My $5,000 Publishing Nightmare

When I was a young writer in my 20s, I had just finished a children’s book. Eager to see it in print, I submitted it to a publishing company. To my delight, they responded enthusiastically: “We’d love to publish your book! It’s wonderful!” The only catch? They required me to “share in the investment.”

That should have been a red flag, but I was naive and unaware of the publishing industry’s darker corners. I did my due diligence—or so I thought. I researched the company, and everything looked legitimate. I even traveled to their headquarters, met the staff, and shook hands with the CEO.

Confident I was in good hands, I took the leap. Five-thousand dollars later, I believed I was on my way to becoming a published author.

Six months passed, and the updates stopped. My emails went unanswered. Phone calls were ignored. Eventually, I learned the awful truth: the CEO had taken all the authors’ money and fled the country. Lawyers tried to track him down, but he was never found.

I lost my $5,000. And I had no book to show for it.

The Scams Are Worse Today

Thirty years later, I’d love to say things have improved, but they haven’t. If anything, scams have become more sophisticated and widespread.

I receive frequent calls from supposed representatives claiming they want to turn my book into a movie or help me market it. When I research their companies, they don’t exist.

Recently, a subscriber to my website emailed me about a publishing offer she received: $17,000 to publish her book.

No. No. No. I urged her to think twice…and then three times…before signing that deal!

Understanding Publishing Models: Traditional, Vanity, Hybrid, and Publishing Services

In today’s publishing landscape, authors must remain vigilant against scammers who know how to exploit a writer’s aspirations.

First, it helps to understand just who the legit players are.

Traditional Publishing

First, there’s traditional publishing. You submit your manuscript to a publishing house, where the editors or their assistants review it. If the publisher chooses to invest in your story, they will cover all the costs associated with editing, cover design, printing, and distribution.

As the author, you do not pay to publish your book. Instead, you sign a contract giving the publisher certain rights in exchange for royalties. (Always review your contract with an intellectual property lawyer before signing it.) Traditional publishing is highly competitive, and acceptance rates are low.

Vanity Publishers

Vanity publishers are the worst of the bunch and the type you should avoid! They charge you a hefty upfront fee to publish your book, often without quality editorial services or marketing support. They get to enjoy the profits whether the book sells or not, and you may have difficulty retaining rights to your work.

How can you tell if you’re dealing with a vanity publisher? First, they accept all submissions as long as you’re willing to pay. Second, they charge large sums of money without detailing where that money is going. My writing friend who was offered the $17,000 publishing “deal” was dealing with a vanity publisher.

Next, they offer no real advantage in terms of distribution. They will “say” they distribute to bookstores, but double-check. Often, they just list the books on Amazon and call it good. They may also be unclear about how they handle royalties, taking a large percentage themselves or creating vague payment structures. Some will even require you to purchase a minimum quantity of books before receiving royalty payments and then may delay sending those payments.

Finally, most vanity presses do not have a good reputation in the publishing industry. Check the Writer Beware website and other online sources (Google “company name” and “scam”) to find out what people are saying about any company you’re considering working with.

Hybrid Publishing

Hybrid publishing serves as a middle ground between traditional and self-publishing. A reputable hybrid publisher will vet submissions, provide professional services (editing, cover design, marketing), and share risks and profits with the author.

The key word here: share!

That means they will take on some if not most of the costs. They may pay for production expenses, like cover design, formatting, or distribution. They may offer editing services for free. As the author, you may take on any expenses the publisher doesn’t cover.

A key difference between a hybrid publisher and a vanity press is that a hybrid publisher has a financial stake in the book’s success. They are paying at least some of the cost, but you may pay for some too. In turn, the publisher may offer higher royalties and a shorter publishing term, after which the rights will revert back to you.

The danger here is that a publisher may present themselves as a hybrid publisher when they are really a vanity publisher. Watch for these key factors to evaluate whether they are legitimate:

• They Have a Vetting Process: A reputable hybrid publisher does not accept every manuscript. They are selective and look for quality books that they can help succeed.
• They Offer Clear and Transparent Services: The publisher should provide a detailed contract listing all their services (editing, design, marketing, distribution) and a transparent pricing structure. They should also be clear about what they are investing in your book.
• They Have a Proven Track Record: Check their website for a list of published books and find out how well they are doing. Then, contact some of their authors to ask about their experiences.
• They Do Not Make Unrealistic Promises: If they guarantee bestseller status, movie deals, or instant bookstore placement, it’s a scam. Real publishers do not guarantee success.
• They Share Royalties with You: Unlike vanity publishers, reputable hybrid publishers invest in your book and often take a portion of the royalties rather than just charging fees upfront.
• They Have a Strong Reputation in the Industry: Look for third-party reviews from sources like the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) or Writer Beware. If they have a history of complaints, be cautious.

Always do your research, and be sure you want to be associated with this publisher for the next several years.

Publishing Services

Finally, we have companies that offer straightforward publishing services. You can choose to pay for editing, cover design, formatting, and/or distribution, as your needs demand, but you retain ownership of your book—the publisher does not gain the rights.

Unlike vanity publishers or hybrid publishers, publishing service providers simply offer whatever services you need while allowing you to maintain complete control over your work. This can be a good option for authors who want professional help while remaining independent.

Five Signs a Publisher is Trying to Scam You

No matter what kind of publisher you’re thinking of working with—traditional, hybrid, or other—before you sign any publishing contract, watch for these warning signs.

1. They Have a Shoddy or Nonexistent Website

Always research a publisher’s website and social media. A reputable publisher will have:

• A professional website with clear details about their books and services.
• Active social media accounts featuring their authors.
• Real book listings with links to major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Scam companies often have poorly designed, one-page websites that lack clear details about their authors or books. If a website looks hastily thrown together, be wary.

2. They Ask for Large Sums of Money Upfront

Traditional publishers never charge authors to publish. Legitimate hybrid publishers and publishing services companies will charge fees but provide quality services in return. If a company is asking for a lot of money upfront and it isn’t clear what you’re paying for, it’s likely a scam.

3. They Make Grand Promises

Scammers know what authors want to hear. They’ll say things like:

• “We guarantee you’ll be a bestseller!”
• “We’ll get your book into all major bookstores!”
• “We have a rigorous selection process, and we’ve chosen YOU!”

Real traditional publishers do not charge for selection. If you’re paying, you’re not working with a traditional publisher. You “may” be working with a hybrid publisher, but again, be cautious. Scammers love to “say” they’ve chosen you and then turn around and charge exorbitant amounts to publish your book because they are making no investment themselves.

Also, anyone can get their book distributed to major bookstores—this doesn’t mean those bookstores will actually stock it.

4. They Pressure You to Sign Quickly

Real publishers give you time to review your contract. They understand that you will likely hire a lawyer, review the terms, and potentially ask for revisions.

Scam publishers rush you: “Sign now! Limited spots available!” If you feel pressured, walk away.

5. No Credible Authors Work with Them

This one step has saved me a lot of heartache. I’ve done it before signing every publishing contract I’ve signed.

Contact at least three authors published by that company. Ask them about their experiences. If you hear about late royalty payments, bad communication, or legal battles, that’s a massive red flag. This happened to me once, so I ripped up that contract and never looked back.

When I followed this step with the traditional publishers I ended up signing with, I received glowing recommendations.

Authors help each other, so don’t be afraid to reach out.

Final Thought: Do Your Research

No matter which publishing path you take, always research your options. If a company asks for money, look them up, ask other authors, and be skeptical of big promises.

(NOTE: If you’re thinking about it but haven’t self-published before, check out my Self-Publishing Success Plan for a straightforward checklist to help you stay organized and ensure you don’t miss any key steps as you prepare to publish your book.)

Check this post out if you’re trying to choose between traditional and self-publishing.

COLLEEN M. STORY - Resident Writing Coach

Colleen M. Story is a novelist, freelance writer, writing coach, and speaker with over 20 years in the creative writing industry. In addition to writing several award-winning novels, Colleen’s series of popular success guides, Your Writing Matters, Writer Get Noticed! and Overwhelmed Writer Rescue, have all been recognized for their distinction.

Colleen offers personalized coaching plans tailored to meet your needs, and frequently serves as a workshop leader and motivational speaker, where she helps attendees remove mental and emotional blocks and tap into their unique creative powers. Find out more about our RWC team here and connect with Colleen below. Free chapters | Master Writer Mindset

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If only there was a magic formula, a secret trick that would improve your chances of getting published. Well, there is—but it isn’t magic or secret, and in the end, it can’t guarantee publication. But it’s still the best formula I know of for getting a shot at a contract. Some of this might not sound like good news, but I think it is, because in my opinion, talent is not the deciding factor in getting published. Instead, it’s hard work, patience, and an openness to feedback—things that are accessible to everyone.

Beginner’s Mind

This is a term that comes from Buddhism. What it means is to approach things with the attitude that you might not know everything, which allows for a willingness to learn new ways of seeing and doing. That’s what creativity is all about—seeing and doing things differently.

One of the best ways to keep an open mind is by reading. Studying novels. Taking them apart. Applying what you learn to your own work and practicing it. Another way is to take classes and workshops, go to conferences, listen to podcasts. Find out how others have done things. What works for them might not work for you, but there are many ways to approach the act of writing a novel. Try them on. See what fits.

Beginner’s mind also means being open to feedback. Honest critique. While feel-good feedback is nice, it won’t land you a publisher. You need to be resilient enough to hear that maybe this thing you’ve created could be better. Maybe there’s a kernel of a good idea there, but the rest of it is, well, compost, and you need to start over.

Does that sound harsh? It’s definitely unpleasant. But I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to start a novel over from scratch with only the shred of the idea left on the page. Two of my published novels were created that way, and I’m just putting the finishing touches on another that also came into being by way of the garbage can.

Bestselling YA author John Green talks about how 90% of his first drafts end up in the round file. Another bestselling author, Barbara Kingsolver, throws out hundreds of pages in the process of finding a novel’s voice. I used to think it was just beginners who threw out work (well, beginners, and me). But now I know this is the process.

Writing is rewriting. It was probably the first thing our novel-writing instructor said to us in the MFA program, and it’s the truest thing I know about writing. The great lines, the poetry, the character development—most of that gets created in revision. 

Steep Grade Ahead

Writing plays a nasty trick on us. Because we learn how to write essays in school—and maybe the odd short story—we assume we know how to write a novel. Writing is writing, after all. It’s words on a page. But that’s like saying that because a person knows how to play the piano, they will automatically be proficient at the saxophone. True, they’ll know how to read music—but that’s the only advantage they’ll have.

The learning curve for writing a novel is steep. I’m talking years. Maybe ten years. That was how long it took me, and I’d been writing for years before I tackled my first novel. And I’m still learning. Every novel I read or edit or write has something to teach me. There will never come a time where I’ll feel I know all I need to know about writing a novel. That shouldn’t depress you. I think it’s exciting, a testament to the genre’s potential.

The Querying Process

All right. You’ve put in the years, you’ve gotten the tough feedback and revised until you’re cross-eyed. It’s time for the rubber to meet the road.

When it comes to querying, improving your chances of landing a publisher is both simpler and more complicated than you might think. Follow the submission guidelines. Widen your scope to include small publishers. Write a decent query letter. Easy.

Your letter won’t make or break your submission. But there are a few things that will: your synopsis and your opening pages.

Your synopsis shows a publisher that you understand structure and can execute the great idea you described in the pitch of your query letter. If the structure is broken, the novel will be broken. They won’t want to read it. That’s why synopses are so hard to write. And it’s why publishers and agents ask for one.

Then come your opening pages, the true showcase of your novel’s awesomeness. You can write the best query letter in the world, but if your opening pages don’t land, if they don’t grip the reader by the throat and insist that they turn the page, the publisher won’t ask for more.

How do you understand structure and write fabulous opening pages? By working hard. By taking apart the structure of novels you’ve read and trying to understand how the author created their magic. By writing and revising and writing and revising. This is what Steven Pressfield meant by turning pro: taking your craft seriously, developing the necessary discipline to see a project through to the end, not being crushed by feedback but instead using it as a learning tool. There will be setbacks and rejections, but a pro keeps showing up day after day and putting in the work. A pro doesn’t give up.

That’s the magic formula. That’s what will give you the best chance of getting there.

Writers Helping Writers holds a monthly critique contest that can help make your opening gleam. Come back to our blog Thursday, February 20 for a chance to win a 1st page critique from Becca Puglisi!

MICHELLE BARKER - Resident Writing Coach

Michelle Barker is an award-winning author and editor who lives in Vancouver, BC. Her newest book, coauthored with David Griffin Brown, is Story Skeleton: The Classics. They are also the authors of Immersion and Emotion: The Two Pillars of Storytelling. Her novel My Long List of Impossible Things, came out in 2020 with Annick Press. The House of One Thousand Eyes was named a Kirkus Best Book of the Year and won numerous awards including the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award. Her fiction, non-fiction and poetry have appeared in literary reviews world-wide.

Michelle holds an MFA in creative writing from UBC and is a senior editor at The Darling Axe. Find out more about our RWC team here and connect with Michelle below. Michelle’s books

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The rise of AI-generated books is sparking concern among many. We all know the book market is huge, yet the speed at which new works are being added prompted Amazon to place a ‘3 books per day’ upload limit. I think we all agree that’s more than a little worrying.

It’s frustrating, too. Vying for a reader’s attention has always been challenging, but this new competition has some authors fearing it will soon become too hard (and expensive) to grab the reader’s attention. Dread rises in the form of a question: in this widening sea of books, what are my chances of being found and read?

It’s easy to give over to anger and depression when things change, especially when it feels unfair and unjust. But as authors have always done, we must use our emotions to fuel transformation.

The board has changed. It’s time to change with it.

We’ve weathered disruptions in the book industry before, and while AI is reshaping all industries, as people, one of our biggest strengths is our ability to adapt. Marketing will become more challenging for authors, but we can use our human edge to come out on top. It’s time for us to push ourselves and leverage our strengths, showing readers we have much more to offer them than machines.

Let’s talk about how we do it.

1. Write an amazing book.

Seems sort of obvious, right? Sure, but the real message here is that AI books will only get better in time, so we must continue widening the gap. Readers will have many choices on what to read so our books should be exceptional. To date, many authors have focused on volume to make a living, but moving forward, writing better books will become as important (if not more).

Amazing books in the age of AI should contain something else, too: emotion, insight, and depth rooted in human experience. This is something that machines can’t replicate (although they will try). As humans, we understand how isolating life can be when we experience certain things that stir deep emotions, struggles, insecurities, and vulnerabilities. Who better than us to create authentic characters that our readers can truly relate to and connect with? (Read: How to Leverage Humanity in Stories to Outshine AI.)

2. Embrace authenticity, building trust and connection.

AI isn’t only impacting the book industry–it’s everywhere, with readers being as exposed to it as us. AI curates searches at Google, chatbots claim the bottom right corner of every website. Meta AI bots piss everyone off with their uncanny ability to ignore hate speech but flag that cute picture of someone’s cat as harmful and inappropriate.

Fake social profiles. AI-generated images everywhere.
Every third ad is a new AI tool or service.

It’s the gold rush of AI, but guess what follows? Saturation. People get sick of all things manufactured, simulated, and fake. It’s early still, but a looming saturation is coming. Authors should be ready because, in an increasingly artificial world, people will crave one thing above all else: Authenticity. They will be drawn to human presences, voices, and interactions.

This is an incredible opportunity for authors. By recognizing the universal need for authenticity and connection, they can draw their potential readers in by being someone who shares their human side!

Go deeper with your interactions with readers. Think about points of common ground: What experiences do you and your readers share? Which of your thoughts and perceptions will resonate, making them feel seen and heard? How can you share anecdotes, ideas, sparks of humor, and bits of your personal life alongside discussions about your creative work? What topics and themes in your book suggest areas of common interest? Start some conversations.

It might take practice, but being open and authentic can turn readers into lifelong fans…of you. These relationships are incredible–knowing people are in our corner sustains us when life gets hard. Too, not only will devout readers look forward to the next book, but they’ll want others to discover your books, too.

3. Create a “clubhouse” for your readers.

Adding to the point above, I have always believed marketing is about relationships, not sales. We build strong relationships by caring about others, making them feel valued, and giving them something they need. When this is done right, sales follow naturally.

It’s great to use social media as a way to find potential readers and connect with them, but trying to be everywhere at once is overwhelming. People can become fatigued by social media too. This is why thinking about creating a meeting spot away from the noise of the online world can be a great way to forge meaningful bonds with readers.

Your “clubhouse” can be anything that works for you: an online community or group, a personal newsletter or Substack, a private forum attached to your site, etc. Whatever your clubhouse looks like, don’t bombard folks with promotion. These people aren’t dollar signs and trust me, AI will be targeting them everywhere, trying to sell, sell, sell. So be different. Focus on the relationship: share content they’ll like, ask and answer questions. If you’re communicating through a newsletter, be the person they are always happy to hear from! Your clubhouse should make people feel seen, cared about, and valued.

4. Think we, not me.

As the fight over a reader’s attention heats up even further, we may think we need to isolate ourselves from other authors because they are our competition. Not so. Human authors are our allies.

No matter how well you write or how big your audience is, you only have a sliver of the potential reading audience. Authors with similar books also have loyal readers, and many are different from your own. Collaborating with authors who write similar, high-quality books can be a win for you both as you’ll each reach new people.

Collaboration is about more than sharing audiences—it’s about creating a sense of camaraderie. Readers will notice and appreciate authors who prioritize relationships over sales pitches. Too, every author has unique experiences, ideas, knowledge, and connections. Joining forces with other authors and sharing what you each know means less trial and error.

5. Educate yourself and watch for scams.

Whenever there’s a disruption, people look for opportunities to monetize whatever has changed. Part of thriving as an author will be staying informed and watching for profiteers selling “easy solutions.”

Self-publishing created a ramp-up in vanity presses, predatory promotional and editing services, and low-skill freelancers looking to bleed authors of their cash. This era of AI will be the same.

If you need AI solutions for marketing, research before investing in courses, ad services, or tools. Look to trusted industry leaders like Jane Friedman, David Gaughran, or the Alliance of Independent Authors for guidance. Don’t fall for pressure tactics, FOMO, or fear-based marketing. And remember, if someone is selling something that seems too good to be true, it probably is.

One area to be especially cautious of is Ads. As the book market becomes increasingly huge, pay-to-play platforms (Meta, Amazon, etc.) are the real winners as people run ads (or more ads) to gain visibility. Likely we’ll see a rise in ‘Ad experts’ pitching their company to run your ads or use their AI tools and platform solutions. Some may be a good investment. Others will drain your pockets. Investigate and talk to other authors. Make sure the ROI is clear.

6. Decide how (and if) you’ll use AI as an author.

AI is a threat and a tool. Creatives (and folks in other industries who had their content scraped without content) are rightfully upset about AI. But it’s here to stay so we will all need to eventually decide if (and how) we’ll use it. This is a moral question and a practical one.

You may decide that while you’re morally opposed to using it to write, you use AI solutions to help you with other tasks–researching, marketing, time management, whatever. Or you are a firm no. But whether you use it or not, it’s important to understand how others are incorporating it, and the impacts this may have on our business.

The Key to Thriving:
Using Your Humanity

AI may be here to stay, but so are authors. We can’t control AI’s disruption over our industry, only how we respond. By focusing on what makes us uniquely human, we can create stories that resonate far more deeply than AI-generated books. Best of all, by simply being ourselves, we can forge genuine connections with readers and fulfill a universal longing for authenticity—an ironic consequence of the rise of AI.

ANGELA ACKERMAN

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

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By Eleanor Hecks

Many writers are all too familiar with rejection. You pour your heart and soul into a piece, imagining how it might sound to readers, only to face the crushing reality of a “no” in response.

For writers, the publishing world can feel like an endless uphill battle paved with setbacks and self-doubt. It is enough to make even the most steadfast question whether it is all worth it.

The truth is that hope is what keeps you going. While rejection is part of the process, so is resilience, and learning how to maintain that resilience is key to flourishing as a writer.

1. Develop Resilience Through Practice

Resilience takes time to build. Yet, you can cultivate the grit needed to prosper as a writer through consistent practice and willingness to push your boundaries.

Set Small, Achievable Goals

One effective way to develop resilience is by setting goals. These could be as simple as writing 500 words daily, completing one short story a month or submitting to a handful of publications each quarter. Small goals create a feeling of accomplishment, helping you maintain momentum even when larger milestones feel far away.

Over time, these efforts build perseverance and teach you to push forward in the face of setbacks. By celebrating these small victories, you remind yourself that progress is happening.

Experiment With New Styles or Genres

Consider stepping outside your creative comfort zone. Experimenting with a new genre, style or format can be a powerful way to reignite your passion for writing. Try your hand at screenwriting or explore creative nonfiction — these experiments make the process of writing feel fresh and exciting again. Even if the results are far from perfect, trying something new can help you develop confidence in your ability to adapt.

2. Gain Peace and Mental Clarity

With constant noise and rejection in the publishing world, finding moments of peace and clarity can feel like a lifeline. They are essential because they quiet doubts, clear mental clutter and create space for creativity. Whether through mindfulness or age-old traditions, these strategies can restore balance and keep optimism alive.

Finding Solace in Nature

Sometimes, the best way to clear your mind is to step away from the page and into the great outdoors. Take it from Al Roker — the beloved journalist and Today Show weatherman — who finds peace by walking along the lake. On his walks, he prays, meditates and allows the rhythmic sounds of nature to help him process life’s challenges.

This simple but profound activity of reconnecting with the natural world can offer renewal, helping you return to writing with fresh eyes and a calmer spirit.

Cultivate a Positive Mindset

Rejection can cloud your vision, making it hard to focus on the progress you have made. However, building and maintaining a positive mindset enables you to reframe those feelings.

Instead of seeing rejection as a stop sign, consider it a detour leading you to refine your craft and find the right audience. Practicing gratitude journaling helps you reflect on the wins and reminds you of the joy that writing brings.

Engaging in Labyrinth Prayer

Labyrinth prayer is an ancient practice that promotes peace and introspection. Walking a labyrinth’s purposeful, winding path mirrors life’s journey, offering a chance to reflect and release burdens. As you walk, you can focus on a word or phrase to center your thoughts and open yourself to creativity.

3. Build a Support System

Writing may feel like a solitary pursuit, but surrounding yourself with a community of fellow writers can make all the difference.

Online or local writing groups offer a space to share struggles, celebrate wins and exchange constructive feedback. Hearing others’ stories of persistence can inspire you to keep going, even when the odds feel stacked against you.

4. Reframe Rejection with Growth

Rejection is an inevitable part of any writer’s journey that can feel like a dead end. Rather than viewing it as a failure, consider it an opportunity to grow.

Every “no” you receive can share some insight. Many of the world’s most successful authors — including Stephen King — faced repeated rejections before finding the right publisher. Therefore, persistence is key.

Use rejection as a stepping stone by implementing the following:

• Extract the lesson: If feedback is available, read it carefully and objectively. Identify areas where you can improve and incorporate that into your next draft.
• Celebrate the effort: A rejection means you dared to put yourself out there — a feat in itself. Celebrate the progress you have made by submitting your work.
• Diversify your submission: Avoid pinning all your hopes on one opportunity. Submit to multiple outlets or publishers to increase your chances of success.
• Keep a rejection journal: Track your submissions and rejections. Over time, this can help you see patterns, measure growth, and remind yourself how far you have come.

Holding Onto Hope and Moving On

The publishing world may feel overwhelming, but hope keeps writers going. To keep that optimism flowing through you, use practices to help you get through the ups and downs with grace and determination.

Every rejection, challenge, and moment of doubt is a step toward honing your craft and finding your place in the literary world. So, keep creating and trust that your voice will find its audience.

Eleanor Hecks is editor-in-chief at Designerly Magazine and a freelance writer passionate about helping other writers of all genres grow their following and community. You can find her work featured in publications such as IndependentPublishing.com and Self-Publishing Review, or connect with her on LinkedIn to keep up with her latest work.

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AI is reshaping the book industry, and writers are polarized; some have integrated AI into their writing process while others refuse to. No matter which camp you align with I’m sure you share a growing concern: creatives are not the only ones publishing books. Thanks to AI tools, anyone with a keyboard can slap something together (sometimes ripping off the original), leading to a surge of AI-generated books.

Oh, but the books are bad. They don’t matter.

Are they all bad? And even if they are, will they remain that way? The hard reality is that it is the nature of AI to improve and refine, and so improve and refine it will. In the meantime, quality books become harder to find because this AI side hustle is picking up steam. Writers are beginning to worry about having to compete with AI-generated books.

So, is the board set against us–should we give up writing? Heck no! Instead, we write better books by leaning into our strengths and harnessing the one thing AI can’t compete with: being human. Here’s how.

1: Write about human experiences

AI absorbs knowledge about people and learns how to write scenes by training itself on works of fiction. But when it comes to the experience of being human, AI can only mimic. So, put your innate understanding of humanity onto the page. Let your own life experiences guide you in showing the rawness of vulnerability, the subtleties of emotion, and the profound depth of human needs in your characters. Be unafraid to go deep inside yourself. What questions keep you up at night? What thoughts and worries about the world weigh you down? Chances are, your readers have similar questions, so make them feel seen by weaving these into your story.

Consider the duality of life. On the surface, people present an ‘everyday’ version of themselves—their jobs, choices, routines, and social interactions. Yet beneath lies a more complex and private being, one who wrestles with questions of identity, purpose, and belonging. Write characters with this same hidden self, complete with unique doubts, fears, and unspoken dreams. Readers will feel drawn to them, and relate because this deeper, human side mirrors their own.

Another reason to double down on human elements in stories? As customer service bots, AI social profiles, generated videos, news, etc. become commonplace, the world starts to feel artificial. People will crave authenticity and you can give it to them.

2: Share your worldview, culture, identity, and lived truth

You are the subject matter expert in your lived experience, not AI, so consider how you can bring something special to a story. Whether it’s a window into your culture or religion, a worldview based on experiences or identity, or something else like a personal hardship, upbringing, or belief, readers recognize the authority behind a true-to-life portrayal.

AI can write generically about these things using information within its datasets, but only humans can capture a lived truth. So write characters and situations that are echoes of your own life. Bring readers in close so they experience things that come from first-hand knowledge.

3: Master your craft in areas best suited to showcase human elements

A misconception (long before AI) among some novice writers was that they didn’t need to learn how to write well because that was an editor’s job. This led to a painful lesson when reputable editors wouldn’t touch their manuscripts or the cost to do so was too high, causing them to seek cheaper options or a vanity press. Either way, the writer ended up with a poor-quality book.

Thankfully most writers understand that writing well means putting in the work. But some do treat AI like it’s a magic genie, and this laziness affects the quality of their stories. So keep learning your craft, especially in areas that help you showcase human elements readers are hardwired to connect to. For example:

1) Voice. Learn all there is to know about developing your author voice and creating authentic voices for your characters. Write characters who reveal their individuality through observations, actions, and decisions. This is where your story can stand out.

2) Description (especially the art of show, not tell). Being able to describe sensory details, use metaphor, symbolism, etc. to imply something deeper, and bring a character’s authentic emotions to the surface will draw readers in and convey authenticity in a way AI writing cannot.

3) Inner Conflict. A character’s personal struggles illustrate the complexity of being human in a powerful way. Sure, AI can rehash common problems, but only humans can draw from their experiences to create relatable internal battles. Learning how to write about internal conflict to accurately show a character’s clash of fears, desires, needs, duties, and beliefs is well worth the investment.

4) Character Arc. Study character arc and what it will specifically look like for a character. What personal epiphanies will help them move past old hurts and break free of fear? How have they been viewing life and themselves wrong? How must they change and grow to achieve a happier, more fulfilling life? What do the steps of self-examination, personal realizations, and renewed self-belief look like for them?

It may seem like a lot of questions, but the answers give you the knowledge you need to write an authentic journey of highs and lows that readers will connect to. Alternatively, you should know what failure, unfulfillment, and unhappiness will look like for a character because people never make good decisions all the time. Fear and making mistakes can chain them to failure, and if they can’t break free of it, you need to be able to show that, too.

5) Psychology. It may not seem like a traditional writing element, but it is. The more you understand how people think, feel, and behave and why, two incredible things happen. First, you’ll create more complex, authentic characters whose actions, choices, and decisions line up with who they are. Second, you’ll see how to weave elements about the character’s life, journey, and inner struggles in a way that resonates, encouraging readers to connect more deeply with the characters and your story.  

If you’ve read any books in our Writers Helping Writers Thesaurus series, you know how much Becca and I focus on psychology and human emotion. This is why. AI will apply psychology too, but not like you and me because it only has clinical knowledge, not personal experience. And that makes a big difference!

4: Shake it up and experiment

AI likes to draw from character tropes, predictable plots, devices, and story patterns, so color outside the lines! Blend genres and story elements. Shatter stereotypes and twist tropes. Be original and bold as you write, and use craft to serve your vision of the story.

5: Embrace one of your greatest human strengths: adaptability

We enter this career path knowing it won’t be easy. But like our characters, we must find a way forward when things get hard. AI-generated books are causing problems for us, yes, but as they get better, so will we. Learning our craft and leveraging our human knowledge and experiences will help us distance ourselves from the generic stories others churn out.

Worried about the future of writing?

Let that go. You can’t control how AI is used but you can adapt how you write to compete with AI-generated books.

Include human elements. Use your story as a mirror to reflect the reader’s hidden self–their hopes and dreams, perspectives and questions. Leverage your humanity to outshine AI!

Remember, readers love to read and great stories will always be in demand!

ANGELA ACKERMAN

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

The post How to Leverage Humanity to Outshine AI-Generated Books appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

It’s not easy finding new readers these days.

The secret to drawing just the right readers your way might be finding your niche.

A niche isn’t just your genre—it’s the unique angle, theme, or audience focus that makes your writing distinct. It sets you apart and makes marketing feel natural rather than awkward.

Here’s why having a niche matters and how to get started finding yours.

Why Finding Your Niche is Critical

Many writers I’ve talked to don’t think they need a niche. If you’re selling a lot of books and finding it easy to market, then you probably don’t have to worry about it.

If you’re struggling to market your work, though, and you’re tired of creating “buy my book” posts, a niche might be just what you need.

1. It Helps You Stand Out

Both brick-and-mortar and online bookstores are crowded. Finding your niche helps prevent your voice from getting lost in the shuffle.

Instead of being a fantasy writer, imagine being known for your magical retellings of ancient myths or deeply emotional stories exploring family dynamics. A niche highlights what makes your work unique, making it easier for readers to find and remember you.

2. It Attracts the Right Readers

We all want everyone to like our books, but we know that’s unrealistic. We need to find those unique readers who will be big fans of our stories.

A clear niche helps you focus on readers who are most likely to love your work. The more specific you are, the more likely you will grab the right person’s attention.

For example, if you write cozy mysteries with a culinary twist, you’re more likely to attract readers who adore mysteries and cooking. These readers will enjoy your work and be more likely to recommend it to others.

3. It Simplifies Your Marketing

This may be the best benefit of having a niche.

Marketing books is challenging for writers. Most of us aren’t naturally inclined to be good marketers, and we often feel uncomfortable trying to sell our stuff.

A niche allows us to naturally communicate with readers about what we’re doing. When we talk about our niche, we can focus on what we’re passionate about, and that will be attractive to others interested in the same types of things.

When you know your niche, you always have something to talk about that aligns with your audience’s interests. That means you can stop struggling with what to post about today!

Common Misconceptions About Niches

Myth: A niche limits your creativity.

Truth: A niche actually frees you to focus and grow while still allowing room for future exploration.

Myth: You’ll lose potential readers by narrowing down.

Truth: You’ll gain loyal readers who are genuinely excited about your work and are more likely to support your career.

Myth: Your niche has to be permanent.

Truth: Your niche can evolve as you grow as a writer. Think of it as a foundation you can build on rather than a box to stay inside.

What Happens When You Don’t Have a Niche

When you don’t have a niche, you may fall into some of these traps:

• Scattershot Marketing: Without a clear niche, your promotional efforts may feel inconsistent and fail to resonate with potential readers.
• Lack of Connection: Readers won’t know what to expect from you, making it harder to build a loyal fanbase.
• Missed Opportunities: Writers without a niche often fail to capitalize on the unique aspects of their work that could set them apart.

How to Start Finding Your Niche: 3 Actionable Steps

If you’re convinced that you need a niche, your next question is probably, “How do I find one that works for me?”

Here’s how you can get started.

1. What are you passionate about?

Start by asking yourself:

• What topics or themes do I love exploring in my writing?
• What kinds of stories or ideas excite me the most?
• What feedback have I received about my writing strengths (e.g., dialogue, world-building, character development)?

Write down your answers and look for patterns. For example, if you notice a recurring interest in historical settings and strong female leads, your niche might involve feminist historical fiction. That’s only a start, though. You’ll want to go deeper, so continue with the next set of questions.

2. Define Your Ideal Reader

Think about the type of person who would love your work.

• Who are they? (Consider their age, interests, and values.)
• What do they enjoy in stories? (Genre tropes, themes, or character types.)

For example, you might write for readers who love romance with witty banter and youthful, outcast-type protagonists. The clearer your vision of your audience, the easier it will be to connect with them.

Combine that with what you found above, and you may see that your niche might focus on historical romance with youthful, strong, feminist heroes.

3. Pinpoint What’s Unique About Your Stories

Let’s go a little further:

• Is there something special about your story’s location or setting? (e.g., small-town charm, futuristic cities, or magical kingdoms.)
• What makes your characters stand out? (e.g., age, profession, personality, or cultural background.)
• Do your stories explore recurring themes or ideas? (e.g., redemption, resilience, or found family.)

By identifying these unique elements and combining them with what you found through the other questions above, you can craft a niche that highlights what’s truly distinctive about your work, making it irresistible to the right readers.

Need More Help?

Finding your niche is about aligning your passion and strengths with what readers are searching for. It usually takes time and reflection, but it can be a game-changer for your writing career.

Don’t worry if it doesn’t come together overnight. Your niche will evolve as you grow, and the more you write, the clearer it will become.

Start with the three steps above, and if you’re ready to dive deeper, check out my course, How to Identify Your Niche and Attract the Right Readers, for a proven formula to help you stand out and succeed. For a limited time, WHW readers get 20 percent off the total price with the code, “WHWNiche” at checkout!

Bonus: Free Worksheet

Want to start working on your niche today? Download my free Niche Discovery Worksheet and take the first step toward finding your unique focus!

COLLEEN M. STORY - Resident Writing Coach

Colleen M. Story is a novelist, freelance writer, writing coach, and speaker with over 20 years in the creative writing industry. In addition to writing several award-winning novels, Colleen’s series of popular success guides, Your Writing Matters, Writer Get Noticed! and Overwhelmed Writer Rescue, have all been recognized for their distinction.

Colleen offers personalized coaching plans tailored to meet your needs, and frequently serves as a workshop leader and motivational speaker, where she helps attendees remove mental and emotional blocks and tap into their unique creative powers. Find out more about our RWC team here and connect with Colleen below. Free chapters | Master Writer Mindset

The post How to Find Your Writing Niche and Connect with the Right Readers appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

Welcome to 2025…and say hello to a brand new Writers Helping Writers® bookstore!

Like many other authors, Becca and I have switched to a Shopify storefront so we can provide a better experience for everyone wanting to buy direct.

We’re excited about this upgraded storefront, both for the flexibility to eventually branch out to offer things beyond books –workshops, on-demand webinars, packets, etc.– and the fact that it is a vast improvement over the system we’ve had to use to date.

But first, what does “Buy Direct” mean?

Buying direct means instead of purchasing a book from an etailer like Amazon, Kobo, or Apple (who take a big chunk of each sale) you buy from the author’s website. This helps the author because when more book revenue lands in their pocket, they’re closer to making a livable wage. And when they do, it gives them the freedom to write more books, offer discounts, and more. So buying direct is a win-win for the author and readers.

But buying direct also has other benefits, like…

Buying Direct can better protect your books

A problem with buying a digital copy from someone like Amazon is they have control over that book file, not you. If it disappears from your Kindle library due to a glitch, syncing issue, or because they decided you did something wrong, getting it restored can be hard (or impossible). When you buy a digital book from our store, our partner Bookfunnel always keeps your book safe and accessible. You own the book.

Buying Direct means early access

Our bookstore will allow us to offer new releases before they are available elsewhere. Often Becca and I have a new book in hand for weeks prior to a book launch but we have to wait for the official release date. Now, we can pop a new guide into our store when it’s ready and minimize waiting.

Buying Direct keeps you in the loop (and saves you $$$)

Right now our store is set up to offer digital formats (ebook and PDF), but print is coming! And we’re looking to expand to other things as well. If you sign up for store notifications we’ll pop a quick message into your inbox whenever a cost-saving bundle, special workshop, on-demand webinar, discount, or something else becomes available. (But that’s it–no ‘hard sell’ stuff. That’s not us.)

Buying direct is a great way to support an author you care about, and Becca and I want to thank you for considering our Writers Helping Writers Bookstore when you’re looking for writing help. Thank you!

So, ready to check out our new store?

Visit the link above and take this celebratory discount code with you: WHWTHANKSYOU

This one-time code is a buy one, get the second ebook single at a 50% discount. You’ll see a place to enter the code when you checkout. (And a tippy tip: if you sign up for store notifications, you’ll get a bonus code that discounts your entire order a further 10%!) Add that second code at checkout to use both in the same order.

We’d also love your feedback. We’re just getting stared and have improvements in mind, but you guys are the pros here. You know what you need to see when deciding to buy a book, and we’d love your ideas on what might make this store better. If you’d like to leave us impressions or suggestions, zip over here. (It’s anonymous.) And thank you!

Don’t forget to redeem your buy one, get one code by January 15th, 2025, and happy writing!

ANGELA ACKERMAN

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

The post Meet Our New Bookstore (& Save 50% off a Thesaurus!) appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

It’s time for our favorite round-up: Black Friday Deals for Writers! We love finding ways to save you money because we all need to know how to stretch a dollar in this industry.

Investing in the right tools can help with success, so hopefully you can take advantage of some of these current and upcoming deals (including a sweet little discount from us).

Writing, Editing, Publishing & Marketing Deals

Publisher Rocket ($30 off Publisher Rocket + a Free Course)

Your book deserves to be read! Join other authors using Publisher Rocket to sell more books by optimizing keywords, categories, and ad campaigns. This deal runs from November 28th to December 3rd.

ProWritingAid Annual & Lifetime Subscriptions (Save 50%)

ProWritingAid is the essential toolkit for storytellers, helping you to craft your story and bring it to life. Real-time feedback and in-depth analysis will show you how to strengthen your story, give your characters depth, add impetus to your plot and so much more. This deal runs from Nov 18 – Dec 3rd.

Fictionary Storyteller (or Bundled with Storyteller Live) 40% off

Fictionary’s StoryTeller Software and Live Courses offer a comprehensive process to improve story structure, pacing, character development, and settings. StoryTeller Software: Visualize your plot, identify key story arc scenes, and ensure a satisfying resolution. StoryTeller Premium with Fictionary Live!: Enjoy unlimited writing courses, live instruction, weekly editing tasks, and personalized feedback. Save 40% on subscriptions between Nov 18- Dec 12th.

Novlr Writing Software (30% off any subscription)

Novlr is the first writer-owned creative writing workspace that lets you focus on what’s most important; your words. The smart design is distraction-free, writing streaks and goals keep you motivated, the advanced analytics provide insights into your best writing times, and automatic cloud syncing keeps your work safe. Ready to be more productive? Use the code BLACKFRIDAY24 to save on all subscriptions until December 31st.

Write | Publish | Sell (40% off Instagram for Authors Course)

​Instagram for Authors is a power-packed course providing authors with the tools they need to successfully use Instagram to market and grow their author platforms. Save 40% by using the code 40OFFIGBF at checkout until December 2nd.

K.M.Weiland’s Products for Writers (Save 25%)

Save 25% off K.M. Weiland’s popular writing resources, including her books on plot, character, and story structure. Take it a step further with interactive workbooks (including the Outlining Your Novel Workbook software), and the Creating Character Arcs and the Shadow Archetypes courses. Her Archetypal Character Guided Meditations can also help you dive into your characters’ minds and dream up new story ideas. Deal valid November 18th – December 2nd.

BookFunnel Mid-List & Bestseller Plans (Save $50)

The fundamental tool for your author business, BookFunnel delivers reader magnets, delivers direct sales ebooks & audiobooks, and helps authors reach new customers through group promos and author swaps. Take advantage of our best-in-the-industry support and take $50 off an annual subscription to our Mid-List Author and Bestseller Author plans from November 25th to December 2nd.

Atticus Software (Free Course with Purchase)

Transform your writing journey with Atticus.io—the all-in-one powerhouse for book writing and formatting. Forget juggling multiple tools; Atticus brings you a sleek, intuitive platform that takes you from draft to publish-ready masterpiece effortlessly. Get a free Publishing for Indie Authors course with each purchase between November 28th and December 2nd.

Getcovers (25% off cover design packages)

On a tight budget for a book launch? Getcovers is a book cover design company that provides book cover design packages for a shockingly low price – just $10-$35, depending on the package you choose. Use the code BLACKDEALS at checkout from November 25th to December 2nd.

Book Brush Social Media Management (2 bonus months with a 6-month plan)

Your schedule is jam-packed and Book Brush services can help lighten your load with your choice of two all-inclusive social media plans: Meta Plan: We’ll manage your Instagram and Facebook, creating eye-catching graphics and reels to build a strong, branded presence in the author niche and keep your fans engaged. Video Plan: We’ll produce 15 custom reels each month for your TikTok and YouTube channels, tailored to capture your unique style and audience. Get this 8 for 6 deal by booking a consultation call by Dec 6th.

Shut Up and Write the Book by Jenna Moreci
(.99 ebook sale at Amazon)

Shut Up and Write the Book is a step-by-step guide to crafting a novel from your first spark of an idea to the final edit. Enjoy bestselling author Jenna Moreci’s no-nonsense guidance and saucy sarcasm as she walks you through every step of the writing process. Grab it on Amazon for $.99 from November 27th to December 2nd. (affiliate link)

Novel Factory Software (Save 30%)

The Novel Factory app is designed to help writers turn their ideas into fully developed, captivating novels. With powerful planning tools, in-app guidance, and a simple, intuitive design, it’s everything you need to bring your story to life—from first draft to final edit. Save 30% on an annual plan with code BLACKRIDAY2024 between November 18 to December 2nd.

Last but not least, a story support tool that helps you write friction that stands out from the rest:

One Stop for Writers 6-Month Plan (Save 35%)

Ready for a game-changer? Look no further than One Stop for Writers, your ultimate storytelling companion. Designed by story experts Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi, these groundbreaking tools help you craft characters with true depth, devise fresh plots, and construct immersive worlds that your readers won’t want to leave.

Your One Stop Toolkit includes:

SHOW-DON’T-TELL DESCRIPTION DATABASE (Containing 18 Thesauruses)
CHARACTER BUILDER
CHARACTER ARC BLUEPRINT
TIMELINE TOOL
STORY AND SCENE MAPS
WORLDBUILDING SURVEYS
IDEA GENERATOR
TEMPLATES AND WORKSHEETS
THE STORYTELLER’S ROADMAP
INSIGHTFUL CRAFT TUTORIALS, TIP SHEETS & MORE

Say goodbye to writer’s block, telling, and frustration. One Stop for Writers supports you at every step as you plan, write, and revise, so only your best writing makes it to the page. Use the code BLACKFRIDAY24 to unlock a 35% discount for our 6-month plan.

We hope you find a few things on this list that help you on your journey. Happy writing & saving!

ANGELA ACKERMAN

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

The post 2024 Black Friday Deals for Writers appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

What Makes Up Fantasy As A Genre?

If you want to write a fantasy novel, it pays to understand what goes into this fascinating genre. Fantasy conventions can vary widely, but there are some common elements we can find. Here’s a few key conventions of fantasy novels that I learned writing my own … Ready? Let’s go!

1) Magic

Magic can be a fundamental element of fantasy novels. It is often used by characters to achieve extraordinary feats or interact with the supernatural. One of the top things to remember here is to ensure your magic systems have limitations. If there are no constraints to your magic system, then this can impact the potential conflict of your story. This is where Brandon Sanderson’s 3 Laws For Magic Systems can really help.

2) Fantastic Creatures

Where there’s magic, there’s also monsters. But fantasy novels often feature mythical creatures that are not necessarily evil too.  Dragons, elves, hobbits, witches, centaurs, unicorns, gigantic sea serpents, sandworms… they can be anything you like. The sky really is the limit!

3) Hero’s Journey

The Hero’s Journey is a classic plotting archetype, charting a protagonist’s growth from ‘zero to hero’.  Many fantasy stories follow the classic hero’s journey, where a protagonist embarks on an adventure, faces challenges, and ultimately undergoes personal growth. Such fantasy novels as Harry Potter, Dune and even my own, The Coven, follow this archetype.

4) Storyworld

Traditional fantasy worlds are often inspired by medieval settings, featuring castles, knights, and kingdoms, creating a sense of timelessness and wonder. However, there’s such a thing as urban fantasy too that does the opposite. Instead of being ‘ye olde’, it might take place in our own world, with a secret underworld of magical people. In short, storyworld can be anything you want … as long as you start as you mean to go on!

5) Epic Battles

Epic battles between forces of good and evil are a common theme in fantasy. Such battles often showcasing bravery, sacrifice, and the triumph of good over evil. A good example here would be Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame which has a fantastic end battle that does all these things.

6) Quests

Quests can be a staple of fantasy literature. The Hero’s Journey (as per #3 on this list) is one large quest in which characters set out on a journey to accomplish a specific goal, facing obstacles and adversaries along the way.

7) Prophecy

Prophecies and foretold destinies play a significant role in many fantasy stories. These prophecies then shape the actions of characters and drive the plot forward. In The Coven, ‘The Proclamation of The Elementals’ starts the book:

“We are all kernels in the earth. We are baptised by fire; fed by the water of life, powered by air. To us, we call The One: connect us through the chain of being and bring us liberation from the ties that bind us.”

This prophecy tells of an all-powerful witch The Elementals call ‘The One’. In this storyworld, Elemental witches have the power of one of the four elements: air, water, fire or earth … but The One has ALL four elements. As the prophecy foretells, The One is powerful enough to free all witches around the world.

8) Parallel Worlds

Fantasy often explores the idea of parallel worlds or alternate realities. In The Coven the world is almost the same as ours … except that up to 50% of women have magic. The leaders of the world don’t like this one bit, especially the President of The United States, Michael Hopkins. He decrees that witches must be locked up for their own safety as well as non-magical peoples’.

I watched a lot of political rallies when I was writing The Coven. I really wanted to make the politics of my parallel world believable, but worried about Hopkins being too jingoistic. Yet every time I sent these scenes off to my editor or beta readers, it always came back with: ‘Still not as bad as the REAL guy!’ That was surprising.

9) Lore and Mythology

Fantasy worlds are rich in lore, mythology, and history, providing depth and context to the setting and characters. I am a big fan of ‘The Power of Three’ in writing. When things come in threes in literature, it’s believed they can be more satisfying, more effective and/or more memorable, than other numbers of things.

I enacted The Power of Three with my witches in The Coven. The ‘Triumvirate’ refers not only to witchcraft generally – Mother, Maiden, Crone – but also the witches themselves.

The vast majority are Kitchen Witches, who don’t have innate magic of their own. Instead they have spell books, cauldrons, poppets, family spells etc rather like our own reality.

Where it changes are the other two types of witches. About 5-8% of witches are Crystal Witches. They do have innate magic in their veins, but can only access it with crystals (as their names suggest). The remaining 2% are The Elemental witches (mentioned in #7).

10) Themes of Good vs. Evil

Fantasy frequently explores themes of morality, ethics, and the battle between light and darkness. Whilst the story may deal with UNreal settings, creatures, magic etc, it may be about very real issues. These UNreal things can offer insights into human nature and society. As The Sun newspaper said of The Coven: ‘A scarily real take on society today … buckle up for a battle like no other’.

Got any questions about writing fantasy? I’m very happy to answer … leave them in the comments and I will get back to you.

Good Luck With Your Own Fantasy Novels!

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post Top 10 Tips On Writing A Fantasy Novel appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

Are you struggling to write the perfect author bio for your book, social media or website? Then this post is for you! Say goodbye to boring bios and hello to a profile that truly reflects who you are as a writer.

Let’s dive in and unlock the power of an unforgettable author bio … Let’s go!

Why Is an Author Bio Important?

At grass roots level, an author bio is a brief summary of who you are and what you do as a writer. It may seem like just another piece of information to include on your book cover or website, but it holds much more significance than that.

In fact, it can be one of the most powerful tools in your writing career. As writers, our words are our brand. Our readers want to know more about the writer behind the stories they love. An author bio provides them with that insight!

A good author bio gives readers a glimpse into our background, interests, and accomplishments that have shaped us as writers. But why else is an author bio so important? Let’s delve deeper … A good bio:

• Establishes credibility and trustworthiness
• Connects with readers on a personal level
• Provides context for our work
• Acts as a promotional tool
• Useful for our blogs, social media or other sites like LinkedIn or Amazon

Tip #1: Highlight your accomplishments and credentials

As a writer, it can be daunting to condense one’s entire writing career or creative journey into a short author bio. Our author bio is often the first introduction readers have to us and our writing, so it’s crucial to make a strong impression.

One effective way to make your author bio compelling is by highlighting your accomplishments and credentials. This step involves showcasing any notable achievements or milestones in your writing career as well as mentioning relevant educational background or experience.

Here are some examples of impressive accomplishments that you could consider including in your author bio:

• Published Works
• Awards and Recognitions
• Bestseller Status
• Speaking Engagements
• Successful Book Launches
• Media Features
• Positive Reviews from professionals in your genre

Remember, the key is to only include accomplishments that are relevant to your writing career and demonstrate your skills. Including too many vague or unrelated achievements can dilute the impact of those that truly matter. Choose a few of your most impressive accomplishments and highlight them with specific details, rather than listing out every single one.

Tip #2: Add a Personal Touch and Show Your Personality

Your author bio is the perfect opportunity to showcase your unique voice and personality. It’s not just a dry list of credentials, but a chance for readers to get to know you on a deeper level.

Adding a personal touch to your bio can make it more engaging and memorable for potential readers … but don’t go overboard, because that might make you seem obnoxious or hard to work with. The whole point of your bio is to get your name out there in GOOD way!  

Want to see an example of a more light-hearted bio? Then check out MY INSTAGRAM AUTHOR BIO.

Tip #3: Keep it concise and relevant

When it comes to writing your author bio, one of the most important tips to keep in mind is to make sure it is concise and relevant. As writers, we often have a lot to say about ourselves and our work, but it’s important to remember that a long and rambling bio can quickly lose the attention of readers.

So how do you balance providing enough information while keeping your bio short and sweet? First up, start by identifying what information is essential for your audience to know about you. 

Next, think about what makes you stand out as a writer. What sets you apart from others in your field?

If you want to see a bio that focuses only on professional accomplishments, check out MINE HERE ON LINKEDIN.

By the Way …

Again – as tempting as it may be to list everything in your author bio, try not to overwhelm readers with too much detail! Instead, select a few key accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise and credibility as an author. And don’t forget – always keep these accomplishments relevant to those reading your bio.

Remember that brevity does not mean sacrificing quality. Your bio should still be well-written and professionally presented. Use complete sentences and proper grammar. Avoid slang or overly casual language unless it aligns with your brand or writing style.

BONUS: How Long Should an Author Bio Be?

When it comes to creating a compelling author bio, one crucial aspect that writers often overlook is word count. Many authors either provide too little information or go overboard and include excessive details. However, finding the right balance and sticking to an appropriate length can have a significant impact on how readers perceive you as an author.

So, what is the ideal length for an author bio? If on social media, you may have only a few characters to play with, so limit yourself to how much space you are given. Simple as that!  

In other places, you will have more space. While there isn’t a set standard, most experts recommend keeping it concise and between 100-200 words. This may seem like a small word count, but it’s enough to convey your essential information without losing the reader’s interest.

One of the main reasons for keeping your author bio short is that it allows you to focus on highlighting only the most relevant details about yourself. Remember, readers are more interested in learning about your writing achievements and background rather than your personal life story.

Last Points

So, when crafting your author bio keep in mind …

• Brevity is key
• Don’t sacrifice important information in the process!
• Stick to 100-200 words
• Make every word count
• Focus on highlighting writing achievements and
• Also any relevant background

Concentrate on the above and you’ll create a compelling author bio that will captivate readers and leave a lasting impression.

Good Luck! 

LUCY V. HAY - Resident Writing Coach

Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. She’s also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.  Lizzie’s latest, a serial killer thriller titled The Good Mother is out now with Joffe Books, with her sixth thriller out in 2024. Lucy’s site at www.bang2write.com has appeared in Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life, as well as a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK (ninth in the world.). She is also the author of the bestselling non-fiction book, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays: From TV Pilot To Feature Film (Creative Essentials), which she updated for the streaming age for its tenth anniversary in 2023.

The post The Secret To a Compelling Author Bio appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

By Sarah Kolb-Williams

In part one, we looked at a few production mistakes new authors can make. Today, we’ll focus on mistakes to avoid while finalizing your files and publishing your book.

6. Skipping the Ebook

If you love holding printed books, you might assume your readers feel the same way. But if you’re considering skipping an ebook entirely, think again.

A 2022 report by the Pew Research Center revealed that nearly one in ten readers read exclusively ebooks. That may be just a slice of the pie, but shouldn’t your book be available to everyone?

Publishing a Kindle version of your book with KDP gives you other important benefits:

• You can list your ebook on Kindle Unlimited.
• With two sets of keywords and categories to work with, you can double your optimization potential (more on that later).
• Amazon reviews for one format automatically transfer to the other.

You’ve worked hard on your manuscript. You’ve gone through multiple rounds of revisions. You’ve had your book designed, edited, and proofread (right?). For most authors, it makes sense to maximize that time, money, and energy by releasing multiple formats.

7. Not Owning Your ISBNs

If you publish through KDP, you have the option to use a free ISBN. But should you?

If you’re only ever planning to publish on Amazon, and if spending $250 for two ISBNs—one each for your print book and ebook—is a financial burden, go ahead and use KDP’s free ISBNs. But understand that other distributors can’t use those ISBNs, and Amazon (not you) will be listed as the publisher on record.

If you later decide to “publish wide” with other retailers, you’ll need to create a whole new edition. At the very least, this means a new cover, a new copyright page…and a new ISBN for each format. Suddenly, that “free” ISBN has cost you a lot of time, money, and frustration, and you ended up having to buy your own anyway. To keep your distribution options flexible, buy your own ISBNs to begin with.

(Pro tip: If you even suspect that you’ll publish another book or format, grab a block of ten ISBNs from Bowker for $295 right off the bat. Three hundred bucks isn’t nothing, but it’s not much more than the cost of two individual ISBNs, and you’ll be covered for up to eight more formats, editions, or titles.)

8. Failing to Optimize

Optimizing your sales description may sound intimidating, but it’s easier than you might think—and it can mean the difference between online success and total oblivion.

For book listings, optimization comes down to three key elements:

• good keywords
• good categories
• good metadata

So what makes a keyword “good”? The sweet spot here is finding terms that are appropriate for your book and have a high search volume but a low use volume. In other words, lots of people are using them to search for books like yours, but they aren’t finding much. That’s where your book comes in!

What makes a category “good”? Same principle: categories that are appropriate for your book, but that don’t have so much competition that you’ll never have a shot at climbing the ranks.

What makes metadata “good”? This means you’re filling the back end of your book listings with information that accurately describes your book and makes sense to anyone looking for books like yours.

Many authors simply fill in the fields marked “required” and leave the rest blank, but that doesn’t help them get discovered. Look for opportunities to add all the useful information you can when you set up your book listings, and you’ll give your book the best shot at being found by your ideal readers.

9. Not Understanding Book Distribution

Here’s the hard truth: with nearly 11,000 books published every day, seeing your book on the shelves of stores like Barnes & Noble just isn’t the reality for most independent authors. Before you decide on a distribution plan, be realistic about your goals.

Even if you can get them interested, most corporate retailers will expect to order your book through standard channels at a wholesale discount of 55%. They’ll also expect the ability to return unsold copies of your book. That discount can seriously cut into your margins, and a mess of unexpected returns can wreak havoc on your accounting.

But think about it: today, many readers shop primarily online for books. For most new authors, the best distribution strategy is meeting those readers right where they are: online. If you’re focused solely on online sales to individual consumers, there’s no reason to set a steep discount or make your book returnable.

The good news is that you can always change your discount and return status later. For now, consider your current goals, and plan your distribution accordingly. Remember, they’re your goals and no one else’s.

(Pro tip: Check that the trim size you’re interested in is compatible with your chosen distribution plan before you start working with a book designer.)

10. Skipping the Post-Publishing Tasks

Publishing your book might feel like crossing the finish line, but in many ways, the race is only just beginning.

After you celebrate (and turn your computer off for a while and get some well-deserved sleep), here are a few extra steps to consider:

• Sign up for Author Central through your KDP account and create your Author Page. (This is also the place to add any editorial endorsements your book has received.)
• If you haven’t already, set up an author website with a book page, about page, and newsletter sign-up form.
• Consider ads to increase your sales. Many distribution and social media platforms offer ad packages to increase visibility and encourage readers to buy your book.
• If you decide to purchase ads, track your numbers carefully to find the right spend amount and ensure the cost of your ads is worth the ROI. (ScribeCount and Publishwide are two low-cost options that can make this task easier.)
• Don’t stretch yourself too thin on social media. To begin with, focus on the networks you’re most comfortable with, show up consistently, and don’t post only about your book.
• Sign up for HARO (Help A Reporter Out). Many reporters and bloggers use HARO to find experts to interview about topics they’re writing about. You could be one of them!
• Try using Google Alerts, Giga Alert, or another web monitoring tool so you know when your name or book title is mentioned.

Self-publishing on your own can be intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be. Avoid these mistakes, and you’ll be off to a successful and enjoyable publishing journey that leaves you with the flexibility to control your author career.

Do you have any self-publishing questions?

Sarah Kolb-Williams has been a freelance editor and writer for over fifteen years. She is currently lead editor at Spoonbridge Press, a small publishing services company she cofounded to help independent authors navigate the confusing world of self-publishing. When she’s not working with independent authors, she’s relaxing with her family, enjoying the local live music scene, or tracking down the spiciest food she can find.

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The post Don’t Make These 10 Self-Publishing Mistakes – Part 2 appeared first on WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®.

Emotion is HUGE in storytelling, so we’re circling back to bring you The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Stress and Volatility.

If the topic of emotion amplifiers sounds familiar, it may be. Many years ago we created an ebooklet under this name as a companion to The Emotion Thesaurus. It covered 15 states often mistaken for emotions (boredom, stress, hunger, etc.) because they strain a character, making it easier for them to lose control of their emotions.

Did your heartbeat just pick up a little? Because when someone loses control, bad things happen. They lash out, say the one thing they shouldn’t, burn bridges. They act rashly, make mistakes, and create a mess of problems for themselves. Ah, music to a writer’s ears!

But emotion amplifiers do a lot more than destabilize emotions, and there are more than just fifteen, so we knew at some point we would circle back and create a proper guide for you. We can’t wait for you to see it!

We Need Your Help!

Launching a book is a big task and one we need help with. We’re putting together our Street Team and would love for you to share this ride with us!

A Street Team can lend a hand in a variety of ways. They might…

• Help us build excitement for the book before the release
• Share book graphics, blog posts, and other things we create around the book so writers know this resource is coming
• Read The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus and provide an honest review (we have 50 arcs to distribute)
• Lend us their blog for a day at launch and put up a post written by us
• Use their social platforms to help us find writers who will find the book helpful
• Point their writing audience to our launch event so they can enter the giveaway
• Be in our corner and provide help in whatever way they can!

The Advantages…

If you enjoy being an insider, you’ll get the first look at the cover and have a front row seat to our launch strategy, which can be helpful to you as you release your own book. You’ll see how to communicate with a street team so you can build your own, too. We also give out 50 digital arcs, so you may be one of the first to read and use this guide!

Being part of the Street Team doesn’t mean a mountain of work, either. We try to make it as easy to help as possible. We also respect your inbox. When you sign up, you can let us know what you are interested in helping with, and we’ll make sure you don’t see emails about other things.

Our release date is May 13th. If you think you can spare a bit of time (and your platform) to help, sign up here.

Thank you!

ANGELA ACKERMAN

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

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