A tiny square has quietly arrived in the world of books — the QR code. Some authors love it as a bridge between print and screen; others aren’t convinced. This guide unpacks what QR codes actually do, how they work, and how to use them well without tech overwhelm, so you can decide with confidence rather than fashion.
After publishing, many writers experience an unexpected, hollow silence rather than celebration; this quiet can feel personal, but it doesn’t mean the book failed — it simply shows that publishing is a slow beginning, not a finished outcome.
Finishing a book is hard, but launching it is often even more daunting. Because many writers feel overwhelmed and unsure what to do next, Scribbly created the Book Launch Series — a practical, step-by-step guide to help authors plan and execute a launch with clarity, confidence, and realistic expectations
Facing a publishing contract for the first time can feel overwhelming and intimidating, but this article is designed to calm that fear by explaining key terms in plain language and helping writers recognise what to question — even if they can’t afford a lawyer.
On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026, we rightly talk about representation, pathways, and opportunity. All of that matters. But underneath it all is something more fragile — and more powerful….the question.
Most writing advice online assumes you already know the basics. The Ask Scribbly collection exists because many writers don’t — and shouldn’t have to pretend they do. So, this is where we slow down, answer real questions, and remove the pressure to “already know”.
When spelling, grammar, sentence order, handwriting or word choice become the hardest part of the process, many writers reach the same conclusion: I’m just not good at this. But that conclusion is built on a false premise.
The first five years of a fiction career are rarely glamorous. So let’s simplify this. Not into rigid rules, but into useful focus. If I were sitting across the table from you with a notebook and a flat white, this is what I’d suggest you prioritise — in roughly this order.
Illustrating your book is not a test you can fail. It’s a collaboration — and like any good collaboration, it works best when everyone understands their role. But before tools, briefs and budgets — it helps to understand what illustrations do in a book, and what they don’t.
If you’re feeling unsure about how much direction to give an illustrator — or what you’re even allowed to ask — you’re not alone. And no, this isn’t something “everyone else just knows”. It’s a skill. One most writers are never taught. So let’s talk about it properly.
A portfolio career isn’t a sign you didn’t make it. It’s how writers stay long enough to make work that matters. Longevity is the quiet achievement no one glamorises — but it’s the one that changes everything. And if your career feels a little patchwork right now, that doesn’t mean it’s broken. It means it’s still being made.
You don’t need perfect illustration choices. You need considered ones. And once you’ve made them, you’re allowed to let the book move forward — without apology, without constant revision, and without carrying unnecessary doubt with you. That’s confidence.
