Dive into our Talented Mr. Ripley analysis and explore the novel’s characters, themes, and legacy 70 years on. Perfect for writers, readers, and adaptation fans!

The Talented Mr. Ripley at 70: Why It Still Thrills

A woman holding a mirror in front of her face against a meadow background, reflecting a cloud-spotted blue sky.

Memoir and Autofiction

Starting to Write

Genres

The Autobiographical Novel: How Writers Fictionalize Their Lives

Nov 23, 2025

Alice Kuipers

How do authors turn real life into fiction? This guide to autofiction explores writing a story about yourself and how to fictionalize truth with imagination.

The Autobiographical Novel: How Writers Fictionalize Their Lives

A notebook with goldfish swimming out of it.

Craft and Technique

What is a Metaphor? A Creative Guide for Fiction Writers

Nov 16, 2025

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.

What is a Metaphor? A Creative Guide for Fiction Writers

A writer's desk with a notebook for outlining a book against a blue wall background.

Plotting and Planning

Novel Writing Process

8 Effective Strategies For Outlining a Book

Nov 9, 2025

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.

8 Effective Strategies For Outlining a Book

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Craft and Technique

The Publishing Industry

Genres

What is a Novella? The Power of the Short Novel

Nov 5, 2025

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.

What is a Novella? The Power of the Short Novel

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The Basics

Craft and Technique

Using Creative Punctuation to Elevate Your Writing

Nov 2, 2025

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.

Using Creative Punctuation to Elevate Your Writing

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Gothic and Horror

Genres

The Gruesome Appeal of Body Horror Books

Oct 29, 2025

Natasha Qureshi

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

The Gruesome Appeal of Body Horror Books

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Craft and Technique

Finding Novel Ideas

Genres

Exploring the Magic of Fairy-Tale Writing Inspiration

Oct 26, 2025

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!

Exploring the Magic of Fairy-Tale Writing Inspiration

Illustration of a tree with pink blossom blooming from the pages of an open book.

The Basics

Confidence and Motivation

What is a Story? Uncovering the Art of Great Storytelling

Oct 22, 2025

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.

What is a Story? Uncovering the Art of Great Storytelling

Graphic illustration of a forested landscape, against a mountain backdrop and starry night sky, in shades of blue and purple.

Guest Authors

Craft and Technique

Novel Writing Process

Bringing the Landscape of a Story to Life with Catriona Silvey

Oct 19, 2025

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.

Bringing the Landscape of a Story to Life with Catriona Silvey

A snowglobe containing a blue blossom tree, covered with golden books and golden tickets.

Prize

Writing Competitions

Announcing the Winner of The Next Big Story

Oct 12, 2025

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!

Announcing the Winner of The Next Big Story

A woman wearing a straw hat stands in a bookshop.

The Publishing Industry

Celebrating Bookshop Day UK: A Reader’s Guide to the Joy of Browsing

Oct 8, 2025

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.

Celebrating Bookshop Day UK: A Reader’s Guide to the Joy of Browsing