In my opinion, obviously. But they are probably worth trying out. Most have a free trial, and for those that don't, they are often subscription services that you can pay for one month, then cancel.
Scrivener This is a word processor application that can also format your book into an ePub and paperback. The basics are pretty intuitive, like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, but the more advanced options (like the formatting) usually require using the in-app tutorials or finding YouTube videos to show you how it's done. I love how easy it is to leave notes to yourself while drafting and editing, move scenes and chapters around, and generally navigate compared to most other word processors. Cost: One-time fee of $60 for Mac or PC. $24 for iOS app. Free trial (at least for computer-based version). ProWriting Aid I prefer the paid version of PWA to all the others I've tried. It's more intuitive, offers fewer suggestions that ruin the voice of your writing, and has lots of handy features that can help you learn grammar and improve your overall writing. It is NOT a magic bullet, and will best serve you if you have a strong foundation in grammar, but the same can be said for most grammar apps. Cost: $30/month, $120/year, $400 lifetime. They usually offer a 25-40% discount on the annual subscription in the spring and in the summer, and a 50% discount on the lifetime license at the end of November. StoryOrigin StoryOrigin is an author services site, helping authors distribute reader magnets for newsletter signups, ARCs, and finding newsletter swaps (kinda like free advertising among authors). The big name in this realm is BookFunnel, but I prefer StoryOrigin. I will have an entire post soon on why and give you the pros and cons to each so you can pick which you prefer. In addition to the above, StoryOrigin also offers custom links, basic website builds, a LinkTree type service, direct sales, an interface to get feedback on beta copies without sending your document directly, and a free goal tracker. Cost: There's a free option with limited services (goal tracker, universal book link, and unlimited file delivery) and a paid version for $10/month or $100/year. Canva This is an online graphic design app that you can use to create almost anything you need for your author business. Book covers, bookmarks, ads, social media posts, book trailers, banners, stickers, chapter header art, signs, merch. It's intuitive and everything comes with a commercial license, so if you design using the elements Canva provides, you shouldn't run afoul of copyright laws. You can upload your own pictures and pictures you've licensed from other sites, as well. Cost: You can use Canva for free with limited elements (but there's a lot you can do within those limits). CanvaPro ($120/year) gives you access to their entire library of elements, including templates, auto-resizes, allows scheduling, more storage, and brand kits, where you can pick out colors and fonts for your brand. For a middle-of-the-road option, you can purchase credits that you can use on a single element for one project. Fall in love with a premium font that's perfect for a design – you can unlock it for one project for a minimal amount (1 credit = $1). #WritingTipWednesday
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Selena is a prolific author with several adult novels and some kids books out! Her next book, Cousins - All We Got Is Us! comes out April 16, 2024. It's a compelling young adult novel set in the DC area in the 1980s following a family of cousins who always have each other's backs. You can find Selena at www.booksbyselena.com and on most social media @BooksBySelena, including YouTube. https://www.amazon.com/Cousins-All-We-Got-Us-ebook/dp/B0CZZGQMRW
Tell us about Cousins – All We Got Is Us! Cousins is a story about five cousins who grow up in Washington, DC during the 80s and 90s. A tragic event happens that ultimately reveals a dark family secret. The idea was loosely-based on my time growing up on Capitol Hill with my cousins. I chose the setting of Washington, DC because that's my hometown. I delve into what used to be present throughout the city before the gentrification took place. Readers will be able to relate to the different landmarks I mention in the book as well as historical events that took place during that time. No book is easy to write. The ideas are easy to come up with, but bringing those ideas to fruition takes a lot of effort, at least for me. This particular book project was fun overall because it sparked nostalgia and took me back to a moment in time. On the other hand, it challenged me because of the different characters and sensitive topics I tried to address. What's a favorite line? "Go and get yourself a life." What's a core memory that made you want to be a writer? I always had a vivid imagination. I didn't know what it was, but I realize it was my gift from God. I was also drawn to books at a very early age. By the time I got to high school and I read, Judy Blume's books, especially "Forever," I knew I wanted to be a writer. What was your favorite book as a child? Judy Blume's "Forever." There were so many layers to this story, but the overall theme was that when you're young you think love will last forever. Your emotions are very strong, and the bond you form with the one you love feels unbreakable. The book sparked me to write romantic themes in my books. What was your last five-star read? Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby. I felt like I was watching an action-packed movie. The characters were well-developed. The story was suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was also funny at times, and it helped to lighten things up a bit. What finally made you decide to write a novel? I have been writing stories since junior high school. I started taking it seriously by high school, when my English teacher Mr. Sutton said I had creative talent. What is something you'd like readers to know about you as a person? Although I write fiction, I read a lot of non-fiction. I love history, memoirs, and I watch documentaries. I'm also a huge basketball fan. I love the Boston Celtics even though I'm from DC. What are you working on right now? Cousins Part 2 when the characters become adults. When did your last book come out? My last book was a children's book, She Can Dance. https://www.amazon.com/She-Can-Dance-Selena-Haskins-ebook/dp/B0BPR5NQYG #MeetTheAuthor Julie Caldwell published her first book in the summer of 2023, Of Witches and Ruin, a YA fantasy with 90s Sabrina the Teenage Witch vibes. Her next book is the sequel, Of War and Magic, and releases in May.
Tell us about Of Witches and Ruin. Of Witches and Ruin is a Young Adult Fantasy centered around sixteen-year-old witch Ebony Amberwood who has been banished from her home world of Amethystia and now has to live in the human world. Her two human best friends, Sam and Melissa, help Ebony when an unknowable force threatens to destroy both realms, and they go an adventure filled with magic, mystery, mayhem, and even some romance! What's your favorite line from that book? "You are a force to be reckoned with. I pity anyone who goes against you.” Share a core memory that made you want to be a writer. My mom used to read to me every night when I was a child, and she would do these silly voices for the characters and I remember being so enthralled I wouldn't sleep. What was your favorite book as a child? Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I loved the humor in it and the message that even if you're different you are still wonderful and important. What finally made you decide to write a novel? I've wanted to write a novel for as long as I can remember but I've never had the discipline to do it. I finally told myself that if I didn't get it done at that moment, it would never get done. What piece of advice do you have for a new author? Give yourself grace. Writing is a skill that takes work, and no one is perfect. What is something you'd like readers to know about you as a person? I am very excitable. Especially if it is about a subject I am passionate about. What are you working on right now? I'm working on Book One in my next series. This series will be based on the daughter of a certain figure from Greek Mythology. You can find all of Julie's links at https://linktr.ee/authorjuliecaldwell She is @AuthorJulieCaldwell on YouTube, Threads, Instagram, and TikTok #MeetTheAuthor Merriam-Webster.com
Listen, Merriam-Webster has some issues, though it's gotten a bit better with slang and "vulgar" words in the past few years. But it's the industry standard and should be your first stop to see what the conventional spelling, hyphenation, etc. are. WordHippo.com I love this thesaurus. It's easy to use, includes all kinds of slang, vulgar words, and idiomatic/phrasal synonyms. It's easy to switch to antonyms, shows UK vs. US spellings, and has a dictionary, too, in case MW comes up empty. Grammarly.com I personally prefer the paid version of ProWriting Aid, but for free, Grammarly is much better for basic grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Behind the Name Random Name Generator Behindthename.com/random Lots of options to choose from. I come up with lists and then chuck them into the doc as needed. If you click on the name, it will tell you the origin and meaning, too, so you don't accidentally name your princess Buttercup. Speaking for a "friend" (it's me, I was trying to be too clever). Other Name Generator FantasyNameGenerators.com is great for everything else. Like, literally everything else. Ships, taverns, hotels, companies, planets, parks, castle, dragons, angels, pirates, drinks, brands, plagues… The Writing with Color Blog WritingWithColor.tumblr.com If you're trying to write people who are not white in a conscious and conscientious manner, this is a great resource. Writer Beware https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/ The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association provides this site for free to help writers avoid scams and shady businesses. Plus, it offers basic information on some basics, like copyright, editors, agents, and the like. The Editorial Freelancers Association The-efa.org Under their resources list is a free "New Author Guide." Lots of great basic information about the different kinds of editing and how to find reputable editors. Jane Friedman JaneFriedman.com Lots of great free business and writing advice for all writers, whether you're self-published or go the traditional route. There's also a paid newsletter and courses you can take. CritiqueMatch.com A free resource for finding critique partners and beta readers. Free to join, then you have an option to find free partners or search through their vetted editing professionals if you're looking to pay for certain services. David Gaughran His Starting From Zero class is so helpful for wrapping your head around marketing a book. It's free if you sign up for his newsletter, which is another fantastic resource. He talks building a platform, cover design, deals newsletters, and ads. It's a great overview that you can return to when you're ready to tackle each step. (just google David Gaughran Starting From Zero and you'll find it. He also has a wonderful YouTube channel) Google Docs Listen, there are better word processors out there, but few free ones are as good and intuitive as Google Docs. If you have no money for anything else, this will get the job done. You can even create EPUBs using Google Docs, so if money is super tight, you can still put out a decent book. #Writing Tips New year, new feature
Yes, I know it's March. I've been swamped. Authoring and Editing are hard and take a lot of brain stuff. Energy, yeah, that's the word I was looking for. Anyhoo... Author Interviews are coming soon. I've been doing this gig for five years now and have made tons of author friends. I think you might like their books. Here's their chance to convince you. I'll go first. What finally made you decide to write a novel? My husband was deployed for something like the fifth time. My kids were both in school. Army Wife things were okay, but mostly unfulfilling. I got bored and decided to write down the stories I told myself to help get to sleep at night. It took me almost seven years, but Witch Hazel & Wolfsbane was published in February 2019. What is the most challenging aspect of being an author for you? When I started, it was finishing a story. Now, hands down, it's marketing. I understand the concepts but seem to have a disconnect between the understanding and the implementation. What piece of advice do you have for a new author? Find a way to make writing a long-term, sustainable habit. That includes all the other authoring stuff like revising, editing, marketing, and business. This will differ from person to person based on care obligations, disability, jobs, strengths, personality, finances, and many, many other factors. And what works for one author won't work for another. Even if your very favorite author in the whole wide world swears by getting up at 4:30 every morning to write for an hour doesn't mean it will work for you. Some things you will know right away won't (or will) work for you. Detailed outlines have *never* worked for me. I either get bored or frustrated or both and only complete the project if required (hello college essays). There will be quite a bit of trial and error. And that's fine! If something isn't working for you, it's okay to stop and try something else. That thing might come in handy when you're at a different point in your story or career. Or maybe never. Keep what works, discard what doesn't. Don't feel guilty about either. What do you need to set the mood for writing? I have multicolor fairy lights on a soothing blinking pattern, a scented candle (which depends on mood and time of year, but often a woodsy smell), and the playlist for my book. That playlist can be very eclectic. When I'm in the throes of editing, I often switch to instrumental or spa-type music. I don't eat while writing. I like coffee in the morning and non-caffeinated hot tea (winter) or cold beverages (summer) in the afternoon. What was your favorite book as a child? I have a much beloved copy of Grimms' Fairy Tales. It's over 40 years old now and I remember reading it over and over as a kid. #MeetTheAuthor My first Writing Tip Wednesday post. Comment below if there is something you'd like me to address in a future post.
This is a list of books I use all the damn time, the ones I keep in reach while planning, drafting, and revising. Planning: I keep my planning brief. I get bored if I plan too much, but my brain needs some basics to work with. Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Broday This is the quintessential three-act structure book. You can use it to come up with a basic tentpole beat sheet (main plot points) or detailed outline. You can use it before you write, while drafting, or in the revising process. Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes Save the Cat is good for pretty much anything except Romance. It's not *bad* for romance, but it lumps it in with things that are decidedly not Romance. This short book helps. I use Save the Cat for the plot arcs and Romancing the Beat for the emotional arcs. The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi What's your character's trauma? What are some behaviors the reader can expect to see from someone with that trauma? What are some of their fears and what might help them get over it? This is a great reference to help you build relatable characters that resonate with readers. Drafting: I use mainly online resources during my drafting process to keep in a flow state as much as possible, but there is one book I'll refer to occasionally. I'll cover online resources in a future post. The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi What does it feel like, both mentally and physically, to experience anger? Sadness? What might it look like to an outside observer? What if you suppress it? What if it's too much? If I need to know a complex emotional reaction in order to complete the scene, chapter, or story, I refer to this during drafting. Revision: Intuitive Editing by Tiffany Yates Martin. A master class in revising and editing in one book. Seriously, it took me years and many, many workshops and seminars to hone my process into something very similar to what Martin does in this one book. Get it, read it, implement the suggestions. Best $20 you'll spend. Understanding Show Don't Tell by Janice Hardy We hear it all the time, but what the hell does it mean? This is a short book with lots of great examples. And yes, you need both, the trick is to decide when to use each for best effect. The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction by Amy J Schneider As a writer, you can probably skip Part 1 unless you're desperately curious about an editor's workflow or if you're a completionist. But Parts 2 & 3 address common style, grammar, and formatting matters in fiction. Everything from how to format dialogue, language bloopers (such as mixed metaphors), and how to handle "naughty" words. I use this on one of my later passes, but it's helpful to understand what is considered standard and where you have room to add in your own style. #WritingTips My youngest brought home his course request form in January, and I realized I am entering a season of lasts. It wasn't just any course request form--it's for his senior year (12th grade for those outside the US). This is the last course request form I will help him with. Pretty soon, it will be his last first day of school, his last homecoming, possibly his last Thanksgiving or Christmas at home. Then his last last day of school. And since he's my youngest, there isn't another to usher through these important days.
It does make me a little sad, but I also realize that my lasts will lead to his firsts. My mother said to me, a long time ago (before I was even planning to have kids), that the parent-child relationship is one of the few where the goal is to grow apart, not together. I've kept that with me and tried to make choices in parenting to help my kids become their best versions of themselves. I love them dearly, and I like them even more. They're kind, funny, brave, and smart. So whether you're entering a season of firsts, a seasons of lasts, or a "just get through it without killing anyone" season, hug your loved ones and know there is a season for all things. And beginnings lead to endings, and endings lead to beginnings. From the February edition of Magical Musings, my newsletter. #momlife |
Emily Michel, Speculative Romance Author10 books, 3 cats, 2 kids, 1 husband. I listened to the voices in my head and transcribed them onto paper Archives
February 2025
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