Copyright Basics Every Songwriter Should Know
If you write songs, you already have copyright — but do you understand how it actually works? From shared ownership to royalties, there are a few basics every songwriter should know.
How to Pitch a Book to a Publisher: Do’s and Don’ts for Writers
Finished your manuscript but not sure what comes next? Here’s how to pitch your book to a publisher with clarity, professionalism, and the right approach.
Readers Asked Us: Writing in Popular Genres: How Much Similarity Is Normal?
Spend any time writing in a popular genre and the moment will come: you read a new release and feel that flicker of recognition. Similar beats. Familiar character types. Maybe even a setting that feels close to home. Before the panic sets in, it’s worth understanding how genre markets actually function — and why a certain level of similarity is not just normal, but expected.
Is Your Local Story Ready to Publish? What Writers Should Know
There’s a quiet assumption in writing circles that once a story matters, it must be published. Not so. Some of the most powerful local stories arrive in the market too early — not because the writing is weak, but because the timing isn’t right yet. Before you rush to release deeply place-based work, it’s worth understanding what seasoned publishing professionals look for in true market readiness.
How to Get More Book Reviews: A Practical Guide for Authors
Reviews matter. Not because you need validation (though it’s nice). But because reviews are social proof. They tell readers, algorithms, librarians, booksellers and festival programmers that your book exists — and that real humans have read it. So let’s cut through the hand-wringing and look at exactly how to get reviews — and what to do once you have them.
Using Genre Tropes Without Copying: What Writers Need to Know
You’re deep into your manuscript. The world is taking shape. The characters are alive. And then — whack. You stumble across another book in your genre and realise they’ve used the same pack name. Or a similar kingdom. Or a territory that sounds suspiciously close to yours. Instant dread. “Have I just copied someone else?”
Visual cohesion and the quiet work of branding
Readers decide whether a book feels credible in seconds, based largely on visual cohesion rather than content. Strong branding in books isn’t loud or flashy — it’s the quiet alignment between cover, typography, illustration, and layout. When these elements feel like they belong together, readers trust the book; when they don’t, even excellent writing can feel amateur.
Publishing Romance: Marketability, Positioning, and What Actually Sells
Romance sells because its readers know exactly what they’re looking for — so success depends less on craft and more on clear positioning and signalling, rather than vague labels and hoping the right audience will find the book.
Readers Ask Us: How Many Words Should My Book Be?
Some writers obsess over hitting a magic number. Others refuse to look at word count at all, insisting the story should be “exactly as long as it needs to be”. Both approaches usually end in trouble.
Readers Asked Us: How Do I Set the Right Price for My Book?
Most authors don’t struggle with pricing because they’re bad at maths. They struggle because pricing feels personal. It isn’t. Pricing is a business decision — even if your book is deeply personal. So let’s look at how to go about it.
Readers Asked Us: Can I Quote Song Lyrics in My Book?
You’re writing a scene where your character turns on the radio. A song plays — the perfect song — and two lines of lyrics capture the moment exactly. So you type them in. Then a tiny thought appears: “Wait… am I actually allowed to do that?”
Good Writing Won’t Save Your Novel (Here’s What Will)
I see strong manuscripts stall every year because the author believes that being “well written” will do the heavy lifting. In today’s market — traditional or indie — it won’t.