by Christine Bode | Jan 27, 2026 | Writing Tips
Readers don’t fall in love with characters because of perfect prose. They care because the characters feel alive. If you want to write compelling characters without overwriting, you must resist the urge to explain everything. Overwriting takes various forms:...
by Christine Bode | Jan 13, 2026 | Publishing Industry
Ah, the tantalizing dream of self-publishing. It’s the siren call that whispers, You can do this your way. And you can—but let’s not pretend it’s simple. That’s why I’m offering self-publishing success tips for authors who want it done right....
by Christine Bode | Jan 6, 2026 | Writing Tips
Many writers believe good writing is flawless writing. Clean sentences. Perfect grammar. Not a comma out of place. That belief is understandable and deeply unhelpful. In practice, perfectionism stalls manuscripts, dulls voices, and keeps books from ever attracting...
by Christine Bode | Jan 3, 2026 | Publishing Industry
You’ve written your first book. Congratulations! Your manuscript is edited, proofread, and ready for the world. Now comes the big decision: self-publishing vs traditional publishing. Which is right for you? In today’s publishing landscape, more authors are choosing to...
by Christine Bode | Dec 23, 2025 | Editing Tips
In the world of publishing, one factor can make or break a book’s success: reader engagement. A well-written, engaging story can captivate readers and leave a lasting impression. Still, even the best plots and characters can fall flat if the book is riddled with...