by Christine Bode | Jun 16, 2026 | Short Stories
Introduction “The Caterpilion” short story by Australian writer Boris Glikman is a dark fable about transformation, ambition, pride, and survival. Through the journey of a fearful caterpillar who dreams of becoming a lion, the story explores how escaping one danger...
by Christine Bode | Jun 13, 2026 | Character Essays
From folktale to gothic, the vampire’s life in literature is filled with seduction, fear, longing, and transformation. Few fantastical creatures have endured the way vampires have. They move through literature like shadows beneath candlelight, always changing, yet...
by Christine Bode | Jun 9, 2026 | Writing Tips
Diacritical marks for writers may seem like tiny details, but they carry surprising significance. A single accent mark can change pronunciation, alter meaning, or preserve the integrity of a person’s name, language, or culture. Yet many writers either overlook them...
by Christine Bode | Jun 2, 2026 | Editing Tips
Recently, I discovered that a first-time author I worked with last year revised the manuscript I had professionally edited—and that had already been published—for a second edition of his novel without telling me. What he didn’t realize was the hidden risk of revising...
by Christine Bode | May 26, 2026 | Editing Tips
If you’ve ever wondered how to use the em dash correctly, you’re not alone. Many first-time and self-publishing authors struggle with punctuation that feels intuitive but carries surprisingly specific rules. The em dash has become increasingly popular in 21st-century...
