The creative writing blog

Francine Toon

What is exposition? And how do you use it in a story? In this guide to adding backstory to your fiction novel, we look at info dumps, flashbacks and how to give detail about your main characters while engaging your reader.

Stefanie Lieberman

What is a literary agent? And why do you need a literary agent for your fiction novel? In this ‘day in a life’ of an agent, you’ll discover what a literary agent does and why you need one!

Krystle Appiah

How many words are in the average novel? Find out in this guide to word counts by fiction genre, with examples of writing targets to use while writing your book.

Lizzy Goudsmit Kay

Publishing editor Lizzy Goudsmit Kay, previously of Penguin Random House, shares the ten steps to getting a book traditionally published.

Robin Stevens

How do you write a great mystery? What elements can writers add to make a novel suspenseful? Award-winning author Robin Stevens shares her ten top tips!

Libby Page

Bestselling author Libby Page provides 6 great tips for how to write supporting characters that readers will love – from considering character archetypes to writing three-dimensional characters with their own arc.

Kate Gray

The Novelry graduate Kate Gray (also known as Katy Colins) shares her journey to publishing her new thriller with Welbeck Publishing, The Honeymoon – one of our success stories at The Novelry.

Andrea Stewart

Bestselling fantasy author Andrea Stewart discusses the seven best fantasy settings for your fantasy world, from second-world fantasy to near-future science fiction.

S.J. Watson

The multi-million-selling author of Before I Go To Sleep is serialising a new novel on Substack, the email newsletter service. Find out more about this fascinating writing process.

Emylia Hall

Finding the joy in your writing is important. The Novelry writing coach and author of The Shell House Detectives, Emylia Hall, explains how to enjoy happy writing all the time.

Lizzy Goudsmit Kay

Advice from a publishing editor on how to know when your novel manuscript is ready to send to agents and publishers.

Jennifer Saint

Learn how Greek myths are retold in modern fiction, from bold reimaginings to faithful adaptations, with top tips for writers breathing new life into ancient stories.