If you’re serious about becoming a published author, determining your novel’s genre is one of the most important things you have to do.  Not only do you need to know what readers expect from a story like yours, but you’ll also need to know how your novel fits into the marketplace to determine wh...

Earlier this year, I published my first book—and in doing so, I learned sooo much about what it means to effectively market a book. In this post, I’m sharing 10 surprising lessons from my first book launch, including what worked, what didn’t work, and what I’ll do differently when I publish my ne...

“How many scenes are in the Diagon Alley chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone?” Believe it or not, this is one of the most frequently asked questions I get from writers when they hear I’ve written a book breaking apart this mega best seller scene by scene.  And it’s a valid question!...

How did Rowling deliver on the life-and-death stakes an action story requires, but in a way appropriate for middle-grade readers? How did she consistently weave together the external plot and Harry’s character arc in such a way that they’re inseparable? Tune into this episode to hear Abigail K. ...

Ever wonder how Rowling created such a fantastic, three-dimensional story world for her Harry Potter series? That’s exactly what you’ll hear in this week’s brand-new podcast episode! Join me, Abigail K. Perry, and Tim Grahl, as we discuss the world-building in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Sto...

Ever wonder how Rowling created such a wonderful cast of quirky and relatable characters in the Harry Potter series? That’s exactly what you’ll hear in this week’s brand-new podcast episode! Join me, Abigail K. Perry, and Tim Grahl, as we discuss the characters in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s...

If you want to write a novel that hooks a reader’s interest, you had better write an engaging first chapter. But how exactly do you do that?  Since I’ve already provided resources on how to write a solid set of opening pages and the big mistakes to avoid when writing your opening pages, I though...

Ever wish you could see a peek into someone else’s process? Or download the most impactful writing tips from all around the internet? ME TOO!  Although I can’t give you either of those things *exactly*, I asked a handful of my peers to send in their favorite writing tips for the most recent epis...

If you want to write a novel that hooks a reader’s interest, you had better write an engaging first chapter. But how exactly do you do that? Since I’ve already provided resources on how to write a solid set of opening pages and the big mistakes to avoid when writing your opening pages, I thought...

In today’s episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes with me throughout my entire work week, and I’m going to share with you what I’m working on, what big projects I’m focused on right now, and basically, anything that happens during the week, including any fun or interesting insights that come u...

If you want to write a novel that hooks a reader’s interest, you had better write an engaging first chapter. But how exactly do you do that? Since I’ve already provided resources on how to write a solid set of opening pages and the big mistakes to avoid when writing your opening pages, I thought...

If you want to write a novel that hooks a reader’s interest, you had better write an engaging first chapter. But how exactly do you do that? Since I’ve already provided resources on how to write a solid set of opening pages and the big mistakes to avoid when writing your opening pages, I thought...