• Top 5 Books to Read for Black History Month

    I have very distinct memories of Black History Month in the primary grades: reading about Martin Luther King Jr., watching movies about Jackie Robinson, and painting a lot of clasped hands in different shades of paint. Now I know that, as a writer, the most significant way for me to celebrate this month is to revel in the rich words and reflections of African-American authors. Celebrating Black History Month might be just the muse you need for your own writing. After all, Black history is a huge field that connects different time periods, perspectives, styles, continents, and topics; books written by…

  • 8 Famous Writers Spill Their Secret Writing Routines

    I’ve spent a lot of time pouring over the daily routines of notable writers and learning what inspired their creative energy to pour out onto paper in the form of writing. Much like a baseball player won’t wash his lucky socks during a long stretch of wins in fear of breaking the streak—writers develop their routines and don’t dare deviate, for the fear of showing up to type with no words bouncing around in their heads is terrifying! We’re all busy: family, jobs, a social calendar, favorite television shows. We use these things to make excuses to avoid the keyboard,…

  • Black History Month, How to Write a Devotional, and Why We “Heart” Xulon Press.

    And just like that, the first month of 2016 is already gone. But here on the Xulon Press blog, we’re launching headfirst into all things February. We’re inviting authors to share what they love about Xulon Press on social media using the hashtag #IHeartXP. What made you choose Xulon Press? Our award-winning designers? Perhaps you appreciate our steadfast commitment to keeping messages of hope on the shelves of bookstores around the world? Share it with us now on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by tagging @XulonPress and using the hashtag #IHeartXP.  February is also Black History Month, which we’ll be celebrating with a couple of…