top of page




5 tips for leaving a strong book review
“Readers, take the time to leave a review. They mean more to an author than anything else.” It’s the season of giving! When I opened...

julienavickasautho
Dec 18, 20233 min read


10 tips to level up your writing
On November 8, 2023, Julie spoke to students in the School of Communication at Illinois State University about writing. I recently had...

julienavickasautho
Nov 21, 20236 min read


The top 15 “must-have” items every author needs for a book signing
“Reflecting back on some of my first book signing events, I can recall how clueless and unprepared I felt.” About a week ago, I was...

julienavickasautho
Oct 9, 20234 min read


Writing characters: 6 quick tips to elevate your fictional friends
“Master the craft of writing your fictional friends well and your story will jump from the page.” Which came first, the chicken or the...

julienavickasautho
Sep 15, 20233 min read


Alpha readers, beta readers and critique partners, OH MY! What’s the difference? (and why you should
“Every role is important. Every reader and early insight are critical to the release of a strong story.” The further I get into this...

julienavickasautho
Aug 10, 20233 min read


5 tips for writing better scenes
“Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings .” – William...

julienavickasautho
Jul 21, 20233 min read


10 tips to maximize your author presence on Instagram
“The algorithm changed. The platform grew. What used to work, no longer does. And as an author looking to connect with readers,...

julienavickasautho
Jun 22, 20234 min read


5 books that will both shatter and stitch your heart
I’m an avid reader. Like most authors, it’s only natural to want to consume words, stories, plots, and characters written by others....

julienavickasautho
May 22, 20233 min read


Optimize your Amazon sales: The 4 critical components of a book description
“A book description on Amazon will make or break a sale, which means authors must do more than just simply copy and paste the back clover...

julienavickasautho
Apr 26, 20233 min read


Your fiction novel: 5 things your first chapter simply must do
“Any element in the prologue that advances the story should be written in the story itself.” The most edited page of an entire...

julienavickasautho
Mar 20, 20234 min read


Launch your book: 5 cornerstone strategies for a successful release day
“You are your own brand. You are selling yourself as an author just as much as you are selling your novels or stories.” Launch days are...

julienavickasautho
Feb 27, 20235 min read


When a blank page looks back: 6 USEFUL tips for combatting writer’s block
“ There are no other words for it. I was, quite simply, suffering from writer’s block. ” I cannot pretend that there are not already a...

julienavickasautho
Jan 25, 20234 min read
bottom of page