By Georgia Curtis Ling @GeorgiaCLing I thought I was marrying a city boy from Columbus, Ohio. It turned out his roots ran just as deep in Appalachia as my own, maybe deeper. Hanging in our entryway is the proof: a sepia portrait of a family dressed in their Sunday best, posed on the front porch of a white clapboard two-story, …
Accepting a Short Story Challenge
by Glynn Young Like most, if not all writers, I follow several writers who post and talk about the craft of writing. Like other writers, it’s helpful, encouraging, and instructive to see what others, Christian and non-Christian alike, are struggling with, learning, sharing, and figuring out. I published my last book in late 2024. What followed was a period of …
Copyright Protection and the Constitution
by Barbara M. Britton @BarbaraMBritton America celebrated her 250th birthday, and the Constitution was the topic of conversation. The document that formed our government and protected rights gave a nod to artists. Were you aware that our Founding Fathers cared about your writing? In Article I, Section 8, Clause 8, we are told that Congress shall have power to: promote the …
Are You in the 16%?
by Linda Glaz (Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency) Well, are you? In 2026, the stats tell us that only 16% of the population reads for pleasure. This includes audiobooks. These dismal figures are down from 28% in 2004. And why is this important to know? All of us as writers are collectively seeking that same market—a market that is dwindling …
What Award-Winning Manuscripts Have in Common
By Tisha Martin One of the first stories I wrote won an editor’s choice award and was published in an anthology. But it probably wouldn’t have been considered if I hadn’t included one small but valuable ingredient. Fragrance. The theme of the contest was “fragrance,” but my story didn’t mention it at all. So, at the advice of an early …
To Write, or Not to Write
by Melissa Wardwell For most of my life, writing has been a constant companion. In middle school, a friend and I would craft poetry during science class, exchanging one-liners instead of focusing on the lesson—though somehow, we managed to pass. English class was another outlet, where “journal time” became a space for short stories about sea creatures, underwater adventures, and …
When You Hit a Writing Drought
by Glynn Young Since the time I was a reporter for my college newspaper, longer ago than I care to admit, writing has been an integral part of my life. I’ve been a reporter, editor, newsletter editor, speechwriter, public relations manager, novelist, short story writer, non-fiction book author, blogger, book reviewer, essayist, poet, and more. Writing has been central in …
ACFW New Releases: May 2026
May 2026 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website Biblical Historical: Blaze of Honor by DM Griffin — Driven by a desire to please his father and caught in a dizzying storm of politics and family vendettas, Joram reluctantly accepts a fake marriage, meant to bring a young woman to Jerusalem …
If It Doesn’t Bear Fruit…
By Dave Pratt My first novel evolved from an introductory novel-writing correspondence course. At about that time, I met a well-published romance writer who agreed to take a look once I completed the manuscript. When I mailed her the hard copy, I was so excited! Those were the days of snail-mail hardcopy editors. It was that long ago! So, when …
God is an Earworm?
By Kenneth Bliss Over this past year of this writing curse…er…course, no, um…journey. Yeah, “journey.” That’s the right word. Anyway, it’s been quite a challenge. Those of you in the Scribes critiquing group know I have these creatures in my stories called “The Nameless.” They are the lowest form of devil. I imagine them as amorphic blobs with bat-like wings …