Inspiration for writers
The creative writing blog
Original weekly articles from bestselling authors and publishing professionals
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This week’s blog
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Guest Authors
The Writing Routine
M.L. Rio on Why You Don’t Have to Write Alone
January 25, 2026
M.L. Rio on Why You Don’t Have to Write Alone
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Characters
Romance
Meet the Team
Insta Love: The Book Trope Explained
May 28, 2025
Kate Dylan
The book trope of insta love doesn’t always inspire love among readers, but why? Bestselling author Kate Dylan explains what it is and how writers can avoid it.
Insta Love: The Book Trope Explained
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Guest Authors
Characters
Writing Women Who Refuse to Play by the Rules with T.J. Emerson
May 25, 2025
T.J. Emerson
Female rage books are everywhere, but what do these stories say about the agency and power of the antiheroine? Thriller author T.J. Emerson takes a look.
Writing Women Who Refuse to Play by the Rules with T.J. Emerson
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Craft and Technique
Beginnings and Endings
Plotting and Planning
Open With the Action: Mastering ‘In Medias Res’
May 21, 2025
Amanda Reynolds
In medias res (not in media res) means starting a story in the middle. We define the technique and give some examples for writers in this helpful blog.
Open With the Action: Mastering ‘In Medias Res’
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Guest Authors
Novel Writing Process
Chris Hadfield’s Out-Of-This-World Writing Advice
May 18, 2025
Gina Sorell
Chris Hadfield may be best known for orbiting the Earth, but he is also a multiple New York Times bestselling author. Read on for his stellar writing advice!
Chris Hadfield’s Out-Of-This-World Writing Advice
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Novel Writing Process
Revision and Editing
Getting Feedback
Beta Readers and How to Work With Them
May 14, 2025
Gina Sorell
A beta reader can be a great help to an author, but what do beta readers do, and how far does beta reading go in terms of feedback? We explain all in this blog!
Beta Readers and How to Work With Them
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Novel Writing Process
Craft and Technique
Sowing Seeds: Why Writing is Like Gardening
May 11, 2025
Ella McLeod
Writing a novel is like growing a garden: as the author, you plan, prepare, plant, nourish, water, and care for your story. The result? A beautiful book in bloom!
Sowing Seeds: Why Writing is Like Gardening
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Writing Competitions
Prize
How to Get Published
Could You Write The Next Big Story?
May 2, 2025
Louise Dean
Enter The Next Big Story creative writing prize at The Novelry for a chance to win $100,000 (£75,000). Eight shortlisters will receive The Finished Novel Course.
Could You Write The Next Big Story?
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Literary Agents
How to Get Published
Guest Authors
Behind the Scenes with Eve White Literary Agency
Apr 27, 2025
Eve White
Literary agents can be a mystery to unpublished authors. Here’s an insight into one, the Eve White Literary Agency, and how their agents work with their clients.
Behind the Scenes with Eve White Literary Agency
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The Publishing Industry
The Novelry’s Guide to Independent Bookstore Day 2025
Apr 24, 2025
Jessica Read
Not sure what Independent Bookstore Day is or how you can celebrate it? Here’s a guide to our team’s favorite indie bookstores across the U.S. and Canada.
The Novelry’s Guide to Independent Bookstore Day 2025
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Podcast
Meet the Team
Your Spring Soundbites: 7 Top Tips from The Novelry on Writing Podcast
Apr 20, 2025
Elsa Doig
We look back at the top tips for writers taken from the second season of our creative writing podcast, The Novelry on Writing.
Your Spring Soundbites: 7 Top Tips from The Novelry on Writing Podcast
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Craft and Technique
Beginnings and Endings
Genres
What is an Epilogue—and Should You Write One?
Apr 16, 2025
Amanda Reynolds
Is an epilogue necessary at the end of a novel? We explain the meaning of epilogues along with how, when, and why authors might use them—with examples.
What is an Epilogue—and Should You Write One?
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Novel Writing Process
The Basics
What is the Setting of a Story? Tips and Examples
Apr 13, 2025
Melanie Conklin
What is the setting in a work of fiction? Hint: it’s not just the location of your story! Explore these setting examples of time and place to help you write your novel.
What is the Setting of a Story? Tips and Examples
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