Publications / 323 posts found
Jessica Pryde: On Representation in Romance
Jessica Pryde is a Contributing Editor for Book Riot, where she is the co-host of the “When In Romance” podcast, and writes about bookish things of all kinds. Having earned an AB in the Interdisciplinary Project in the Humanities at Washington University in St. Louis and her MLIS at San Jose State University, she is now a librarian for a public library system in Southern Arizona, where she lives with her husband and an ever-growing collection of Funko!Pops. Black Loves Matter is her first book. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Jessica Pryde © James Galloway-Reed In this post, […]
5 Keys to Writing a Slow Burn Romance
Anyone who really knows me would happily tell you that patience is not a virtue I possess. (What Writers Should Know About High-End Weddings) And yet, patience is key when writing a slow burn romance, because it’s not just the reader waiting to get to “the good parts,” but the writer as well. You have to lay the foundation, create the tension, and amp up the angst, so that by the time your couple finally gives in, all the pining pays off. Here are a few tips to make that slow burn flame hot hot hot: 1. Build the tension. […]
Sea Bound
Photo by Jasmin Chew on Unsplash It’s chilly outside, friends, and I’m missing the beach! The sea has always captivated me—so much so that I’d wanted to be a marine biologist when I was young. Now that I live by the sea, I can satisfy my craving for salty air and the screech of sea birds whenever I need to (even if it’s too cold to get into the water!). For today’s prompt, write about someone who is bound to the sea. Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.
2022 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 1
Time to get writing! If you’re on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram (or anywhere else), be sure use the #FlashFictionFeb hashtag. Now, let’s get cracking! For today’s prompt, write about a key. It could be a physical key, a metaphorical one, or even something completely abstract—it’s totally up to you! Remember: These prompts are just starting points; you have the freedom to go wherever your flash of inspiration takes you. (Note: If you happen to run into any issues posting, please just send me an e-mail at mrichard@aimmedia.com with the subject line: Flash Fiction Challenge Commenting Issue. Fingers crossed there are […]
Jacquelyn Mitchard: On Forgiveness in Fiction
Jacquelyn Mitchard was born in Chicago. Her first novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, was published in 1996, becoming the first selection of the Oprah Winfrey Book Club and a #1 New York Times bestseller. Nine other novels, four children’s books and six young adult novels followed, including Two if By Sea, No Time to Wave Goodbye, Still Summer, All We Know of Heaven, and The Breakdown Lane. Mitchard’s writing has won or been nominated for the Shirley Jackson Award, the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction, UK’s Talkabout Prize, and the Bram Stoker Award. A former daily newspaper reporter, […]
Tic vs. Tick (Grammar Rules)
Tic and tick are homophones that have very different meanings. One word is often tied to involuntary (or unconscious) movements or language, while the other has to do with clocks, sounds, counting, and bloodsucking arachnids. (Common Writing Mistakes and How to Fix Them.) So let’s look at the differences between tic and tick and when to use each. Tic vs. Tick Tic is a noun that refers to a frequent quirk of behavior or speech of a person. For instance, a person who says “um” frequently between words or the word “like” would be considered to have a verbal tic or […]
Jillian Cantor: On Reimagining a Classic
Jillian Cantor has a BA in English from Penn State University and an MFA from the University of Arizona. She is the author of award-winning and bestselling novels for teens and adults, including The Hours Count, Margot, The Lost Letter, In Another Time, and Half Life. Born and raised in a suburb of Philadelphia, Cantor currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Jillian Cantor Photo by Galen Evans In this post, Jillian discusses why she chose to reimagine The Great Gatsby from the women’s perspective in her new historical fiction […]
The American Scholar: Market Spotlight
Published by the Phi Beta Kappa Society since 1932, The American Scholar is a quarterly magazine covering public affairs, literature, science, history, and culture. The magazine itself and many of its essays and articles have been nominated for and won several awards over the years. (The Iowa Review: Market Spotlight.) The editors say, “Inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famous speech, ‘The American Scholar,’ delivered to the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Harvard College in 1837, the magazine aspires to Emerson’s ideals of independent thinking, self-knowledge, and a commitment to the affairs of the world as well as to books, history, and […]
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 596
For today’s prompt, write a punishment poem. The poem could be about punishing an adult for murder or a child for fibbing about eating extra cookies. Your punishment poem might cover an adequate level of punishment or, perhaps, undeserved punishment. From the perspective of the punisher, the punished, or an objective bystander. Hope this prompt doesn’t feel like punishment. Remember: These prompts are springboards to creativity. Use them to expand your possibilities, not limit them. Note on commenting: If you wish to comment on the site, go to Disqus to create a free new account, verify your account on this […]
Nick Petrie: On Following the Most Compelling Story
Nick Petrie is the author of seven novels in the Peter Ash series, most recently The Runaway. His debut, The Drifter, won both the ITW Thriller award and the Barry Award for Best First Novel, and was a finalist for the Edgar and the Hammett Awards. A husband and father, he lives in the Milwaukee area. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Nick Petrie © Troye Fox, 2016 In this post, Nick discusses how he listened to the story that wanted to be told in his new Peter Ash triller novel, The Runaway, what he hopes readers get out […]