Figurative Language: Types and Examples from Literature

When you read a good book or novel, you may find yourself imagining the scenes in a way that makes the reality more beautiful than it feels in real life. For example, in reading Anne of Green Gables, all the different ways that Anne praises the moonshine tends to lend the same appreciation to the …

Bookshop.org Review: Amazon’s Rising Rival

E-commerce and ebooks have changed the landscape for book sales and publishing. Gone are the days when avid readers would spend hours browsing a bookstore, and kids would come weekly for story readings.  Now, all you need to do is scroll through a page on Amazon, click a few buttons, and the books you want …

15 Unforgettable Kurt Vonnegut Quotes About the World We Live In

If you’ve recently discovered the works of Kurt Vonnegut, you’ve probably realized that the guy had a way with words. (Or, if you’ve been a loyal fan for years, you probably get chills just from reading “poo-tee-weet.”) But no matter how many times you read some of his best lines, the effect never seems to …

Ensure vs. Insure: What’s the Difference?

Ensure and insure are two words that are commonly confused due to the fact that they look and sound so similar. While they are quite close in meaning, it’s important to understand when to use ensure and when to use insure if you want to write clearly and effectively. Can You Use Ensure and Insure …

Thank You in Advance: How to Use This Common Sign-Off (Plus 5 Alternatives)

“Thank you in advance” is a pretty common sign-off, but it’s also one that can be loaded with mixed signals. Is thanking someone in advance being pushy or presumptuous? Isn’t it nice to thank someone when you’ve asked them a favor? Will it make them more or less likely to comply? These are some of …

How to Ask for Help (And Get It): Tips for Work and Home

For most of us, asking for help is something that’s rarely a pleasant experience. We might be afraid to seem weak or vulnerable, or we’re scared that we’ll be rejected (and consequently humiliated). But whether you’re at work or at home, you don’t have to sacrifice your dignity or pride to get help. If you …

Former vs. Latter: Which is Which?

You’ve probably come across the terms former and latter at some point, either in writing or in conversation. While these words save you the trouble of repeating yourself, you must understand what each is referring to for these substitutes to be effective. Former vs. Latter Former and latter are 2 words used to refer to …

8 Best Journals for Tracking Your Thoughts, Memories, and Progress

The benefits of journaling are myriad: from helping to calm anxiety to defeating writer’s block, there are plenty of reasons to grab a pen and start writing. And though you can jot down your feelings on virtually any surface, there are some journals that are specifically geared toward helping you set priorities, experience more gratitude, …

100 Best Books of 2019: What to Read Right Now

Now that 2019 has come to a close, it’s time to look back on some of the best books delivered to readers this year. And it’s fair to say it was a pretty good year for books—from true crime to romance, fantasy to adventure, historical accounts to investigative journalism, there were plenty of great releases …

How to Sell Books in Bulk: Make More Money and Reach More Readers

While there are plenty of ways to make money writing books, selling your books in bulk can really help you to rake in more money while also gaining greater exposure for your work. If you’re a new author, bulk orders probably aren’t something that will pour in on their own. But with a little creativity …