We’ve all heard of them: breezy novels that are a must for any vacation to idyllic and often coastal destinations. The beach read has been a staple for decades of lovers of sand and salt air. But what exactly is it?
Tag Archives: Writer Life
Bazaar by Miles Joyner: a Book Review
Gritty and thought-provoking, Miles Joyner’s debut novel will appeal to readers who relish the chase with a healthy dose of social philosophizing.
Fact or Fiction: Rules versus Guidelines in Writing
Telling fictional tales gives us permission to break a few conventional eggs for the sake of making a delicious literary omelet, but writer beware; the limit does indeed exist.
Kill Your Darlings
Writers are artists, but the good ones are also cold, ruthless killers. Here’s how to commit literary murder―and get away with it, too.
Book Production and Marketing Dos and Don’ts
Writing a story is one thing; putting a book together is another. Here are some insider tips for book production and marketing that will help make the publishing process easier to swallow if you take them with a grain of salt—and some ibuprofen.
The Drowning House by Cherie Priest: a Book Review
Time supposedly heals all wounds, but in Cherie Priest’s latest novel, the passing of time and a particularly dark and stormy night may prove that not only are some injuries too deeply embedded to go quietly, but also that home is not always where the heart is.
That Night in the Library by Eva Jurczyk: a Book Review
True bibliophiles know how easy it is to get lost between the stacks of a well-stocked library. But in Eva Jurczyk’s That Night in the Library, there may only be one avid reader left standing after a harrowing last hurrah among the shelves.
Showing vs. Telling (or, When to Creatively Beat around the Bush)
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but how many words does it actually take to paint said picture? Showing rather than telling can make a few go quite a long way.
Man or Monster: Unmasking Villains
The fairy-tale villain is dead. Long live the character with many different faces lurking behind their most sinister mask.
Writing Contests (and Why They Make Us Want to Hurl)
Writing contests are great avenues for exposure and constructive criticism. So why does the prospect of entering them make us feel physically ill?
K. Watkins 