Writing Tips, Workshops, and Inspiration from Bestselling Authors

In my scenario, a girl believes she could be both a vampire and a vampire slayer. The problem with this idea is that the two bloods fight each other and eventually end up killing the host, one way or the other. I had heard that this is similar to what could happen with a fetus if the parents are of two different blood types. Is this true? If so, how can the death be prevented, and how often would the infant die without treatment?   A:        What a fascinating and clever ques

If you want to grow your platform without spending money on ads, you need to create content people want to share. Shares are powerful. When someone sends your post to a friend or adds it to their Story, they’re essentially saying, “You need to see this.” That kind of word-of-mouth marketing is gold for writers. So how do you create content that spreads naturally? 1. Make It Relatable The most shareable posts make someone say, “This is SO  me.” Think about common writer strugg

Acclaimed crime writer James L’Etoile has taken home one of the genre’s most respected honors. At the 2026 Left Coast Crime convention, L’Etoile was awarded the Lefty Award for Best Mystery Novel for his gripping book River of Lies . The Lefty Awards celebrate excellence in mystery fiction, recognizing standout voices in a field known for its depth, suspense, and unforgettable characters. With River of Lies , L’Etoile delivers a masterfully layered story filled with tension,

Every writer has been asked—If you could go back and give your younger fledgling-writer self one piece of advice, what would it be? It’s asked by other writers, at book signings, at presentations, during conference panels, everywhere. So? For me, it would be: Get out of your own way and tell your story your way. Took years to learn that. So, I popped this question our Outlier Instructors:  Hank Phillippi Ryan : Don't worry! Everything  will be fine. You don't know exactly how

Join Outliers GET TO KNOW hosts DP Lyle for a fun chat with Best-selling Authors, Outlier Instructors, and Popular Podcasts Hosts Douglas Pratt and Nicholas Harvey. And check out their podcast: Two Authors Podcast 📺 WATCH: Get to Know on Outliers YouTube Channel 🎧 LISTEN: Outliers Podcast Series On Your Favorite Outlet A  USA Today  Bestselling author, Nicholas Harvey's life has been anything but ordinary. Race car driver, adventurer, divemaster, and since 2020, a full-time

Join Outliers GET TO KNOW hosts DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim for a conversation with best-selling author and Outlier Instructor Linda Castillo 📺 WATCH: Get to Know on Outliers YouTube Channel 🎧 LISTEN: Outliers Podcast Series On Your Favorite Outlet LINDA CASTILLO is the author of the New York Times bestselling Kate Burkholder series, set in the world of the Amish. The first book, Sworn to Silence, was adapted into a Lifetime original movie titled An Amish Murder starring Ne

There’s a therapeutic approach to people with ADHD called “Body Doubling.” It’s a way to assist them to focus for increasingly longer periods of time. It adds accountability and motivation. I’ll explain the set-up and then list the benefits for writers. First, you need a partner. They don’t have to be in the room with you. Often, they’re just on a computer monitor. They don’t need to be writers, but it helps if they want to do this, too. They’re your motivator (as you could b

Next time you’re so lucky as to be at the beach, spend a little time watching seagulls. No, I’m serious. Just watch them. If you do that a while, you’ll see one of them lean its head down and take a look at its feet. Soon enough, you’ll see another one do it. Why do they do that? Time spent looking at feet is time that could be spent fishing or begging for your French fries. (Or just flat out stealing them. What are you gonna do? You don’t have wings.) A scientist of my acqua