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Craft and Technique
What is a Metaphor? A Creative Guide for Fiction Writers
Nov 16, 2025
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Ella McLeod
What is a metaphor? Explore the art of comparison and discover how metaphors can bring your fiction to life by adding color, texture, and emotion to a story.
Plotting and Planning
8 Effective Strategies For Outlining a Book
Nov 9, 2025
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Melanie Conklin
Ready to outline your book and organize your story? From visual aids to practical layouts, we show you how to plan a novel with clarity, creativity, and structure.
Craft and Technique
The Publishing Industry
What is a Novella? The Power of the Short Novel
Nov 5, 2025
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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.
The Basics
Craft and Technique
Using Creative Punctuation to Elevate Your Writing
Nov 2, 2025
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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.
Gothic and Horror
Genres
The Gruesome Appeal of Body Horror Books
Oct 29, 2025
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Natasha Qureshi
Dig into this essential guide to body horror books as we explore grotesque transformations, visceral themes, genre elements, and some recommended reads.
Craft and Technique
Finding Novel Ideas
Exploring the Magic of Fairy-Tale Writing Inspiration
Oct 26, 2025
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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!
The Basics
What is a Story? Uncovering the Art of Great Storytelling
Oct 22, 2025
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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.
Guest Authors
Craft and Technique
Bringing the Landscape of a Story to Life with Catriona Silvey
Oct 19, 2025
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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.
Prize
Announcing the Winner of The Next Big Story
Oct 12, 2025
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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!
The Publishing Industry
Celebrating Bookshop Day UK: A Reader’s Guide to the Joy of Browsing
Oct 8, 2025
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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.
Craft and Technique
Gothic and Horror
A Master Storyteller’s Writing Advice: Stephen King
Oct 5, 2025
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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.
Prize
The Next Big Story: Announcing the Shortlist
Sep 28, 2025
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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!