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The Bestseller Breakdown: This Year’s Hottest Books

The Bestseller Breakdown: This Year’s Hottest Books

This season’s New York Times Bestseller List is serving all the drama, heart-pounding twists, and feels. It’s like a book buffet and every dish is a five-star luxury—whether you’re craving romance, edge-of-your-seat thrillers, or stories that make you question the meaning of life (and maybe your sanity). These books aren’t just hot—they’re practically on fire, lighting up book clubs, TikToks, and late-night reading binges everywhere. So grab your comfiest blanket, an industrial-sized cup of coffee (or wine, no judgment), and walk right into the stories everyone’s talking about   The Mirror by Nora Roberts We are never at loss for…
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Chapter by Chapter Chemistry: How Seduction Holds Romance Novels

Chapter by Chapter Chemistry: How Seduction Holds Romance Novels

Seduction in romance novels is about connection. It’s not just about the physical—it’s about the emotional. It’s about two people finding each other, breaking down walls, and building something beautiful together. No, not the cheesy pick-up lines or the “he winked at me from across the ballroom” moments. We're talking about the real art of seduction, the kind that makes you shy, blush, and giggle at once. You know, the stuff that keeps you up at night, saying “just one more chapter,” only to come out three hours later in a haze, thinking how you’re supposed to function at work…
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What Do Publishers Really Want From a Manuscript?

What Do Publishers Really Want From a Manuscript?

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…
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Fanfic Freedom: How to Borrow Inspiration Without Copying the Source

Fanfic Freedom: How to Borrow Inspiration Without Copying the Source

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…
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Write Smart, Edit Smarter: Fixing Pacing Without Deleting Core

Write Smart, Edit Smarter: Fixing Pacing Without Deleting Core

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. -…
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How Does the Dark Romance Genre Portray Consent These Days?

How Does the Dark Romance Genre Portray Consent These Days?

It won’t be too out of the pocket to compare dark romance to Pandora’s box. You open dark romance novels and the trigger warnings come flying out of the page. However, just like hope, there’s an element that stays silently behind, waiting for you to notice it, i.e. consent. The portrayal of consent in dark romance is a topic still debated heatedly, potentially because of how it’s woven into the fabric of reality. The genre these days explores consent in a variety of… creative ways, so to speak, while advocating its importance. Ironically, the history of consent in romance had…
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The Author’s Guide to Visual Branding, One Post at a Time

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

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…
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Creating Consistent Content as an Author: A Survival Guide

Creating Consistent Content as an Author: A Survival Guide

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

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

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…
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Flash Fiction: Big Stories with Tiny Word Counts

Flash Fiction: Big Stories with Tiny Word Counts

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,…
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