The honest truth is that most authors don’t make a substantial amount of money selling their book. It’s a crowded marketplace, with lots of choices for readers, and it’s difficult to carve out a niche and promote your work to the extent necessary to make thousands and thousands of dollars in sales returns. This is true of all authors, not just those who publish with us.
As writers, we are the architects of worlds, the creators of dreams and nightmares alike. And in the realm of dark fantasy, our pens become the wands that summon forth demons and dragons, witches and warlocks, heroes and antiheroes locked in an eternal dance of light and darkness.
Embarking on the journey of publishing your book is an exhilarating adventure, but it’s crucial to navigate the landscape with discernment and insight. One aspect that warrants careful consideration is the distinction between hybrid publishers and vanity presses (also known as author-funded or subsidy presses).
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.
Let’s explore essential techniques to help you build dystopian worlds that feel vivid and believable, create characters readers care deeply about, and weave themes that provoke thought long after the final page. By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid foundation to write dystopian fiction that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impact!
There’s something about true crime that grips the imagination. Maybe it’s the high-stakes mystery, the dark window into human behavior, or the relentless pursuit of justice… Whatever the draw, learning how to write true crime is not for the faint of heart! It demands accuracy, empathy, persistence, and, above all, a deep respect for the real lives behind every story.
The 1-3-1 Rule offers guidance at every stage of the writing journey, from crafting your initial draft to navigating the publishing landscape. Understanding how to apply this framework effectively can transform a scattered collection of ideas into a cohesive, purposeful narrative that resonates with readers!
Most writing advice focuses on familiar models like three-act structure or the hero’s journey, but structure is far more than just a plot template. The right structure acts as a bridge between your story and your reader’s emotions. It can transform a simple tale into an immersive experience that resonates long after the final page.
Space opera isn’t just science fiction with lasers. It’s a genre all its own—defined as much by tone and scope as setting. While the science can be soft, the stakes are rarely anything less than galactic.
These seven elements—character, plot, setting, point of view, theme, style, and structure—form the bones of any solid narrative. Whether you’re outlining your first draft or deep into revisions, understanding how these components work together can help you craft a more compelling, cohesive, and publishable story.
Finding your way into writing—whether it’s the first project or the fiftieth—can feel strangely difficult. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the writing itself, but the getting started. What helps most is having a few steady tools, a bit of structure, and a mindset that keeps the pressure low while the momentum builds. With the right approach, that overwhelming blank page can start to look a lot more inviting!