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A television set with "Black Cake" on the screen. On top of the TV are a pile of books, including Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson.
The Writing Routine
Success Stories
Revision and Editing

How Black Cake Author Charmaine Wilkerson Wrote a Smash Hit Picked by Oprah

August 23, 2026
How Black Cake Author Charmaine Wilkerson Wrote a Smash Hit Picked by Oprah
Genres
The Publishing Industry
Getting Feedback
The Basics
Beginnings and Endings
Plotting and Planning
Finding Novel Ideas
Prize
Gothic and Horror
Podcast
Contemporary Fiction
Literary Fiction
Literary Agents
Meet the Team
Young Adult Fiction
Starting to Write
How to Get Published
The Writing Routine
Revision and Editing
Craft and Technique
Romance
Writing a Series of Novels
Success Stories
Historical Fiction
Crime and Suspense
Writing Competitions
Hero Books
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Children’s Fiction
Guest Authors
Characters
Novel Writing Process
Memoir and Autofiction
Confidence and Motivation

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A woman stands behind a shaded curtain, in silhouette.
Historical Fiction
Characters

Women in Historical Fiction: Reclaiming the Stories History Left Behind

Aug 16, 2026
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Susan Stokes-Chapman
From Hamnet to Miss Dickens, historical fiction books have the power to restore women’s agency, often set in eras when society was not too kind to them. Today, author Susan Stokes-Chapman discusses the importance of these characters and offers recommendations for some of the best novels in the genre.
Women in Historical Fiction: Reclaiming the Stories History Left Behind
An image of a woman holding a lightbulb in front of her head.
The Writing Routine
Novel Writing Process
Plotting and Planning

How To (Really) Write a Novel in 90 Days

Aug 9, 2026
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Alice Kuipers
Discover how bestselling authors write first drafts in just three months. Learn practical tips, build a writing habit, and join The Big Write Challenge this September.
How To (Really) Write a Novel in 90 Days
Handwriting text reads The Big Write Challenge 2026 over an illustration of a paper plane taking off from a book against a yellow background.
Confidence and Motivation
Starting to Write
Novel Writing Process

90 Days to a Finished Draft: The Big Write Challenge 2026

Aug 2, 2026
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The Novelry
Join The Novelry’s Big Write Challenge 2026: a 90-day writing sprint with bestselling authors, writing retreats, live classes, and expert support to finish your draft by December 16.
90 Days to a Finished Draft: The Big Write Challenge 2026
A logo featuring an orange flower bud is seen, with two petals resembling the opening pages of a book.
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The Novelry’s New Logo

Jul 29, 2026
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Louise Dean
Discover the story behind The Novelry’s new logo and why a budding flower captures our mission to grow writers.
A woman with a backpack is seen, with an orange tree in hand.
Confidence and Motivation
Novel Writing Process
Plotting and Planning

How to Face the Unknowns of Your Story by Tashan Mehta

Jul 26, 2026
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Tashan Mehta
Feeling lost in your novel? Fantasy author Tashan Mehta shares how embracing uncertainty, trusting your instincts, and listening to your story can transform your writing process.
How to Face the Unknowns of Your Story by Tashan Mehta
A woman is reading a yellow book on the beach. The book Yesteryear sits on top of the photo.
Contemporary Fiction

Why Yesteryear is the Most Talked-About Book of 2026

Jul 19, 2026
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The Novelry
Is Yesteryear the best book of 2026, or its most divisive? Our editors weigh in on Caro Claire Burke’s buzzy debut, plus more must-read 2026 book club picks.
Why Yesteryear is the Most Talked-About Book of 2026
An image of a woman holding a book, with a Shakespeare quote on the first page.
Finding Novel Ideas
Literary Fiction
The Basics

What is an Epigraph—and How Do You Use One in Your Book?

Jul 12, 2026
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Piers Torday
Discover what an epigraph is, why authors use them, where to find them, and how to choose the perfect quotation for your novel—while discovering other great epigraphs across literature.
What is an Epigraph—and How Do You Use One in Your Book?
Two figures lie down holding each other intimately.
Romance
Craft and Technique
Guest Authors

How to Write Intimacy

Jul 5, 2026
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Claire Daverley
Claire Daverley, writer of Talking at Night and People in Love, joins The Novelry for a guest blog on writing intimacy in romance books, from dialogue to subtle sensory details.
How to Write Intimacy
Three love hearts hang from hooks.
Literary Agents
How to Get Published
The Publishing Industry

Everything You Need to Know About Pitching, According to Literary Agents

Jun 28, 2026
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The Novelry
Top literary agents share expert advice on book pitches, query letters, comp titles, and submissions to help your manuscript stand out.
Everything You Need to Know About Pitching, According to Literary Agents
A row of blocks sits on a blue background. The blocks have the silhouettes of figures on them. A hand is picking the middle block.
Plotting and Planning
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Characters

Subverting the “Chosen One” Trope

Jun 21, 2026
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Simran Kaur Sandhu
Learn about the Chosen One trope and how to reinvent it for modern readers. From Harry Potter to Percy Jackson, why is this type of character so popular in fiction?
Subverting the “Chosen One” Trope
An image of author and The Novelry founder Louise Dean with her chin propped in her hand.
The Publishing Industry
Novel Writing Process

Can AI Write a Novel for You?

Jun 14, 2026
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Louise Dean
From AI-generated novels to the future of publishing, discover why creativity and human insight remain at the heart of great storytelling, from The Novelry founder Louise Dean.
Can AI Write a Novel for You?
An image of Cassandra Clare, with a backdrop of New York, next to her book The Last King of Faerie.
Craft and Technique
Genres
Science Fiction and Fantasy

How to Write Urban Fantasy: 5 Lessons from Cassandra Clare

Jun 7, 2026
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The Novelry
Learn to write urban fantasy with five craft lessons from author Cassandra Clare on world-building, setting, uncanny details, inclusivity, and magic.
How to Write Urban Fantasy: 5 Lessons from Cassandra Clare