I Learned to Fast Draft, and It Changed My Writing Life
The post recounts how adopting fast‑drafting transformed the author’s writing process, crediting Jessica Brody’s new guide, *Page One to Done*, as the catalyst. Brody argues that 97% of writers quit their first novel because they chase a polished draft too early. By treating the first draft as a “mud‑pit” playground, writers can finish faster—Brody herself completed a 560‑page manuscript in just seven weeks. The piece urges novelists to abandon perfectionism and embrace rapid, messy drafting.
What Do 50 Newly Agented Authors Have in Common?
QueryTracker examined the latest fifty success stories from authors who recently secured literary agents and uncovered nine recurring characteristics among them. The analysis revealed a clear seasonal pattern, with twelve stories in March, sixteen in February, fourteen in January, ten...
Top Trends Are Dwindling. What Will Be the Next Big Thing?
The latest publishing deal roundup reveals a sharp slowdown in once‑hot genres like romantasy and rom‑com, while proven names such as David Baldacci and James Patterson continue to dominate bestseller charts. Horror’s brief surge has faded, and the market appears...
What Can You Learn From the Beginnings of 2026's Buzziest Books?
The blog post reviews the opening chapters of 2026’s most buzzed‑about novels, arguing that a compelling first line is essential for converting hype into sales. It pairs literary analysis with practical resources—including a “Pitch Doctor” template, veteran author launch tips,...
DNF? Common Reasons Readers Give Up On Novels
The article warns that readers often abandon novels—labelled DNF—due to predictable craft flaws. It highlights the "desire line" concept, urging writers to give characters a clear, early‑stated goal that hooks the audience. Additional pitfalls include overcrowded casts, unconventional dialogue formatting,...
March Debut Deals Aren't Nearly As Dark
March’s debut‑book deals show a clear pivot from the winter‑time dominance of horror, dark academia and rage‑filled romance toward brighter, whimsical women’s fiction and hopeful narratives. While darker titles still surface—especially from self‑published authors and BookTok influencers—the overall tone aligns...
10 Rookie Sentence-Level Mistakes That Out You as a New Novelist
The blog post spotlights ten common sentence‑level pitfalls that betray a new novelist’s inexperience, such as overwriting, redundant conjunctions, and excessive adverbs. It illustrates each flaw with before‑and‑after examples, showing how a tighter sentence can convey the same meaning more...
Should Writers Still Chase Big 5 Traditional Publishing in 2026?
The post questions whether chasing a Big 5 traditional publishing deal remains worthwhile in 2026. It weighs the emotional allure of editorial validation, marketing muscle, and industry rites of passage against the growing viability of self‑publishing and hybrid routes. The author,...