If you're not yet watching the gay hockey romance, Heated Rivalry, on HBO, run don't walk to get started. I'm not just saying that because it's what everyone is talking about. I'm saying it because girl, it really is that good! I’m willing to bet the most-googled question this week isn’t “last minute Christmas ideas” but “Was Heated Rivalry renewed for Season 2?” (Spoiler alert: it was !) As an author and an editor, when I see something this good, my brain always starts whir

That’s right, friends, I have another book coming out! It comes out fall 2026 and you can save it on Goodreads HERE . I normally use this blog for writing craft tutorials and writer’s life pep talks, so in the spirit of that audience, I’m not just here to celebrate happy news with y’all. *clears throat* *hides champagne glasses behind back* Instead, I’d like to take this moment to continue the tradition that I’ve begun with other authors—doing a blog interview  during big mil

Finding an editor for your novel is easier than it's ever been. Now, finding a GOOD editor? * long sigh * That's a little tougher....

Welcome to the Smut Bible, friends! Please leave children, teens, prudes and inhibitions at the door. Video cameras are okay, because we’re kinky like that.   First, this isn’t the real Smut Bible. Writing good sexy times takes a lot of technique, and the full Smut Bible is a little longer than War & Peace. (Update: I finally shrunk all my sex scene writing tips down into a SINGLE book I can publish. It's called Kiss & Tell: How to Write Unforgettable Sex Scenes, and you can

Michelle: Unlike most of these interviews, you were not a Sanctuary Editorial client—we met in a more unique way. Can you tell the...

I don't know about you, but the year just goes by SO FAST these days! I'm so busy with the day-to-day that I rarely remember to poke my...

Need a gift for a writer?   I've gotten pretty good at outside-the-box ideas for author gifts. Here are my Top 12 ideas:   A Christmas ornament of all their books! A friend got me one of these last year and it melted my whole heart. You can also get them for readers (favorite books) or cover designers or editors (books they've worked on). Etsy seller MegsComfortCreations or   SMZHDLTD  Commission art of their characters - Authors LOVE this, and it works for not-yet-published

Tell me if this sounds like you. You're dying to finish your novel, but life keeps getting in the way. You're going in circles on this...

Do you want to spend a month writing in a creative flurry, surrounded by a supportive community that cheers you on? A lot of us were...

I'm writing from my post-retreat hangover, because I already miss the Highlights Retreat Center and all my new friends so much! Our first...

Congratulations to Brooke Marley Jones, who just published her Adult Fantasy, The Forest Where the Phoenix Sleeps! When I first edited...

Boise, Idaho people! I'm hosting a really unique local event for writers. The Cabin, our Boise literary society, was kind enough to...

Congratulations to Lisa Amowitz on publishing her YA romantasy, An Island Wild and Strange. We first met when she contacted me for some...

That's right, I'm hosting a retreat! This year, I wanted something where I could meet new writers, but it was also relaxing, but I could...

If you're reading book deal announcements on Publisher's Marketplace, or researching past sales for literary agents, you might have come...

Hey, we’re creative people, yes? We write stuff. We make up stories about the people in line with us at Starbucks. When inspiration...

Ready to get an agent, grab a book deal, and see your book on the shelves at Barnes & Noble? First, you'll need a query letter. That's...

Congratulations to John Klekamp, who signed with agent Sera Rivers of Speilburg Literary! I first met John when I did an edit for his YA...

Congratulations to Beatrice Bradshaw, who just published her Scottish winter romance, Love in the Scottish Winter Highlands! 1. You got...

This is advice I've heard all over the internet, aimed at querying writers--sometimes even from agents themselves!--and it's so...