The Werd Nerd Blog

Book Review: "The Great and the Small," 2nd Edition by A. T. Balsara

Aug 133 min read

Book Review: "The Great and the Small," 2nd Edition by A. T. Balsara

Death soon sweeps through the main character’s harbor town, affecting both protagonists in unforeseen ways, the outcome uncertain.

Don't Be Fooled: The 4 Stages of the Book Editing Process

Erika M. Weinert

Jul 198 min read

Don't Be Fooled: The 4 Stages of the Book Editing Process

Are you a first-time author who struggles to understand the book editing process? Gain a clear understanding from a professional editor.

Benefits of Hiring an All-in-One Line and Copyeditor

Erika M. Weinert

Apr 7, 20233 min read

Benefits of Hiring an All-in-One Line and Copyeditor

Line editing and copyediting are equally important. Wouldn't it be great if you could hire just one editor for both and save money doing it?

Grammarly vs. ProWritingAid: A Comparative Analysis

Erika M. Weinert

Jan 21, 20223 min read

Grammarly vs. ProWritingAid: A Comparative Analysis

For writers of fiction—my clients and potential clients—I recommend ProWritingAid to create an engaging, marketable novel.

Style sheets: What are they, and do I need one?

Erika M. Weinert

Dec 1, 20213 min read

Style sheets: What are they, and do I need one?

Style sheets are mini style guides, and yes, you need one. Most professional editors, like me, create style sheets for their clients.

Novels Versus Movies: The Debate Rages On

Garima Nabh

Oct 3, 20216 min read

Novels Versus Movies: The Debate Rages On

Both books and movies are mediums of storytelling, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. What is your preference between the two?

Book Review: “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune

Erika M. Weinert

Sep 4, 20213 min read

Book Review: “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune

What I like most about The House in the Cerulean Sea is that I would let my thirteen-year-old daughter read it.

How to Write for Your Audience—Not Yourself

Erika M. Weinert

Jul 28, 20215 min read

How to Write for Your Audience—Not Yourself

Writing for yourself instead of your audience results in writer-centric writing that does not offer real value to the reader.

The Importance—and Misconception—of Editing with Empathy

Erika M. Weinert

Jul 21, 20213 min read

The Importance—and Misconception—of Editing with Empathy

Here’s what I mean when I say empathy: The ability to place yourself in someone else’s shoes and feel what they feel.

Erika M. Weinert

Jul 14, 20215 min read

Dear Writers: A Case for Clarification

Lost amidst the levels of editing? Writer & Editor Lessie Kauzlarich outlines some suggestions for writers navigating the editing process.

Garima Nabh

Jul 7, 20213 min read

The Importance of Mentors for Writers

Just like a teacher or a sports coach, a writing mentor helps you polish your manuscript before you publish it.

What Are You Going to Do with that English Degree?

Erika M. Weinert

Jun 30, 20214 min read

What Are You Going to Do with that English Degree?

What do you say when someone asks what you’re going to do with your English degree? It's a pretty personal question. Here's my answer.

Garima Nabh

Jun 16, 20213 min read

How Music Helps Your Writing

Music is one of the oldest creations of man. Many writers prefer listening to music rather than writing in silence.

10 Challenges Faced by Writers and How to Overcome Them

Garima Nabh

Jun 2, 20216 min read

10 Challenges Faced by Writers and How to Overcome Them

Like any other profession, being a writer is not an easy task, and it takes a long time before you can get your book published. But this...

Erika M. Weinert

May 24, 20212 min read

Why You Need a Proofreader

Guest Post by Carly Catt | A proofreader double-checks your book to rid it of small distractions to readers.

Garima Nabh

May 19, 20213 min read

The Best Writing Software for Authors

Writing is rarely easy. Although Microsoft (MS) Word has been used for a long time, it is a general writing program not specific for...

Erika M. Weinert

May 12, 20214 min read

Working with a Book Editor

What's it like to work with an editor? From first contact to getting the edited manuscript back, here are some things you should know.

Garima Nabh

Apr 21, 20213 min read

Tips for Writing Children’s Books

Many children’s books are much shorter than novels for adults, so one may think it’s easier to write books for children. It's not.

What is the Difference Between a Blurb and a Synopsis?

Garima Nabh

Apr 7, 20216 min read

What is the Difference Between a Blurb and a Synopsis?

Many writers think the words blurb and synopsis are interchangeable; however, they are used for different reasons.

Rogustus Wright

Apr 1, 20212 min read

A Writer’s Nightmare

I did not need just any editor—I needed my editor. And so, I sent The Werd Nerd an email posthaste. But what happened next was a shock—