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.
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.
How Writing Enhances Your Mental Health and Ignites Creativity
Despite the onslaught of AI, picking up a pen still has its benefits.
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?
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?
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.
The Only Addiction You Shouldn’t Try to Break
Addictions are usually bad things. But what if there’s one that we should actually encourage?
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.
New Business, New Life: Why It Makes Sense to Change Careers When You’re Unhappy
Stuck in an unfulfilling career? It doesn’t have to be that way.
How to Get Discovered as a Creative: 6 Helpful Tips
Being creative is a great way to express yourself and make money, but the journey of turning your creative passions into a viable business can be daunting. Here are some helpful tips.
Don’t Get Burned By Home Office Burnout: 4 Tips for Overcoming WFH Stress
Working from home has so many advantages, it’s no wonder more and more of us are setting up our desks and desktops in a corner of our house. We can wear sweatpants, go to our refrigerators when we get hungry or even just bored. We can leave when we want to go to the dentist…
How to Turn Your Hobby Into Your Full-time Job
With a clean slate, the start of a new year is the perfect time to consider turning your hobby into a full-time career. But where should you start?
Build a Professional Development Plan Using These Goal Ideas
Building a professional development plan can be difficult. Here are some ideas to get your started.
How to Earn Money as a Freelance Writer During College
Looking to earn some extra money and finally start that freelance writing side hustle? Here are some tips to get you started.
7 Easy Ways to Improve Your Writing Skills
Becoming a better writer benefits people in all walks of life. Here is some easy advice to help you improve your writing skills.
Recommendations on Personal Finance from The Sensible Merchant
It’s time, now more than ever, to prioritize your personal finance. Kevin Hall from TheSensibleMerchant.com offers his advice.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ranking the 10 Best American Authors from the 20th Century
American history is packed with legendary writers, particularly in the 1900’s. But who were the best American authors from the 20th century?
What makes a book a Great American Novel?
The elusive Great American Novel. You’ve heard the term. What does it mean to you? And, in current American culture, is the term becoming outdated?
What are the benefits (and cons) of using a pen name?
Some of the best authors, such as J.K. Rowling, Stephen King and Mark Twain, have used pseudonyms. But why? This calls for a pros and cons list.
Read These 5 Books About Writing to Become a Better Writer
Reading about writing can actually make you a better writer. Start with these 5 books about writing to help hone the craft of writing.
Never Pass a Pub With Your Name On It: An Irish-American Story
According to Pete McCarthy, the late comedian and travel writer, you never pass a pub with your name on it. My wife and I traveled to Ireland to prove it.
7 writing lessons: What a home renovation taught me about writing a book
Before tackling that next big project, understand these 7 steps to ensuring a successful final product.
Book Review: Mitch Albom’s Newest Book ‘Finding Chika’ Tells Heartfelt Story
Sometimes, the people we least expect to enter our lives have the greatest impact. It’s a lesson we learned in Tuesdays With Morrie, and it’s extremely evident in Mitch Albom’s newest book Finding Chika.
Ranking the 5 Best John Steinbeck Books
Both brilliant and controversial, it’s hard to argue John Steinbeck’s place near the top of classic American literature. But of his most famous books, which is his crowning achievement?
Hemingway Up in Michigan: The Birth of Nick Adams and a Literary Legend
Ernest Hemingway is one of the greatest American authors. But the tale of his childhood in northern Michigan goes largely untold.
Ranking the Top 11 Best Mitch Albom Books
One of the greatest writers of his generation, Mitch Albom has mastered the “magical realism” sub-genre. Let’s count down the best Mitch Albom books.
Ranking the 5 Best Ernest Hemingway Books
Ernest Hemingway was one of the greatest authors in the history of American literature. Let’s countdown some of the best Hemingway books.
The 10 Best Authors from Michigan
As a native of the great state of Michigan, and as an avid reader and writer, here’s a look at my countdown of the best authors from my home state.
Why good journalism is fading
Good journalism still matters. It’s always mattered. But it seems to be fading in today’s media culture. Here’s why, and what we can do about it.
How much do celebrities make from writing memoirs?
They say everyone has a book in them, but apparently not all of those stories are created equal. And the (financial) disparity can be alarming.
Honoring the Fallen Means Feeling the Pain Again
There are very few days from elementary school that I remember with such clarity. That day was different. That day was September 11th, 2001.
Why J.D. Salinger would be disappointed with his biopic
There’s a new biopic about J.D. Salinger’s life, and he wouldn’t be pleased about it.
Examining the collapse of America’s blue-collar middle class
Philipp Meyer made his name known in the literary world with the release of his 2013 epic The Son. But that’s not what I’m here to write about, because there is another book by Meyer that is similarly exceptional: American Rust.
We could all learn from Jim Harrison
Jim Harrison was one of the most gritty, honest writers the literary world has even seen. It was writers like him that most inspired me to write.
14 Best Quotes By Authors About Writing
In this age of increasing technology and constant access to various media channels, it seems there is never a shortage of information at our fingertips. This leads to people being more “social” online (a theory about which I am still skeptical, but that’s for another day). And then, inevitably, the best quotes start flowing. They…
Ernest Hemingway vs. William Faulkner: The Literary Celebrity Feud
The clash of the literary giants. Ernest Hemingway vs. William Faulkner. The real question is, who won this epic showdown?
ED A. MURRAY 