The beauty of using sentence and word counts is that these patterns become visible. Instead of relying on vague feelings like “this section feels slow,” you can point to concrete data: “I have twelve consecutive sentences over twenty words in what should be my most intense scene.”
Are you ready to embark on a thrilling adventure into the world of publishing? Whether you’re a seasoned wordsmith or a budding author, an attractive cover letter is the golden ticket to capturing a publisher’s attention and getting your book on shelves. Though writing a cover letter can be a daunting task, fear not! We’re here to help unravel the mysteries of crafting an engaging, effective cover letter.
But here’s the thing I’ve learned since then, both as a reader and a writer: endings are ridiculously hard to get right. Your final pages carry enormous weight—they’re what readers remember, what they talk about, what makes them either slam your book shut in satisfaction or immediately start hunting for the sequel.
Emma Riva is a writer based in Pittsburgh. She is the founder of Petrichor Magazine and a contributor to publications such as Artforum, The Art Newspaper, and Whitehot Magazine. She has worked for Atmosphere as an interior designer for 3 years and worked in book design in some form for almost 10.
The magic happens when you stop thinking about writing for an age group and start thinking about writing to real people who just happen to be that age. Kids aren’t small adults, teenagers aren’t dramatic kids, and adults aren’t just older teenagers. Each group has its own wisdom, its own way of seeing the world, and its own stories that need telling.
As authors and writers, we are drawn to the allure of sharing our stories with the world, but the digital landscape can be treacherous. While legitimate platforms exist, the internet is also rife with scams preying on the dreams of aspiring authors. It’s essential to arm ourselves with knowledge and discernment to navigate this terrain successfully.
The best villains aren’t just obstacles to overcome—they’re complex characters who challenge our protagonists in meaningful ways, force growth, and sometimes even make us question our own moral compass. Let me walk you through the essential elements that separate forgettable bad guys from truly compelling antagonists!
In this post, we’ll walk you through the essentials of devotional writing across different styles—from traditional Bible-based devotionals to spiritually-inspired and personal-themed reflections. This balanced approach will help you decide the style that fits your voice and audience, and give you practical tools to create devotionals that truly resonate!
Kiss scenes come in many shapes and sizes, and what resonates most depends on your story’s tone, the characters involved, and the emotions at play. Whether it’s tender, fiery, awkward, or transformative, the best kiss scenes fit naturally within your narrative and deepen the connection between your characters!
In this post, we’ll unpack why your one-sentence pitch carries such weight, common pitfalls to avoid, and actionable tips for crafting a pitch that grabs attention and leaves industry professionals wanting more. Whether you’re querying an agent or writing your book’s blurb, understanding this skill is vital to your success.
Wendy Waters is an award-winning author, composer, lyricist, and librettist. Born in Australia, she grew up in Sydney, lived in the USA for six years, and now divides her time between London, Sydney, and Paris. In 2011 Waters volunteered to work with OASIS Salvation Army Crisis Centre in Sydney, helping musically gifted young people and it was in this capacity that she first conceived of the idea of a guardian angel rescuing a troubled or abused child as many of the young people at Oasis spoke of guardian angels coming to their rescue at times of danger.
Poet Laureate Emerita Wendy Van Camp is a dynamic voice in speculative poetry, blending cutting-edge technology, astronomy, and daydreams into her work. Her talent has earned her nominations for the Elgin, Pushcart Prize, Rhysling, and Dwarf Stars Awards. Wendy’s poems, stories, and articles grace journals worldwide such as Star*Line, Scifaikuest, Worlds of IF, and San Diego Poetry Annual. She also contributes to Indy Author Magazine. Wendy is the editor of Eccentric Orbits: a science fiction poetry anthology. As a member of SFWA, SFPA, and IBPA and co-chair of the SFWA Poetry Committee, Wendy is a passionate advocate for the speculative community. Her debut poetry collection, The Planets, was nominated for the Elgin Award.
Born in the south of England, Wendy trained as a nurse and midwife before moving into teaching after the birth of her two children. After a variety of jobs and houses, she moved to France to open a B&B and teach English as a Foreign Language. When the COVID pandemic started, she used the unexpected time on her hands to start writing the novel she’d always wanted to write.
Thomas M. Wing, a Naval Academy and Naval War College graduate, retired after thirty-two years as a Navy Surface Warfare officer. He served across a broad swath of tactical and operational billets, including more than ten years at sea in guided missile destroyers and frigates. A dedicated sailor for over half a century, he founded and served as executive director for the Continental Navy Foundation, and commanded the foundation’s tall ship, Megan D.
Stephen C. Pollock (“Steve”) is a poet, essayist, eye surgeon, neuro-ophthalmologist, business executive, and inventor. His debut poetry collection, Exits, won the 2024 North Street Book Prize for Poetry, the Gold Medal for Poetry in the 2023 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, and 1st Place for Poetry in the 2025 Firebird Book Awards. The twenty poems in Exits were written and edited over a period of twenty years. Designing and formatting the book required an additional two years.
Originally a shy and awkward biracial adoptee, Stephanie is now one of those people who, as soon as you meet her, you’ll feel joy around. She graduated from Langara College (Digital & Print Publications, Dean’s Honour Roll) and recently from Simon Fraser University (Editing Certificate). Last summer, she published her first children’s book – Septopus.
Last year, I entered a micro-fiction writing contest with a horror/Halloween theme. My love of horror attracted me to this contest, and I had so much fun writing it. I didn’t win the contest, but it triggered something. I’ve always loved writing short stories, but this started me on a new path of writing up an absolute storm. Many of the stories I crafted were in the spooky/horror realm. So, you could say that I wasn’t exactly “inspired” to write a book, more so that I had lots of fun writing some shorts and realized… these could be a book!
I’m a British author based in the North West, UK. I published my first book, Drifting in a Dream, in 2021, with the sequel, Falling in Flames, escaping in 2024. Despite reading far and wide, young adult and fantasy remain two of my favourite genres to write. I love the flexibility of fantasy, and I particularly enjoy incorporating it into our mundane everyday world.
Roberta Beach Jacobson is an American author/poet/editor who is drawn to the magic of words – flash fiction, poetry, song lyrics, puzzles, and stand-up comedy. Her latest book is Demitasse Fiction: One-Minute Reads for Busy People (Alien Buddha Press, 2023). She lives in Indianola, Iowa, with her husband and three cats.
I searched, for many years, for enlightenment. I questioned a lot and searched for reasons for why people think the way they do and react the way they do. The absurdity of life has always fascinated me and disturbed me. Philosophy has always been an interest. Even in this book of funny illustrations, there is a lot of philosophy behind the scenes! Art helps me create the settings and allows me to make fun of myself and our crazy world.
Your Book. Launched by us.
Atmosphere Press was founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. We hold true to those principles today.
© Atmosphere Press, all rights reserved 2024.
7107 Foxtree Cove, Austin, TX 78750
© Atmosphere Press, all rights reserved 2024.
7107 Foxtree Cove, Austin, TX 78750
