Let’s Talk Blurbs! 📝
Ever picked up a book, flipped it over, and instantly needed to know more? That’s the magic of a blurb! ✨
A blurb is the short, punchy description on the back of a book (or in the online description) designed to hook the reader and make them think, I HAVE to read this!
What makes a great blurb?
✅ A hook – an intriguing opening line to grab attention
✅ A tease of the plot – just enough to spark curiosity without giving too much away
✅ A compelling question or dilemma – something to make the reader wonder what happens next?
✅ A taste of the book’s tone – whether it’s suspenseful, romantic, mysterious, or thrilling
💡 Example:
_"She has 24 hours to uncover the truth… or disappear forever. When journalist Mia Carter receives an anonymous tip, she never expects to become the story herself. But as the clock ticks down, she’s left with one terrifying question: Who can she trust?"_
A strong blurb can have a huge impact on a book’s success—it’s your first (and best) chance to captivate your reader!
📖 What’s the best blurb you’ve ever read? Drop your favourites below! ⬇️
#writingtips #mabelandstanleypublishing #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram
Ok, maybe iI'm not THIS intrusive 😂 but I do LOVE to people watch when I am out and about!
You can get some many ideas just by watching people in Aldi or on the school run 👀
How do you get your ideas? Let me know in the comments!
#mabelandstanleypublishing #storyideas #writingcommunity #novelwriting #tipsfornewauthors
I love coming to @dragoncoworking especially when I've got lots to do!
Today I'm doing...#editing #coverdesign #mabelandstanleypublishing website work, digital #writing course creation,
Busy bee!
✨ Crafting the Ultimate Mentor Character ✨
Every great protagonist needs guidance—and that’s where the mentor comes in! Whether they’re a wise old wizard, a battle-scarred warrior, or an unexpected teacher, the mentor plays a crucial role in shaping the hero’s journey. But how do you write a mentor that feels real, compelling, and memorable?
In this carousel, we’re breaking down:
📖 The key traits of a great mentor
⚖️ Common flaws that make them human
🔍 Their backstory & hidden motivations
Mentors aren’t just there to hand out wisdom—they have their own past, struggles, and lessons to learn too! Take a look to level up your character writing. 👀✨
👉 Who’s your favourite mentor character in fiction? Drop it in the comments! ⬇️
#writingtips #characterdevelopment #fictionwriting #writersofinstagram #mabelandstanleypublishing
What’s the one lesson that has shaped your writing journey the most?
Is it the power of consistency?
Learning to embrace feedback?
The realisation that first drafts are meant to be messy?
Or that you can do whatever you put your mind to - even write a book!
Drop your biggest writing takeaway in the comments ⬇️ Let’s inspire each other! ✨
#writingjourney #writerscommunity #mabelandstanleypublishing #writersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram
Let’s Talk Dialogue Tags! 📝
Dialogue tags are the words that tell us who is speaking in a conversation—think "she whispered" or "he laughed." They help clarify your dialogue, but here’s the catch: overusing them can slow your story down!
🚫 **Example of tag overload:
"I can’t believe it," she exclaimed. "Neither can I," he whispered. "What do we do now?" she questioned.
👀 Better alternative:
*"I can’t believe it." She gripped the edge of the table.
"Neither can I." He shook his head.
"What do we do now?"
Instead of cramming in tags, try using action and body language to show who’s speaking—it makes your writing more immersive and natural!
Double Tap ❤️ if you're guilty of dialogue tag overload!
#writingtips #dialoguetags #hybridpublisher #mabelandstanleypublishing #writingcommunity
#mabelandstanleypublishing #writingmentor #writingcommunity #writethatbook #authorship
@samanthawardsmithwriter @build_the_buzz
Hybrid Publishing - The best of both worlds?
In this episode we delve into the pros and cons of hybrid publishing and how it is different to Traditional, Self and Vanity methods.
It is so important to do your research whatever method you choose...
If you have any publishing questions please do get in contact at [email protected] or follow me on social media @mabelandstanleypublishing
FINAL CALL FOR THE NEW AUTHORS OF 2025!
This is it…!
…the final 24 HOURS to buy the Kick Start Your Fiction Writing Journey course for just £9…
…AND…get the Early Action Taker Bonus course before the bonus offer ends tonight at midnight - Feb 6th!
If you’ve been putting off your writing dreams, ask yourself…
Will you let another year go by without taking that first step?
Will 2025 be the year you finally WRITE YOUR BOOK?
This is your chance to…
…break free from procrastination
…turn your story ideas into a CLEAR plan and
…start writing the story you’ve been dreaming of.
You'll get one month's free access to my Writing Community Membership and FOUR LIVE Q&A sessions with me worth £97 as a WELCOME BONUS!
Spots are filling quickly, and once the clock strikes midnight on Feb 6th, the EARLY ACTION TAKER BONUS of a FREE 121 personalised book planning session with me will no longer be available…
Book now to receive access to a personalised story planning session that means you skip trial and error and gain crystal-clear direction for your book.
Imagine waking up tomorrow knowing you’ve finally committed to your writing dream…
A month from now, you could have…
Created a clear story plan
Started writing with confidence
A writing schedule that keeps you on track...
Or... you could still be stuck, with a head full of ideas, wondering when you’ll finally begin…
I know it can feel scary to take the first step. But remember, you don’t have to do this alone.
Doors close at midnight tonight for the Early Action Taker Bonus, and this opportunity won’t come around again soon. Don’t let it slip away!
Comment BOOK to join the course and take the first step toward your writing dream.
Your BOOK starts here!
#storywriting #storyplanning #storyarc #newwriter
STOP DREAMING AND START WRITING!
Have you been dreaming of writing your NOVEL but keep putting it off?
This is YOUR chance to finally make it happen!
The Kick Start Your Fiction Writing Journey course is filling up super fast!
Writers just like you have already taken this step…and the results are INCREDIBLE!
This course has helped writers of all levels beat procrastination and finally start writing and here’s how…
Module One: Setting your book goals and vision
You’ll take your book idea (or spark of an idea) and turn it into something tangible.
By the end of module one, you’ll have a clear vision for your story and feel confident about where to start.
Module Two: Release your ideas
No more overwhelm.
You’ll make sense of your ideas, creating a roadmap that means your story starts to really take shape.
Module Three: Building the perfect story arc
Learn about story arcs and build a plot framework that will have your readers gripped from page one!
Module Four: Character Profiling and World Building
In this module, you’ll dive deeper into your story’s characters and world.
You’ll create detailed character profiles and a vivid setting, creating powerful imagery to draw your reader in.
And in the final module… you’ll establish a realistic writing schedule that fits YOUR life, YOUR way...
…you’ll stay accountable and learn how to keep the momentum going…even after the course ends.
At first, you might feel a bit nervous - wondering if you really have what it takes to write a book…
…But that doubt will begin to fade once your plan is in place.
Experience the spark of excitement as your plan comes together and you start to weave your story magic!
By the end of the course, you’ll feel empowered and ready to keep going...and all this can be achieved in just a few hours…for just £9!
Your story has only just begun!
There’s still time to join us for the WELCOME BONUS too - but not for long!
One Month’s FREE membership to
The Comic Relief: Bringing the laughs and the feels. 😂❤️
They might be the joker in the group, but there’s so much more to them than just a punchline. The Comic Relief character lightens the mood, hides insecurities under humour, and sometimes delivers the most unexpected wisdom. 🃏
Want to write a Comic Relief character with depth and heart? Take a look at this reel for tips on creating a fool who’s as layered as they are funny. ✍️
💬 Who’s your all-time favourite Comic Relief character? Share in the comments!
#writingtips #characterdevelopment #writingcommunity #writingmentor #mabelandstanleypublishing
With over a decade of writing experience, my publishing journey has been anything but smooth! I’ve explored every route—Vanity, Self, Traditional (twice!), and finally found my perfect fit with Hybrid Publishing.
But let’s talk mistakes… and wow, I made some BIG ones! I spent thousands on vanity publishing, lost control over my work, and wasted time searching for help that just wasn’t there. Editing? Cover design? Royalties? I knew nothing!
That’s why I created Mabel & Stanley Publishing—to support new authors, ensuring they keep their rights and royalties. Now, with 14 books under my belt (and more in my head!), my mission is simple: to be the person I needed when I started out.
If you have a book you would like to put out into the world, pop me a message!
#mabelandstanleypublishing #hybridpublishing #writingcommunity #writingmentor #howtopublishabook