Craft and process tips for authors: May 13, 2026

The publishing experts we follow have plenty of craft and process advice to offer. 

Here are the ones that we thought were can't-miss for our authors:

• How fear affects your character in real time: Angela Ackerman provides a guest post on the types of behavior that a scared character will exhibit and how this can show up in your story (Jane Friedman).

• Writing a dual timeline novel across continents: Author Laura Anthony unpacks her own novel to show the techniques she used to both distinguish her two plotlines and tie them together (Writer's Digest).

• The real work of writing occurs on revision: Author and editor John Glynn describes how he came to adopt a healthier mindset during the revision process, to empower him to keep working on his novel (Writer's Digest).

• Why indie authors should ignore the market's mood: Joe Solari explains why it's more important for authors to focus on their own mission and helps them articulate that particular mission to keep themselves on track (Alliance of Independent Authors).

• How much of myself should I put in a book?: Author Rachel Toalson looks at some of the benefits and drawbacks of incorporating your own life, in a big or small way, into fiction (Writer Unboxed).

• Imposter syndrome is not a disease or abnormality: Book coach and author Anne Janzer suggests ways to counter the self-doubt phenomenon that so many writers feel — and have felt (Jane Friedman).