Anne R. Allen
@annerallen.bsky.social
Award-winning blogger & author of funny mysteries and how-to books for writers. I share publishing industry news and writing tips. No DMs please.
Are Your Fictional Characters Making the Right First Impression? annerallen.com/2026/01/fict... #writing #books
Are Your Fictional Characters Making the Right First Impression
A first impression is so important--in fiction as well as real life. That first impression will stick, so make it appropriate and memorable.
annerallen.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Are Your Fictional Characters Making the Right First Impression? annerallen.com/2026/01/fict... #writing #books
New Year, New Words: Writing Resolutions for 2026 writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/new-...
New Year, New Words: Writing Resolutions for 2026
As we look towards 2026, the WITS team shares their writing resolutions, and we would love to hear yours too.
writersinthestormblog.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:31 PM
New Year, New Words: Writing Resolutions for 2026 writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/new-...
Kicking the Blahs Out of Your Novel writerunboxed.com/2026/01/01/k...
Kicking the Blahs Out of Your Novel
How Your Favorite Books Teach ‘Gotta Know’ As I slough off the holiday season—exhausted from shopping, cooking, and making happiness-for-family my life mission—I’m wiggling back into my…
writerunboxed.com
January 1, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Kicking the Blahs Out of Your Novel writerunboxed.com/2026/01/01/k...
450 Decisions, or the Serendipity of an Editor and their Submissions
open.substack.com/pub/dearhead...
open.substack.com/pub/dearhead...
450 Decisions, or the Serendipity of an Editor and their Submissions
#1 Myth: An Editor Rejects a Manuscript Because It’s Not Good
open.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:52 PM
450 Decisions, or the Serendipity of an Editor and their Submissions
open.substack.com/pub/dearhead...
open.substack.com/pub/dearhead...
One Word to Guide Your Writing Journey in 2026 writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/one-...
One Word to Guide Your Writing Journey in 2026
Many writers start the year with intimidating resolutions. We do things differently, choosing ONE word to guide our writing journey. What's your word?
writersinthestormblog.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:42 PM
One Word to Guide Your Writing Journey in 2026 writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/one-...
If I Knew Then: Lessons From the Writing Road writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/if-i...
If I Knew Then: Lessons From the Writing Road
Six lessons from veteran writer, Rebecca Forster. Do you agree or disagree with them? Feel free to come add your own hard-earned lessons from the Writing Road.
writersinthestormblog.com
December 29, 2025 at 10:58 PM
If I Knew Then: Lessons From the Writing Road writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/if-i...
The Value of Writing Shock and Avoiding Valueless Trauma writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-...
The Value of Writing Shock and Avoiding Valueless Trauma
Shock, surprise and unexpected twists and turns, can ramp up a narrative and leave a long-lasting impression. Here's how to craft the unpredictable organically.
writersinthestormblog.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:20 PM
The Value of Writing Shock and Avoiding Valueless Trauma writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-...
The Work Behind the Work: Why Our Effort Counts More Than We Think
open.substack.com/pub/badredhe...
open.substack.com/pub/badredhe...
The Work Behind the Work: Why Our Effort Counts More Than We Think
Writing, creating, and marketing already ask a lot of us. Maybe we stop pretending they don’t.
open.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The Work Behind the Work: Why Our Effort Counts More Than We Think
open.substack.com/pub/badredhe...
open.substack.com/pub/badredhe...
Reposted by Anne R. Allen
💥 The Hidden World of Writing Scams | by @BadRedheadMedia.bsky.social via @annerallen.bsky.social vist.ly/4jgsq
Thrilled to be a guest today. I have written many posts about the various scams targeting authors on my Substack. Here are snippets from each one.
#MondayBlogs #Writers
Thrilled to be a guest today. I have written many posts about the various scams targeting authors on my Substack. Here are snippets from each one.
#MondayBlogs #Writers
December 23, 2025 at 12:14 AM
💥 The Hidden World of Writing Scams | by @BadRedheadMedia.bsky.social via @annerallen.bsky.social vist.ly/4jgsq
Thrilled to be a guest today. I have written many posts about the various scams targeting authors on my Substack. Here are snippets from each one.
#MondayBlogs #Writers
Thrilled to be a guest today. I have written many posts about the various scams targeting authors on my Substack. Here are snippets from each one.
#MondayBlogs #Writers
Give Thanks You’re a Writer killzoneblog.com/2025/12/give...
Give Thanks You’re a Writer | Killzoneblog.com
killzoneblog.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Give Thanks You’re a Writer killzoneblog.com/2025/12/give...
Reposted by Anne R. Allen
Happy Solstice! May Your Writing be Merry and Bright. annerallen.com/2025/12/happ... @annerallen.bsky.social
Writing during the holidays can be tough, but it's worth the attempt.
Writing may be the last thing you want to think about during this hectic time of year, but writing can find order in the chaos
annerallen.com
December 21, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Happy Solstice! May Your Writing be Merry and Bright. annerallen.com/2025/12/happ... @annerallen.bsky.social
Sunday Book Review - The Last Father - Daughter Dance by Lisa Wingate #shortstory dgkayewriter.com/2025/12/20/s...
Sunday Book Review – The Last Father – Daughter Dance by Lisa Wingate #shortstory
Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m reviewing a heartfelt short story – The Last Father-Daughter Dance, by Lisa Wingate. Get This Book on Amazon Blurb: For a father and daughter…
dgkayewriter.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Sunday Book Review - The Last Father - Daughter Dance by Lisa Wingate #shortstory dgkayewriter.com/2025/12/20/s...
Happy Solstice! May Your Writing be Merry and Bright. annerallen.com/2025/12/happ...
Writing during the holidays can be tough, but it's worth the attempt.
Writing may be the last thing you want to think about during this hectic time of year, but writing can find order in the chaos
annerallen.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Happy Solstice! May Your Writing be Merry and Bright. annerallen.com/2025/12/happ...
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Ninth Day of Christmas 2025 - Flash Mob, Funeral Directors, Nine Ladies Dancing, Chocolate and Carols. smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2025/12/20/s...
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Ninth Day of Christmas 2025 – Flash Mob, Funeral Directors, Nine Ladies Dancing, Chocolate and Carols.
Christmas is just around the corner and more of my memories from over the years, some favourite food and drinks, plus some music you might enjoy. To start today’s post a wonderful Flash Mob …
smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com
December 20, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Ninth Day of Christmas 2025 - Flash Mob, Funeral Directors, Nine Ladies Dancing, Chocolate and Carols. smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2025/12/20/s...
Reposted by Anne R. Allen
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Ninth Day of Christmas 2025 - Flash Mob, Funeral Directors, Nine Ladies Dancing, Chocolate and Carols. smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2025/12/20/s... @sallycronin.bsky.social
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Ninth Day of Christmas 2025 – Flash Mob, Funeral Directors, Nine Ladies Dancing, Chocolate and Carols.
Christmas is just around the corner and more of my memories from over the years, some favourite food and drinks, plus some music you might enjoy. To start today’s post a wonderful Flash Mob …
smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com
December 20, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Ninth Day of Christmas 2025 - Flash Mob, Funeral Directors, Nine Ladies Dancing, Chocolate and Carols. smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2025/12/20/s... @sallycronin.bsky.social
Top 7 Novel Writing Mistakes Writers Keep Making bang2write.com/2025/12/top-...
Top 7 Novel Writing Mistakes Writers Keep Making - Bang2write
B2W's Lucy V breaks down the top 7 novel writing mistakes she sees authors make. Use it as a handy checklist for your own manuscript.
bang2write.com
December 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Top 7 Novel Writing Mistakes Writers Keep Making bang2write.com/2025/12/top-...
Why These Contract Clauses Are Scary writerbeware.blog/2025/12/19/w...
Why These Contract Clauses Are Scary - Writer Beware
The clauses I’m going to discuss in this post come from the contract of Shadow Light Press, a publisher of fantasy and science fiction with deep ties to the LitRPG community. The contract stirred cont...
writerbeware.blog
December 19, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Why These Contract Clauses Are Scary writerbeware.blog/2025/12/19/w...
Busy Writers: When Does “So Much” Become “Too Much?” writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/busy...
Busy Writers: When Does “So Much” Become “Too Much?”
Five grounding strategies to help writers from becoming overwhelmed by the constant juggle between life's priorities and writing priorities.
writersinthestormblog.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Busy Writers: When Does “So Much” Become “Too Much?” writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/busy...
Reposted by Anne R. Allen
Writing the Final Chapter: How to Write a Satisfying Ending of your Novel or Memoir annerallen.com/2025/12/writ... @annerallen.bsky.social
Writing the Final Chapter: How to Write a Satisfying Ending
A final chapter must tie up loose ends to satisfy the reader, and also sell the next book. Here's how to do it.
annerallen.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Writing the Final Chapter: How to Write a Satisfying Ending of your Novel or Memoir annerallen.com/2025/12/writ... @annerallen.bsky.social
Flog a Pro: Would You Turn the First Page of this Bestseller? writerunboxed.com/2025/12/18/f...
Flog a Pro: Would You Turn the First Page of this Bestseller?
Email readers, heads up! For the full effect, pause after the excerpt and decide: Would you turn the page? Vote and then scroll for the reveal! Trained by reading hundreds of submissions, editors a…
writerunboxed.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Flog a Pro: Would You Turn the First Page of this Bestseller? writerunboxed.com/2025/12/18/f...
December Writer's Tips - Beware the Latest #Publishing and #BookMarketing #Scams, Draft 2 Digital, Let it Snow! dgkayewriter.com/2025/12/16/d...
December Writer’s Tips – Beware the Latest #Publishing and #BookMarketing #Scams, Draft 2 Digital, Let it Snow!
. Welcome to my December Writer’s Tips. In this edition, Hugh Roberts is sharing the latest Publishing Scams and how to make it Snow on our Blogs, Anne R. Allen is sharing the newest Book Mar…
dgkayewriter.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:36 AM
December Writer's Tips - Beware the Latest #Publishing and #BookMarketing #Scams, Draft 2 Digital, Let it Snow! dgkayewriter.com/2025/12/16/d...