The StoryBold Library
EXPLORE BOOKS. UNDERSTAND STORIES. STEP INSIDE THE WRITING LIFE.
The StoryBold Library is where I share the books I'm reading, the ideas I'm wrestling with, and the lessons I'm learning as I write across genres. You'll find literary essays, book recommendations, craft articles, and behind-the-scenes reflections designed to help you become both a more discerning reader and a more thoughtful writer.
27 Must-Read Novels That Show Us What Fiction Can Do
What makes a novel essential reading? Discover 27 must-read novels that reveal the extraordinary power of fiction to move us, illuminate the human experience, transport us to other worlds, and challenge the limits of storytelling and imagination.
How to Become a Professional Writer: 7 Steps to Launch Your Career
Learn how to become a professional writer in 2027 with seven practical steps for exploring career paths, developing your skills, building a portfolio, and finding paid opportunities. Discover additional strategies for standing out in an evolving writing industry, along with answers to common questions about qualifications, writing samples, and career prospects.
Your 2027 Quick Guide to Professional Writing
Explore what it means to write professionally in 2027, from the many paths and genres available to the skills that set professional writers apart. Learn how AI, changing modes of discovery, and an evolving job market are reshaping the field and what writers can do to build lasting, distinctive careers.
I Started a Novel at 33. I'm Revising it at 45. Here's What I've Learned.
What changes when you return to a novel twelve years later? I reflect on revising an old manuscript with new experience, a different perspective on publishing, and a deeper understanding of the characters and conflict at the heart of the story.
Critique Letter Example: A Blueprint for Thoughtful Writing Feedback
Discover the qualities of a good critique letter and explore an example to elevate your critique process.
What is Conflict in a Story? Definition, Types, & How to Create It
Discover the role of conflict in a story, different types of story conflict, and the steps to creating meaningful conflict in your story.
AI Writing in 2026: Your Complete Guide to Staying Creative, Authentic, & Informed
Discover how to navigate AI writing with confidence and integrity. Learn the ethics, best practices, tools, and strategies to establish your own AI-driven writing process while staying true to your creative vision.
Writing a Book in 2026? Here's Everything You Need to Know
A soulful, strategic guide to writing a book with purpose, no matter where you are in your writing journey.
What is Creative Writing? Definition, Types, and How to Get Started
Learn what creative writing is, explore its major types and benefits, and discover practical ways to start developing your own creative writing practice.
10 Relaxing Books That Aren't Boring
Discover 10 relaxing books that help you unwind without putting you to sleep, from feel-good fiction and cozy mysteries to nature writing and memoir.
How to Revise a Novel: A Calm Approach to the Hardest Phase
Revision is where your novel transforms. Discover a steady, soulful approach to revising your manuscript in this clear, compassionate guide.
13 Life-Changing Books Everyone Should Read
Explore 13 transformative books—fiction and nonfiction—that inspire, challenge, and change lives across generations.
My Novel Almost Got Published. Now I’m Revising It Again.
After my novel came close to publication, I decided to revise it again and share the process publicly. Come behind the scenes as I rethink the story, respond to publishers' feedback, and discover what revision can make possible.
The Complete Guide to Literary Agents and How to Land One (+ Alternatives that Work)
Discover how to find and work with literary agents and explore smart, actionable paths to publication in this empowering guide for authors.
Before and After Getting a Literary Agent: My Candid Story and the Lessons That Stuck
Follow my story of getting—and eventually parting ways with—a literary agent, and the empowering lessons I learned about finding the right creative partner for your book.
How to Design a Reading Nook: Maximum Vibe for Every Budget
Design your ideal reading nook on any budget. Discover unique ideas, creative approaches, and vibey tips to escape into your next read.