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,...

You’ve poured your heart and countless hours into writing your manuscript. The finish line is in sight—but before you can hold your book...