We all have the same goal as fiction writers: to transport our readers inside the pages so that they feel like a part of the story. Characters are an extremely important part of making that happen. And characters don’t just transport the readers—they...

Freelance editors must be able to gauge the amount of editing needed when writing a contract and setting a fee for editing. In this interview, editing director Sheryl Stebbins shares tips for freelance editor contracts, including fee considerations...

Freelance editors must be able to gauge the amount of editing needed when writing a contract and setting a fee for editing. In this interview, editing director Sheryl Stebbins shares tips for freelance editor contracts, including fee considerations...

We all have the same goal as fiction writers: to transport our readers inside the pages so that they feel like a part of the story. Characters are an extremely important part of making that happen. And characters don’t just transport the readers—they...

Plotting a novel before writing it isn’t a part of everyone’s process. However, determining the structure of a story is vital for every author, whether a plotter or a “pantser.” Without a solid structure, a story will lose a reader, no matter how compelling...

Each writer’s path to becoming an author is unique, but there are often similarities between the various journeys. It can be helpful to hear other authors' stories to get advice and encouragement. Howard V. Hendrix, author and English professor, explains...

The process of getting your work published can be confusing and overwhelming. There are many paths available to authors today, and a large amount of publishing companies and service providers, some more reputable than others. Per author AJ Baker, he...

Novels follow rhythms. Some are slow and sensual. Others are rip-roaring reads. This underlying rhythm within the novel is called pacing. Chapters, scenes, paragraphs, sentences and word choices all affect pacing. These choices determine how fast a book...

Many novice writers think they don’t need to worry about submitting their manuscripts to agents and publishers until they are done. This is not true. In fact, the earlier you know what distinguishes a publishable manuscript, the better. In this session...