Book marketing. Those two innocuous words instill fear and loathing into the hearts of so many writers. You just want to write your books and have them sell themselves. Why do you have to tell people about it? Well, Susan, because you do. I know you want to write, but if your goal is to write, publish, and make money from your books, then you’re going to have to find a way to make them visible. Thousands of new titles are uploaded to Amazon every single day. Millions of books are being published every year, and no matter how good your story is, without marketing, there’s not much chance very many people will find it. 

What kind of writer are you? Are you the sort who writes a meticulous outline that tips into the five digits or the type who sits down in front of a blank sheet of paper and lets the words pour out of you like a runaway train? Did you know there are specific terms for this kind of writing? Writers will come up with words for anything, I swear. Plotters are the first type of writer. They like to have detailed outlines that tell them exactly where their story is going. Pantsers are the other type of writer, which is kind of a weird name, but the term was coined by Stephen King (a famous pantser) to describe writing by the seat of your pants. Cute, eh? There is no right or wrong way to write your book, and I’m going to repeat this so many times. The right way is the way that works for you. 

There are hundreds of blogs out there for writers that cover everything from improving your craft to the business and marketing of being an author. There are ones that focus on indie publishing and those that focus on traditional publishing. It’s easy to get lost in the reams of information you can find online, so which writing blogs are worth checking out? While there is no definitive answer to that question, we’ve compiled a list of writing blogs that you’ll want to bookmark to help you on your writing journey. Just make sure you actually write, too, and don’t fall into the trap of just reading about writing (look, we’ve all been there).

So how do you write well then? Realistically, there are a few things universally considered “good” writing. The story should follow a logical plot where one action feeds into another. The characters should behave in ways that align with their established personalities. There should be some high points and low points and stuff in between. Generally, good writing is also well edited and follows most of the conventions for grammar and punctuation. While you can write well with typos and mistakes, you run the risk of distracting the reader to a point where that good story becomes not so good because it’s unreadable. Ultimately, the success of things like your voice and your characters are going to be up to your reader and you’ll never please everyone. But we can take some steps to ensure we please more people than not.

So you want to publish a book, but maybe you don’t want everyone knowing you published a book. Or maybe you’ve already published a lot of books but you want to publish one in another genre. Pen names or pseudonyms are common amongst authors, and many writers use them. In fact, a lot of the most famous authors you know go by a different name on their cover than what is listed on their birth certificate. 

Do you have a story in you? Of course you do! Come write with us for the Dabble Writing Challenge.

Theses six steps can help show you how to become a fiction writer. Figure out what works best for you!

Learn how to write a children's book with this ultimate guide and template for designing a story that resonates with young readers.

Learn how to write a book in this ultimate guide. Plus find editing tips, map out a publishing journey, & download a free outlining template.

Unsure of how to start writing? This easy guide and checklist will help you turn your writing dreams into a reality.

Goals can be powerful tools for authors, but how do you go about setting effective writing goals? We've got your back.

Desperate to know how to write with a full-time job? Look no further. This guide has all the tips you need for finding time, staying on track, and avoiding burnout. Get ready to crush your writing goals!

Wondering how to find your writing style... or why you'd even need to? Here's everything you need to know to discover, define, and rock your one-of-a-kind voice.

Plot is pretty much everything that happens in your story. So let's look at some methods that can help map out your story.

If you read any articles on the art of developing a good writing habit, one of the most common pieces of advice you’ll see is to find an ideal writing spot. Somewhere that not only inspires you, but most importantly, gives you that special something you need to sit down and get those words on the page. Because discipline will trump inspiration every time. There are a lot of places you can go to write. The most obvious is probably somewhere in your home. But, maybe you don’t have an ideal setup there. Maybe it’s too small or there are too many people. Or maybe you’re just sick of the place and want to go out into the wide world. 

Writing well requires preparation. Set up your space, gather your tools, and adjust your mindset to crush your writing goals.

Seems like everybody has an opinion about what defines a great book. If you're eager to cut through the philosophizing and drill down to some clear standards that will help you shape a powerful novel, this checklist is for you.

Your writing method will determine a lot about your process. Are you a Plotter or a Pantser?

Theme is subtle, tricky, and will likely be the most effective way to get your audience emotionally engaged. So how do you do it?

"Don't let it bother you" is terrible advice for overcoming your fear of rejection as a writer. Here's how to approach this fear instead... and how even the most sensitive writer can boldly pursue their dreams in the face of potential rejection.

Characters are the heart of a story. Let's talk about arcs, conflict, and growth.

It's time to start writing. Get started by setting goals, and removing some sneaky myths from your mind.

So you want to take your love of reading and talking about books and turn it into a blog? This article will take you through everything you need to know to start a book blog.

You have the knowledge and you have the tools. Time to become the writer you want to be. You got this!

On the prowl for writing hacks? We've got you covered. Whether you hope to write more, write faster, or write better, these tips are sure to help you conquer your goals.

The best writing advice inspires, challenges, and invites you to look at your craft in a whole new way. Here are our favorite tips from famous writers (plus a few of our own).

Why should you learn how to write a novella? Because a novella can be a great tool for building an audience, mastering your craft, and even introducing a series. Here's everything you need to know to get the most out of this focused style of storytelling.

The journey to becoming an author is long, challenging, and deeply rewarding. Ready to leap into the adventure of authorship? Here's everything you need to know.

Characters come with traits, flaws, problems and much more. Time to dig into those and start giving some depth to them.

Finishing your first draft is quite possibly the biggest challenge you'll face as a fiction writer. To be successful, where should you start?

Time to learn one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. Welcome to the Plot Grid.

Not sure how to become a successful author—or if it's even possible? Learn exactly what it takes to make it as a writer.

Let's talk about how to brainstorm a story—how to conjure an absolute thunderfest of brilliance using only flashes of inspiration and the genius hidden in the deepest recesses of your subconscious. Here are our best tips for dreaming up and organizing great ideas for your next masterpiece.

Writers are constantly learning and leveling up our craft. But, with hundreds of books on writing published every year, it's tough to narrow down your search for the best books on fiction writing. Luckily, we've compiled this list of the top ten (with some honorable mentions).

Planning your novel isn't as easy as it seems, and it starts before you jot down that first word in your outline. There are really countless ways to plan your novel, but we've created this practical guide to help you find your best system.

Feeling a little lost, discouraged, or stuck in your writing career? The stories of these inspirational authors are sure to reignite your create passion and spark new ideas.

If you dream of being a wildly successful author, it pays to learn about the careers of the writers who've already crushed it. Here's how a few literary legends got where they are and what you can do to boost your own odds of success.

So you've decided you want to write under a pen name but you're struggling to think of a good one. We got your back. Here are some tried-and-true techniques for finding your perfect nom de plume.

Working with co-author can open the doors for more productivity, cross-promotion, and a lot of other smart business stuff. But how does it work exactly? And is it the right strategy for you? Here's everything you ever wanted to know about writing with a partner.