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The 20 Best Books on the Craft of Writing: Mastering Storytelling & Technique
Discover 20 of the best writing craft books for fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, and storytelling. From character development and plot to revision, prose, and theme, these essential books will help writers strengthen their craft and become more confident storytellers.
The 10 Best Books That Will Change the Way You Think as a Writer
Explore ten thought-provoking books that will change the way you think as a writer. From creativity and metaphor to mindfulness, observation, and the writing life, these books help writers develop the perspective, curiosity, and awareness that shape meaningful storytelling.
The 7 Best Books About Outlining Your Novel: Story Structure, Plotting & Planning
Discover the best books about outlining a novel, from beat sheets and scene planning to character-driven structure and nonfiction organization. These outlining guides will help you brainstorm, plot, and build stronger stories before you begin drafting.
The 8 Best Fiction Writing Craft Books
Discover eight of the best fiction writing craft books for novelists. Learn story structure, character development, plot, theme, point of view, pacing, and emotional resonance from expert authors to strengthen your novel and become a more confident fiction writer.
The 8 Best Foundational Writing Craft Books Every Writer Should Read
Discover eight foundational writing craft books every writer should read. From storytelling and prose to revision, structure, and creative thinking, these timeless books provide the essential skills and knowledge to strengthen your writing, regardless of genre or experience level.
The 6 Best Books for Creative Nonfiction Writers, Including Poetry & Memoir
Discover the best books for creative nonfiction writers, including memoir, personal essays, narrative nonfiction, and poetry. These essential craft books explore storytelling, voice, emotional truth, imagery, and revision to help writers transform lived experience into compelling, meaningful work.
The Best 16 Witchy Books: A Curated Reading List for Readers Who Love Magic and Feminine Power
Discover 16 enchanting witchy books featuring magical realism, folklore, historical fiction, mythology, and powerful women. From the Practical Magic series to atmospheric tales of sisterhood, healing, and feminine power, these are must-read novels for anyone who loves magic woven into unforgettable stories.
How to Hire a Book Editor: Finding the Right Editor for Your Manuscript
Hiring a book editor is one of the most important investments you'll make in your manuscript, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. This guide walks you through the entire process, from identifying the type of editing your book needs to finding, vetting, and hiring a qualified editor. Learn what questions to ask, what should be included in an editing contract, how pricing works, and how to confidently choose the right editor for your publishing goals
What Type of Editor Do I Need? A Complete Guide to Developmental Editing, Line Editing, Copy Editing, Proofreading, and Manuscript Evaluations
Let’s break down the different types of editing every writer should understand, including manuscript evaluations, developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading. It explains what each stage focuses on, when to use them, and how they work together to shape a manuscript from rough draft to publication-ready book. Gain clarity on how to choose the right editing support at each stage of their publishing journey.
How to Start Writing a Book When You’re Overwhelmed by the Idea
This blog explores why so many aspiring writers feel overwhelmed when starting a book and how to move through that paralysis. Rather than trying to hold an entire manuscript at once, writers must learn to build structure gradually, tolerate uncertainty, and develop a sustainable relationship with the writing process itself. The piece offers practical and emotional insight into drafting, structure, creative overwhelm, and what it actually means to become a writer through continued practice.
Why You Should Stop Using Goodreads (And What to Use Instead)
Goodreads no longer serves readers in a meaningful way. Its outdated design, toxic review culture, and ties to Amazon’s market-driven ecosystem have contributed to the commodification of reading, reducing books to ratings and hype. StoryGraph is a reader-first alternative that prioritizes thoughtful engagement, personalized recommendations, and a healthier literary culture.
Do You Really Need Social Media to Be a Successful Writer?
This blog challenges the idea that writers need social media to be successful and reframes what an author platform actually is. It explains that a platform is an ecosystem of visibility, connection, and contribution, not just followers. Writers can build sustainable careers through websites, email newsletters, publications, speaking, and community engagement. It also explores the risks of relying solely on social media and emphasizes building owned platforms for long-term stability.
Author Identity: What Is a Writer’s Persona and Why It Matters Beyond the Page
This article explores the deeper meaning of author identity and why it matters for building a sustainable writing career. It reframes a writer’s persona as not just voice on the page, but the full presence of the person behind the work. By defining who you are (your values, perspective, and creative identity), you create stronger, more authentic connections with readers.
Seven Ways to Build Your Online Presence as an Author (With an Action Plan)
Building an online presence is key to an author’s success. This guide outlines seven strategies to help you connect with readers, including creating a website, using social media, and leveraging email marketing. It also covers writing platforms and communication apps to build deeper engagement. With actionable steps and an easy-to-follow plan, you’ll develop a strong, sustainable digital footprint that reflects your unique author brand.
How to Build a Consistent Writing Practice (Even If You Feel Uninspired)
Building a consistent writing practice is the key to becoming a stronger writer. It’s not always about talent, inspiration, or perfect conditions. This post explores why you must write regularly, even when you feel uninspired, and how showing up imperfectly is what actually builds your voice. It challenges the idea of waiting for motivation and instead emphasizes repetition, reading, and creating without pressure. If you want to grow as a writer, the answer isn’t more thinking, it’s more writing.
How to Build an Author Platform
An author platform is a long-term strategy for building visibility and connecting with your ideal audience. It’s the foundation of your writing career, helping you market your books more effectively and open doors to opportunities like media features and speaking engagements. This guide outlines four key steps: clarifying your author identity, identifying your ideal reader, setting strategic goals, and leveraging SEO to boost your visibility.
How to Navigate The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: Insights, Tips, and What to Expect
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is a 12-week journey to unblock creativity through weekly readings, reflective tasks, and two core practices: Morning Pages and Artist Dates. In this guide, I share how the process works, my suggested approach, and strategies to stick with it. This guidebook is all about showing up, embracing the inner work, and letting the process reconnect you with the artist you’ve always been.
The Power of Telling the Truth on the Page: Meet Danielle Leukam
Danielle Leukam didn’t set out to be a writer. Or maybe she did, before life altered her path. After surviving a horrific attack, she turned to writing as a way to process trauma, reclaim her power, and advocate for other survivors. Her journey is one of strength, survival, and empowerment, using her voice to speak for those who have been silenced.
What Makes a Poem Political? Eight Poets on Truth, Power, and Why Their Words Matter
What makes a poem political? In a time of censorship, book bans, and cultural erasure, poetry remains one of the most powerful tools of truth-telling and resistance. This blog features reflections from eight contemporary poets who explore the political power of their work and the role of poetry in documenting history, reclaiming identity, and resisting silence. From Phillis Wheatley to the voices shaping poetry today, the piece reveals why writing from the margins is a radical act, and how every poem becomes a form of protest, witness, and survival.
Turning Grief into Art, Pain into Purpose: Meet Robyn Spodek-Schindler
Robyn Spodek-Schindler is a therapist, artist, and author whose work is shaped by her lived experience with grief. Her debut book, Three Brave Stars, helps families talk about death and healing with children through heartfelt storytelling and imaginative world-building. In this Beyond the Narrative interview, Robyn shares how writing became a cathartic tool for connection and emotional processing, and how she hopes her story offers comfort to those moving through loss.