Liz Cain is a nuclear medicine physicist by day, and an urban fantasy author by night. She was born in East Yorkshire in the UK and grew up near the sea with her parents and two sisters. She moved to the midlands, which was much too far south for her, and spent 2twenty0 years trying to move back to her hometown.
Email Marketing for Authors: Building a Lasting Connection with Readers Email marketing is one of the most effective ways for authors to connect with readers. Unlike social media, where posts can easily get lost in the endless scroll, emails offer…
In the vast sea of books, a strong opening line is the author’s secret weapon to captivate readers from the very first page. Crafting an attention-grabbing opening sets the tone for the entire story, entices readers to continue, and leaves a lasting impression. In this blog post, we will explore the art of developing powerful opening lines and hooks that hook readers from the start. Get ready to discover techniques that will elevate your writing and ensure your story stands out in a crowded literary landscape.
Launching your book at the right time of the year can make a big difference in its success. Consider the seasonality of your book, competition, and media coverage when deciding on the best time to launch. And remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer – what works for one book may not work for another. Ultimately, the most important thing is to have a great book that resonates with readers, no matter when it’s launched.
Interviews can be pivotal moments for authors, providing an opportunity to share their work, connect with readers, and elevate their visibility in the literary world. Whether you’re preparing for a radio interview, a podcast appearance, or a written Q&A, the way you present yourself and your work can significantly impact your success. In this post, we will explore effective strategies to help you prepare for author interviews, ensuring you make the most of these valuable opportunities!
Clues That You’re Close to Finishing Your Book Navigating the journey to complete a book can often feel like wandering through a dense forest. There are days filled with clarity and progress, while other times, you may find yourself lost…
The concept of archetypes has been widely discussed in literary theory, notably by Carl Jung, who proposed that archetypes are part of the collective unconscious. In literature, archetypes can manifest in various forms, from character roles to narrative structures. Understanding these common character types can help writers craft more relatable and engaging stories!
In recent years, sensitivity readers have become a vital part of the publishing industry. These unsung heroes are hired to review manuscripts and provide feedback on potentially offensive or insensitive content. Their role is to ensure that the work accurately reflects the experiences and perspectives of the groups it represents while avoiding harmful stereotypes and insensitive language. Let’s take a closer look at the role of sensitivity readers and how they benefit the publishing industry.
In literature, weather can serve multiple purposes—acting as a backdrop, reflecting character emotions, or even driving the plot forward. By understanding how to use weather effectively, writers can add depth and nuance to their stories, engaging readers on multiple levels.
It can be daunting to set up an in-person reading event for your book, but with the right approach, it can be a highly effective way to increase your book’s visibility and reach a wider audience.
Folklore stories provide a framework that reflects human experiences, allowing writers to explore profound truths about life, morality, and community. Understanding and incorporating these tales can offer depth to your characters and plots while helping you craft narratives that are both engaging and meaningful.
Mistakes are often viewed negatively, but they serve a crucial role in the creative process. They encourage exploration, foster resilience, and can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. For instance, many renowned authors have openly acknowledged the value of their missteps. Ernest Hemingway famously said, “The first draft of anything is sh*t.” This candid admission highlights the notion that the creative journey involves refining and reworking initial ideas rather than aiming for perfection from the outset.
I am a small-town girl who has always loved to read and write creatively. I always wanted to be able to be an author but never was able to try and didn’t know where to start. But now, in my middle age, I have decided to give it a try.
Gabriella Buba is a mixed Filipina-Czech author and chemical engineer based in Texas who likes to keep explosive pyrophoric materials safely contained in pressure vessels or between the covers of her books. She writes adult romantic fantasy for bold, bi, brown women who deserve to see their stories centered. Her debut Saints of Storm and Sorrow is a Filipino-inspired epic fantasy out with Titan Books. Daughters of Flood and Fury is to be released July 2025
Margaret Ann Philbrick is an award-winning poet and author who writes at the intersection of art, culture, community, and faith. Her new novel, House of Honor, received a Kirkus Star Review, saying, “Philbrick’s thriller is a gripping tale about the intersection of art and crime. The author’s skill at drawing her characters is impressive; even the supporting players, feel entirely fleshed out in this nuanced and moving novel.”
Christy Schillig is a middle school teacher who lives in a log cabin in suburban South Jersey with her two children, her husband/best friend since 6th grade, and her dogs, Puppay and Sheep. Christy graduated from Villanova University with a degree in Italian Literature and Language (yes, that’s a real degree) and uses that degree to commentate classroom science games in Italian and plan off-the-grid trips to the Italian Rivieras. On any given day, you can find her reading young adult paranormal romance beneath her desk at school.
I started writing at an early age, creating comics based on Mayne Reid’s works, particularly The Boy Hunters: Or, Adventures in Search of a White Buffalo, because one of the main characters was my first crush. My dad used to read “grown-up” books to me out loud, and I’m still immensely grateful to him for that. Later on, my interests were shaped by numerous fantasy books I devoured. Naturally, Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Anne McCaffrey’s The Dragonriders of Pern, and Roger Zelazny’s The Chronicles of Amber had a strong influence on me. I like to say that I’m made of books and can easily trace each bit of my personality back to a specific story.
A story lover at heart, Morgan has always been crafting stories. Growing up in East Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains, their mystery and beauty have inspired many of her tales. She’s a big fan of rain, stargazing, coffee, and taking the long way home.
Cass Biehn (they/them) writes messy queer characters in messier situations—and always with angsty kissing. They hold a Master of Library Science degree from Aberystwyth University in rainy Wales and currently live in the Utah desert, where they split their time between cosplaying and wrangling their dogs.
Elizabeth Austin’s writing has appeared in Huffington Post, Thrillist, Reactor Mag, Business Insider, and others. She holds an M.F.A. from Vermont College of Fine Arts and lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with her two children and their many pets. Find her at writingelizabeth.com and on Instagram @writingelizabeth.