Editor’s Note: Red herrings are one of the most powerful and most misunderstood tools in a writer’s toolbox. This classic article from our archives breaks down why misleading readers isn’t about trickery or cheap twists, but about understanding expectations and using them with intention. If you’ve ever struggled with fitting […]

Yay for this great news! Pam McCutcheon is happy to announce that, after getting her rights back, she has updated her book for writers, WRITING THE FICTION SYNOPSIS, and has republished this third edition in ebook and trade paperback format (Parker Hayden Publisher, January 2026 ABOUT THE BOOK:  Master the […]

By Sam Knight The “narrative voice” is the way the story is presented. There are many ways to present a story. Sometimes a story, or part of a story, is presented as a series of letters, newspaper articles, diaries, clips of audio recordings, or some other similar presentation of data. […]

by Benjamin X. Wretlind You’ve probably heard the term “writing coach” tossed around in author circles, usually alongside editors, beta readers, and critique partners. The confusion is understandable. These roles often overlap in conversation, but in practice, they serve very different purposes. An editor focuses on the manuscript itself. A […]