Like in many professions, writers have to hustle to get their stories out there. Though we would all love to be best-selling authors with household name recognition, the hard truth is that the vast (vast, vast, vast) majority of writers struggle to get even the occasional short story sold or novel published (unless they do it themselves.) So, when I was asked by a publisher to write a story for their anthology, I not only jumped at the chance, I reveled in knowing that I didn

Most readers love a whodunnit story. A trail of clues to follow and reasoning to understand. These types of stories fall into two major categories: mysteries and thrillers. In both types, something dramatic has occurred—a murder or a bomb threat, for example—and we (the reader) want to understand who did it and why. Often, these two genres are thrown together into the same category—one where something needs to be figured out—but they are really two different animals. This pos

Though book clubs have a reputation similar to sewing circles, i.e. more gossip than actually accomplishing anything, this is rarely the actual case, and book clubs can provide several benefits to authors as well as reading enthusiasts. In my experience, the benefits of belonging to a book club—particularly one that fits your target interests—fall into three categories: 1) camaraderie, 2) exposure, and 3) educational growth. Finding Your Tribe Writing is an inherently lonely

Few books manage to combine humor, strong character work, and relentless pacing in a way that keeps you turning pages late into the night. The Devils by Joe Abercrombie does exactly that. It may be the best book I’ve read in the past couple of years—it’s at least in my top five. The Devils is immersive, fast-paced, genuinely funny, and filled with tragic, memorable characters. Once I started, it was almost impossible to put down. !!! Spoilers Ahead !!! A Story That Moves On

When writing a novel, the first aspect that comes to mind for most people is the plot. The events that happen. Usually, there is an idea and maybe a twist at the end. And as important a plot is to the novel, it is neither the first element nor the most important to consider. For me, it is most important to first think through the Dramatic Elements. They are the foundation of the book. When put together, they cover everything that needs to come together to tell a compelling st