What makes a good story isn't just the story itself, but how it's told. The storyteller holds the power to deliver a story to the audience that is flat and grey, or alive and colorful. Bestselling thriller author Paul Levine advises us on how to be a...

The “beat sheet” is the most useful editorial tool you can develop, other than a sharp pair of scissors! Based on his bestselling book, Writing Treatments that Sell, Dr. Atchity will explain what a beat sheet is and how it differs from a synopsis, a...

“A novel is a huge endeavor,” says mystery author Ray Daniel. He talks through what his challenges he encountered while writing “Terminated.” Listen to the clip below as Ray Daniel talks about outlining, word count, and finding his voice. These are...

Landing an agent can be challenging. Listen in as agent Kevan Lyon shares tips for how to succeed at this activity by avoiding the common mistakes. Start by doing your homework on an agent. Kevan Lyon goes through what exactly you're looking for when...

There are certain steps that every writer should take once they know they want to write a book - choose your topic and start an outline, research, and begin to think about your platform. There are many tools an author can use to start building a platform...

There are certain steps that every writer should take once they know they want to write a book - choose your topic and start an outline, research, and begin to think about your platform. There are many tools an author can use to start building a platform...

Author, speaker, and artist Laurie Finkelstein finds the process of writing and painting to be quite similar to each other. Both start with the seedling of an idea. Finkelstein will let that idea percolate in her mind for a few weeks or months, until...

A nonfiction book proposal is the ultimate selling tool, explains writer, producer, and TV host Herbie J Pilato. The proposal shows agents, editors, and publishers that you have a well-formed idea and are dedicated to the topic. Pilato lists the key...

For author Bryan Beach, the writing process definitely differs when writing short versus long fiction. When writing short stories or novelettes he tends to write in a stream of consciousness or continuous flow. He starts with a simple idea and just...

Writing your first book can pose many challenges along the way, which is why so few writers actually get to their final goal of holding a published book in their hand. But, you can greatly increase your chances of success by creating a realistic plan...