Literary
On Writing Representation in Fiction
Author Sonya Lalli explains what it was like to write characters whose journeys mirror the author's and how other authors can let go of the burden of representation.
Sonya Lalli: On Writing Strong, Empowered Women
Author Sonya Lalli explains how she came to write the strong female characters in her latest novel, Serena Singh Flips the Script, and how her editor gave her inspiration for exploring multiple points-of-view.
5 Tips for Writing About Controversial Topics
Bestselling author Syed M. Masood shares his top 5 tips for how to handle a controversial topic in your work.
Syed M. Masood: Let Your Characters Surprise You
Author Syed M. Masood shares how his latest novel, The Bad Muslim Discount, was inspired by the country's political climate and what works (and doesn't) for his no-outline writing style.
On Writing Dysfunctional Families
Author Stephanie Wrobel explains how you can use the natural tension of familial relationships to upgrade your story.
Gil Adamson: On Writing the Genre-Bender
Award-winning author Gil Adamson shares how her novel took a thirteen-year, genre-bending journey to publication.
Evan I. Schwartz: The Rock 'n Roll of Non-Profit Publishing
Author Evan I. Schwartz explains how he went from writing nonfiction to fiction and how he came to discover his non-profit publisher.
Karen White: The Best Books Come From the Heart
New York Times bestselling author Karen White discusses the complexities of writing a series and how to handle cliff-hangers.
Michelle Major: The Meat of the Story
Bestselling author Michelle Major shares what's different about writing a series, how to handle a book release during a pandemic, and what she hopes her writing can do for readers.
Heidi McCrary: What Doesn't Kill Us Makes for Great Literature
Author Heidi McCrary shares how she used personal experience to craft a coming-of-age novel, how she handles political correctness, and the struggle to find a publisher.
10 Tips For Writing a Family Drama Novel
Bestselling author Clare Mackintosh shares the 10 things she learned when writing a family drama and reveals what will be key when writing your own.
Jennifer Givhan: The Symbols of Loss and Hope
Award-winning novelist Jennifer Givhan shares how NaNoWriMo helped her write, the experience of exploring personal topics in fiction, and why writers should never give up hope.
Emily Gray Tedrowe: Write the Book You Want to Read
Emily Gray Tedrowe shares how a perspective shift improved her latest novel (The Talented Miss Farwell), what she hopes is not a one-time thing, and more!
Clare Mackintosh: Permission to Write the Personal and Profound Novel
Award-winning and bestselling novelist Clare Mackintosh shares why it took three novels to write her most recent (After the End), what she learned about writing thrillers, and more!
Karol Hoeffner: Writing Stories When They're Ready to Blossom
Novelist and screenwriter Karol Hoeffner shares what inspired her latest novel (Knee Deep), what surprised her the most in writing it, her best piece of advice for other writers who may be feeling writer's block during the pandemic, and more!
J. Courtney Sullivan: Writing the Roles of Women in the Modern World
Bestselling author J. Courtney Sullivan (The Engagements and Saints for All Occasions) chats about her latest novel (Friends and Strangers), the views of womanhood, telling secrets to strangers, and writing without self-doubt.
Carole Stivers: Constantly Evolving as a Writer
In this post, debut author Carole Stivers shares how a family trip in the desert Southwest in 2003 resulted in her debut novel in 2020, what wrong assumption she had about agents, how Hollywood got looped in before the book was picked up by a publisher, and more!
When You Outgrow Your Genre: Tips From a Romance-Turned-Literary Novelist
After writing romance novels that sold over half a million copies, Anna Schmidt wanted to break away from genre fiction to write literary fiction. Here's what she learned from making the switch.
Author Interview: Lochlan Bloom, Author of Literary Fiction Novel THE WAVE
Lochlan Bloom, debut author of THE WAVE (Jan. 2016, Dead Ink) shares his path to publishing and how his novel developed over time.
Debut Author Interview: Sandi Tan, Author of the Literary Horror Novel, THE BLACK ISLE
This edition of our Debut Author Interviews is with the very successful 2012 first-time novelist, Sandi Tan, who penned the acclaimed ghost story, THE BLACK ISLE (August 2012, Grand Central). The Library Journal and the Philadelphia Inquirer both called the book "beautifully written," while Publishers Weekly chose it as a "pick of the week." Author Sandi Tan was born in Singapore and has an MFA in screenwriting from Columbia University. Her short films have been shown around the world at venues such as the New York Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand, MoMA, and on European television. She lives in Pasadena, California, with her husband, the critic John Powers, and their bossy Siamese, Nico. THE BLACK ISLE is her debut novel.