Every year, I share the same reminder with writers at every stage of their journey: if you want to become a stronger writer, you must commit to becoming a better reader. It may sound simple—even obvious—but it’s one of the most overlooked habits among aspiring and even experienced authors. Writing is not created in a vacuum. It is shaped, sharpened, and elevated by what you consume. Reading Is Your Apprenticeship Think of reading as your apprenticeship in the craft of writing. Every book you...

If you’ve ever stared at a blank page waiting for inspiration to strike, you’re not alone. Many writers hesitate to begin because they worry their writing won’t be good enough . But here’s a little secret every published author knows: the first draft isn’t supposed to be perfect—it’s supposed to be written. As Ernest Hemingway famously said, “The first draft of anything is [expletive].”  Crude? Maybe. True? Absolutely. The goal of a first draft isn’t brilliance—it’s momentum. It’s about...

If you’re an author, you may have heard that the government shutdown has affected the U.S. Copyright Office. That can sound intimidating,...