Being a writer is hard, and finding success can be harder. We all look toward getting published, whether we write novels or short stories, as we want to share our stories with the world (and hope people read them and enjoy them.) There’s also the financial side that cannot be overlooked, even if it is difficult to find success. Though writing well and showing excellent craft and storytelling is the surest way toward success and publication, it may still take building a set of

Which would you rather read, a good book or a good story? The difference between the two has arisen a few times over the past couple of years as I’ve learned more about writing and publishing novels—and, of course, reading them. But which is more important? Which is better? A Good Book This is another way to say a literary book. Literary fiction seems to be particularly hot in current publishing circles, and when I’ve asked various people what literary means, it invariably co

A recent debate sprang up in my online critique group over whether or not to publish a particular story on the website. The story had won...

As an author, I enjoy working with the English language to convey an idea just as I want, or reading a skilled writer who can turn a...

I don’t normally write a lot of editorial posts as I prefer the focus of my newsletter and blog on the fun things about writing speculative fiction, including tips and tricks, fun lists, and reviews of books that others might enjoy. However, the recent actions and events surrounding the 2023 Hugo Awards have left me angry and dismayed.    For those who don’t know, the Hugo Awards are one of the preeminent speculative fiction awards. They are known as a ‘science fiction award’