Not sure which is right for you?
Take our quiz!
The Guide to Writing Plot Driven vs Character Driven Stories
TL;DR: Plot-driven stories are propelled by events; the question is what happens next. Character-driven stories are propelled by internal change; the question is why the character responds the way they do. Most genre fiction (thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi) leans...
Pacing in Writing: How to Control Speed, Fix Slow Sections, and Match Your Genre
TL;DR: Pacing is how fast or slow a story feels to a reader, controlled by sentence length, scene structure, and the ratio of action to information. Fast pacing uses short sentences and dialogue-heavy scenes; slow pacing uses longer paragraphs and internal...
Publishing by the Numbers 2026
Five statistics that define publishing in 2026 that every industry observer should know. Publishing sits at the intersection of culture, technology, commerce, and education. The data in this report isn’t just industry trivia, it has direct implications for...
Best Western Authors: 35 Writers Who Defined the Genre (And Where to Start With Each)
TL;DR: The best western authors span four eras: frontier pioneers like Owen Wister and Zane Grey, mid-century icons like Louis L’Amour and Larry McMurtry, revisionist and literary writers like Cormac McCarthy, and contemporary authors blending westerns with...
Big 5 Publishers: What They Publish and How to Get a Deal in 2026
TL;DR: Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette Book Group, and Macmillan are the Big 5 publishers, the five publishing houses that control roughly 80% of US trade book revenue. Getting a deal with one requires a literary agent, since none...
How Many Words Are in a Novel? Word Counts by Genre & Age (2026 Guide)
TL;DR Most novels run 70,000–100,000 words. Your target depends on genre and audience: romance and mystery sit around 70,000–90,000, fantasy and sci-fi run 90,000–120,000+, and middle-grade stays between 20,000–55,000. Hit your genre’s expected range and you...
How to Use Imagery in Writing: Create Strong Visual Imagery (+ 5 Examples)
TL;DR Imagery is descriptive language that appeals to the reader’s five senses—sight, smell, taste, sound, and touch—to create a vivid mental picture. The most effective way to write imagery is to show instead of tell, use concrete sensory detail your reader can...
Character Names: Expert Tips for Naming Characters Readers Won’t Forget
TL;DR: The right character name matches your genre, era, and your character’s personality, and it’s easy to say out loud. This guide covers proven methods for generating character names, the best free character name generators, and tips for making...