On Tuesday, Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin granted final approval to the historic class action settlement in the Bartz v Anthropic copyright infringement lawsuit. At $1.5 billion, it’s the largest…

Since publishers increasingly want shorter books, we break down by genre the latest word count expectations.

In a recent podcast you mentioned the “power fantasy” What is a power fantasy, precisely? Is it a good thing? What are the advantages and potential pitfalls of writing a power fantasy? Thank you Dave…

How is AI transforming accessibility for indie authors — and why should you care even if you consider yourself able-bodied? What happens when the tools designed to help people with disabilities end…

Learn every part of a book, from front matter to back matter. See what each section is, where it goes, and when it’s required.

Let's face it, writing about ourselves is hard. Veteran author shares the five steps that every author can use to write a great author bio for our back covers.

Learn the difference between plot-driven and character-driven fiction, with examples.

I referred a client to three possible publishers. The results revealed a surprising amount about what’s actually going on inside the referral process. Three referrals, three outcomes I have been…

Writing feedback can help your book or derail it. Learn how to choose readers, ask better questions, and sort good notes from bad.

A blog that provides writing, freelance writing, ghostwriting, marketing, and book marketing tips and instruction.

Not every writing day ends with a high word count. April Dávila, novelist, mindfulness instructor, and writing coach, explains why writing-adjacent work still counts.

When something sinister's lurking in every sunny backyard or seemingly innocent sub-basement...

No matter which genre of fiction you are writing, getting the facts straight can make a difference between satisfied and disappointed readers.

Dark events aren't always good hooks.

David Lodge, in his 1975 campus novel Changing Places, imagines a cocktail party game that makes fiendish use of imposter syndrome. Visiting professor Phillip Swallow introduces the faculty of fict…

Looking for a great book to take on your next beach trip? Check out some of the best indie titles of the season

Howdy! We meet again! Welcome back to the most exciting corner of the internet. That’s right, it’s once again time for Am I the Literary Asshole?, an advice column about drama that sometimes boils …

One post containing all the resources you need for writing character fear, identifying their greatest fear, building it into an arc, & more.

We compare past tense and present tense in fiction, exploring the advantages and disadvantages of each and asking the question: which works best for your story?

I think by now, you are all sick of hearing about the steps I had to go through to republish my books after getting the rights back from a traditional publisher. Therefore, I’ll wrap it up wi…

Learn reader engagement strategies indie authors can use with libraries, book clubs, and local events to grow loyal readers beyond launch week.

There’s writing in flow. Then there’s just making random connections and wandering. Rambling. Don’t ramble. If you do, and I am your editor, I will tear my hair out and delete half of what you wrote.…

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A few years ago, I was struggling to write a story. I had an incoherent outline and a few sample chapters and just couldn’t pull it together. Desperate, I texted my dear friend Jan O’Hara, who agre…

Unlock the power of microtension in your writing. Discover techniques to enhance tension at every level of your prose.

As a sculptor, I love an archive, especially when it is filled with objects that refuse to be silenced. Each piece carries the sediment of its own story. They have witnessed creation, love, use, vi…

How could this obstacle you face catapult you into a new kind of art making? Henri Matisse used his obstacle to make a whole new kind of art!

Serendipity once again gave me my topic for this month.  For my birthday this year, Ruth managed to find a piece of sheet music I’d been hunting for a while – an organ arrangement of Handel’s “The …

Learn how to use subtle and complex emotions beyond the basics to create deeper character connections with readers.

Today's #Writing tips shows you how to blend scene and narration.

You’re going to spend your entire writing life switching back and forth between two mindsets: “I can definitely do this” and “no way can I actually do this.” This is a…

Anne Janzer

An avid male reader of romantasy speaks up about his love for the genre, and what it can teach men about themselves and their relationships.

Here are a few details from past drafts of my latest novel that ended up on the cutting room floor: the family babies, a brother-and-sister duo marooned from their older siblings by an age gap, bra…

How is the marketplace shaping storytelling today? Explore how story as product influences creative process—and how to stay grounded.

Want more readers for every post? Learn how to use WordPress pingbacks - a step-by-step guide to grow traffic, boost engagement, and connect your blog to others.

I joined TikTok and discovered a new confidence and learned about editing, marketing fiction, and why authenticity matters more than views.

(Originally posted on November 12, 2018.  Another from way back before the chaos.) Not sure this will be a long post because this is a delicate topic that everyone seems to have a different opinion…

I thought I’d have a little fun with today’s post and consider what the fate of our classic authors would be today if they were trying to publish. Movies based on classics are now the rage on strea…

Withholding information can create a satisfying read that allows readers to participate in the fictional dream, or it might frustrate them.

If strange words and counter-intuitive ideas appeal to you, read on to learn how jootsing can improve your writing…

Learn how to use controlled misdirection to guide your reader towards convincing but incorrect interpretations, and build deeper, more engaging mysteries.