Writing the ending first is a technique that many writers overlook, yet it can be a powerful way to bring clarity and focus to your storytelling. Endings are often the hardest part of a story to write because they must…
If you’re an author wondering how to get your book in bookstores, you’re not alone! Securing shelf space—especially in indie bookstores—is a valuable way to reach local readers, build your audience, and boost sales. But pitching your book to bookstore…
If you’ve ever searched how to run a book giveaway, you already know the promise: more visibility, more readers, and maybe even a burst of reviews. But too often, authors end up spending money on prizes, shipping, or ads—only to…
Cassandra (she/her) graduated from Indiana University in December 2020 with a bachelor’s in English literature and minors in creative writing and psychology. She has experience in many aspects of book publishing, but she found her passion in interior book design…
Eco-fiction is literature that places the environment at the heart of storytelling—not just as a backdrop, but as an essential force. These are novels and short stories that engage directly with ecological themes: climate change, biodiversity, sustainability, and the fraught,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…