Neelakshi Singh, Author at Booked4Books

05 Dec

What Do Publishers Really Want From a Manuscript?

Neelakshi SinghArticlesManuscript

So, you've written your smash hit. Your desk is buried under teacups and biscuit crumbs, and you’re about to send your book baby off into the big, grand world of publishing. But hey wait—what exactly are these big publishers looking for? Everyone heard rumors: they want good writing, unique voices, marketable stories, and authors who secretly double as marketing geniuses. But is that all really it? 1. Writing That Doesn’t Make Editors Cry Let’s start with the minimum basics: you need to write well. And by “well,” I don’t mean you have to compose words so poetic that Shakespeare’s soul…

02 Dec

Fanfic Freedom: How to Borrow Inspiration Without Copying the Source

Neelakshi SinghArticles

Are you tired of seeing your favorite characters ruined in bizarre, out-of-character ways? (Looking at you, "Sexy Voldemort.") Don’t worry. You’re in good company! Writing fan fiction can be a fun, creative outlet, but it’s also important to balance between staying true to the source material and giving your imagination the freedom to run wild. So, grab your quill—or keyboard, because no one uses quills unless you’re in a Harry Potter AU. First and foremost, if you're going to write fan fiction that honors the original work, you need to know the original work. Yes, this means rewatching that show…

30 Nov

Write Smart, Edit Smarter: Fixing Pacing Without Deleting Core

Neelakshi SinghArticles

Editing pacing can feel anxiety-inducing. Too fast, and your story becomes a mess. Too slow, and your readers might slumber. But you don’t need to exchange scenes you've written to fix pacing. First and foremost: stop thinking about deleting chapters to fix pacing. A blank page doesn’t have pacing. You can’t measure rhythm on something that doesn’t exist. Cutting entire scenes or chapters might seem like a shortcut to tighten the flow, but it often creates new problems, leaving gaping holes in your narrative. Instead of cutting, focus on reshaping: - Is the scene’s aim unclear? Clarify its purpose. -…

27 Nov

The Author’s Guide to Visual Branding, One Post at a Time

Neelakshi SinghArticles

Creating your author brand on social media can be a lot like trying to make a cake with no recipe. You might get a masterpiece, or you might get a floury disaster. The good news? With the right visual branding strategies, you can create something that not only looks good but also makes your audience crave for more. Your book didn’t just happen—it’s the result of caffeine-filled nights, emotional breakdowns, and moments of pure inspiration. Sharing these moments humanizes you and makes readers root for your success. Show off your workspace! Whether it’s a Pinterest-perfect desk or a chaotic dining…

25 Nov

Creating Consistent Content as an Author: A Survival Guide

Neelakshi SinghArticlesConsistent Content

The holy grail of content creation. Every “how to market your book” guide swears by it. Every social media expert will chant it. But : there’s a fine line between being consistent and being that author who posts about their book like it’s the only thing standing between them and the world ending. Creating content as an author is tough, and doing it consistently? Even tougher. Let’s start with a truth bomb: forcing content is like forcing someone to laugh at a dad joke. If your post starts with “I didn’t really know what to say, but here goes...”, take…

13 Nov

Microfiction for Social Media: Crafting Stories That Pack a Mean Punch

Neelakshi SinghArticles

Microfiction is the incredible art of telling a story in a ridiculously small amount of space. It’s like trying to fit a three-act play into a single song or packing all the suspense of a thriller into a single text message. When written well, microfiction is the bookish equal to a concentrated espresso shot: small, intense, and hits you in the right places If you’re thinking, “How am I supposed to do this in just two sentences?” don’t worry. Microfiction is tricky, but that’s half the fun. Start in the Middle of the Action In a book, you’d build…

11 Nov

Flash Fiction: Big Stories with Tiny Word Counts

Neelakshi SinghArticles

Flash fiction is writing with a strict word count budget—folding an entire story into a few handful words, sometimes even fewer. Writing flash fiction isn’t about stuffing; it’s about curating. When you only have a handful of words, there’s no time to set the table. Flash fiction works best when it starts with action or a high-stakes emotion. Forget about writing about the weather or easing into character backstory. Instead, think of an opening that grabs readers from the very start : “The letter dropped from her hand as she read the last line.” We’re already hooked, curious, and invested,…

06 Nov

Horror That Haunts: How to Write Horror Without the Gore

Neelakshi SinghArticles

So, you want to write horror that’ll make your readers feel like something is creeping up on them from behind? That’s fantastic! And the best part? We’re going to do it all without buckets of blood and without throwing in organs that slop around like leftover pasta. Because real horror—the kind that keeps you looking over your shoulder for hours—lives in the shadows, the silences, and the things left unseen. Build Characters Your Readers Care About Real horror doesn’t work unless readers feel for the person in the thick of it. No one wants to see a bunch…

28 Oct

Talk the Talk: The Dos and Don’ts of Writing Accents

Neelakshi SinghArticlesconsistent voice, Writing Accents

Using dialects and accents in dialogue can be a powerful tool for character development in writing. However, as with most things, it requires care and precision. When done well, it gives a voice to characters, distinguishes them from one another, and adds a rich texture to the story. When done poorly, it can come off as offensive or difficult to read, and that’s a pretty quick way to lose a reader's attention. The goal in writing character dialogue is to make each character sound like themselves. It’s all about their voice—not just what they’re saying, but how they say it.…

21 Oct

The Glamour of Gloom: How Gothic Romance Makes Misery Look Good

Neelakshi SinghArticlesGothic Romance

Here, sadness is a whole mood. It’s as if the characters woke up one morning and said, “You know what would really spice up my love life? A bit of emotional torment.” But why do these books make misery look so… well, attractive? Is it just to up the drama, or do they actually believe that the path to true love has to include a few sleepless nights and some dramatic hair? You’ve seen it: the looks, the moonlit strolls through the cemetery, the mystery lover who may or may not be a vampire. But have you ever wondered if…