Author: Ed A. Murray
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King James Strang and His Forgotten Chapter in American History: A Book Review for Miles Harvey’s ‘The King of Confidence’
Shortly after the assassination of Joseph Smith, James Strang and his Mormon followers settled on Beaver Island in northern Lake Michigan, declaring it their kingdom. It is one of the most fascinating chapters in American history. But most people have never heard of it.
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5 Movies About Authors That All Writers Should Watch
As a writer, you should focus on reading books. But sometimes you just need to watch a good movie. Here are the five best recent films for writers.
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How Writing Enhances Your Mental Health and Ignites Creativity
Despite the onslaught of AI, picking up a pen still has its benefits.
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Write Your Memoir, Before the Story Ends
I want to be clear: All life stories are worth telling. Are you ready to finally tell yours?
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How Reading Fiction Can Improve Your Mind and Boost Professional Success
When it comes to professional development, the natural urge is to read nonfiction. But what if fiction holds the key to success?
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Jim Harrison Always Comes Through When I Need Him
Whenever I’m in need of a creative reset, I turn to Jim Harrison. Here’s why.
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Ranking the Best Pulitzer Prize-Winning Novels of the 2010s
Here is a list ranking the best books from the 2010s that won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
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Why You (and Your Employer) Should Embrace Permanent Remote Work
In the 21st century, the pros for shifting to a permanent remote workforce far outweigh the cons. Here’s why.
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How Busy People Can Find More Time to Read
Every year, we vow to find more reading time. Every year, it doesn’t happen. Here are some tips to finally get back to the pleasure of leisurely reading.
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How to Prepare for National Novel Writing Month
National Novel Writing Month will soon be upon us. Ready to finally write that book? Now’s the time to prepare.
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Why I Started Subscribing to Physical Magazines Again (And You Should Too)
Remember physical magazines? They’re making a comeback in my household. And they should in yours, too.
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5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Publishing Your Book
Making the choice to publish a book is an exciting and frightening time. Be sure you are prepared by asking yourself these questions first.
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How Meeting Colson Whitehead Changed My Writing Mindset
During my senior year at Michigan, author Colson Whitehead made a surprise visit to my English class. It was the turning point for my writing career.
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6 Early Blogging Mistakes I Made as a Beginner (And How to Avoid Them)
This is what a decade of trial and error has taught me about blogging. I wish someone had told me these things years ago.
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Why Do We Celebrate Labor Day in the United States?
It’s a lot more than just a day off work. Labor Day represents the grit, ambition and hard work that built the United States.
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How the 5-Paragraph Essay is Still Thriving (And We Didn’t Realize It)
The five-paragraph essay isn’t just useful in high school classrooms anymore. It has taken over the online writing community.
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7 Best Short Books to Read in a Day
It can be difficult to squeeze a good book into our busy lives. If you find yourself with a free Saturday, here are the best short books to read in a day.
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Why Yellow Journalism Today is Rampant in the 21st Century
What began more than 100 years ago in a battle between major New York newspapermen, yellow journalism now seems tailored to the digital age.
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Should authors read book reviews left by readers?
Book reviews, whether good or bad, can leave a lasting impact on writers. Let’s discuss if authors should be reading these book reviews at all.
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4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing About Real Historical Figures
Is it okay to write about real historical figures in a fiction book? Here are 4 questions you should ask yourself if you want to go down that road.