Even Literary Shortlists have Tropes
With so many literary prizes, don’t be surprised even literary shortlists have tropes. Blink and you’ll think this is satire…
Publishing
Posts on publishing
Worldshift 2026
WorldShift 2026, the Speculative Fiction Writers’ Conference returns August 17-22. An online event not just for sci-fi and fantasy authors.
How Long is my Story?
Fantasy authors need to know: how long is my story? The classification of a story will vary by genre, by
A Reader Magnet’s Irresistible Draw
What you really need to help build an email list is a reader magnet’s irresistible draw. But I realized mine
Delivering on a Series Plan
Four years on, I’m finally delivering on a series plan. When I took up the challenge to write a fantasy
Decode the Publisher’s Book Description
How do you decode the publisher’s book description – you know, those tag-lines on the front and back cover? You
Wrestling with the YA genre
Despite starting as an adult fantasy writer, I have to acknowledge I’m wrestling with the YA genre. Listen to the
All types of Fantasy Fiction
In a vast literary genre, High, Low, Epic, Urban, Paranormal and Romance are all types of fantasy fiction. Along with
Wrestling with Book Categories
Right now I’m wrestling with book categories; where do my books fit in the melee of marketing? Who are they
The Story Premise that Pitches the Novel
I’ve found multiple sources of the Story Premise that pitches the novel. Longer than a simple logline, shorter than either