Category Archives: Short Story Blog

Blogging about short stories and more

Hand AI the Tedious Bits – But Never Your Muse

If you spend any time in writing circles, you’ll know that the rise of generative AI has stirred up a fair bit of debate. Some writers love the idea of a machine that can churn out thousands of words in … Continue reading

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A Brief History of the eReader — Plus the Voices Who Pushed Back

If the printed book is a 500-year-old miracle, the eReader is its restless younger cousin—always updating, always syncing, always one tap from a dictionary. The idea goes back farther than the Kindle. In 1971, Michael Hart launched Project Gutenberg, seeding … Continue reading

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A Brief History of the Paperback – And Why Some Fought Against It

Today, paperbacks are everywhere—from bestseller tables in train stations to the beach reads in your bag. But this humble format wasn’t always the staple of everyday reading it is now. In fact, its rise in the early 20th century was … Continue reading

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A Brief History of the Printing Press

Long before Gutenberg, East Asia was already printing. China used woodblock printing by the Tang era; Bi Sheng experimented with movable type in the 11th century; Korea cast metal type by the 1200s (the “Jikji,” 1377, is the oldest extant … Continue reading

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UK Copyright for Literary Works: What Every Writer Should Know

It’s automatic. In the UK, copyright arises the moment your original work is written down or otherwise recorded (Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988). No registration, no forms, no fees. Copyright protects your specific expression, not the underlying ideas or … Continue reading

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The real cost of setting ‘zero AI’ targets in fiction

Pledging to write and publish fiction with zero AI involvement is a bold creative stance — and a logistical gauntlet. It can preserve artistic intent and reassure readers who want wholly human-made stories. It also reshapes your budget, timeline, and … Continue reading

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AI as a Creative Writing Companion: Enhancing Process, Not Plot

Artificial Intelligence has become an increasingly valuable tool in the creative industries, including writing. While some writers fear that AI might replace originality or encroach on storytelling itself, there’s a growing recognition that AI can play an assistive role—streamlining and … Continue reading

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The Pros and Cons of Using AI to Turn Plot Outlines into Stories

As artificial intelligence (AI) tools continue to evolve, their role in the creative writing process is becoming increasingly prominent. One popular use among writers is feeding a plot outline into an AI tool and asking it to flesh out the … Continue reading

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The Pros and Cons of Writing Fiction While Exposing One’s Political Leanings

In today’s world, where art and politics frequently intersect, many writers find themselves grappling with a critical decision: should their fiction reveal their political beliefs? From dystopian novels that critique authoritarianism to contemporary stories that tackle climate change, racism, or … Continue reading

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Crafting the Perfect Paranormal Story: Essential Elements for a Chilling Read

The paranormal genre has captivated readers for centuries, blending eerie supernatural elements with suspense, mystery, and often a touch of horror. Whether you’re writing about ghosts, haunted houses, psychic abilities, or demonic entities, a great paranormal story must immerse readers … Continue reading

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