Pacing isn’t just about car chases and cliffhangers—it’s the rhythm that keeps readers engaged, whether you’re writing historical fiction, fantasy, an essay, or a poem. Our panelists will explore how to control the flow of information and how to create momentum that carries readers through your work. Learn techniques for varying sentence length, managing white space, balancing introspection with action, and other structural choices that shepherd your reader’s experience from the first line to the last. https://ow.ly/2SK850YJ7rV
JAMES RIVER WRITERS’ Post
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Are readers deciding not to purchase your novel after looking at the first few pages? Are the putting your novel back on the shelf rather than finishing it and giving you stellar reviews? In my blog, I share five things that can be driving readers away from your book. As your copyeditor, I can help you catch these issues and make suggestions to fix. https://lnkd.in/egyCbY8H
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Stating your story in a single sentence is the first step—a vital one— in the right process of writing a strong, well-structured novel.
The Art of the Mystery Skeleton Blurb Are you struggling to pin down the heart of your mystery novel? Every great detective story starts with a clear promise to the reader. In Secrets to Writing a Mystery, we peel back the layers of plot construction to reveal the most powerful tool in a writer’s arsenal: the skeleton blurb. What is a Skeleton Blurb? A skeleton blurb is a single sentence that captures the core of your plot....
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LinkedIn is all about building authority, correct? So here I am, building authority with this article about using Substack for Serial Fiction. It was just published in SFWA's Planets. (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.) https://lnkd.in/eGDgUzbr
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📚 At Joy for Books, we don’t just give books—we choose them with purpose. Every title we share is intentionally curated to reflect diverse identities, cultures, and experiences—not through a “colorblind” lens, but with a commitment to authentic representation. We look for stories that not only affirm individual identities but also create opportunities for connection across different experiences. Each book is thoughtfully reviewed using a structured rubric, alongside input from our creative team, to ensure it reflects: ✔️ Authentic representation ✔️ Literary quality ✔️ Age-appropriate content Because every child deserves stories that reflect their world—and expand it.
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Structural editors are worth their weight - same content in a different order can make a huge difference - that has been my experience. 😀📚
Strategy advisor & Exec Coach | Helping CEOs/CXOs perform at their best (transitions, first 100 days, decisions). | Founder, Strategy Shift I HBR Contributor I LinkedIn Top Voice 24/25 I LBS Guest Lecturer I Podcast Host
I’ve just received the first batch of chapters back from my developmental editor, Catherine Knepper. I was a bit nervous. Hoping that she'll love it so I can accept a few changes and move on. Duh. I want a thorough edit. I know there's work to do. 📚Michael Bungay Stanier told me to expect a “crappy first draft.” These chapters are first cuts. I know I can strengthen them. Writing a book is humbling. In a good way.
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Is your draft truly finished or just paused? Many authors believe the moment they complete a first draft, their work is done. Yet, this assumption overlooks the subtle and essential layers of refinement that transform a manuscript from a mere collection of words into a lasting literary treasure. Consider the story of an author who, after writing what they thought was a final draft, found through careful editorial guidance that their narrative lacked cohesion in key themes and emotional resonance. By welcoming the process of thoughtful revision, they raised their work to a piece that not only captivated readers but also endured beyond its initial release. This reveals a profound truth: a draft is never truly finished until it has been patiently cultivated with intention and care. It is in this deliberate process that stories gain the depth and longevity that Luxe Library Publishing House cherishes. For authors aspiring to craft works that linger, inviting reflection and connection for generations, the path beyond the initial draft is where true mastery begins. How will you nurture your manuscript to timelessness?
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Inspired by Lawrence McNally 's work on the Iliad and the Aeneid...here's an Odyssey revision guide in the same format. One-page summaries of books, characters and themes with short essay content. Good luck to anyone teaching or sitting the World of the Hero exam next Tues.
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An exciting, new opportunity! 👇🏽 Texas Book Festival is proud to launch a new literary fiction imprint, an exciting expansion of our work to connect authors and readers and to support the next generation of great storytellers. In partnership with Deep Vellum, Texas Book Festival will launch its new imprint, Burro Libro Press, to publish a debut work of literary fiction by an emerging author with strong ties to Texas. This initiative reflects our deep belief that great writing deserves not only to be celebrated, but to be discovered, supported, and shared. https://lnkd.in/gRT4tiTV
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Marla Miller Talks to Authors and Content Creators A snippet from my interview with #VictoriaWaddle, author and former librarian who worshopped her debut novel, Keep Sweet' in my 'Covid'read & critique worskop that ran weekly for two years +. This is a mini rant of mine re: where too many of today's writers are learning 'craft.'
