Articles For Authors

4th January 2023 When chart-topping author Colleen Hoover finished her debut novel Slammed in 2011, she was convinced nobody would buy it. The only reason she self-published the book the following year was so her mother could download it onto her recently purchased Kindle. A decade on, Colleen has commanded six of the top ten spots on the … Continue reading Awards are just the icing on the cake for Colleen

17th October 2022 Here at PublishNation, authors often tell us about the writers and books they love to read, and that inspired them to eventually to pick up the pen themselves. While James Joyce, J K Rowling, and Hilary Mantel are regularly name-checked, a horror writer who shot to fame in the mid-1970s also commands a place at … Continue reading Horror blockbuster James Herbert’s lesson in fear for authors

13th July 2022 Hurdles are part of the writing process, but few authors have had to overcome as many as one of the world’s biggest sellers, Dav Pilkey. The 55-year-old graphic novelist believes his personal difficulties during his teenage years not only shaped him as a storyteller, but also provided the resilience to continue in the face of … Continue reading Pleasing classmates was the key to Dog Man author’s success

12th April 2022 Raven Leilani has become an almost overnight sensation with last year’s publication of her debut novel, Luster. But the 31-year-old is quick to point out that her bestseller changed almost every page when she was writing and rewriting her chapters. And at one point she was even contemplating killing off protagonist, Edie. Luster, told through … Continue reading Chopping and changing is just champion for Raven

15th February 2022 Matt Haig is rightly regarded as one of the modern era’s most adaptable and imaginative writers. His novels leave critics weak at the knees, his children’s books are met with whoops of delight, and his personal non-fiction books are, well, personal and deeply insightful. However, the 45-year-old doesn’t believe there’s any real secret to his … Continue reading Following the unpredictable Matt Haig

25th November 2021 Rejection is something Booker Prize winning author Douglas Stuart believes all authors should expect. But he believes remaining loyal to your roots can help in finally overcoming the hurdles. The 45-year-old fashion designer from Glasgow received more than 30 refusals before his debut novel Shuggie Bain, made it to print. The heart-wrenching story of an … Continue reading Roots and Rejection: the secrets of success for Shuggie Bain author

5th October 2021 Dan Brown likes to address the big questions when approaching his novels. Whether it’s the Bible, freemasonry, the Church, evolution, or artificial intelligence, the 57-year-old is never afraid to turn over the controversial taboo stones when creating a plot. With sales of more than 200 million print copies, the man behind The Da Vinci Code, … Continue reading Enter Dangerous Ground with Fearless Dan Brown

24th August 2021 Could you follow in the footsteps of the self-publishing author who went on to sell 125 million books and be named in the Top 100 Most Influential People? Realistically, most new authors who self-publish their way onto the page will never likely be able to give up their day job. But there are exceptions. And … Continue reading Fanfiction and self-publishing led author Erika (E L James) to billion-dollar sales

24th May 2021 Award-winning writer Martyn Hesford encourages budding writers to break the rules, keep on going, and “believe in yourself. Tenacity is everything.” The BAFTA-nominated writer behind such gems as Mrs Lowry and Son was born in Salford and graduated from grammar school to study acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. For … Continue reading Mrs Lowry and Son screenwriter on his new book with PublishNation

16th February 2021 This is our second blog featuring writing advice from John Grisham. Click here to read the first article. Former lawyer John Grisham has been described as the greatest storyteller of his generation, and few can argue with the evidence. Since Grisham released his first novel ‘A Time to Kill’ in 1989, he has gone on … Continue reading How to become a great storyteller like John Grisham