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.
The StoryBold Library
for writers
Your knowledge hub for mastering story craft, staying ahead of publishing industry trends, and getting your story into the hands of readers. Each article offers writing strategies and advice you can consume in just a few minutes and apply to your projects to see results. Â
Before and After Getting a Literary Agent: My Candid Story and the Lessons That Stuck
Apr 16, 2025
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.
By Julie Tyler Ruiz
CONTENTS:
- Beyond the yes
- Part one: the dream
- Part two: the drift
- Part three: the tough decision
- The most important lessons
Beyond the yes: a candid look at getting (and saying goodbye to) a literary agent
Getting a literary agent is a dream for so many writers. For years, it was mine too.
I’d bought into the idea—common in many writing circles—that traditional publishing was the way to be taken seriously, to reach readers at scale, and to prove I was good enough. I wasn’t actively investigating other publishing avenues. I had, in many ways, brushed them aside.
In the years leading up to signing with an agent, I’d test-pitched dozens of agents in person at conferences. In almost every case, they expressed interest and personally invited me to query and send sample pages. So by the tim...
The Complete Guide to Literary Agents and How to Land One (+ Alternatives that Work)
Apr 12, 2025
Discover how to find and work with literary agents and explore smart, actionable paths to publication in this empowering guide for authors.
By Julie Tyler Ruiz
CONTENTS:
- What is a literary agent?
- What does a literary agent do?
- Do you need a literary agent?
- How to get a literary agent: 4 key steps
- Author-agent fit and shifting the power dynamic
- Getting published without an agentÂ
What is a literary agent?Â
A literary agent is a publishing industry professional who represents authors and their work to publishers. Writers often think of agents as gatekeepers, given that they serve as the primary point of access to many traditional publishers, especially the larger houses that do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. But they are much more than gatekeepers. Landing an agent means you've recruited a champion for your work, someone who'll use their industry expertise and networks to advocate for your story in a competitive marketplace.
You can also think of literary agents as bu...
AI Writing in 2025: Your Complete Guide to Staying Creative, Authentic, & Informed
Mar 31, 2025
By Julie Tyler Ruiz
CONTENT
- Introduction. Navigating the AI writing landscape in 2025
- Chapter 1. What is AI writing?
- Chapter 2. Ethics of AI writing
- Chapter 3. Using AI to write: what you gain and lose
- Chapter 4. AI prompt writing: best practices
- Chapter 5. AI writing toolsÂ
- Chapter 6. AI writing events
- Chapter 7. AI in book publishing: industry news and trendsÂ
- Chapter 8. How I use AI to write: my dos and don'ts
- Chapter 9. How to establish your own AI writing practice
Introduction. Navigating the AI writing landscape in 2025Â
By 2025, most of us are using generative AI for a variety of writing tasks or at least experimenting with AI to see what it can do, from automating content or generating pages of material in a matte...
How to Get a Book Published: a Guide to Balancing Authenticity with Strategy
Mar 06, 2025
Want to know how to get a book published in 2025? Traditional publishing is competitive, but writers who balance authenticity with strategy have a real chance at success. This guide breaks down the key steps to securing a deal, from understanding market trends to crafting a strong pitch.
By Julie Tyler Ruiz
 CONTENTS:Â
- Traditional publishing in 2025: opportunities for authentic writers
- How to get a book published: 6 steps
- Beyond the deal: what authors need to know
- Cultivating a success mindset for your publishing journey
Traditional publishing in 2025: opportunities for authentic writers
Securing a traditional publishing deal requires more than just writing a great manuscript. It demands a strategic approach, understanding the industry, and crafting a compelling pitch. While the path is competitive, opportunities abound for writers who embrace both authenticity and strategy. Publishers are always on the lookout for fresh voices and compelling stories. Writing a book that ex...
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Author
Julie Tyler Ruiz
Creator of StoryBold
