Writing Break

In this episode, we bring you the latest publishing news along with a discussion on finding a balance between inspiration and hard work. I'll let you know where to access tax tips for authors and where to view sessions that took place during the Winter 2024 Book & Author Festival. I also tell you about a literary agent scam preying on authors. Plus, we discuss a significant legal victory protecting creative freedom and highlight resources for creators impacted by the Los Angeles fires.

In the second half, we explore the concept of the muse—what it means to create space for inspiration and how to balance it with the discipline of writing. Drawing from personal insights and Stephen King’s On Writing, we reflect on the dynamic between inspiration and perseverance in the creative process.

Tune in for updates, insights, and encouragement to help you see yourself as the writer you already are.

• More Writing Tips
• Authors Guild Federal Court Victory: Arkansas Book Ban Declared Unconstitutional - The Authors Guild
• Emergency Aid for Creators Affected by the Los Angeles Fires - The Authors Guild
• Publishing Scam Alerts - The Authors Guild
• Tax Tips for Authors 2025 - Webinar Registration - Zoom
• PRH Winter 2024 Book & Author Festival
• Free Style Sheet Templates

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

In this episode, we take a look at writing advice from Chuck Palahniuk. Can his approach to storytelling help you craft more immersive scenes, or is it too restrictive for your taste?

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• Nuts and Bolts: “Thought” Verbs | LitReactor
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Music licensed from Storyblocks.

Looking for the perfect gift for the writer in your life? Forget notebooks and pens—this episode reveals five priceless gifts that every writer needs. Best of all, they’re completely free! Whether you’re a writer yourself or supporting one, these gifts can make all the difference. Tune in for a fun and insightful holiday episode that celebrates writers and their craft.

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Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

Publishing slows down significantly at the end of each year. So, don’t fret if your query letters remain unanswered this month. Today, we’re exploring 9 practical, actionable writing tips approved by bestselling authors.

As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to sharpen your writing craft. In this episode of Writing Break, we explore nine practical, actionable writing tips from bestselling authors. From crafting clearer sentences to developing compelling characters and keeping readers hooked, these timeless lessons will help you refine your writing and storytelling.

Get ready to take notes! Great writing starts with great habits, and these authors knew exactly how to make their words count.

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Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

Your first draft is done! Now what? In this episode of Writing Break, we break down eight essential steps for revising your manuscript, regardless of genre. Whether you're on your second or sixth draft, this guide will help you refine your work into a polished, compelling manuscript.

We also cover major publishing industry updates, including HarperCollins’ AI licensing deal and social media shifts in the publishing world. Plus, details on the Faber Action! Prize for children’s action-adventure books.

• More Writing Tips
• Bluesky Hits 20 Million Users as People Flee Twitter
• HarperCollins AI Licensing Deal - The Authors Guild
• Faber launches Action! Prize | Journal, News | Faber
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Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

There is a lot of writing advice out there, but remember that not every piece of writing advice is first-draft writing advice. This episode of Writing Break is all about writing your first draft. Learn how to silence your inner editor, embrace the messy process, and focus on getting the story down before worrying about perfection.

We’ll cover why momentum matters, how to keep moving forward when you get stuck, and why your first draft should be a creative free-for-all. Plus, a quick look at recent publishing trends, including why some YA authors are shifting to adult books.

Next episode: Second-draft writing tips. But first, finish that first draft!

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Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

National Novel Writing Month begins next week, which is why today’s episode is a pep talk of sorts. In this episode of Writing Break, we discuss how turning down distractions can help you prioritize your writing and make real progress on your novel.

We also highlight publishing houses currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts, plus a look at Taylor Swift’s latest self-publishing venture.

If you’ve been struggling to find time to write, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about why your book deserves to be a priority and how you can make it happen.

• More Writing Tips
• Dragonblade Publishing | Submissions
• Harlequin Medical Romance | Submissions
• Black Rose Writing | Submissions
• Collective Ink Publishing | Submissions
• Dark Dragon Publishing | Submissions
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Music licensed from Storyblocks.

This season we’ve been covering seven types of literary conflicts, and I thought it might be useful for you to have a bonus episode that has all seven conflicts back to back.

Let’s settle in at the Writing Break cafe and get started on a full episode of writing tips.

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Music licensed from Storyblocks

Today we are wrapping up our seven-part series on literary conflicts with the final boss: Character vs Destiny.

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As I record this, a hurricane is sideswiping my city, so if the power stays on, we’ll continue our literary conflict series and discuss, aptly enough, Character versus Technology. We’re also catching up on the Internet Archive court case.

• More Writing Tips
• OpenAI looks to shift away from nonprofit roots and convert itself to for-profit company
• Update: How to Tell Internet Archive to Remove Your Books - The Authors Guild
• Authors Guild Applauds Final Court Decision Affirming Internet Archive's Book Scanning as Copyright Infringement - The Authors Guild
• Free Style Sheet Templates

Music licensed from Storyblocks