Natasha Khullar Relph

A prologue should feel inevitable, not optional. Here’s how to write a prologue that sets the hook and hands off cleanly to Chapter 1. A prologue is a tool, not a tradition. In fiction, it’s the “before” that changes how we read the “now”—a short opening move that sets stakes, frames danger, or drops a […]

Getting results on BookTok takes more than going viral. Here’s how authors use BookTok to build lasting visibility and steady revenue BookTok is reader-driven word of mouth, just louder. A 30-second video can turn a quiet backlist title into a stampede, resurrect a five-year-old release, or launch a debut into “why is this suddenly everywhere?” […]

Learning how to write a query letter is less about tricks and more about clarity. Here’s how agents read queries—and why most fail. Learning how to write a query letter isn’t optional; it’s the one-page business letter that decides whether your book gets a person—or the slush pile. A great query opens doors: agents request […]

From Oedipus to Macbeth, the tragic hero has shaped storytelling for millennia. Here’s what makes them so enduring. Some of the most unforgettable main characters in literature and film aren’t the ones who win—they’re the ones who face-plant in spectacular fashion. A tragic hero grabs us because their fatal flaw isn’t mustache twirling evil; it’s […]

From clues to characters, here’s how to write a cozy mystery that sparkles with wit, warmth, and the perfect dose of suspense. Some mysteries keep you up at night; cozies tuck you in with a puzzle and a biscuit. Readers come for village warmth, witty suspects, and clue trails you can actually follow—no gore, no […]