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Inspiration, Tools, and Resources for Fiction Writers
In this edition of Author Spotlight, AutoCrit member Lawrence “MUMPA” Durbin drops in to talk about his new fantasy thriller, 1000 Years of Talks with God: Science and Methuselah Speak! Tell us a little about
In this edition of AutoCrit Author Spotlight, we’re shining a light on debut author Matthew Sleadd and his new novel, Atlanta – the first entry in
In this edition of AutoCrit’s What’s the Score, we’re putting on our night vision goggles and training our scope on an action bestseller that’s recently
Welcome to Part III of our editing-focused series, After the Draft. We’re entering the final stretch of our series of steps you can follow –
Welcome back to After the Draft, our short crash course in effective book editing that any author can tackle before engaging a human editor and
So… you’ve written a book. Congratulations! Those weeks, months, or even years of hard effort have finally paid off, and your new manuscript now sits
Writing may not be music, but most can definitely see a creative commonality between constructing an engaging story and constructing an intriguing, enjoyable song. Rhythm,
Welcome back to What’s the Score?, the series in which we take novels from famous and bestselling authors, and put them to the test using the
In this edition of AutoCrit Author Spotlight, we’re speaking with AutoCrit Elite members Chris & Sophie Brousseau, as we shine a light on their exciting
What draws you to read fantasy fiction? Is it the imaginative, fantastical worlds? The glorious sword fights and epic battles? The best fantasy books are
In this edition of AutoCrit Author Spotlight, we’re speaking with AutoCrit Elite member J. Paul Hickey, as we shine a light on his historical fiction
There’s nothing we love more than helping AutoCrit members celebrate the release of their newest novels, and this time around we welcome AutoCrit Elite member
Pitching remotely is the new normal. Do it well, and you’ll come off polished and professional; do it poorly, and… well, perhaps it’s fodder for
Welcome back to What’s the Score?, the series in which we take novels from famous and bestselling authors, and put them to the test using the
Welcome back to What’s the Score?, the series in which we take novels from famous and bestselling authors, and put them to the test using the
Welcome back to What’s the Score?, the series in which we take novels from famous and bestselling authors, and put them to the test using the
Welcome back to What’s the Score?, the series in which we take novels from famous and bestselling authors, and put them to the test using the
There’s nothing we love more than helping AutoCrit members celebrate the release of their newest novels, and in this Elite member spotlight we turn the
Three-time winner of the August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel, British author Adam Nevill is no slouch when it comes to putting the frighteners
Welcome back to What’s the Score?, the series in which we take novels from famous and bestselling authors, and put them to the test using the
Welcome back to What’s the Score?, the series in which we take novels from famous and bestselling authors, and put them to the test using the
This month, author Kathy Reichs enters the world of AutoCrit as an all-new option in our author comparison stables. You’ll now be able to directly
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, #1 New York Times bestselling romance author Robyn Carr joins the AutoCrit family as she claims a space inside
When AutoCrit members have reason to celebrate, it means all of AutoCrit has reason to celebrate. And there’s little worth more celebration than successfully bringing your
Author Jerry B. Jenkins joins the AutoCrit family this month, as we welcome him to the selection of authors inside the editing platform’s Compare to Fiction
George R.R. Martin has arrived at AutoCrit! Nestled alongside esteemed authors such as Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, J.K. Rowling, Emily Giffin, Jodi Picoult and many
Let’s face it: this is now a digital world. You may have worked super hard to produce your latest novel – poured all your sweat
We’re off to the fantastical lands of Westeros for this edition of What’s the Score, as we welcome genre titan George R.R. Martin to the AutoCrit
When you’re editing your book with AutoCrit, it can be quite surprising to see the word it appear high up the list as one of
Book consultant and editor Ally Machate is today’s guest on Ask the Editor – the series where we catch up with professional book editors and
In this edition of AutoCrit’s What’s the Score? we welcome a veritable titan in the world of publishing: Stephen King! A man whose work needs
Have you ever tried to explain what your book is about to a stranger only to see their eyes glaze over after the first minute
We are fast approaching what I like to call goal season. We are on the verge of National Novel Writing Month (NANOWRIMO) and the new
The world is full of people who want to give writing advice, but not everyone’s qualified. The only people who truly understand writers and the
It ain’t easy being mean. You’ve spent a lot of time developing a character your readers will care about, and you’ve grown fond of that
For some of us, hearing criticism or seeing those red marks on our drafts indicating places where we may need to make changes is like
“Show, don’t tell.” Every fiction writer has heard the phrase ad nauseam. It’s handed down from seasoned scribes to newbies with seriousness and reverence. We’re
Mark Twain said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is . . . the difference between the lightning bug and
Pacing in writing is the key to creating stories your readers can’t put down. Think of how many times you’ve heard someone comment on a
About Me pages fill some fiction writers with dread. And yet, a good About Me page is essential to connecting with readers, winning new fans,
Stephen King said, “I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs.” Hemingway, known for his spare writing style, used -ly words far less
Self-editing is a challenge for even the most skilled fiction writers. Once you’ve poured your heart and soul into a draft, it’s difficult to slash
Take a quick browse through a bookstore or Amazon’s virtual shelves and you’ll discover that there are hundreds of books about how to write fiction.
What is the natural habitat of the happily published, career author? Is it sat in a boutique café with a deconstructed coffee, thundering through chapters
Quick! Name something that can make you feel happier and more productive and inspires creativity. Your first thought might have been “a hot cup of coffee”
These days, it’s easier than ever to get yourself online. Making a simple, visually appealing, and functional author website is no longer the sole domain
Your novel is completed, edited to perfection, and your beta readers love it. Now what? You’ve heard the next step is to approach a literary
To the collective AutoCrit mind, organization is important. Essential, even. The public might imagine writers as messy creative types, perched behind desks that overflow with
Writing fiction is a creative activity, so why would you need to spend time doing another hobby? Won’t that suck your brain dry of creative
What is a flat character? Indiana Jones. Sherlock Holmes. Juliet Capulet. None of these could be accused of being flat. The dream of every writer
Dear Barbara, I’ve heard many horror stories about writers who entrusted their work to agents, only to have the manuscript left sitting on a shelf, or the royalties stolen. In fact, I once signed a
Dear Barbara, My first book was published last year and since receiving The Call, I’ve gone on to sell four more stories to my publisher.
Here is Part 3 of Bromwyn Storms 3 part series on writing blurbs. You can start the series with Part 1. PART THREE: TROUBLE-SHOOTING If
Read part 1 here. PART TWO: SETTING THE TONE OF THE BLURB The above blurb is a good framework (if I do say so myself,
I’ve been in the publishing business for a few years now, and I’ve come to one, undeniable, unarguable conclusion: writers are insane. Loco. Crazy. What
Query Letter – My Hero’s Journey I don’t know what I was thinking…don’t know where my head was…I guess I figured that I would write
How to Find out if Your Novel is a Romance. I think the most painful word in the world is “rejection,” (this word is closely
From the workshop by Karen Drogin aka Carly Phillips, Lori & Tony Karayianni aka Tori Carrington, and Harlequin Editor, Brenda Chin presented at the Romance
I just want to sell that first book, then I’ll be happy. How many times have I uttered those words? Well I did sell and
You’ve finished your first manuscript, or maybe your twentieth. Maybe you’re having trouble getting an editor’s attention through the slush pile or conference interviews. Maybe
Starbucks. Nike. Microsoft. On the surface, they are words that mean little or nothing. But when you see the name on billboards or TV or
There are thousands of e-mail list out there on every subject you can imagine, and probably on a few you can’t and wouldn’t want to
Article posted by Nina Davies with the permission of Cheryl Kaye Tardif. So you’ve written a book, had it published and you are now facing
Article posted by Nina Davies with the permission of Cheryl Kaye Tardif. October to December is usually the busiest season for anyone wishing to promote
The movie, What the ?*&! Do We Know? explores the idea that our perception of reality affects that reality, that we can influence our own
When most writers set out to write a book, they’re interested in telling a story. Maybe they dream of one day being published, and of
Let’s begin with an assumption: Unless touted as the new mega-seller, whose first novel sold at auction for an astronomical, news-making advance, the average new
I keep reading about romance authors who wake up one morning with nothing to read and write their first novel. I hear about folks who,
It arrived like a bolt of lightning from the heavens, on the gossamer wings of angels singing “Alleluia.” Okay, not quite. It actually came to
You’ve finally typed those two magic words, “The End.” Now, you’re ready to (cringe!) share your masterpiece with the world. And suddenly there are two
Jane Porter’s 10 Things Not to Do if You’re Trying to Sell to Harlequin in 10 Years or Less! Point #1-4 – Don’t Go For
Personal Branding can seem quite involved — and as with anything, you can raise it to the level of obsession. (Not that I’ve ever done
Your Personal Writing and Industry Brand as an Author. As we develop our Personal Brand as authors, we do so generally with some far-off goal
If you’re still reading, you’re here to learn about branding — specifically, personal branding. Of course, I’m not talking about burning your own skin, but
Now that you have established your brand’s beliefs and values, or the emotional, spiritual and cultural values addressed by your brand, it’s time to consider
Part of a series of brief articles on the Power of Personal Branding. With this article, we begin to explore the ‘meat’ of your personal
In talking to my friends, associates and random strangers, I’ve noticed that while many seem intrigued by the concept of Personal Branding, the most popular
What’s in a logo? In the world of branding, everything. A logo is the identifying symbol for a company that serves as a snapshot for
As any basic marketing class will tell you, there are 5 – P – s of Marketing to keep in mind as you consider offering
Whether you’ve gone through a Personal Branding exercise or not at this point, it’s relevant to discuss what you’re now going to DO with your
For writers, the grass can often seem greener on the other side of the genre fence. Maybe you’ve been toiling away at your Regencies’ but
Book Publicity Options: Looking for new places to send promotion information on your latest release? An outlet to publicize placement in a contest? Here is
The most challenging, hair-pulling, teeth-gnashing piece of work you create as a writer is also your most single most important selling tool. If you haven’t
Welcome to Tools of Publicity for the Romance Writer. Allow me to arm you with the essentials you need to persuade journalists to write stories
The title of this article may seem like a contradiction in terms. But it only seems that way. Your writing career doesn’t start with your
Whether or not you’ve hit that point yet, you know all about the expectations. We’re not talking about the practicalities here – the questions of
Is there a “right way” to Promote your novel? Okay, I’ve sold my books (yay!), and now it’s month two. What’s the worry du jour?
This article is the 5th and final in a series covering the necessary steps for creating a career plan. Well…you’ve got a Career Plan, complete
This article is the 4th in a series covering the necessary steps for creating a career plan. We’re approaching the mountain peak. Can you see
Find Your Writing Process. Not someone else’s process, but yours. This is not another article on how to plot your book or get into your
This series of articles will cover the necessary steps for creating a career plan. While the focus will be on career planning for the unpublished
Every year unpublished writers attend conferences to meet with the editors of their choice and to pitch mini summaries of the books they’ve completed. Below
This article is the 3rd in a series covering the necessary steps for creating a career plan. We’ve explored our commitment to writing, done a
Few things strike terror into the hearts of conference goers more than the dreaded editor or agent appointment, and yet few opportunities at a writing
Publishing is a business. Writing may be art, but publishing, when all is said and done, comes down to dollars. Keep that in mind. I
There are only three steps to this: Write a great novel Research literary agents Write a great query letter Make your novel the best you
Learn What Your Website is Doing For You You already have a website; readers sign up for your newsletter; and you link to Amazon so
Tips for Pitching an Editor or Agent at a Conference © Susan Lyons Research editors/agents ahead of time. Pitch to an editor/agent who is interested
Welcome to Part III of our editing-focused series, After the Draft. We’re entering the final stretch of our series of steps you can follow – regardless of experience – when editing books so that your
Welcome back to After the Draft, our short crash course in effective book editing that any author can tackle before engaging a human editor and
So… you’ve written a book. Congratulations! Those weeks, months, or even years of hard effort have finally paid off, and your new manuscript now sits
Writing may not be music, but most can definitely see a creative commonality between constructing an engaging story and constructing an intriguing, enjoyable song. Rhythm,
What draws you to read fantasy fiction? Is it the imaginative, fantastical worlds? The glorious sword fights and epic battles? The best fantasy books are
We’re off to the fantastical lands of Westeros for this edition of What’s the Score, as we welcome genre titan George R.R. Martin to the AutoCrit
When you’re editing your book with AutoCrit, it can be quite surprising to see the word it appear high up the list as one of
The world is full of people who want to give writing advice, but not everyone’s qualified. The only people who truly understand writers and the
It ain’t easy being mean. You’ve spent a lot of time developing a character your readers will care about, and you’ve grown fond of that
For some of us, hearing criticism or seeing those red marks on our drafts indicating places where we may need to make changes is like
“Show, don’t tell.” Every fiction writer has heard the phrase ad nauseam. It’s handed down from seasoned scribes to newbies with seriousness and reverence. We’re
Mark Twain said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is . . . the difference between the lightning bug and
Take a quick browse through a bookstore or Amazon’s virtual shelves and you’ll discover that there are hundreds of books about how to write fiction.
To the collective AutoCrit mind, organization is important. Essential, even. The public might imagine writers as messy creative types, perched behind desks that overflow with
What is a flat character? Indiana Jones. Sherlock Holmes. Juliet Capulet. None of these could be accused of being flat. The dream of every writer
[WARNING: This article contains spoilers for a selection of famous novels.] Throughout our lifetime, almost every one of us will read at least one book
When you lift the curtains on your story and welcome readers into your exciting new world, there are multiple challenges you must overcome in those
Comedy… why do we like it so much? What makes it different from other genres? And how can you add some funny scenes into your
Oft-quoted advice for writers is to write what you know. But what if you want to write about medieval Europe during the Black Death? Do
As you may well know, just because you’re writing fiction, it doesn’t mean you make up absolutely everything. Successful fiction usually comes from the art
Everybody loves to watch a good movie. The action, the characters, the setting, the special effects – they all come together in their own way
Writing can be a lonely task. As you sit by the light of your monitor and type away at a story, you have no idea
Many academics, most notably author Christopher Booker, believe there are only seven basic narrative plots in all of storytelling – frameworks that are recycled
… or, Why Everything You’re Doing to Write More & Better is Wrong. Writing is hard. This is what we tell ourselves, over and over.
The answer to the question of whether being an active reader will make you a better writer won’t be news to most authors – it’s
The search for inspiration is part of a writer’s life. Just like any other creative person, sometimes the fresh ideas flow freely, while at other
What use are subplots? You have a story to tell, and any good novel is supposed to stay laser-focused on what really matters, isn’t it?
Commercially, symbolism gets a bit of a bad rap these days – possibly because of literature lessons delving far too deeply into why the curtains
There was a man who wanted to rob a bank and escape with the money. He did. The End. Succinct, right? But unless you’re working
There are those of us who tend to use ‘point of view’ and ‘perspective’ interchangeably – whether we’re talking about the technical aspects of writing
Few outstanding stories don’t include at least a couple of instances of foreshadowing – because, in tight fiction, everything happens for a reason. Real life
If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to get your proofreaders and editor on your case with a vengeance, it’s falling prey to homophone confusion. Homophones
The phrase deus ex machina is one that you’ve likely encountered throughout your literary travels. Latin for god from the machine, it describes an unexpected
Ah, metaphors. They are, and likely always will be, a major pillar of most fiction and poetic prose. A type of figurative language used to
One thing is for certain: to be an excellent writer, you can never rest on your laurels. You need to be constantly working on your
It’s undeniable that romance is a hot topic (no pun intended). The genre shows no signs of slowing down, with romance novels continuing to dominate
Any novel could potentially contain a cast of hundreds. Most of the important action, however, will only involve the protagonist and a few other major
Creating your cast of characters is one of the most exciting parts of storytelling. Naming them, however, is not always easy. There’s plenty to take
Next to writer’s block – where the words required to progress through an in-progress work just refuse to come – one of the most common
Congratulations! You’ve finished your latest masterpiece. The final words are locked in, your story arc is complete, and page after page of tension and excitement
As a writer, you’ve likely come across the term ‘purple prose’ on more than one occasion – usually delivered with a sneer or some inflection
Dramatic tension and suspense are cornerstones of gripping storytelling – but they can take many forms, and there is a wealth of ways through which
Clichés may be an undesirable ingredient for your prose (in fact, AutoCrit even has a report dedicated to that specific curse), but there’s no denying
You know we love to inject a little video content into the AutoCrit blog from time to time, and so today we’re taking a break
Writer and illustrator Mark Crilley offers up a wealth of artistic insight over on his YouTube channel, and we’ve had the pleasure of sharing some
It happens all too often: you have a great story, yet every agent you contact rejects your manuscript. “Didn’t pique my interest.” “Didn’t strike a
Whether you’re bashing out a novel for NaNoWriMo, crafting a short story or simply trying to get into the habit of noting down your ideas,
We know how it is – sometimes even the most gloriously free-wheeling writing sessions can come to a dead stop. Worse, is when it happens
All satisfying hero characters should be flawed, but there’s a particular kind that cranks up the off-kilter factor to dangerous levels: the anti-hero. Narcissistic, grumpy,
Evil laugh… funny hairdo… yeah, that’s another boring villain. Yawn. Why is it that most villains are run-of-the-mill, seem to pose no real threat even
Knowing how to bring non-existent people to life on the page is an essential skill for any writer, and even more so when deadlines are
Dear Barbara, I finished my first manuscript just after my first son was born and have been fielding rejection letters ever since. My game plan was to find an agent first, but that is proving
Dear Barbara, I am a new author, under contract for my first novel to be published early in 2007. My publisher is interested in my
Dear Barbara, A few weeks ago, I decided to get serious about writing the romance novel that burns inside me. I made an outline, worked
Do you dream of writing? Of having your book published? Of seeing your name on a bookstore shelf? Here are steps you can take to
Go Forward… It’s not as easy as it sounds. For some it means putting down a manuscript we’ve revised (until even we’re sick of our
Like the arrow keys on a computer which move my manuscript up or down, forward or back, taking a new step in my writing career
Once upon a time in New York state, a sort-of young Jewish girl sat slaving away at her computer writing stories of love and happily-ever-after.
You’re writing the best love scene ever to sizzle off a computer screen. The artful amalgamation of words will undoubtedly dazzle editors, agents, contest judges,
The Beauty of Boredom I attended a writer’s retreat last June. The name of the retreat was “Writing and Dharma,” and it was billed as
It’s always a little depressing when a series or imprint closes. There are few enough markets, it seems, and to lose two more and cause
When I sold my first book, I was ecstatic — until I hit a writer’s block that lasted for a year and a half. Now
Article posted by Nina Davies with the permission of Cheryl Kaye Tardif. During a recent discussion in one of my writer’s groups, the topic of
Recently I was reading a book review where the reviewer described the heroine as TSTL. Because of this nefarious acronym, she couldn’t recommend the book.
We are often told that ‘real writers’ don’t wait for inspiration to strike, but produce a set number of words/pages on a regular schedule. While
I’m not a Pollyanna. True to an Aquarian born in the year of the Dragon, I’m incredibly impatient, impulsive, emotional, irrational and irritable. And those
From the day I first discovered her lurking in my head, my muse, Gertrude, and I shared a terrific relationship. That is, until recently. After
I’ve heard successful writers proclaim they don’t get writer’s block because they won’t allow themselves to get writer’s block. Others have said that writer’s block
Feeling burned out? Need a break but you’ve got another deadline looming? Plan a writer’s retreat! I’ve just returned from my second writing retreat with
I’m a wuss. Until recently, I routinely cracked under pressure. Rejections decimated me. Revisions terrified me. Getting a bad review meant a week of sleepless
I did something amazing today. I mailed a contest entry. “Ho hum, so what,” you might say. Well, putting a stamp on that envelope and
There’s nothing quite so satisfying for a writer as when the creative well overflows, when your characters pull you out of bed every day, begging
Rejection is part of the writing business : it means, more than anything else, that you’re doing your job. No one (and I mean no
Contrary to what some writers will say, there is a secret formula to good writing. How do you become a good writer? Write every day
After a fabulous all day workshop given by Lucy Monroe this fall, I had an epiphany. Writing to sell requires a writer to follow three
I never would’ve had the guts to write this if I hadn’t just sold a book. I would’ve kept my shame and embarrassment to myself,
“I loved your book.” “I really enjoyed your book.” “Your book was wonderful.” It’s always a treat to hear comments like that. And whenever I
I was recently asked during one of the classes on my online writing group what to do when the doubt devils that plague most writers
It’s happened again. You’ve had another rejection, one of those awful, generic ‘editorial department’ ones we all dread: ‘Your story is well-written and plotted, but
Rejection Sucks. In my previous Tough Love article – Dare To Dream, I emphasized the mind, body, and soul connection. This concept is not only
Hmm — What else to say with the final chapter of my Tough Love series? I recently held a workshop on finding the time to
The new year rolled in with fireworks and champagne popping. Resolutions, goals, selling of souls were thrown out to the universe with quiet desperation. Despite
The Quest to Publish. On my many trips to Atlanta with the family, I drive through the night. The main reason is to avoid hearing
Have you ever noticed how a theme will suddenly develop around you? Serendipitous events occur, snatches of speech overheard begin to form a pattern, and
The Full-Time Writer Stereotype. The classic stereotype of a romance writer paints a cozy picture of a woman typing her stories at home during the
I’ve been really looking at my days lately, trying to work out where my time goes and how to get everything done. I’ve read umpteen
Success can be defined any number of ways. For the purposes of this section, let success be whatever “your” version of it is, with one
Finding Past Rejection in Publishing. Something sent me to my old file drawer today; I was looking for an address of an agent for a
Recently, the Florida lotto was $85 million dollars. Did I buy a ticket? Yep. Ten of ‘em. Did I win? Nope. But someone did –
It’s very simple: our subconscious (which is our friend and wants to help us) believes that writing is dangerous, and so it wants to stop
