Are you struggling to weave together multiple storylines across different time periods? Dual timeline novels have captivated readers in bestsellers like The Nightengale, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and All the Light We Cannot See, but crafting these intricate narratives requires specific t...

In a world where readers increasingly crave both epic adventures and heart-fluttering romance, it’s no surprise that the Romantasy genre has exploded from a niche corner of BookTok to a global publishing phenomenon that's reshaping the literary landscape. But what exactly does writing a Romantasy...

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...

Romance, historical fiction & fantasy writers—tune in to learn how the opening pages of Outlander hook readers into the story.  In this listener-voted episode, I team up with developmental editor and book coach Abigail K. Perry to analyze the opening chapter of Diana Gabaldon's genre-defying mas...

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...