• Fantasy Subgenres

    Exploring Imaginative Fantasy Subgenres

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    Welcome, fellow traveler! You have officially been introduced to the realm of the fantasy genre and are ready to begin your quest in writing your story. The time has come to look even closer at the elements that have already been introduced as well as other elements that may arise later in the writing process for this particular genre so that you are well-equipped for the journey ahead. Let us begin by asking this question: what kind of fantasy would you like to write about? While it would be an impressively amazing accomplishment, no story can house every element within…

  • Welcome to the Writing Realm of Fantasy

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    Imagine this: a terrifying-looking orc who has secret dreams of one day becoming a world-famous bard. A well-seasoned wizard who has helped countless heroes succeed on their quests is ready for retirement. A princess and a unicorn team up to save the few surviving unicorns from a goblin who is killing them for their horns. If any of these sound appealing or like something you may have thought of before, fantasy may just be calling you to write and your imagination is more than welcome to take up residence in this mystical writing realm. This genre has been around for…

  • road with future, past, present written on it, road is surrounded by grass and trees and sunset in the background; past tense or present tense

    Has My Story Happened, or Is it Happening Now? When to Write in the Past or Present Tense

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    Among the plethora of elements a writer has to consider when writing a manuscript is what tense they wish to write their stories in. The tense of a story is separate from the point of view it is told, but thankfully, there are only two tenses to choose between: past and present. In brief and relatively self-explanatory, past tense is used when telling a story that contains events that have already happened (whether in the distant past or recent past). Present tense, on the other hand, is used when telling a story of events that are currently happening or happening…

  • man typing on laptop; editorial critique

    The Editorial Critique: An In-Depth Review of an Author’s Manuscript

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    One of the most popular editorial services offered at Xulon Press is the Manuscript Review, a short, yet detailed review that offers authors a handful of strengths and suggested areas of improvement along with other helpful recommendations for their work. But for the authors who want a more in-depth look into their manuscript and even more recommendations on how to strengthen their work, look no further than the Editorial Critique. Now, the word “critique” can sound rather daunting to writers, but there is no need to feel weary as the Editorial Critique is far from the verbal “bashing” service it may…