James Powell
@thefictioncoach.bsky.social
Prose and comic book editor who sometimes writes his own fiction. I write a weekly Substack that helps writers with their craft and mindsets. Creator of House of Fear (2019, Dark Horse Comics). Big fan of the letter G.
Pinned
James Powell
@thefictioncoach.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Hi, I'm James. I'm new here. I edit genre fiction and help writers find more success by improving their craft, mindsets, and routines. I've written a few things, and I enjoy talking about anything to do with storytelling. I watch lots of movies, too.
I just got an email inviting me to a class that explains how to write a book in a weekend...without writing a word.
So, umm, yeah, go AI!
Sigh.
#amwriting #writerslife #indiewriters
So, umm, yeah, go AI!
Sigh.
#amwriting #writerslife #indiewriters
October 7, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I just got an email inviting me to a class that explains how to write a book in a weekend...without writing a word.
So, umm, yeah, go AI!
Sigh.
#amwriting #writerslife #indiewriters
So, umm, yeah, go AI!
Sigh.
#amwriting #writerslife #indiewriters
Reposted by James Powell
He’s older than time, larger than your fears, and now he’s here… 🐙
Cthulhu has entered Crossover Division! Help fund Issue #7 on Kickstarter before he pulls us all under:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wal...
Cthulhu has entered Crossover Division! Help fund Issue #7 on Kickstarter before he pulls us all under:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wal...
October 4, 2025 at 3:16 AM
He’s older than time, larger than your fears, and now he’s here… 🐙
Cthulhu has entered Crossover Division! Help fund Issue #7 on Kickstarter before he pulls us all under:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wal...
Cthulhu has entered Crossover Division! Help fund Issue #7 on Kickstarter before he pulls us all under:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wal...
We ran across a moose on the mountain bike trail yesterday. Massive guy. He wasn’t having it. He was so close, we had to ditch our bikes and hide behind a tree. 😆
September 28, 2025 at 5:14 PM
We ran across a moose on the mountain bike trail yesterday. Massive guy. He wasn’t having it. He was so close, we had to ditch our bikes and hide behind a tree. 😆
Write middle-grade comics or novels? This one's for you:
#12. If you’re new to writing for middle-grade readers (or if you’re struggling to find an MG agent or publisher), your protagonists need more agency.
#makecomics #indiecomics #amwriting #ieditcomics
#12. If you’re new to writing for middle-grade readers (or if you’re struggling to find an MG agent or publisher), your protagonists need more agency.
#makecomics #indiecomics #amwriting #ieditcomics
53 Important (and Sometimes Harsh) Truths About Writing
What I've learned from a life surrounded by writers.
jamespowellediting.substack.com
September 26, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Write middle-grade comics or novels? This one's for you:
#12. If you’re new to writing for middle-grade readers (or if you’re struggling to find an MG agent or publisher), your protagonists need more agency.
#makecomics #indiecomics #amwriting #ieditcomics
#12. If you’re new to writing for middle-grade readers (or if you’re struggling to find an MG agent or publisher), your protagonists need more agency.
#makecomics #indiecomics #amwriting #ieditcomics
#6. There is no formula or step-by-step guide to an award-winning story. Save the Cat and similar books help you understand how structure works, but don’t follow them like a recipe.
#indieauthors #indiecomics #amwriting
jamespowellediting.substack.com/p/53-truths-...
#indieauthors #indiecomics #amwriting
jamespowellediting.substack.com/p/53-truths-...
53 Important (and Sometimes Harsh) Truths About Writing
What I've learned from a life surrounded by writers.
jamespowellediting.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM
#6. There is no formula or step-by-step guide to an award-winning story. Save the Cat and similar books help you understand how structure works, but don’t follow them like a recipe.
#indieauthors #indiecomics #amwriting
jamespowellediting.substack.com/p/53-truths-...
#indieauthors #indiecomics #amwriting
jamespowellediting.substack.com/p/53-truths-...
I had no idea having someone dedicate his novel to me would make me so emotional. I'm not crying, you're crying.
#writing #editing #indieauthors
#writing #editing #indieauthors
September 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I had no idea having someone dedicate his novel to me would make me so emotional. I'm not crying, you're crying.
#writing #editing #indieauthors
#writing #editing #indieauthors
Holy shit! Do a Powerbomb is incredible! Totally blew me away! Easily the best book I've read in years. I'm not even a wrestling fan.
The surprises in the first 50 pages alone earn the highest honors! I'm still reeling.
Time to track down every @danielwarrenart.bsky.social book.
The surprises in the first 50 pages alone earn the highest honors! I'm still reeling.
Time to track down every @danielwarrenart.bsky.social book.
September 18, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Holy shit! Do a Powerbomb is incredible! Totally blew me away! Easily the best book I've read in years. I'm not even a wrestling fan.
The surprises in the first 50 pages alone earn the highest honors! I'm still reeling.
Time to track down every @danielwarrenart.bsky.social book.
The surprises in the first 50 pages alone earn the highest honors! I'm still reeling.
Time to track down every @danielwarrenart.bsky.social book.
Snuck out to see The Long Walk.
Damn, I'm numb.
Damn, I'm numb.
September 15, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Snuck out to see The Long Walk.
Damn, I'm numb.
Damn, I'm numb.
Indie comic writers: If you're looking to improve your scenes filled with exposition, watch more detective shows.
Or read my latest post: jamespowellediting.substack.com/p/using-dial...
#ieditcomics #amwriting #comics #indiecomics
Or read my latest post: jamespowellediting.substack.com/p/using-dial...
#ieditcomics #amwriting #comics #indiecomics
Talking the Talk: Using Dialogue to Seamlessly Weave Exposition
How watching detective dramas can improve your writing
jamespowellediting.substack.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Indie comic writers: If you're looking to improve your scenes filled with exposition, watch more detective shows.
Or read my latest post: jamespowellediting.substack.com/p/using-dial...
#ieditcomics #amwriting #comics #indiecomics
Or read my latest post: jamespowellediting.substack.com/p/using-dial...
#ieditcomics #amwriting #comics #indiecomics
August 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
I get paid to read comic scripts and novels all day. I mean, it's more complex than that, but yeah, I read all day.
If I had a gratitude journal, that'd be right there at the top.
#ieditcomics #editing #comics #writing
If I had a gratitude journal, that'd be right there at the top.
#ieditcomics #editing #comics #writing
August 26, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I get paid to read comic scripts and novels all day. I mean, it's more complex than that, but yeah, I read all day.
If I had a gratitude journal, that'd be right there at the top.
#ieditcomics #editing #comics #writing
If I had a gratitude journal, that'd be right there at the top.
#ieditcomics #editing #comics #writing
Whoa! The visuals in Ne Zha 2 are insane, the action explosive, and the humor surprisingly funny. If this film is showing near you, go check it out on the big screen!
August 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Whoa! The visuals in Ne Zha 2 are insane, the action explosive, and the humor surprisingly funny. If this film is showing near you, go check it out on the big screen!
I love this feedback I received today:
“I feel much, much better about this than when I sent my first draft to you."
Continued...
“I feel much, much better about this than when I sent my first draft to you."
Continued...
August 15, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I love this feedback I received today:
“I feel much, much better about this than when I sent my first draft to you."
Continued...
“I feel much, much better about this than when I sent my first draft to you."
Continued...
If you make comics for kids, heck, even if your comics aren't for kids, this masterclass will be well worth your time.
We are INCREDIBLY EXCITED to announce the launch of our new fall course: How to Launch Your Graphic Novel. Taught by Janna Morishima, our newest course will teach you how to build an effective marketing campaign without losing your soul in the process! 🐲📚
#kidlit #kcuintensive #booklaunch
#kidlit #kcuintensive #booklaunch
How to Launch Your Graphic Novel - Kids Comics Unite
A free masterclass on everything you need to know about launching your graphic novel or comic, taught by literary agent Janna Morishima!
kidscomicsunite.com
August 15, 2025 at 12:33 PM
If you make comics for kids, heck, even if your comics aren't for kids, this masterclass will be well worth your time.
Zoe Thorogood's "It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth" is the most original book I've read in years. It's one in which I felt all the feelings. The art, the story, her flexible style...it all resonates in a way I wasn't expecting. Absolutely incredible.
August 14, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Zoe Thorogood's "It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth" is the most original book I've read in years. It's one in which I felt all the feelings. The art, the story, her flexible style...it all resonates in a way I wasn't expecting. Absolutely incredible.
Comic readers: I'm writing a book about writing comics, and I want to use examples to help solidify what I'm suggesting.
If you had to pick one, what is the best, most popular non-superhero comic of the last 15 years?
#comics #comicbooks
If you had to pick one, what is the best, most popular non-superhero comic of the last 15 years?
#comics #comicbooks
June 12, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Comic readers: I'm writing a book about writing comics, and I want to use examples to help solidify what I'm suggesting.
If you had to pick one, what is the best, most popular non-superhero comic of the last 15 years?
#comics #comicbooks
If you had to pick one, what is the best, most popular non-superhero comic of the last 15 years?
#comics #comicbooks
It’s low-key frustrating. Parents love to boast about their kids’ touchdowns, three-pointers, and home runs. But when I mention, "Oh, my son just created a piece that would make the Louvre weep," suddenly it feels like I've announced we have measles.
April 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
It’s low-key frustrating. Parents love to boast about their kids’ touchdowns, three-pointers, and home runs. But when I mention, "Oh, my son just created a piece that would make the Louvre weep," suddenly it feels like I've announced we have measles.
Maybe it’s time to stop optimizing every damn thing and just be human for awhile.
March 13, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Maybe it’s time to stop optimizing every damn thing and just be human for awhile.
Reposted by James Powell
❤️❤️❤️
Pulled down one of my greatest #comics treasures for a reread. It’s been about a year ago now that this beauty arrived. Now it’s a stunning & indelible part of my collection. And it’s remarqued! @jasoncopland.bsky.social knocked it outta the fuckin park with this amazing book. #makecomics #FULLTILT
March 12, 2025 at 12:40 AM
❤️❤️❤️
Had lunch with a unicorn yesterday.
We actually talked about writing and story and art. Chatting with someone who listened and appeared genuinely interested in my progress was so refreshing.
And best of all, he never mentioned the need to write four novels a year to succeed. #writerslife
We actually talked about writing and story and art. Chatting with someone who listened and appeared genuinely interested in my progress was so refreshing.
And best of all, he never mentioned the need to write four novels a year to succeed. #writerslife
March 12, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Had lunch with a unicorn yesterday.
We actually talked about writing and story and art. Chatting with someone who listened and appeared genuinely interested in my progress was so refreshing.
And best of all, he never mentioned the need to write four novels a year to succeed. #writerslife
We actually talked about writing and story and art. Chatting with someone who listened and appeared genuinely interested in my progress was so refreshing.
And best of all, he never mentioned the need to write four novels a year to succeed. #writerslife
I’m an editor, so my posts focus on helping other writers with their storytelling, which leaves me little room to talk about my own.
Well, today, I crossed the 15,000-word mark on my latest story.
It’s not time to celebrate yet, but damn it feels good to write fiction every morning. #amwriting
Well, today, I crossed the 15,000-word mark on my latest story.
It’s not time to celebrate yet, but damn it feels good to write fiction every morning. #amwriting
March 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
I’m an editor, so my posts focus on helping other writers with their storytelling, which leaves me little room to talk about my own.
Well, today, I crossed the 15,000-word mark on my latest story.
It’s not time to celebrate yet, but damn it feels good to write fiction every morning. #amwriting
Well, today, I crossed the 15,000-word mark on my latest story.
It’s not time to celebrate yet, but damn it feels good to write fiction every morning. #amwriting
I love starting to read a new book.
But damn, meeting writers who tell me about their book they want me to edit? I can’t tell you how hyped I get after those meetings!
#amediting #writerslife
But damn, meeting writers who tell me about their book they want me to edit? I can’t tell you how hyped I get after those meetings!
#amediting #writerslife
March 4, 2025 at 8:56 PM
I love starting to read a new book.
But damn, meeting writers who tell me about their book they want me to edit? I can’t tell you how hyped I get after those meetings!
#amediting #writerslife
But damn, meeting writers who tell me about their book they want me to edit? I can’t tell you how hyped I get after those meetings!
#amediting #writerslife
Serious Question:
Writers, how often do you receive encouragement as a writer from friends and loved ones, beyond the support from online communities?
#writerslife #writerscommunity #amwriting
Writers, how often do you receive encouragement as a writer from friends and loved ones, beyond the support from online communities?
#writerslife #writerscommunity #amwriting
February 17, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Serious Question:
Writers, how often do you receive encouragement as a writer from friends and loved ones, beyond the support from online communities?
#writerslife #writerscommunity #amwriting
Writers, how often do you receive encouragement as a writer from friends and loved ones, beyond the support from online communities?
#writerslife #writerscommunity #amwriting
Today I cancelled Amazon Prime.
February 14, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Today I cancelled Amazon Prime.