Writer's Digest craft tips for authors: February 10, 2026

Writer's Digest has plenty of craft advice to offer; here are the pieces on crossing genres that we thought were can't-miss for our authors:

• Writing in multiple age groups and genres: Author Alechia Dow clarifies the differences between middle grade, young adult, and adult audiences and offers her best practices for reading and writing in each.

• The muse who wouldn't pick a lane: Author Michelle M. Pillow describes the mindset and craft approaches she has taken during a career that has seen her write in all sorts of genres.

• The thin line between horror and romance: Author Rebekah Faubion uses her own work to explain her analogy of horror as "romance's weird goth cousin."

• Heart-racing scenes: Whether you're writing suspenseful or sexy scenes, author R.K. Harrington emphasizes the key features in something that sends a reader's heart racing.