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12+ ways to support writers

Whether you’re a writer yourself or just looking for ways to support authors, it can be difficult to judge what kind of help we can give. I’ve compiled over 12 ways to support writers, covering personal support, social media support, and financial support where possible. It’s important to remember that you have your own limitations too. You don’t need to be someone’s personal cheerleader or therapist to support them. Even just interacting with social media posts or reading their books can help a writer. How to support a writer When it comes to supporting writers, there are many ways to… Read More »12+ ways to support writers

What to include in a fiction proofreading enquiry

When you’re looking for a proofreader for your novel, a proofreading enquiry is a valuable tool in determining the best fit for you. The information you put into an enquiry form helps proofreaders work out what you’re looking for and whether they can meet your needs. Other than availability and budget, enquiries can also show you what a proofreader is like to work with. Read more about how to make the best use out of an enquiry form and why they’re an important indicator of who to work with. What is a fiction proofreading enquiry? Online service businesses often have… Read More »What to include in a fiction proofreading enquiry

A fiction developmental editor’s thoughts on Dr Who and queerness

Recently, Dr Who has been making the headlines with viewers commenting on “woke” storylines and scenes. Examples include the character Rose Noble dealing with transphobic bullies and suggesting the Doctor ask the Meep (a cute but deadly alien) about their pronouns. Some viewers are uncomfortable with the first Black, queer Time Lord, played by the wonderful Ncuti Gatwa. Well, I’ve got news for them: Dr Who has always been woke. Section 28 and the 1980s I grew up in the UK with the Sylvester McCoy era, which seemed modern to me in the early 1990s. (I look back now and… Read More »A fiction developmental editor’s thoughts on Dr Who and queerness

What you need to know about hiring a fantasy editor

If you’ve finished your story, you might be starting to look for a fantasy editor. Hiring an editor is a big deal for any author, and making sure you hire someone with experience in your genre is important. Here to answer some questions about editing is Aimée Hill of AJ Editorial Services, a fantasy editor who provides developmental editing, line editing, and copyediting services across all fantasy sub-genres. As a fantasy editor, is there anything you wish more fantasy writers knew about editing? Great question. I am fortunate to work with some really talented authors who know the ropes fairly… Read More »What you need to know about hiring a fantasy editor

Why your book series should use the same editors and proofreader

When you’re publishing a book series, you need to think about each individual book as well as the whole series. Part of this is considering your editorial team – the editors and proofreader that work on your book series. As with most questions, the answer on whether you should use the same editors and proofreader for your book series is: Depends. But if you value consistency – especially if your series uses its own language or has epic worldbuilding – having the same editorial team can really make a difference. Advantages of using the same editors and proofreader for your… Read More »Why your book series should use the same editors and proofreader

How to get a literary agent in the UK

Representation from a literary agent is key to getting traditionally published, as most publishing houses don’t accept unsolicited or unagented manuscripts. This post covers how to get a literary agent in the UK, including top tips for perfecting your agent submission pack. If you’re looking for how to find a literary agent in the UK, my other post explains where to find literary agents. Do you need a literary agent to get published? If you dream of seeing your book in bookshops, or you just don’t want to deal with self-publishing, you need a literary agent. Because publishing houses like… Read More »How to get a literary agent in the UK

LGBTQ+ fiction books I recommend

For years, I struggled to find any kind of queer representation in contemporary books. So for Pride Month, I’m highlighting all of the LGBTQ+ fiction books I recommend to people and that I’ve read since 2021. Every Pride, I’ll update this post with more books I recommend, all with LGBTQ+ representation. Last updated: June 2025. Here, you’ll find a collection of queer romance, children’s and YA (as I catch up on books I wish I’d had when I was younger), and other LGBTQ+ lit. These are far from all of the LGBTQ+ books I’ve read, but they’re certainly the most… Read More »LGBTQ+ fiction books I recommend

How to start a self-care journal for writers

Are you a hoarder of notebooks? Do you want to put one to use? A self-care journal might be for you. For writers, self-care journals can also help motivate you to write. Journalling is a great way to look after your mental health. Some people find that writing a diary entry a day helps them, while others prefer tracking habits or planning their day. What is a self-care journal? A self-care journal usually works by regularly writing about your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Having a dedicated self-care journal can help you not only write often but also tackle worries you… Read More »How to start a self-care journal for writers

Summer romance writing prompts

When it comes to seasonal or holiday romances, there are two seasons most romance writers gravitate towards: summer and winter. These summer romance writing prompts will put you in the mood for a steamy fling or reawakened passion. Most summer romances take place in small towns, hot destination spots, and glamorous resorts. But don’t fret – think of all the events that happen when the sun comes out. Beach trips, water parks, and music festivals can all be equally romantic anywhere you go. Looking for other seasonal romance writing prompts? Check out my spring romance writing prompts or these autumn… Read More »Summer romance writing prompts

How to create a writer’s self-care kit

As writers, we don’t always make the effort to look after ourselves, especially when it comes in the way of writing. By creating a writer’s self-care kit, we can set aside comfort items to prepare for when we need them. Self-care is something we all do, even if we don’t always know it. A self-care kit is a collection of comforting possessions that can help us intentionally care for ourselves. You don’t have to buy anything to make a writer’s self-care kit – just collect what you already have and add to it as needed. What is a self-care kit?… Read More »How to create a writer’s self-care kit