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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...

Effective Ways To Write Books Children Will Enjoy

When I became a grandmother for the first time, I decided I was going to write a children's book. I felt so excited to embark on this new project but discovered to my horror that my book was a complete failure. I found out the...

Ways You Can Improve Your Vocabulary

Having a wide range of vocabulary is the fundamental skill you must have as a writer. After all, the larger the vocabulary, the more descriptive your novels will be. Our vocabulary consists of the words we use every day, they are our very foundation of...

Why Write Nonfiction? (Part 2 of 2)

5) Grow your writing as a business You can profit from a niche and grow it into different revenue streams. For example, let’s say you are writing an article about self-improvement in a no-nonsense approach coupled with a witty, idiosyncratic voice. It receives a good reception...

Why Write Nonfiction? (Part 1 of 2)

Many writers, especially in their formative years, dream of becoming a novelist. And who can blame them? The prestige of tackling long-form fiction has a distinctive allure that draws many writers to pen their own “Great American Novel.” Fiction makes for an ideal exercise in...

Tips to Avoid Writer's Block (Part 2 of 2)

4) Write daily to counteract laziness. Why do you think so many people choose to remain mediocre rather than extraordinary? Because it’s easier to engage in convenient things that don’t require thinking or exerting effort. Playing video games is convenient. Watching cat videos is convenient....

Tips to Avoid Writer's Block (Part 1 of 2)

Everyone has the ability to be creative. Our brain is equipped with creative imagery that allows us to produce great art. Writers have the ability to translate their creativity into the written word. The trouble is when writer’s block gets in the way and things...

Helpful Reminders for Freelance Writers (Part 2 of 2)

Don’t overestimate your writing, but don’t underestimate it as well. You’re not famous. Yet. Don’t have that grand delusion that everyone on the planet will read what you write. Stay true to your purpose. You don’t need to follow the herd. You’re probably tempted to write...

Helpful Reminders for Freelance Writers (Part 1 of 2)

Whether you’re a veteran or a rookie in the freelance writing business, what happens tomorrow will be uncertain. Freelancing is lucrative but competitive, and it’s helpful to be cautious of the common pitfalls that other freelancers have made to avoid them. Mistakes can always be...

Copy Mistakes Can Break Your Site

You stare with satisfaction at your written copy, and you confidently upload it on your website. The next day, you visit your uploaded article and to your chagrin, a couple of typos eluded your scrutiny. It happens even to the best of writers. No matter how...

What Makes an Effective Book Review?

On account that I write book reviews as a side hustle, I thought it would be helpful to write about the elements of a good review. A good review is something that gives readers useful information about a book. This is the essence of book...