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The Book Shelf
3 Mistakes Article Writers Make
As an editor, I can tell you why your articles don’t get a lot of views Here at The Book Shelf, we work with writers and professional editors. Editing articles is a pretty standard part of our day. Now, I’m not going to admit I’m a world-class editor. I’m still learning the art of my craft, […]
5 Books to Read in Time for the New Year
“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature,” said Maya Angelou. “If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.” In my opinion, everyone should read. […]
New Nonfiction Releases for January 2023
New year, same me. You already know that this list is procured with the love and attention of a proud bookworm. You may have read the nonfiction released in December (just in time for your final Christmas gifts) or even trending nonfiction BookTok titles, and now you’re here scouring for new January 2023 nonfiction releases. […]
Essential Writing Hacks for Neurodivergent Writers: ADHD/Autism
A couple of weeks ago, we discussed (and subsequently smashed) the ‘Myth of the ‘Natural’ Writer’ and discussed the absolute best thing to do to improve your writing skills (spoiler alert: it’s practice). This week, we’re addressing another toxic preconception challenging a key group in our community; the idea that having ADHD and/or Autism fundamentally inhibits writing […]
Do I Need an Alpha or Beta Reader?
Alpha? Beta? These Greek semantics serve a different purpose in the writing process. New and veteran authors alike find these phrases peculiar, so let’s break it down: What do Alpha and Beta Readers Do? These readers provide feedback to authors and writers. They help improve, examine, and review plot holes, tonal issues, and errors the […]
How to Price Your Nonfiction Book on Amazon
So, you’ve written a book. You’ve spent a lot of time researching, planning, and editing your manuscript, and it’s finally ready to go out into the world. If you’re self-publishing on Amazon KDP (or another book platform), you might find yourself asking: how should I price my book? We’ve conducted some price analysis on the […]
How Can I Read More?
Every year, I say: I will read more. And each December, I wonder why I don’t. I’m not alone. Reading is the world’s most popular New Year’s Resolution (and going to the gym, but you know which resolution I prefer). And the thing is, life gets busy and hours spent reading end up being hours […]
7 Lessons from J.K Rowling’s Success
If we were to equate J.K. Rowling’s impressive rise to literary fame to one of the seven basic story archetypes, it would be Rags to Riches. From twiddling her thumbs on the platform of a delayed train to using those same thumbs to write the best-selling series of all time, JK Rowling is undoubtedly a […]
5 Books That Inspired Me to Write
“The Six Golden Rules of Writing: Read, read, read, write, write, write.” Ernest Gaines Like most writers, I started because I love reading. I read every day; I’ve done a book-a-day challenge (but all of these are less than 150 pages, so I cheat a little with this hack), I take note of new nonfiction every month and keep in […]
New Nonfiction: December 2022
Let me preface by admitting that I started this list because I love reading. I read quite a lot (too much to the disapproval of a sister trying to coax me into watching a film!) Recently I’ve loved the books you can read in a day, the nonfiction released in November, and even the trending […]
November: Out of Five Cats
Welcome to Out of Five Cats November! Here at The Book Shelf, we love reading, publishing, and cats. So, let’s combine all three—at the end of each month, we will post a roundup of our nonfiction reads for you to sample. This November, we read some extraordinary nonfiction books, some being new releases and others […]
Our Year in Nonfiction
It’s Nonfiction November and this month I’m reflecting on the great books which got me through the year. With the holidays approaching, some of these might do as gift ideas for people who love nonfiction. From memoirs to nature writing, biographies, anthologies and philosophy books, this year has been a journey of the mind. The […]
10 Nonfiction Books You Can Read in a Day
Short nonfiction books are easy to read and snappy but packed full of lessons, teachings, and experiences that are vital to the human experience. The difference between nonfiction and fiction is that we’re reminded of how human we are. Here are a few of our top short nonfiction books. Some are from the New York […]
8 Contemporary Poetry Recommendations
by Olga Bialasik Last week, we talked about getting your poetry published and the various avenues available for this. But if you’re eager to read poetry instead—or as well, since the best way to refine your work and experiment with the craft is to read others’ poetry—we have some recommendations for you. Prepare to shed […]
How to Publish Poetry
by Peri Cimen At The Book Shelf, we help nonfiction authors publish their work. But we have a confession to make: we’ve got a soft spot for poetry! It’s a dynamic medium, and like poetry itself, the process of publishing it isn’t restricted in the same ways that publishing fiction or nonfiction can be. If […]
Nonfiction November Is Here!
Photo credit: Algoquin Dutton; Ecco; Farrar, Straus & Giroux; the Feminist Press; Harper; Knopf; Riverhead; Scribner; Simon & Schuster. by Shelby Jones It’s the most wonderful time of the year (no, it’s not Christmas—not yet anyway). It’s Nonfiction November! This month, we celebrate stories of fact and footnotes and the truths that can be stranger […]
New Nonfiction Releases: November 2022
by Shelby Jones Looking for something new read this month? We’ve got your back! This November, check out the following new nonfiction… Toil and Trouble: A Woman’s History of the Occult by Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson Categories: Philosophy | HistoryRelease: 1 November The first nonfiction book of November is a celebration of mystical […]