• it's time for a refresher crash course on literary devices: These are styles or tools writers can use to enhance their stories. Here are 10 of the best li..

    10 Literary Devices Defined

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    If I had to guess, I’d say you probably haven’t heard the term “literary device” since high school English class. Well now that you’re writing a book it’s time for a refresher crash course. Literary devices are styles or tools writers can use to enhance their stories. Some literary devices are meant to add a deeper intellectual level to your writing whereas others are meant to strengthen characters and your book’s theme. If your writing feels a little flat, play around with the following 10 literary devices: 1. Allegory A narrative type that helps writers communicate more than what appears…

  • A common mistake my editing eye has picked up on is the use of filler words. These words elongate your book but don't advance your story. Here are 10 wor...

    10 Filler Words to Cut from Your Manuscript

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    Editing your own writing will never be the easiest part of the writing journey, but knowing what to look for can make the task a whole lot simpler. Working with the publishing company Xulon Press for a decade now has taught me a lot to say the least. A common mistake my editing eye has picked up on is what I like to call the use of filler words. Excessive use of these words elongates your manuscript but does not advance your story.  As a rule of thumb, avoid using words that end in -ly, such as quickly, readily, suddenly,…

  • The publishing world is never stagnant, so it can be hard to stay on top of the trends. Here are the top 7 publishing industry trends happening right now...

    Top 7 Book Publishing Industry Trends

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    The publishing world is never stagnant, so it can be hard to stay on top of the trends. We’ve made it a little easier for you by doing the research. Top 7 Publishing Industry Trends Happening Right Now: 1. Audiobook sales are up. If you’ve been thinking about converting your published book into an audiobook, now is a great time to do it. Audiobook sales are up, and we don’t see this trend going away any time soon. The audiobook format is great for readers on the go or those who want to multi-task. Where it would be impossible to…

  • Working With an Editor

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    The editing process is by far the most nerve-wracking part of the book journey for any writer. Thankfully with the help of our team of professional editors (with decades of real-world editing experience) we have compiled 10 tips for working with an editor.  1. Plan ahead. You know you’re going to need some level of editing for your manuscript before it’s published. So make sure to make a plan early on to begin saving up for a minimum of one round of editing at the “line-editing” level. This middle-of-the-road edit allows your editor to do a lot more than just…