Author: Mandy Webster

Amanda L. Webster is the author of If You Didn't See It Coming, One Bad Cat, Demons of the Night, DIY High, Valley of the Bees, and F-ing Freddy Fisher. She is also a writing teacher who lives part-time in a sorority house.
Author Interview

Author interview with dark fantasy writer Morgan Reilly

Mandy Webster

Morgan Reilly is the author of The Dark Library Series, a seven-book YA dark fantasy retelling of fairy tales.

In The Book of Water, the first book in The Dark Library series, mermaid Celine and human Owen form an unlikely alliance in the midst of a war between their peoples. But as they grow closer, they must navigate the treacherous waters of love and betrayal. In this dark fantasy retelling of The Little Mermaid, Celine and Owen will risk everything to seek their revenge-but their hearts may be the price they pay.

This story is described as, “The Little Mermaid + To Kill A Kingdom with Count of Monte Cristo vibes.”

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: I love this question! I grew up loving mysteries and fantasies, essentially cutting my teeth on Nancy Drew and books about magic. I also adored the Baby Sitters Club (the Scholastic Book Fair was my favorite time of year). That’s when I started to write my own stories, centering around characters and the events that shaped them. I’ve loved character-driven stories ever since I could read, so those are the types of stories I love to tell.

Continue reading “Author interview with dark fantasy writer Morgan Reilly” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

How to edit and proofread your novel in multiple formats (and why you should)

Mandy Webster

When it comes to editing and proofreading your novel manuscript, one of the most valuable steps you can take is to review it in multiple formats. While most writers are familiar with the basic practice of editing in a Word document, there are significant advantages to seeing your work in different forms, such as ePub on a phone or tablet, in print, or even reading it aloud.

A woman proofreads her novel manuscript
Printing your novel manuscript on paper can help you spot errors you might otherwise miss.

Each format provides a fresh perspective, revealing unique errors, inconsistencies, and areas for improvement that might go unnoticed in just one version. In this blog post, we’ll explore why editing and proofreading your novel across different formats is a crucial step toward ensuring your manuscript is polished, professional, and ready for readers.

Continue reading “How to edit and proofread your novel in multiple formats (and why you should)” →
Book Reviews, Find Your Next Read

All The Water in the World: The literary climate change thriller that made me question everything

Mandy Webster

As I read All the Water in the World, my television showed footage of extreme flooding in Kentucky, while outside my own window in central Illinois, the world was frozen solid.

Cover of the novel, All the Water in the World.
Get your copy of All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall from my online bookstore today!

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall is one of those rare novels that doesn’t read like a debut. The writing is gorgeous—so much so that it made me question my own ability as a writer. Can I ever be that good? And yet, for all its literary beauty, the novel never loses itself in its own prose. It’s not one of those books that exists just to showcase an author’s talent; it has a story to tell, one that is both gripping and deeply human.

Continue reading “All The Water in the World: The literary climate change thriller that made me question everything” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Proofreading your novel manuscript

Mandy Webster

Proofreading is the process of carefully reviewing a written document for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and other issues. It is the final stage of the revise and refine step of the novel writing process. The goal of proofreading is to catch any mistakes that may have been missed during the writing, revising, and editing processes, and to ensure that the final document is error-free and polished.

a man proofreading his novel manuscript
Proofreading is a crucial last step in the revise and refine stage of the novel writing process.

Proofreading typically involves reading through the document word-by-word and line-by-line, and making corrections as needed. This may include fixing typos, correcting grammar and punctuation errors, and ensuring that the document follows a consistent style and formatting. Proofreading is an important final task in the revise and refine stage of the novel writing process and is often done before submitting a document to an agent or editor or prior to independently publishing the work.

Continue reading “Proofreading your novel manuscript” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

The end: writing the final chapter of your novel

Mandy Webster

Writing the final chapter of a novel is both a challenge and an opportunity for any writer. It’s the culmination of everything that’s come before it, and it has the power to leave a lasting impression on the reader. The final chapter must tie up loose ends, provide emotional resolution, and, ideally, evoke a sense of closure or reflection. Whether it’s an uplifting conclusion, a twist ending, or an open-ended finale, how you choose to end your novel can significantly affect how your readers perceive the entire story.

Perfecting the last chapter of your novel may lead to new beginnings.

The final chapter of a novel often undergoes significant changes between the first draft and the last revision. In the early stages, the conclusion might be rough, overly simplistic, or even unfinished, as writers are more focused on getting the story down than they are on perfecting the ending. Over the course of revisions, the final chapter may evolve in response to changes in the plot, character arcs, or themes that emerged during the drafting process.

Continue reading “The end: writing the final chapter of your novel” →
Author Interview

Author interview with fantasy writer Cerynn McCain

Mandy Webster

Fantasy author Cerynn McCain returns to the themes of trauma and healing in all of her works. She says, “My characters break. Some don’t heal. Some harden. And some take a very long time, and deal with PTSD, and find their way. I work very hard to show that struggle and that victory as relatably as I can, because for myself personally, I didn’t find a lot of stories where I could heal along with them.”

In Inhibited, the first novel in McCain’s The Abandoned Crown Series, Alice’s life ended when she was captured. Being tortured for thirteen years left her small and afraid, but when the guard assigned to her torture helped her escape, she was given a brief glimpse of hope.

Until she forgot.

Now hiding in a city full of its own secrets, Alice must work hard to remember why she came here, and whether she herself is a trap.

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: Oh, I always credit Tolkien and C.S. Lewis with my drive to tell stories today. I always loved how they wove their allegories so well into the stories that their books couldn’t stand without them, but so subtly that they could be missed if you weren’t looking for them. It always inspired me to do what I could to write my own tales and worlds as well.

Continue reading “Author interview with fantasy writer Cerynn McCain” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

The importance of multiple revisions in the “Revise and Refine” stage of novel writing

Mandy Webster

When it comes to writing a novel, the first draft is just the beginning. Many writers assume that once the manuscript is completed, their work is done. But the truth is, the real magic happens during the revise and refine stage of the novel writing process. This stage, where you review and refine your manuscript through multiple revisions, is crucial for transforming a rough draft into a polished, compelling novel. In this blog post, we’ll explore why working through multiple revisions is vital for any writer and how to make the most of this process to elevate your manuscript.

Completing multiple revisions of your novel manuscript is an essential part of the revise and refine stage of the novel writing process.

The revise and refine stage is where your manuscript truly comes to life. During this phase, you aren’t just fixing grammar and punctuation errors—you’re strengthening your plot, deepening your characters, improving pacing, and ensuring that your novel resonates with readers. Here are several reasons why multiple revisions are so important:

Continue reading “The importance of multiple revisions in the “Revise and Refine” stage of novel writing” →
Book Reviews, Find Your Next Read

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix – A feminist horror that fumbles the landing

Mandy Webster

I stopped reading books by straight white men a few years ago, but somehow, this one slipped through—and at first, I thought it might just prove me wrong.

Get your copy of Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix from my online bookstore today!

I’ve made a conscious effort in recent years to diversify my reading list, moving away from the straight white male authors that had dominated my bookshelves for so long. It wasn’t until I pulled this book from the stack that was my last library haul that I realized Witchcraft for Wayward Girls was written by a white man. My knee-jerk reaction was to put it down, but it was my only unread book on hand, so I decided to give it a chance.

And at first? I was all in.

Continue reading “Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix – A feminist horror that fumbles the landing” →
Author Interview

Author interview with romance writer Regina Sage

Mandy Webster

Regina Sage, author of the Underwater series, says, “Love is a daily magic we can choose to use, and in my books it defeats evil every time.”

In Ocean’s Embrace, the first novel in Sage’s Underwater series, Leanne just wanted to go on vacation after a nasty divorce, but an off-season tropical storm complicates her plans to reenter the dating pool… By throwing her into the deep. Sven just wanted to complete his underwater expedition and get paid, but when his portal opens in the middle of a shipwreck, he collects a kind of treasure he never expected.

Q: Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work? What impact have they had on your writing?
A: I honestly think the authors in my writing groups are the biggest influence on my work. By workshopping scenes and plot lines, sharing beta reads, and engaging in other forms of feedback, I think we all share a commitment to the craft and to the community that allows us to grow in ways we couldn’t otherwise. Participating in various author groups with traditionally published, indie, or as-yet-unpublished authors has been the greatest influence on my perspectives, skill, and attitudes surrounding my books.

Continue reading “Author interview with romance writer Regina Sage” →
Book Reviews, Find Your Next Read

Book Review: Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon

Mandy Webster

In Where They Last Saw Her, Marcie R. Rendon weaves a hauntingly powerful narrative that not only grips the reader with its suspense but also sheds light on the grim realities faced by Native American women. The novel, set on the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota, follows Quill, a determined and resilient protagonist, as she grapples with the disappearance of a woman from her community—a catalyst for confronting systemic injustices that have plagued her people for generations.

Get your copy of Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon from my online bookstore today!

The story begins with Quill’s morning run, an activity meant to prepare her for the Boston Marathon, interrupted by a scream in the woods. What she finds—tire tracks and a single beaded earring—propels her into an investigation that exposes the horrifying vulnerability of Native women. Rendon’s use of this seemingly ordinary moment transforms it into a chilling metaphor for how quickly safety can be stripped away.

Continue reading “Book Review: Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon” →