Revision is where your novel transforms. Discover a steady, soulful approach to revising your manuscript in this clear, compassionate guide.

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

• What does it mean to revise a novel? 
• Your novel revision plan in 4 key steps
• Novel revision checklist before you start
• Final revision tips

What does it mean to revise a novel? 

Revision is where a draft becomes a story worth reading. It’s a structural, developmental, and often transformative phase where you reshape the heart of your story.

Revision and editing are aspects of the writing process that are often used interchangeably, but they're not the same. Editing tends to focus on the surface (tightening sentences, correcting grammar, improving flow), while revision goes deeper. 

Revising a novel might entail efforts like:

• Fixing plot holes
• Restructuring chapters
• Rewriting the opening scene
• Completely changing the ending
• Adding a whole new character
• Cutting one entirely
• Shifting the narrative
...

Learn how comp titles can sharpen your voice, connect your book to readers, and position it for success, whether indie or traditionally published.

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

• What are comp titles? A fresh definition
• Do you actually need comp titles?
• How to pick comp titles for your book-in-progress
• What makes a strong comp title
• What to avoid when choosing a comp title
• Final tips: using comp titles for strategy and creative support

What are comp titles? A fresh definition

Comp titles, short for comparison titles, are books that share important similarities with the book you are writing and intend to publish. By identifying good comp titles, you can more easily position your book in the current market and alert to literary agents, publishers, and readers themselves the kind of reading experience your book offers. 

A good comp title isn’t necessarily a book that mirrors your plot, characters, or even your structure. It’s a market positioning tool, a way to communicate th...

Unlock the power of active reading. Learn practical strategies to read with more purpose, focus, and enjoyment, whether you're a student, writer, lifelong learner, or book lover.

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

• What is active reading?
• Examples of active reading: how it shows up in everyday life 
• How to read actively: strategies for every purpose
• Quick tips for your next reading session

What is active reading?

Active reading is a term many of us first encounter in school. It’s how teachers and professors encourage students to approach a written text with more intention, to read in a way that promotes deep comprehension and long-term retention. The goal is often tied to a class activity:

• Passing a test
• Completing an assignment
• Writing an essay
• Preparing for a discussion or mock debate

But active reading isn’t just for school. In the professional world, we read actively all the time, whether we call it that or not. We read reports, emails, proposals, and presentations w...

Discover how to get better at writing with clear, actionable steps: perfect for writers who want more than just “write every day.”

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

• What it means to improve your writing: a fresh take
• 7 strategies for real growth as a writer
• What to know about being a writer in 2025 

What it means to improve your writing: a fresh take

Whether you're just starting out or you've been writing for years, there comes a point when you want more from your craft.

• Maybe you want your stories to make a deeper impression on readers.
• Maybe you're writing a novel and want to take it from decent to unforgettable.
• Or maybe you feel you’ve plateaued and wonder what it actually takes to break through to the next level.

This article is for you, whether you’re a beginner building a foundation or a seasoned writer ready to grow in new ways.

You'll find no shortage of writing advice out there, including the essentials like write every day, read more books, and keep practicin...

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

• What is a beach read?
• 12 beach reads to enjoy all year from anywhere
• How to get the most out of a beach read (even when you're not on the beach)

What is a beach read?

Discover the major steps of the writing process, why they matter, and how to personalize the process to produce your best work.

By Julie Tyler, Creator of StoryBold 

CONTENTS:

• What is the writing process?
• What are the steps of the writing process?
• Why is the writing process worth going through?
• FAQ

What is the writing process?

The writing process refers to a step-by-step method writers use to complete a single writing project, from idea to finished product. 

In your experience as a writer, you might complete a variety of projects, including:

• Short works like essays, poems, or stories
• Long works like novels, memoirs, or a self-help book

The writing process begins with that first moment of inspiration and goes all the way to the moment you make your work available to readers. Following a process means that you plan what to do first, second and so forth, so that each step logically follows the one before it and helps you complete the next step with greater ease. By mas...

A soulful, strategic guide to writing a book with purpose, no matter where you are in your writing journey.

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

• Introduction: writing a book in 2025
• The book-writing guide you've been looking for
• Soul + strategy: writing a book from the inside out
• When to pivot (and when to stay the course)
• Gathering more book-writing support

Introduction: writing a book in 2025

The desire to write a book can strike at any point in life. Some of us know from a young age that we have a book, or several, inside us. Others of us are called to the page later, perhaps after a cataclysmic life event that changes us forever, or after developing a body of knowledge we want to share with readers who are ready to learn. Sometimes this desire starts with a whisper of a fictional story that won’t leave us alone, one that awakens the inner storyteller in us all.

I've experienced it all and can tell you there's nothing quite like the writing journey. It's full of inspiration t...

Design your ideal reading nook on any budget. Discover unique ideas, creative approaches, and vibey tips to escape into your next read.   

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

• What is a reading nook and what makes one so powerful?
• The vibe of a reading nook, wherever you are 
• Reading nook ideas for every budget and space
• The right book for the right nook

What is a reading nook and what makes one so powerful?

A reading nook is more than just a stylish corner of your home. It’s a dedicated space that invites you to slow down, sink in, and get lost in a book. At its best, a reading nook offers a sense of immersion, stillness, and sanctuary. It helps you tune out the distractions of daily life and tune into the world of the story.

Have you ever thought about the psychology behind why reading nooks work? When you're physically comfortable, your body relaxes and allows your mind to focus. Some readers feel best curled up on a cushioned chair, wrapped in a blanket, and sipping tea in to...

Some book ideas choose you, even when the timing feels all wrong. Learn what happens when you resist, explore, and ultimately say yes.

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

• How a book idea found me

• Seeing the story through someone else’s eyes

• From resistance to clarity

• Owning the story as mine

• Saying yes to the idea I didn’t ask for

• Writing the story while living it

How a book idea found me

Writers love talking about book ideas. There are so many methods to summon them, like journaling, using writing prompts, or simply observing your surroundings. In these instances, when inspiration comes from within, it's easy to take ownership of the ideas and feel connected to them from the start. 

But what do you do with the book ideas that find you? The ideas that come to you from someone else's mouth instead of your own mind? The ideas you can't claim as your own, but somehow seem destined for your ears and your writing desk? What do you do when the ideas seem to c...

Wondering if you need a book editor? Learn what book editors really do in 2025 and how to find the right one to bring your manuscript to life.

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

Contents:

• Book editing: defining the role
• Benefits of having a book editor (even in the age of AI)
• Types of editors for books
• Do I need a book editor? 7 ways to tell 
• How much does it cost to hire a book editor?
• How to hire a book editor

Book editing: defining the role in 2025

A book editor helps you prepare your manuscript for publication. As the publishing landscape evolves, so does the role of a book editor. In 2025, editors help with polishing language and ensuring consistency across a text, as well as offer more strategic input on structure, voice, and marketability. 

Depending on their specific role and focus area, editors offer varying levels of involvement in a text:

• At the deepest level, an editor might help you develop your book idea from the ground up and stay with you through the entire writing p...