Authors around the world are facing an alarming rise in scams designed to exploit their passion for writing. From vanity presses demanding upfront fees to fraudulent literary agents and fake review services, unscrupulous actors are constantly finding new ways to target writers. Recent waves even include AI-generated emails that mimic personalized pitches based on your book’s description, making author scams harder to spot.
Writing a book is rarely a straight path. Even the most dedicated authors encounter moments of doubt, distraction, and frustration. Perhaps the story refuses to flow, or the outline feels tangled, or motivation simply wanes mid-project… These writing challenges are not signs of failure—they are part of the writing process itself!
Colleen Alles is a writer, former librarian & teacher, and Michigan girl for life. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Michigan State University (2005) and her MLIS from Wayne State University (2015). Her fiction and poetry have appeared in Red Cedar Review, Tar River Poetry, The Write Michigan Anthology, The Michigan Poet, and other places. Her fiction has been longlisted for The Fugere Book Prize for Finely Crafted Novellas in 2023 (Regal House Publishing).
A Collaborative Publishing Model What is hybrid publishing? It’s a collaborative model that combines the best aspects of traditional and self-publishing. Authors co-invest in their books while working with professional editors, designers, and marketers, retaining creative control and earning higher…
If you’re exploring hybrid or self-publishing options, Atmosphere Press vs. Archway Publishing is a comparison worth considering. Both offer alternatives to traditional publishing, but they differ in approach, cost, author experience, and community engagement.
Every month, Atmosphere Press receives more than 1500 submissions! That’s a lot. And we ultimately move forward with roughly 30 publishing contracts per month. Obviously, it’s a mutual decision to move forward on a contract, because we need to want to work with an author and an author needs to want to work with us.
Vicky Pinpin-Feinstein is a former college lecturer, communications technology and society professional, and a writer. With Social Science graduate degrees, her career focused on media and society at various institutions before she became a writer. Her first book, A Thousand Little Deaths, is an account of her experience under the autocratic rule of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines. Her second and recently published book, Beyond Fear and Suspicion: The New Americans in Little Ethiopia, focuses on forced migration, immigrant identity, trauma, and resilience among members of the African diaspora.
Publishing a book is one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences an author can undertake. From polishing a manuscript to navigating the intricacies of the publishing world, writers often face hurdles that can feel overwhelming at times. Whether you’re aiming for a traditional publishing deal or exploring self-publishing, the process comes with unique obstacles that can impact your timeline, budget, and overall success.
If you’re exploring hybrid or self-publishing options, Atmosphere Press vs. Mascot Books is a comparison worth exploring. While both publishers offer alternatives to traditional publishing, they differ in approach, cost, and the author experience they provide.
Getting book reviews before publishing is one of the most important steps you can take to set your work up for success. Reviews act as social proof, showing potential readers that your book is worth their time! They can also help your book stand out in crowded marketplaces like Amazon or Goodreads and give you valuable feedback before your official launch.
Building a strong author brand is more than a logo or a social media profile—it’s how readers recognize, connect with, and remember your work! At Atmosphere Press, we know that creating a consistent and compelling author identity is essential for establishing credibility and growing a loyal audience.
If you’re exploring hybrid or self-publishing options, Atmosphere Press vs. BookBaby is a comparison worth exploring. While both publishers offer alternatives to traditional publishing, they differ in approach, cost, and the author experience they provide.
Unlike a copy editor who focuses on grammar or a proofreader who catches typos, a developmental editor works at the big-picture level. Their role is to strengthen your manuscript’s structure, pacing, character development, and thematic clarity so that the story resonates with readers and meets the expectations of your genre.
If you’re weighing hybrid publishers, two names you’ll inevitably see are Atmosphere Press and Greenleaf Book Group. Both are reputable and both serve authors who want more than the do-it-yourself route — but the experience, cost structure, and community offerings are very different.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to write a compelling book synopsis that captures the attention of agents and publishers. We’ll cover length, structure, common pitfalls, and I’ll even share an example so you can see what a professional synopsis looks like in practice!
If you’re aiming for traditional publishing, securing a literary agent is one of the most important steps you can take. But with so many agents out there—and each one specializing in particular genres—the search can feel overwhelming. The good news is that finding an agent who not only represents your genre but also believes in your work is absolutely possible with the right strategy.
When it comes to writing a mystery novel, the detective character is often the heart and soul of the story. How you write your detective character can make the difference between a forgettable mystery and one that hooks readers from the first page!
Red herrings are one of the most powerful tools in a mystery writer’s arsenal—and one of the easiest to misuse. If you’ve ever tried to keep your reader guessing only to leave them confused, frustrated, or (worst of all) unimpressed, you’re not alone.
If you’re looking for novel rewriting tips, you already know one truth of the writing life: the first draft is never the final word. Finishing a draft is a huge achievement—but it’s only the beginning. The real work of shaping your story into something publishable happens in the rewrite.
For years, authors have been told, “The gatekeepers are gone, and publishing access is open to all!” Thanks to self-publishing and digital platforms, it’s easier than ever to get your book online. But true publishing access—getting your book into readers’ hands and building a lasting career—is far more complex.