About Erika Bennett

The Mill City Press team has been working with self-published authors since 2006, which has taught them a lot about the self-publishing process. This is their chance to share their knowledge with you. (Did we mention they love books?)

The Differences Between Literary Fiction and Contemporary Fiction

If you're a writer or a reader, you may have seen “contemporary fiction” and “literary fiction” used to describe various works of fiction. But what do these terms mean? In this post, we’ll explore the differences between the fiction genres, and how to decide which genre to use for your writing. What is Contemporary Fiction?

By |2023-09-26T23:29:52+00:00September 27th, 2023|Categories: Writing|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

How to Do Book Research Before Writing Fiction?

Research is crucial for a novel for many reasons. When you research, you ensure your story is accurate and believable. If you include details about a specific time, profession, or location, you’ll need to do research to ensure your descriptions are true and realistic. This helps add authenticity to your book and helps readers become

By |2023-09-19T19:04:12+00:00September 20th, 2023|Categories: How-To Series, Uncategorized, Writing|Tags: , |0 Comments

The Dos and Don’ts of Motivating Yourself to Write a Book

Motivation and discipline are important factors in writing a book. It’s not uncommon, however, for writers to experience difficulties in maintaining their motivation during the writing process. That said, there are several strategies writers can use to keep themselves motivated and on track. Setting goals, creating a writing routine, and taking breaks are all ways

By |2023-09-13T18:50:20+00:00September 13th, 2023|Categories: Writing|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

3 Key Elements of Crime Fiction

TheYour Crime fiction is a popular mystery genre that has always captivated readers. The excitement of a fast-paced thriller or the intrigue of a classic whodunit keep readers coming back for more, and there are certain elements that make crime fiction so addictive. In this article, we’re taking a closer look at three key elements

By |2023-09-06T17:57:17+00:00September 6th, 2023|Categories: Writing|0 Comments

Word Counts By Genre: How Long Should a Book Be?

If you're a writer, you know that word counts can be important. They determine whether your book fits into a specific genre, or whether it's too long or too short for a particular reading audience. In this post, we'll explore the importance of word counts by genre and give you some tips for editing your

By |2023-08-29T21:17:53+00:00August 30th, 2023|Categories: Self-Publishing, Writing|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

Ending Your Mystery: Who Did It?

As a mystery writer, it’s important to create a satisfying ending for your readers that ties up loose ends. You don’t want to deliver an underwhelming ending when readers are counting on you to finish the mystery with a bang! In this post, we’ll cover how to write a strong climax for your mystery, how

By |2023-08-23T17:13:31+00:00August 23rd, 2023|Categories: Writing|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Pacing a Mystery Book: What Writers Need to Know

If you're a writer of mystery novels or are just interested in how these books are crafted, you probably know that pacing is one of the key elements of a thriller. The pace of a story makes a difference in creating a page-turning read. In this article, we'll explore what pacing means, why it's important,

By |2023-08-14T01:49:08+00:00August 16th, 2023|Categories: Writing|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments

Mystery Outlines: A How To Guide

For most novels, writers can decide if they are a plotter (fully outline ahead of time) or a panster (wing it as they write without an outline). Mystery novels, however, get more complicated without an outline on hand. Even if you simply write notes to yourself about who the suspects will be and the actual

By |2023-08-09T18:34:56+00:00August 9th, 2023|Categories: How-To Series|Tags: , , |0 Comments

How to Write a Mystery

Mysteries are a popular fiction genre. They captivate readers through intriguing storylines, tons of suspense, and unexpected plot twists. But how do you actually write a mystery? To write a good mystery, you’ll need to incorporate some specific storytelling elements. First, every mystery needs a compelling protagonist with a strong motivation to solve the crime

By |2023-08-03T21:47:08+00:00August 2nd, 2023|Categories: Writing|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

The Power of a Writer’s Notebook

One of the most valuable tools in your arsenal is a writer's notebook. It serves as a save space for your thoughts, ideas, and inspirations, and allows you to capture the essence of your creative journey in a physical form. In this blog post, we’re exploring what a writer's notebook is, what you should add to

By |2023-07-18T20:26:59+00:00July 19th, 2023|Categories: Writing|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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