Novels demand more than ideas—they require structure, persistence, and the discipline to see a story through. These posts explore the full landscape of long-form storytelling: writing, publishing, marketing, and the realities of bringing a novel to readers, whether examining others’ work or my own.
A scream should shatter silence—but what if it never escapes? In the space between instinct and terror, something darker takes hold. Breath stolen, voice crushed, the body knows before the mind understands. This is where fear lives—not in the sound, but in the moment it’s taken away.
Making The Most Of Scream Time Read More »
Modern crime scenes confess through DNA science. What looks simple on screen is anything but. Behind every match lies painstaking science, fragile evidence, and human error waiting to derail justice. In this unsettling reality, DNA doesn’t just solve murders—it exposes how close truth and illusion truly are.
Solving Crimes of Murder with DNA Read More »
DNA changed crime fiction forever—but not in the way readers think. In the uneasy gap between instinct and science, truth becomes unstable, justice uncertain, and the past refuses to stay buried. Explore how forensic advances reshape storytelling, morality, and the psychological tension at the heart of modern crime writing.
Crafting Crime Fiction in the Shadows of DNA Science Read More »
People say, don’t judge a book by its cover but authors know the truth. Covers can make or break their books. A cover (and title) is what makes first contact with readers. For readers, a book’s front surface is its story’s face and eyes. The graphic offers readers clues about what’s behind it. Readers start
Choosing The Right Book Graphic For Its Cover Read More »
It’s been a long time coming, but Forman is well on the way to becoming the latest Koontz. If you haven’t read his style of hard-hitting dark fiction, check it out now. It’s an intense, well-crafted approach to dark thriller writing. You won’t be disappointed. Title: SEETHINGSAuthor: Michael Forman SEETHINGS, a dark fiction novel penned
Transgressive Fiction Writer Makes The Most Downloaded List Read More »
There are fair and good reasons why a book’s title matters to a book’s success. Choosing the right one may be the make or break for any book’s future. It all comes down to reader psychology.
Considering What A Book’s Title Should Be Before Publishing It Read More »
As a writer, I believe that compelling, relatable characters are the core of any novel. Readers invest in stories through people they recognise, empathise with, or even love to hate. In fact, writing experts emphasise that characters and plot are the two essential ingredients of a story. As Brett Grell notes, “there are two required elements of
Character Spotlights: A Who’s Who in The Novel SEETHINGS Read More »
“They make love in an isolated cemetery on a secluded island. He lifts her leg and places her foot on one of the island’s gravestones. The sole of her foot tingles just as it touches the stone.” Fiction writer Michael Forman is set to launch his third and most bizarre noirotic novel of all. It’s
Island Kink For Mitchell and Nina Read More »
This character was one of the last to be included in this psycho-thriller. Maxine was designed to be colourful when sober, but when drunk, she is obnoxious enough to unsettle dinner guests. Maxine heads a group of small business owners who specialise in photographing weddings. Most of the newer, inexperienced photographers trying to break into
Character Spotlight: Maxine Sewell. Read More »
When writing dark fiction, the villain matters as much as the hero. Without a formidable antagonist, a hero has nothing meaningful to overcome. The strength of a protagonist is measured by the challenge they face. Instead of two opposing forces, imagine one person wrestling with both sides of the moral equation. Could a character pursue
Writing Tips: Villains, Heroes, and the Space Between Read More »