Great Book Ideas Fail When Pitching Goes Wrong
I’ve heard thousands of book ideas over my 10+ years as a book editor. Some of them were brilliant. Others were so boring I forgot about them instantly. But that doesn’t mean those books were actually boring—in fact, most writers have a viable story idea. The problem is how they're pitching it. In today's newsletter from @the_shit_about_writing, I break down the common mistakes that make your pitch fall flat. https://theshitaboutwriting.substack.com/p/meet-your-dream-agent-plus-your-book
Productivity Isn't About Word Count, It's About Momentum
A quick word on word count goals: Setting word count goals can help you keep you writing on track, but it can also be stifling. I've seen authors beat themselves up because they set out to write 1,000 words in their session...
Why Nonlinear Stories Are so Powerful #shorts
The video explains why nonlinear storytelling captivates audiences more effectively than traditional chronological narratives. By breaking the usual "this happened, then this happened" sequence, authors can tap into deeper psychological triggers that keep readers hooked. A core argument is that humans...
Finish Your Book Marathon: Perseverance Beats All Odds
Writing a book is like running a marathon. Many people sign up. Only a fraction actually start the race. Less make it to mile 20. And fewer still actually cross the finish line. So if you ever feel like giving up...think about that...
Nonlinear Timelines Power Bestselling Books and Film Deals
Some of the biggest bestsellers of recent years — books that sold millions of copies and landed massive film deals — use a storytelling technique that most authors overlook entirely. Nonlinear timelines. And understanding the mechanics behind it could be what unlocks...
Your Writing “Why” Fuels Persistence Through Tough Times
I want to know: Why do you write? Most people say they want to write a book at some point in their lives, but very few actually follow through. When writing gets tough (and trust me, it will), the reason you write...
First‑Person Boom Sparks Debate, Not Novel’s Demise
It's undeniable: first person novels are EVERYWHERE. And some people aren't here for it, calling first person writing "lazy" and "juvenile." But does more first person mean the death of the modern novel? I'm not so sure... https://youtu.be/WmcnL_kFhMQ
Constructive Feedback Elevates Authors, Not Destroys Them
Feedback should never tear you down. As a book editor, it's my job to build my authors (and their stories) UP. ⚒️ I recently worked with an author who was struggling after 10 drafts (yes, really). She'd gotten vague feedback from beta...
Write Authentically, Not for Trends, and Connect Readers
Stop writing to trends. Stop writing what you think publishing wants. Stop writing to please others. And start writing what feels right and true to you. When you tune out the noise and instead honor YOUR unique voice, your readers will: 👉 Relate to your...
Add Conflict: The Easy Trick to Deepen Protagonists
I've read several novels recently with flat protagonists. Their lives are pretty stable, they're relatively content, no unhealed wounds. Good for them, but where's the depth? Here's one EASY but super effective way to make your protag more layered, dynamic, and human:
Data‑Driven Guide to Mastering Literary Querying
I've been working on this massive project quietly for almost two years, and I'm SO excited to finally share it. 🎉 I wrote a book with the creator of QueryTracker, the #1 tool writers use to research and track agent submissions. If...
AI Novel Apps Are Gimmicky, Not Creative Boosts
Every week, someone asks me to promote their “AI for novelists” app. I decline them all, and if the main function is to generate the text/story, I die a little. But I’m genuinely curious: is anyone finding these apps helpful? Not...
Intentional Breaks Beat Creative Blocks, Not Phone Scrolling
If you're experiencing a creative block, I know a guaranteed way to overcome it: Take a break. But not just any kind of break. (No scrolling on your phone for two hours.) Here are 3 tips for taking an intentional, creatively restorative break....
Master Time Manipulation to Craft Your Bestseller
What's behind the blockbuster success of novels like People We Meet on Vacation and The Housemaid? It’s not just the prose, the characters, or the plot. It’s how the authors manipulate time to keep readers hooked. In today's video, I reveal how...
What Is Your Story's Message? #booktok #writingtips
The video stresses that authors must crystallize their story’s core intention before entering the developmental editing phase. Without a firm grasp of the intended message, editors cannot reliably assess whether the narrative delivers the desired impact to readers. Key points include...
Writing My First Book Transformed My Life
I wrote my very first book last year, and now that the release date is approaching, I’m excited for sure, but also…nervous. 😬 Is anyone even going to read it? Will people find it valuable? Or did I just waste a ton...
What Is Your Protagonist's Objective?
The video explains that a protagonist’s objective is the engine of story conflict, insisting that writers articulate what the main character wants early in the narrative. It offers a simple fill‑in‑the‑blank exercise—“My protagonist wants X, but Y and Z are getting...