• How to Write a Poetry Collection

    - By 

    From Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson to Timothy Liu and Audre Lorde, it is clear that each of these poets has a special knack for words. All possess a unique style and voice, and they all write about topics that are important to them. If you are a poet and are thinking about writing a poetry collection, here are some tips to get started and ensure that your work truly reflects what you feel. What Is a Poem? With modern poetry becoming more and more experimental, it is sometimes difficult to determine what a poem is. Poetry can be a million different…

  • woman working at a desk with books stacked; manuscript review

    What to Expect from a Manuscript Review

    - By 

    At Salem Author Services, our editors offer a Manuscript Review, sometimes called an MDR, for all authors. A Manuscript Review allows an editor to become thoroughly acquainted with a piece. Manuscript Reviews are not only an important step in the editing process, but they are the very first step! Let’s dive into what these Manuscript Reviews are all about. What Is in a Manuscript Review? The Manuscript Review starts out with the title of the reviewed piece, the author’s name (or pen name), and the word count. Simple enough so far, right? Then it goes into the general overview—what the editor believes your…

  • man typing on laptop; editorial critique

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

    - By 

    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…

  • sunglasses and lake in background; how to write in third person

    How to Write in Third Person Point of View

    - By 

    In the world of fiction, the third person point of view (POV) is a widely popular choice for writers. With this POV, the narrator exists outside of the story and refers to characters by their names, using third person verbs and pronouns, such as “he,” “she,” and “they.” It’s important to note that generally, the narrator is not a separate entity/character with its own role in the story. The narrator simply sits on the shoulder of the character(s) and communicates to the reader the events and interactions as they unfold. There are three forms of the third person POV: objective, omniscient, and limited.…