Tips for writers from Hugh Howey, as shared on his blog.

{Completed} Highest Ranking: # 1 in Fantasy (01/28/17) Book. 1 My blood boiled at the thought of one of them in our streets, hidden in plain sight, perhaps even by one of the kids from the orphanages. Would it murder innocent human children? You bet. Would it even think twice about gutting a starving child? Never. What could do this, you're probably asking. But it boils down to one single word. One word that made anger I hadn't known I possessed, roar to life like a pissed off lion. One word that sent a cold chill spider-walking down my spine. Faeries. ------------ Eve Scotts's world is divided by magic - The Order of the Seven who rules over her kingdom with a steel fist and the murderous faeries's she'll be forced to fight when she turns eighteen. Eve is a dueler, a human that dabbles in the elements to fight in underground scuffles for some extra coin to feed her fellow orphans back home. But she has a secret weapon: She can wield ice magic - a magic that is only reserved for the High Witches at court. But she makes a mistake. She exposes herself. Rumors are spreading of a small orphan girl who can wield the power of ice, and it isn't long until the Order sends one of their own to snatch up the bounty. In exchange for the secrecy of her special gift, Eve agrees to participate in the Witches Academy, where humans are taught to wield the power of the elements and become powerful witch soldiers for the Order's disposal. As Eve is drawn further into the Witch world, she risks everything to learn more about her power and her lineage. With her frozen heart melting for the Count of Night, Sebastian O'Neill, Eve is thrown into a cyclone of love, betrayal, and family drama she hadn't even known an orphan could inherit. Soon, Eve must decide: Is love, or survival more important? Word Count: 102,000.

In the history of storytelling down through the ages some of our most enduring tales have been of heartbroken individuals who have found solace and a fresh appreciation for life despite their great personal loss through a chance connection with a kindred soul in the animal kingdom. These stories of deepest despair transformed into a new joy in living life, of being reborn through a bond with a pet, of discovering a communication beyond the verbal, of having a hole in one's heart mended by a loving inter-species friendship, have become some of the best-loved narratives of our popular literary canon. Otto and Victoria, is a new tale to warm the hearts of children of all ages for all the ages to come. From the creative imagination of master illustrator, filmmaker and author Brian Kesinger comes this story of a very special girl, Victoria, a born adventuress raised by the ocean seaside. Tragically orphaned, she finds a renewed love of life and joy in living through her relationship and many adventures with Otto, an octopus who serves as her personal butler but is, more importantly, her best friend. Sometimes the best medicine for a broken heart is a loving hug, and sometimes, an eight armed hug just might make a miracle.

Throughout time, every culture in every country has shared whispered tales of things that go bump in the night. But very few people are aware of the times when these unspeakable beings are able to wrench themselves free from the dark recesses of our worst nightmares and scurry into the waking world . . . violating our reality with purest evil. One such person is Catalina Benita Salvar, a fearless young woman who calls upon the mystical fire of the salamander to keep these supernatural forces at bay. Cover art by Bong Abad

****Featured on Wattpad and @Fantasy *** A horde of dark creatures chase a mermaid and her husband to their underwater fortress. Only fourteen-year-old Nikolas and his friends can save them. Happy to escape an apocalyptic future with its refugee camps and nannydrones, Nick convinces his friends to make the journey through time to save the Merfolk. However, on arrival Nikolas begins to suspect the Merfolk are hiding something...sinister. Nikolas wants his friends to have a better life, but he may have led them into even greater peril. And it will be all his fault. Nikolas and Company: The Merman and The Moon Forgotten, follows Nick's boisterous and heart-felt journey as he seeks to save the Merfolk and his friends from the creature most foul. If "The Doctor" took the kids from "Stranger Things" on an adventure to a fantastic version of the moon, you'd get Nikolas and Company. Pure awesome in a cup. With some waffles. Which would make it a waffle load. - Austin 14 "As an adult, I love this series, the characters, the plot twists. I haven't enjoyed a fantasy series this much since I read Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. I've already added you my list of favorite authors." - Reehya Bagwandin "As a constant video/computer gamer, it is phenomenal to see my eleven-year-old immersed in these books. He loves this series so much that he's been sharing his books with other boys in his class and asked the school librarian to carry it." - Gemmavive

Do you know the secret purpose of libraries?

A manga style story of survivors in a post-apocalyptic future. As if Mad Max meets Final Fantasy! Sera is a survivor, forged in the fires of the apocalypse and hardened by the world around her. After years of isolation, she makes her way towards a city where peace and civilization are being reborn. But, she's unsure if she'll be able to adjust to that kind of life again. The Armless is the guardian of this city and we see his struggle with keeping out the monsters at his door and staying connected to the people he's trying to protect. These two are set on a collision course and all that stands between them is a wasteland full of dangers- both man and beast! Created by Andrew Kwan (@andrewkwan4) *Contains graphic Violence and Language

Follow crypto-entomologist Molly Mcguinness as she attempts to return a rare butterfly back to it's native habitat.

Welcome to the nation. Welcome to the place where everything is monitored... everything is portioned... everything is perfectly under control... Everything except the SkyTrain Holland Renner was aboard. In a matter of seconds, Holland finds herself in a world she didn't know existed. Before, she was free within limits. Now, she's one of 400 others. Before, Holland was at least human. Now, she's not so sure. All she knows is that she needs to endure and survive. But what does this have to do with SkyTrain 267-B? Click the "Start Reading" button to uncover the secrets buried within the core of Holland's society. WATTY AWARD WINNER 2015!

A collection of short stories by Hugh Howey