The world’s best writers use dozens of literary devices and techniques to add impact and intrigue to their work. You likely use a bunch of these devices already. Many are natural parts of language and essential to how we communicate every day. Others have taught themselves to us through beloved literature that has stood the test of time. Understanding literary device terminology and how each device works will help you identify them in your favorite books and dramatically improve your writing (that’s not hyperbole). Literally, every sentence (or line of poetry) presents an opportunity to use th ..read more

What makes a poem? Nobody knows. They just agree: It isn’t prose.  A poem can be almost anything. It can be an amorphous, scattershot stream of consciousness or a carefully structured narrative with precise rhymes and meter. It can be open to interpretation, or unambiguous and direct. And it can be meant for a wide audience, or just for your own private diary. This versatile verse is the written word’s oldest form of creative expression, and writing poetry is something everyone should try at least once. Anyone who can write can write a poem, and for the ambitious poets, publish a poetry b ..read more

Every publishing plan should allow time for editing and proofreading to ensure you’re putting the best version of your book in print. While it’s ideal to enlist a colleague, or hire a professional editor who can objectively review your manuscript, that’s not always an option. Rest assured, the task of self-editing is totally possible as long as you have a solid game plan.  With a DIY edit, you’ll also develop your editing chops along the way, which is a great skill set for any writer to have. So, find a quiet spot, grab your favorite pen, and learn how to edit a book with our handy guide ..read more

Whether you’re a writer or a photographer, story structure is an important part of book-making. To explain story structure, I like to start with the difference between a portfolio and a traditional novel or photo book. A portfolio is a curated collection of your best work, but it may or may not tell a story. A traditional novel or photo book, on the other hand, usually has a narrative arc. The best books, photography or written, take story structure seriously. The Definition of Story Structure Story structure is the backbone of your entire book-making project. It is the order and man ..read more

Writers working in every genre and at every experience level face the same question at some point in time: How do I start writing every day? Establishing and maintaining a writing schedule and routine takes perseverance. And writing doesn’t just magically happen, so you have to make a plan. For aspiring writers just getting started, finding a balance of time and discipline can feel especially hard—so here are some writing tips and ideas for getting over that hurdle. 01 Have a dedicated space One of the great advantages of writing is that it can ultimately be done anywhere, with very few suppli ..read more

When asked to name a favorite work of fiction, most people list a novel, or occasionally a short story. Flash fiction rarely makes the cut—maybe it feels too wild, too condensed, or too unconventional. For others, that’s part of its appeal. In this modern era of fast-paced storytelling and sound bites, flash fiction actually fits right in. This unique and powerful genre has plenty to offer writers and readers who crave something a little different. So what exactly is it? Flash fiction refers to a brief, contained story ranging from 5 to 1,500 words (not to exceed 2,000 words, otherwise it ente ..read more

The world’s best writers use dozens of literary devices and techniques to add impact and intrigue to their work. You likely use a bunch of these devices already. Many are natural parts of language and essential to how we communicate every day. Others have taught themselves to us through beloved literature that has stood the test of time.  Understanding literary device terminology and how each device works will help you identify them in your favorite books and dramatically improve your writing (that’s not hyperbole). Literally every sentence (or line of poetry) presents an opportunity to u ..read more

What makes a poem? Nobody knows. They just agree: It isn’t prose.  A poem can be almost anything. It can be an amorphous, scattershot stream of consciousness or a carefully structured narrative with precise rhymes and meter. It can be open to interpretation, or unambiguous and direct. And it can be meant for a wide audience, or just for your own private diary. This versatile verse is the written word’s oldest form of creative expression, and writing poetry is something everyone should try at least once. Anyone who can write can write a poem, and for the ambitious poets, publish a poetry b ..read more

Every publishing plan should allow time for editing and proofreading to ensure you’re putting the best version of your book in print. While it’s ideal to enlist a colleague, or hire a professional editor who can objectively review your manuscript, that’s not always an option. Rest assured, the task of self-editing is totally possible as long as you have a solid game plan.  With a DIY edit, you’ll also develop your editing chops along the way, which is a great skill set for any writer to have. So, find a quiet spot, grab your favorite pen, and learn how to edit a book with our handy guide ..read more

When you’re preparing to self-publish your book, it can be tempting to think that a DIY edit will be just as effective as hiring an editor, yet that rarely turns out to be true. An experienced book editor is an invaluable resource for writers in every genre and at every career level. Even the most detail-oriented writer can benefit from having a second pair of eyes to catch everything from simple typos and grammatical errors to confusing sentences or plot lines. And, even an image-heavy book with only five or ten pages of text deserves a proofread. After putting time and energy into creating y ..read more