The creative writing blog

Tara Conklin

How does a novella compare to a short story or novel? Learn about ideal word count, key elements, and why novellas matter to readers, writers, and publishers.

Evie Wyld

Discover how creative punctuation elevates fiction by shaping rhythm, mood, and meaning—and how you can use it—in this fun yet practical guide for writers.

Natasha Qureshi

Dig into this essential guide to body horror books as we explore grotesque transformations, visceral themes, genre elements, and some recommended reads.

Ella McLeod

Use fairy tales as writing inspiration by stirring timeless ingredients into your creative pot. Season with prompts and reading ideas to cook up a whole new story!

Piers Torday

Piers Torday explores the art of storytelling (and why it matters) in this thoughtful reflection on how stories give us comfort and shape the way we see the world.

Catriona Silvey

Catriona Silvey explores how place can shape mood, meaning, and character with 5 tips for writers on using landscape and location to bring stories to life.

Louise Dean

Find out who won The Next Big Story writing competition, what our esteemed panel of judges thought about the winning entry, and why you must keep writing!

Evie Wyld

For Bookshop Day UK 2025, author Evie Wyld reflects on the joy of real bookshops, and our team shares their favorite high-street spots to visit across the U.K.

Tara Conklin

We look at Stephen King’s best writing advice, exploring powerful lessons from his books and timeless tips every writer can use to sharpen their craft.

The Novelry

Discover the shortlisted finalists for The Next Big Story writing competition and vote for your favorite to get them one step closer to the grand prize of $100,000!

Louise Dean

We explore the most famous last lines in books. Get inspired by these powerful example endings and find tips to craft your own unforgettable final line!

Libby Page

We explore the comforting genre of healing fiction, why readers find it restorative, the best books to read, and the key elements to include if you’re writing it.