What can writers learn from the works of Rick Riordan?
By: Ginger | Posted on September 29, 2023
Publishers have long understood how lucrative the young reader market is, and are always anxious to find the next big franchise to build a vast world of marketing and books around, one that can stand the test of time and continue to enchant new generations of readers. When Rick Riordan launched his wildly popular Percy Jackson series back in 2005, they probably knew very quickly that they’d found their mark. Since then, the series has gone on to sell close to 200 million copies, become a movie, and will soon stream as a television series on Disney+. But what is it about the stories that make them connect so well to their audience? That’s exactly what Ginger is going to break down in today’s blog, as we once again dive deep into the work of a successful author to learn what it is that they are doing right, in the… Read More >
Women’s Fiction Novels To Add to Your Fall TBR
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on September 26, 2023
Women’s Fiction varies from playful, flirty, and fun to heartfelt and deeply emotional. Today we’ve put together a list of 5 women’s fiction novels that were highly rated by Hidden Gems ARC readers recently. The Regrettable Decision by Aria Emend After going through with a marriage that had her wondering if she was making a terrible mistake, Zarayah’s new marriage has gone from bad to worse, and his secrets are revealed. Her family might be right, maybe he is not good enough for her. “This is not your typical romance novel. This is a story of strength, resilience and most of all empowerment. The book is well written and very easy to read and brings out a lot of strong emotions,” writes Regine in their 5-star review. “This author has an excellent way of describing the characters, setting and emotional relationships with fluidity. She made me feel like I knew… Read More >
Is Kindle Unlimited worth it in 2023?
By: Ginger | Posted on September 22, 2023
While some authors publish wide across multiple online storefronts, there are a great many others that are exclusive to Amazon due to their KDP Select enrollment terms. As part of that enrollment, their books are available to readers with a Kindle Unlimited (KU) subscription, and the authors are paid per pages read from a common pool of money. But as KU Page Reads hit their lowest payout ever this past July, those same authors may be asking themselves “Is Kindle Unlimited worth it in 2023?” That’s exactly the question that Ginger is looking to answer this week, as he examines the pros and cons of remaining in KU as the main benefit to authors continues to fall, month over month. There may not be a single answer that applies to everyone, but knowing the facts can help make an informed decision for anyone still on the fence, or simply deciding… Read More >
Romance Novels To Fall for this Fall
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on September 19, 2023
Are you looking to fall in love this fall? Well as long as it’s a book boyfriend you’re after, we have you covered. Today we’ve brought a variety of romance novels to tickle the fancy of whatever it is you’re into, from muscled single dads to businessman bachelors. These books were popular with our ARC readers, which means you’ll probably love them as well. Illicit Ink by Carmen Bishop Zander Dorsey is tall, muscled, and tattooed. He also doesn’t do relationships, which is perfect for Rose because she is not looking for one. With over 370 reviews, and an average 4.5 star rating on Amazon, Illicit Ink is a spicy, one-night stand, single dad romance. “This is the first Dorsey Brothers book I have read, and I’m glad I jumped in,” writes Fanchon in their five-star review. “This book was a steamy read that kept me pulled in from beginning… Read More >
10 Essential Tips for Crafting Effective Horror Stories
By: Ginger | Posted on September 15, 2023
For authors, Halloween is the perfect time to unleash the darker recesses of their imagination by crafting tales that send shivers down readers’ spines. The art of chilling storytelling has evolved over centuries, with authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King shaping the genre’s landscape while adhering to its core essence—a masterful mix of fear, suspense, and unease. Similar to his article last week which dove into Science Fiction world-building, this week Ginger is examining the ingredients that make up truly effective horror stories. By breaking down the core elements that help turn regular tales into spine-tingling literary nightmares, you too can write books that keep your readers up at night, long after they’ve reached the end of your book… Some Starbucks stores have already unleashed their pumpkin spice products, which means summer is effectively over! For many of us writers, our attention turns next to Halloween – one… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Max Watson
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on September 12, 2023
Today’s interview is with author Max Watson. Watson write new adult romances with notably strong women. It was an honor getting to know more about her writing process and life outside of writing. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? MW: I write new adult romances and I specialize in deep first person POV. I love to develop my characters and really focus on the aspects of the human struggles we each face and handle differently. Cinnamon roll type men and strong women are my personal character type favorites to write! HG: Love it! When did you know you were ready to take on the title of author? MW: I have always been an avid reader. In fact, my first ever job I was paid in books because books are more valuable than money to me. But even though I devoured a book… Read More >
Mastering the Craft of World-Building in Science Fiction
By: Ginger | Posted on September 8, 2023
One thing that separates genres like science fiction from others, is the idea that they usually take place in an unfamiliar setting. Whether it’s a completely alien world, the distant future, or simply a slightly different version of earth than our own, it is this unfamiliarity that allows a reader’s imagination to really soar. But world-building isn’t easy. For many authors, building a whole new world or reality can be intimidating, but it’s still the most important skill to master if you want to write engaging, provocative science fiction. Fortunately, many successful sci-fi authors have already paved the way, perfecting techniques at world-building to write truly groundbreaking and award winning novels. By studying what they’ve done, you can put together believable worlds of your own, which is why Ginger has broken down those techniques into a list of tips and strategies that are common to most science fiction novels. World-building is… Read More >
Mystery Novels to curl up with this Fall
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on September 5, 2023
Are you looking for a page-turning mystery as you prepare for the cozy vibes of Fall? Today we’ve rounded up a collection which includes a variety of mystery novels that have been popular and well liked by Hidden Gems ARC readers. Sins of the Lines by Sharhonda Exantus When Nia Bryant disappears right after she becomes a member of the Kappa Theta Theta sorority, Detective Chris Evans and his partner are faced with lies, betrayals, and the long buried secrets of Nia’s life. “This book legit took me to another place!!” Jamie S. wrote in their five-star review. “The author left me wanting more after every chapter making it impossible to put this book down!!! I really appreciate the fact that I was able to continue to guess who was the killer throughout the book as it gets into the action very quickly! I definitely recommend this book for crime… Read More >
Past Tense vs. Present Tense: Which should YOU choose?
By: Ginger | Posted on September 1, 2023
Past tense vs. present tense is less a debate about which is better, and more about which is a better choice for your particular book. While many authors default to past tense, that may not always be ideal for your story as both tenses have their own unique strengths and challenges. Today, Ginger examines the advantages of both past and present tense so that you can have a better understanding of when they should be used, and even provides examples of each from popular works of fiction. Having a strong grasp of narrative tense is important because choosing the right one for your story will help leave an impact on your reader and keep them coming back for more. Recently, I was participating in a writing discussion when the topic of tenses came up. Other members of the group were surprised that a book we were discussing was written in… Read More >
