Barrie Davenport 
You’ve run across epigraphs that made you smile — and some that sent a chill up your spine.
You have some idea of what it is, but what purpose does an epigraph serve?
You’ve felt the words of a well-chosen epigraph draw you in immediately, setting a specific mood, foreshadowing elements of a story, or hinting at a theme.
How do you create the same magic for your book?
Read on to find out.
Are you looking for books similar to 1984, George Orwell’s magnum opus?
If so, you’ve crash-landed into the right spot.
Our team curated a list of 19 novels for readers searching for stories that tackle similar issues to those explored in Orwell’s satirical, social-science classic.
Some titles are more lighthearted than others, and our list spans decades and demographics.
In other words: There’s variety, and we hope you find something that hits your literary spot!
You’ve got some great content you want to add to your book.
But you’re not sure if including it in the main body of your work is a good idea.
Though it’s helpful and interesting (at least to you), it would interrupt the flow of the chapter it supports.
Plus, it’s not essential for understanding your book.
But it does add something you think is pretty special.
So, you’re thinking, “Is this appendix material?”
Read on to find out.
As much time as we writers spend alone behind our computers tap, tap, tapping away, one thing is certain: we just can’t do it alone.
The business of writing, designing, editing, publishing, marketing, and selling your books requires the kindness of strangers — or at least a little help from your online friends who offer various products, services, and insights to help you stay focused, motivated, and up-to-speed on the ever-changing self-publishing landscape.
People throw around the word “irony” a lot, but its exact definition eludes many.
In their seminal work, The King’s English, the Fowler brothers (aka, the GOATS of grammar) define irony as something in which “the surface meaning and the underlying meaning of what is said are not the same.”
As a literary skill, irony adds tantalizing dimensions to plots and characters. Moreover, using it makes for clever and engaging writing.
So today, we’re examining the nuts and bolts of irony and how to incorporate it into your work.
As a writer, infusing your work with sympathy and empathy is a significant part of developing relatable characters and believable situations.
Without them, stories are about as engaging as 60 Minutes to a 6-year-old kid.
Both emotions are grounded in compassion, but how does empathy differ from sympathy?
In short, having sympathy for another person amounts to expressing genuinely kind sentiments in the wake of a bad event. Showing empathy for someone is an act of service, typically rooted in shared experiences or emotions.
Below, we’re dissecting both concepts through a literary lens, complete with sympathy vs. empathy examples.
The first thing you need to know is this: the introduction of a book is, at its essence, a sales letter from you (the author) to your ideal reader.
The goal isn’t to dazzle them with your writing skills but to convince them your book is well worth their time.
By the time we’re done, you’ll know how to write a book introduction that grabs the interest of readers.
We’ll also see some of the best book introduction examples ever written.
Let’s dive in!