Why do you want to write a book?
By: Ginger | Posted on September 19, 2025
In a world consumed by TikTok scrolling and YouTube binging, it is a wonder that anyone still chooses to spend hours reading a book. Yet despite how instant gratification has chipped away at our attention spans, book sales are thriving. In fact, this resurgence in reading seems to be fueled, at least in part, by a hunger for stories that go deeper than short-form social content ever could. Still, content creators have endless ways to reach audiences instantly with content that takes a fraction of the time and effort to produce than writing a single book. This seems to beg the question: why write a book at all? That’s exactly what Ginger explores in today’s blog as he considers why books still matter, why readers continue to embrace them, and how understanding your personal motivation as a writer can help you find both an audience and lasting fulfillment in your… Read More >
Defending the Sweet Escapism of Gendered Fiction
By: Ginger | Posted on September 12, 2025
Fiction has always been a place where readers escape into exaggerated realities, whether it is the brooding alpha male of a steamy romance or the suave secret agent bedding beautiful women between missions. Yet when it comes to gendered writing, the criticism is far from equal. Male authors are often mocked for objectifying descriptions, while female authors are rarely called out for creating impossibly perfect heroes with toxic traits framed as desirable. This week, Ginger makes the case that both sides are guilty of indulging in fantasy, and that is exactly the point. These books thrive not because they are trying to reflect everyday life, but to give readers the thrill of sweet escapism. So instead of tearing down gendered fiction, he argues that we should recognize it for what it is and celebrate the joy it brings to millions of readers. In last week’s article, I dove into the… Read More >
Why I hate the “Describe Yourself Like a Male Author Would” Meme
By: Ginger | Posted on September 5, 2025
In the age of viral trends and overnight sensations, few memes have stuck around in the author community quite like “Describe Yourself Like a Male Author Would.” What began as a playful jab at clunky, stereotype-filled female character descriptions has become a recurring joke that resurfaces year after year. While often celebrated for its humor and its sharp critique of certain writing habits, it has also drawn criticism for lumping male authors together in an unflattering way. For writers in the competitive world of self-publishing, the real question is whether this meme encourages better storytelling or simply takes easy shots at a particular group. In today’s blog, Ginger explores the history of the meme, why it resonates so strongly, and both the valid points behind the humor and the double standards it may reinforce. From his own cringeworthy early writing that made him wince in recognition to examples where male… Read More >
How to create a Business Plan for your Self-Publishing Career
By: Ginger | Posted on August 29, 2025
Last week, we talked about how treating your writing like a business is the key to moving from hobbyist to “real writer.” The next step is to lay the foundation for that business with a clear and workable plan. A business plan might sound intimidating, but when you break it into simple parts it becomes a practical and powerful tool for guiding your self-publishing career. In today’s blog, Ginger shares the three principles of a successful author business: process, leverage, and distribution. Through clear explanations and real-world examples, he shows what each principle means and how to apply it to your own goals. Whether you want to write full time or simply reach more readers, following this path can help turn your creative work into a profitable and sustainable venture while setting you on the road to building your author empire. Last week, I wrote about how the difference between… Read More >
How Treating Writing Like a Business Makes You a “Real Writer”
By: Ginger | Posted on August 22, 2025
Self-publishing has opened the door for anyone with a story to share, but turning that story into something readers actually buy is a different challenge entirely. For many authors, the dream is not only to hold their book in their hands but also to experience the thrill of seeing it sell, receiving reviews from strangers, and feeling like a “real” writer. The reality is that this kind of success rarely happens by accident. It comes from treating writing not just as an art, but as a business—one with a plan, a process, and a clear path forward. In this post, we explore why making the decision to see yourself as a professional author is the first step toward achieving the success you want. We’ll talk about how adopting a business mindset can open the door to opportunities you never imagined, from book signings to steady royalty checks, and why creating… Read More >
How “First Light” Conquered the James Bond Storytelling Challenge
By: Ginger | Posted on August 15, 2025
For any writer who has ever wrestled with reinventing a beloved character or long-running franchise, the upcoming James Bond video game First Light offers a fascinating case study in how to make it work. Video game adaptations face many of the same storytelling challenges as authors do when breathing new life into a well-worn icon, including how to create something fresh without alienating longtime fans. As Ginger explains in this week’s blog, the developers avoided leaning too heavily on nostalgia or recycled plots, instead crafting a brand-new Bond origin story that both honors the character’s roots and appeals to a new generation. It’s a reminder that with the right balance of originality and respect for what came before, creators can successfully reimagine any established world or character for modern audiences. A little while back, I wrote an article about the challenge authors would face writing a new James Bond novel… Read More >
The Power of Need vs. Want in Storytelling
By: Ginger | Posted on August 8, 2025
One of the most important and overlooked concepts in storytelling is the difference between what a character wants and what they truly need. It may sound simple, but understanding the need vs. want dynamic can be the key to writing stories that actually work. A character’s want gets the plot moving, but it’s their deeper need that gives the story emotional weight, lasting impact, and real connection. When authors focus too much on surface-level desires, they risk creating plots that feel hollow and characters that fail to resonate. In today’s blog, Ginger breaks down why that difference matters so much and how recognizing it changed the way he approached storytelling. Drawing from his own experience with a debut novel that fell into this exact trap, he shares how shifting your focus from want to need can lead to characters readers care about and stories that keep them turning pages. If… Read More >
How to Make More Money Selling Fewer Books
By: Ginger | Posted on August 1, 2025
For most self-published authors, success is measured in sales volume. But what if you could make more money by selling fewer books? That’s one of the surprising benefits of selling your books directly to readers instead of relying solely on the big online retailers. With higher profit margins, instant payouts, and a more personal connection to your audience, direct sales offer a path that can be both financially smart and deeply satisfying. As Ginger explains, this isn’t about abandoning the big eBook stores altogether, but about recognizing how direct sales can work better for certain types of authors, especially those with small but loyal followings. Whether you’re tired of chasing algorithms or simply want more control over your writing career, there’s real power in learning how to earn more from less. Back in May, we welcomed writer and actor Lauren Carter Reilly to the Fully Booked podcast and discussed her… Read More >
What Can Series Authors Learn From Gunn’s DC Universe Plans?
By: Ginger | Posted on July 25, 2025
If you’ve ever felt the weight of keeping your book series consistent, coherent, and compelling over multiple installments, you’re not alone. In fact, the challenges faced by authors of interconnected novels aren’t so different from those tackled by Hollywood studios trying to build a cinematic universe. That’s why this week’s blog dives into the ambitious plans of James Gunn, the new creative force behind the DC Universe, and what self-published authors like us can learn from the way he’s rebuilding a broken franchise into something fresh, focused, and full of promise. By comparing Gunn’s methodical, long-term vision for the DCU to the very real struggles of writing his own expansive romance series, Ginger explores how to balance plot, character, and worldbuilding across a sprawling narrative. Whether you’re just starting your first series or wrestling with the weight of a dozen interwoven books, there’s inspiration to be found in how Gunn… Read More >
What Authors Can Learn from the New Superman Movie
By: Ginger | Posted on July 18, 2025
Any author who has attempted to take on a beloved character or iconic franchise knows they’ll face intense pressure from existing fans to “get it right.” Perhaps no one understands this better than James Gunn, tasked recently with breathing fresh excitement into a superhero that’s been flying for nearly a century. Yet critics and audiences agree he has wildly succeeded in revitalizing Superman, transforming a familiar character into something vibrant and compellingly new. This week, Ginger explores exactly how Gunn pulled off this storytelling feat. Gunn’s Superman provides authors with a playbook filled with techniques worth studying, from plunging audiences straight into thrilling action to creating an ensemble cast that feels instantly authentic. His thoughtful, innovative approach proves that even the most well-worn tales can be turned into captivating narratives, offering valuable lessons authors can use to supercharge their own stories. A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article… Read More >
