This is probably one of the most popular questions I get as authors are starting to plan their publishing journey. Like most things, there is no right or wrong answer. It really just depends on what you prefer and what is best for you.

Here’s 5 reasons why you should use writing prompts on a regular basis, no matter where you are at in the writing or publication process.

From sci fi to fantasy, check out my March book recs and vote on what book I should review in April.

When I tell people I’m an editor, it usually comes with the assumption that I spend all day fixing commas and spelling errors, or that all I do is read books. But being an editor, especially a freelance editor, involves a lot of different things.

Whether you’re going the traditional route or self-publishing, you’re probably going to run into book advances either on your book contract or on third party contracts. So here are the bare bones of terms so you can make the best decision for your publishing journey!

When putting the final touches on your story, most people focus on the font for the cover–which is really important! But what about the internal book font?

Listening to all the writing advice out there, so much is focused on making your writing fast-paced, but boring scenes are actually a vital piece of the puzzle to making your story successful. Let’s talk about it.

From Romantasy to historical fiction, check out my February book recs and vote on what book I should review in March.

For those of you writing sci fi and fantasy, one of the key questions you had to ask yourself when creating your world was—what should you do about any alien or foreign language? And this is a huge—and sometimes tricky—topic in the writing community.

Today we’re going to talk about creating a cover design brief for your book! The goal of a cover is to catch the readers’ eye and give them an instant feel or idea for the type of story. Download my free workbook template for everything you should include in your brief.

We are diving into our new book review series! First up is Switched by Sarah Ready. Read all about my favorite scenes and moments, the reading experience, and what I would have done if I was the editor.

Need a little push to help you achieve your goals this year? Book coaching is a partnership to help get your story on the page. It’s support from me and my team to help you push yourself to the next level of your writing and author career!

This week is a bit of an untraditional post as it features a special guest. Please welcome Erika Steeves! Erika is a freelance copyeditor for Indie authors and publishers with experience in fiction, nonfiction, and academic books. For the full interview with Erika, you will have to visit YouTube, but enjoy this fun sneak peek!

I’ve always loved putting together the list of books coming out, getting to show you all the new and exciting things publishing this month—and we’re going to continue to do that—but I’ve wanted to also be able to take the time to review books with you as well!

So here’s where your help comes in. In addition to talking about the awesome books coming out each month, you are going to help me choose what I should be reading and reviewing next!

I’ve come to a slow (VERY slow) realization that I not only need to push myself on how I’m going to succeed, but I also need to push myself to fail. No matter how big or small, failing is hard. There are a lot of big emotions, and sometimes consequences, that come with failing, especially if it is something that is important, something big enough that you created a New Year’s goal to tackle.

And if you are anything like me—an anxiety-filled, Type-A, overachiever—failure can be crippling at times. But that fear of failing can be the exact thing that is causing you to fail. The biggest thing that is holding you back.

A great debate in all storytelling is where should your story start?

There is no right way because every story is different and has different needs.

But one of the most popular solutions is to start your story with an action scene! 

So let’s discuss the different types of action, the pros, and the cons.

Happy Fall, everyone! My book recommendations for this month are on point, not only because they sound amazing, but because all of them are that perfect fall feel to get you in the mood for cooler weather, hot apple cider, and the spooky season!

One of the things that comes up regularly in craft advice is the idea of a “theme” in your story.

Now, I have to admit, it hasn’t ever been something I’ve focused on, or given as a tool recommendation to my authors. To me, the idea of a story theme in fiction had always felt a bit… ridiculous. Something for classic or literary literature, trying to teach me a lesson. Not something that has a place in my fun book about elves, love, or spaceships.

But I’m here to revise that opinion and tell you why it might not only strengthen your story, but also help you on your writing journey, to isolate what the “theme” of your book is, no matter what genre you write.

It is a new month, so of course, we have a new list of amazing books coming out!

Putting the list together this month made me laugh a bit because I feel like this month’s list really shows the eclectic taste I have in books.