Tag Archives: books

Killer Stories: Pick Your Poison

If you’re a crime writer, a mystery novelist, or you just need to bump off a character without violence or bloodshed, using poison might be your cup of tea…or maybe in their cup of tea. Sometimes writers think it’s easy … Continue reading

Posted in Research, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Killer Stories: Pick Your Poison

Got Writer’s Block? 3 Outside-The-Box Ideas To Break Free

If you’ve ever had writer’s block – and what writer hasn’t? – you know how frustrating it is. You’ve got a story to tell, it’s banging on the walls of your brain trying to get out, but you just can’t … Continue reading

Posted in Authors, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Got Writer’s Block? 3 Outside-The-Box Ideas To Break Free

The Dark New World of YA Neo-Noir Fiction Writing

Dark streets. Shadowy figures. Tough talk. A dead body. Have we just walked into a 1930s Humphrey Bogart film noir movie? No, we’re stepping into one of the hot new contemporary subgenres: YA neo-noir. Noir writing made a big comeback … Continue reading

Posted in Genre Talk, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Dark New World of YA Neo-Noir Fiction Writing

Adele’s Lesson To Writers – And Everyone Else

“I’m sorry. I can’t mess this up…” “I was devastated.” These are the now world-famous words of Grammy Award winner Adele, who showed the world that even in front of millions of people, it’s better to stop, start over and … Continue reading

Posted in Authors, Editing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Adele’s Lesson To Writers – And Everyone Else

Fantasy Writers: 22 Magazines for Your Story Submissions

If you’re a fantasy writer looking to submit short stories to magazines, you know how time consuming and frustrating it can be searching online for the right fit, spending precious time clicking and clicking when you’d rather be writing and submitting. … Continue reading

Posted in Authors, Submissions, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fantasy Writers: 22 Magazines for Your Story Submissions

How To Destroy Action and Suspense Scenes

You’re reading an action scene; things are really getting hot. Who will live? Will someone die? Is there a chase that’s moving like lightning? You’re reading a suspense scene; it’s really intense. Will the protagonist be discovered? Will the escapee … Continue reading

Posted in Editing, Phrasing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on How To Destroy Action and Suspense Scenes

Better Safe Than Sued: Lyric Legalities

One of the most common issues we advise our clients about is the legality of using lyrics in their writing. Lyrics are extremely tempting to use in books because they set a tone, express a feeling, create atmosphere and convey … Continue reading

Posted in Legal Issues, Research, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Better Safe Than Sued: Lyric Legalities

Dissecting The Fine Print: Premade Book Covers

There’s no question that authors can save a lot of money by buying premade book covers for their books rather than hiring a designer to custom-make a cover. But there’s a lot of “fine print” – that annoying agreement that … Continue reading

Posted in Research, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Dissecting The Fine Print: Premade Book Covers

Authentic Writing: Writers’ Resources For US Military References

Writers, do you believe your readers won’t notice misinformation in your fiction? Think there are no fact checkers out there? You’d be wrong. Your writing is read by people with all types of backgrounds and experiences – both personal and … Continue reading

Posted in Research, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Authentic Writing: Writers’ Resources For US Military References

Author Chat: Jin Okubo

Yesterday we posted Jin Okubo’s excerpt from his book Kaoru: In Loves Shadow. Today he discusses the book, his different romance writing style, and where his characters come from. ~~~ Is this your first book? How long did it take you to … Continue reading

Posted in Authors | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Author Chat: Jin Okubo