Category Archives: Uncategorized

Why I Decided to Write a Memoir—And How I Did It

The decision matrix a writer navigates when crafting a story is complex. Deciding on genre, point of view, and which characters and events to include are choices that create doubt and anxiety.  (How to Write a Memoir That’s Personal and Deeply Researched.) My writing journey began in my late 40s when I was sent for […]

Erin Crosby Eckstine: Writing a Book Is a Collaborative Process

Erin Crosby Eckstine is an author of speculative historical fiction, personal essays, and anything else she’s in the mood for. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Eckstine grew up between the South and Los Angeles before moving to New York City to attend Barnard College. She earned a master’s in secondary English education from Stanford University and […]

2025 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 8

Week two is officially starting! Usually by now, we have most of the crew that will be participating through the month showing up in the comments. I hope that you’re finding the community welcoming and fun! Don’t forget to comment on each other’s stories about what you like most—that is the most fun part of […]

Reflecting on 2024: How First Book Research & Insights Amplified Educator Voices and Drove Change 

As we welcome 2025, we take a moment to reflect on the strides made toward educational equity in 2024. Throughout the year, First Book’s educator community played a pivotal role in shaping key initiatives and expanding access to critical resources for students in need. Through surveys, focus groups, and ongoing feedback, educators shared valuable insights […]

Why Do You Write About Death?

I understand the question. If I Stay, the book that launched my career was a novel about a teenage girl who after being in a horrific car accident with her family, is outside her body, deciding whether to live or die. Other books of mine have grappled with the aftermath of suicide, or drug overdose, […]

Fact: one man’s truth is another man’s lie

By James Aitchison The New York Times masthead proclaims: “All the news that’s fit to print.”  The newspaper’s mission is clear: “We seek the truth and help people understand the world.  This mission is rooted in our belief that great journalism has the power to make each reader’s life richer and more fulfilling, and all of society […]

Virginia Feito: On Balancing Historical Accuracy With Fiction

Virginia Feito, raised in Madrid and Paris, studied English and drama at Queen Mary University of London and advertising at Miami Ad School. She writes regularly for Vanity Fair Spain and is the author of the acclaimed Mrs. March. Virginia Feito In this interview, Virginia discusses the process of writing her new horror literary novel, […]

2025 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 7

As we wrap up the first week of the challenge (eek!), here are some housekeeping notes for anyone joining us: 1. There is no sign-up. All you need to do is visit WritersDigest.com every day this month and click on the day’s prompt. 2. You share your works in the comments section. To find the […]

‘Standing On the Edge’ and other poems

By: Michelle Murray Standing On the EdgeJust a Girl Where Does the Sidewalk go? Standing On the Edge Standing on the edgeTeeteringTotteringTrying not to fall offIt’s a balancing actStep rightThen step leftSoftlySlowlySo as not to slipSwinging my arms to balanceLike a circus actTrying to stay onTrying not to fallTo fall would be to failI want […]

4 Ways to Write Hooks for Books

Book authors have to hook readers twice. Like all other writers, authors have to hook readers with the writing in their books. But they also have the additional challenge of hooking readers before they ever crack open the spine or open the digital file. Authors have to write hooks for their books. Also known as […]