. Writers and advertisers alike frequently employ this powerful literary device. The harmony and melody it creates are eye-catching and attention-grabbing. In this article, we explore the literary usage, effects, and examples of alliteration. What is Alliteration? Alliteration...
What is Verbal Irony? A Definitive Guide
Writers use irony to create intrigue and humor and call attention to a character’s personality. This efficient literary device artistically substitutes the speaker's intention with an opposite verbal expression. In this article, we explore the usage of verbal irony, discussing its meaning, functions and examples. What...
Exploring The Amazing Effects of Situational Irony
Situational irony is an efficient literary device to employ. With it, writers allow their readers to recognize the difference between appearance and reality within a fictional world. This experience creates suspense, increases unpredictability, and deepens the central theme of your work. In this article, we...
Let's talk about Juxtaposition
What is juxtaposition? Think about the famous adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” What is clear in that saying is some kind of contrast and comparison. Probably a dog owner long ago had an old dog; he tried to teach it new things but...
All About Assonance
The definition of assonance Assonance is a literary device in which vowel sounds are repeated in words that are in close proximity in a sentence or group of words. Most writers associate assonance with poetry, but assonance can also be used in narratives and in non-fiction. Writers...
What's Motif?
What is a motif? Writers may mistakenly take a motif for the theme of a narrative. Yes, both motif and the theme of a narrative are staunch partners in the narrative world, but they are certainly not the same. Take for example a war story; the mention of...