The Most Personal Stories of Grief Feel Universal
By: Ginger | Posted on August 14, 2026
Grief is one of the most universal human experiences, which means countless stories have already been written about it. Yet for an author with their own experience of loss, that shouldn’t be a reason to avoid the subject. In fact, the details that make your grief uniquely yours may be exactly what allows your writing to connect so deeply with someone else. The most powerful stories about loss don’t try to capture grief in general, but instead explore it through one person, one relationship, and one absence. When written with honesty and specificity, readers can recognize something of themselves within that experience, even if the finer details don’t completely align. This week, Ginger explores that contradiction through his own recent loss and some of the books that helped him process his grief. Along with explaining why writing about your specific experience, rather than grief in the abstract, can be more… Read More >
Five Science Fiction Books That Shaped My Writing
By: Ginger | Posted on August 7, 2026
Every writer can point to a handful of books that permanently changed the way they think about storytelling. Sometimes it’s because of unforgettable characters or immersive world building. Other times it’s the ideas behind those stories that linger, especially when they continue to feel relevant decades later. Looking back at the novels that shaped your own writing can reveal as much about your creative voice as any writing course ever could. This week, Ginger revisits the five science fiction novels that had the greatest impact on his own journey as a writer. Through each one, he explores not only why the story has endured, but also the fascinating history behind its creation and the ideas that have stayed with him ever since. His reflections are a reminder that every author has their own collection of books that helped shape the stories they tell today, often in ways they only come… Read More >
Steal Like a Storyteller
By: Ginger | Posted on March 27, 2026
At some point, all writers worry about originality. Whether it’s a familiar plot beat, a character that feels inspired by something you’ve read before, or simply a nagging sense that your idea isn’t entirely new, these fears can slow your momentum before you’ve barely gotten started. But in most cases, those concerns are based on a misunderstanding of how great stories are actually built. In today’s blog, Ginger explores how some of the most iconic characters and franchises ever created weren’t born from pure invention, but from transformation. By tracing the surprising lineage behind everything from anime classics to modern novels, he shows how influence is often at the very heart of creativity. So if you’ve ever questioned whether your story is original enough, this may be the perspective shift you need to confidently steal like a storyteller and turn those influences into something familiar, yet uniquely your own. My… Read More >
Bone-chilling Thrillers to Send Shivers Down Your Spine
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on February 6, 2024
As winter’s cold winds howl outside, there’s no better time to cozy up inside with a few bone-chilling thrillers that send shivers down your spine. Hidden Gems ARC readers were able to fully immerse themselves into a variety of highly rated thrillers over the past few months, and this is a round-up of some of the most popular and well-reviewed page-turners. The Art of Killing by C.R. Clarke In Gloucester’s provincial streets, a wave of media fascination surrounds the anonymous graffiti artist known as Tick-Tock for two years. However, the once-intriguing art takes a dark turn, each piece growing more perverse and contentious. DI Gutteridge is the lone detective who sees a disturbing pattern, hinting at a sinister force on the horizon. As the art transforms, a looming storm of shocking events threatens the city’s reputation. The clock is ticking, and only time will reveal the chilling truth. “The book… Read More >
Crafting Relatability through Imperfect Heroes
By: Ginger | Posted on January 5, 2024
The heart of any memorable story lies not in perfection, but in the imperfect layers of its flawed heroes and heroines. Imperfections and vulnerabilities in our heroes can transform them from mere characters on a page to living, breathing entities that resonate deeply with readers. The flaws of a protagonists help connect us, making their triumphs and struggles our triumphs and struggles. Today, Ginger explores a variety of ways that we can bring complexity and imperfection to our main characters, while still allowing readers to root for them. Whether it’s the moral ambiguity of Hamlet or the enduring resilience of Jane Eyre, Ginger takes us through examples that demonstrate how a flawed character can captivate readers, allowing our imperfect heroes to not only leap off the page, but leave a lasting impression long after the story is done. Superman may be the most powerful member of the Justice League, but… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Jo de-Lancey
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on October 11, 2022
Today’s interview is with debut fantasy author Jo de-Lancey. She shared with us her journey to publication and the challenges she has overcome. It was a pleasure getting to know more about Jo’s writing style, and life outside of writing! HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? JD: I write swashbuckling fantasy, littered with morally grey characters. With my books, I want to take my readers on an adventure to new and different lands, surrounded by characters they love (or hate) and feel for. I have strong female characters who don’t conform to the usual tropes, as well as male characters who I’m not afraid to show as kind and sensitive. I’m very character-driven and I have run the Myers-Briggs test on my main characters. My writing style is bold, vivid and sensory. Readers will be able to smell, touch and hear… Read More >
5 Top Rated Books on Faith and Spirituality
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on June 29, 2021
The Faith/Spirituality category covers a wide range of topics. We all have unique beliefs and inspirations, so we’ve rounded up a variety of books on faith and spirituality that were highly rated by Hidden Gems ARC reviewers. Take a look and see if your next eye-opening read is on this list. 7 Attitudes of the Helping Heart by John Christopher Frame 7 Attitudes of the Helping Heart: How to Live Out Your Faith and Care for the Poor is an eye-opening journey that will help you move into the joy of loving others more. If you like on-the-ground wisdom, empowering approaches to serving God, and practical advice, then you’ll love John Christopher Frame’s inspirational book. A.J. Wind writes in their 5-star review, “Dr Frame offers sincerity, humility and a range of universal spiritual tools and skills to help guide the exercise and practice for our spiritual selves. This is… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: K. L. Bryce / Kayley Wood
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on July 14, 2020
Today’s Author Spotlight Interview is with K.L. Bryce, the author of Mean Crush, the first in the Unbroken series. Even though this is her first book under that penname, it made an immediate impact and has already left readers hungry for more – plus, you can find more of Kayley’s writing under her other penname, Kayley Wood. HG: Firstly, WHO ARE YOU? Or more accurately – how would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? KLB: I’m a big goofball, really. I love to laugh and to make others laugh. I’m laid back and more of a peacemaker who avoids drama if I can help it, which is pretty funny since I write romance. I love my friends and the amazing woman in my life who have helped shaped who I’ve become. I was very lucky to have a close relationship with my grandmother…a beautiful,… Read More >
