An inside view of the publishing industry from a foot soldier.
Storyville: Using Your Family to Tell Dark Stories
Column by Richard Thomas
Some tips on using the people around you to provide depth, meaning, emotion, and authority in your stories.
Storyville: Using Rituals to Make Your Stories More Believable
Column by Richard Thomas
Some tips on how to use ritual, ceremony, and witchcraft to make your story more believable.
Storyville: Finding Original Locations to Set Your Horror Stories
Column by Richard Thomas
How can you find original locations to set your horror stories? Here are a few ideas.
Storyville: Pacing and Depth in Short Fiction vs. Novels
Column by Richard Thomas
Thoughts on the differences between novels and short stories, specifically when it comes to pacing and depth.
Storyville: Letting Film Unblock, Inspire, and Add Depth to Your Fiction
Column by Richard Thomas
Tips on how film can help unblock, inspire, and add depth to your fiction.
Storyville: How Travel Can Inform Your Writing
Column by Richard Thomas
Tips on how travel can inform your fiction.
Storyville: Living Vicariously Through Our Fiction
Column by Richard Thomas
Some thoughts on how and why we live through our stories and protagonists.
Storyville: Sympathy for the Devil
Column by Richard Thomas
In order for your bad guys to truly resonate, we need to care about them, and feel strong emotions. Even if that emotion is hate.
Storyville: What is Head-Hopping and Why Should You Avoid It?
Column by Richard Thomas April 29, 2019
Tips for avoiding head-hopping in your fiction.
Storyville: Method Writing
Column by Richard Thomas January 10, 2019
What is method writing, and how can it help breathe authenticity into your work?
Storyville: What the 'Best Horror of the Year' Anthology Can Teach Us
Column by Richard Thomas
There is a lot we, as authors, can learn by reading the Best Horror of the Year anthology.
Storyville: Finding Hope in Dark Fiction
Column by Richard Thomas November 29, 2018
It's possible to put hope in your dark fiction, quite possibly leading to a more satisfying experience.
Storyville: Using Terror and Horror to Tell Powerful Stories
Column by Richard Thomas
When you use terror as the emotional set up, and horror as the devastating reveal, your stories will resonate with your readers.
Storyville: Creating Tension in Your Fiction
Column by Richard Thomas
How do you create tension in your fiction? Here are some tips.
Storyville: Top 10 Things for Writers to See, Do and Buy this Holiday Season
Column by Richard Thomas
Great for non-writers as well!
Storyville: Horror Story vs. Horror Novel
Column by Richard Thomas
How do you know if your horror project is a story, novella, or novel? Some quick tips.
Storyville: Activities to Feed Your Dark Creative Soul Around Halloween
Column by Richard Thomas
A few ideas on how to tap into your inner darkness, as we approach Halloween.
Storyville: Eight New, Mashed Up Sub-Genres
Column by Richard Thomas
Some new hybrid narratives to breathe life into your writing.
Storyville: Young Protagonists—MG vs. YA vs. Adult
Column by Richard Thomas
Some advice for writing young protagonists for Middle Grade, YA, and adult fiction.
Storyville: The Proper Use of Violence in Fiction
Column by Richard Thomas July 7, 2017
Violence in fiction—when to use it, and when to avoid it.
Storyville: Avoiding Purple Prose in Your Fiction
Column by Richard Thomas June 20, 2017
How to avoid writing purple prose.
Storyville: Adding Diversity to Your Fiction
Column by Richard Thomas June 8, 2017
Some tips on how to be more inclusive in your writing.
Storyville: Are You Unique or Just Difficult with Your Fiction?
Column by Richard Thomas May 31, 2017
Make sure you're not being difficult and vague when trying to write unique stories. Here are some tips.
Storyville: Writing Compelling Dust Jacket Copy
Column by Richard Thomas
Tips for writing compelling dust jacket copy that makes the back of your book sing.
Storyville: Leaving Room for the Reader in Your Fiction
Column by Richard Thomas
Thoughts and advice on how to leave room for your readers when writing fiction.
