So. Heated Rivalry, huh? ‘Nuff said. Pucking hockey … (Tony Schnagl / Pexels.com) I haven’t read the books, nor have I seen the show, so I can’t really comment much on whether it’s “good” or if I liked it or not or anything. And, at this point, I’m not sure I can stand to watch it—there’s a lot of, hmm, how shall we say? Feels going on for me there.What kind of feels? Oh, you know …...
Reflections on “Missing the Boat” with Major Trends
Why People Hate the Surprise Pregnancy Trope So Much
The surprise pregnancy trope gets a lot of hate from romance readers. What is it about this trope that sets us off?
What Do Readers Want in a Book Cover?
Book covers are an important tool for authors to communicate to their readers what their book is about. But what do readers expect to see?
Using AI Is a Surefire Way to Tank Your Writing Career
We all know some people are using AI to churn out "books" and lying about it. Here's why that approach won't win in the end.
Gods and Mpreg: Ancient Mpreg Myths
Mpreg often seems like it must be a modern invention. There are plenty of mpreg myths that lay that notion to rest.
Sorry, We Judge Books by Their Covers All the Time
"Don't judge a book by its cover!" Yet we're all doing it, all the time. Which is why authors need to invest in their covers.
What Is a “Low-Angst” Book, Really?
I’ve seen quite a few books marketed as “low-angst” lately. And don’t get me wrong—a fluffy story can be something quite enjoyable. But … the label makes me a little anxious. Legends and Lattes is an example of low-stakes fiction. Why? Because any time I’ve read a “low-angst” book, the label masks something a little more nefarious. What Is Angst, Anyway? Angst is a loan word from German. It was...
Half-Year Update 2026
It's July, which means we're halfway through 2026. What do I have in store for you?
Are Readers Confusing Cliche Writing for AI?
A little while ago, there was a story making the rounds. This one had started on Reddit, perhaps part of the “AITA” type posts. The poster was seeking advice, specifically of the legal variety, because they had been threatened with a lawsuit.Why was an author looking to sue a seemingly random reader? Well, it seemed this person had accused them of using AI in their writing. So the Story Goes …...
Why Some People Still Don’t Accept Achillean Romances
We've been using m/m romance to describe fiction featuring a relationship between two men for ages now. Why can't we move past it and adopt a better term?
