A Letter from the Editor
by Timothy Pike

Dear readers,

First thing’s first: what’s your New Year’s resolution?

If you’re looking to make 2025 count—really count, in all the ways that matter—join us for the 2x Word Count Challenge.

Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll turn that “I’d love to write a novel” pie-in-the-sky dream into the best feeling ever: “I have officially written a novel!”

(Actually, the Best Feeling Ever Award goes to slipping into pajamas straight out of the dryer, but the achievement of writing a book is most definitely a close second.)

The Challenge starts January 1st! Here’s how to register.

Every month, we publish articles in Books & Buzz Magazine that are full of insight and helpful tips.

But writing advice is rarely one-size-fits-all. Ask ten different writers about the same topic, and you might get ten different answers. Why, if I had a pimple for every opinion I hear about writing, I’d be in seventh grade again.

Point is, there’s diversity of thought out there, and I want to hear it all.

That’s why, for each of of this month’s articles, I’ve created a discussion for us over on Threads (a site which, depending on your politics, is either the left-wing version of Twitter/X or the right-wing version of Bluesky).

Either way, please put in your two cents via the links below!

If you’d rather jam a hairpin straight into your eyeball than set foot on a social media site, understandable. But I’m certain you’ll still enjoy reading the articles in this month’s issue.

Let’s start with Aimee Ravichandran, who is pictured on our cover, and Mickey Mikkelson, who have joined forced to help you launch your newly published book, make the world aware of it, and build an audience of loyal fans who want to stay updated on what’s going on with you.

My interview with this power duo is a masterclass in book promotion: The secret to a bestseller? Meet the team that positions your book for success

• Related Threads discussion: When authors post on social media, what’s the right balance between “BUY MY BOOK NOW!!!!” and “Here’s a picture of my dog”? Weigh in here

Then, Dr. Roger Leslie reveals the key ingredients of any great story, starting with symbolism: Want to use symbolism in your novel? Great! But you also need these 2 things

• Related Threads discussion: When you were in high school, did you roll your eyes when the teacher asked about symbolism in books? Or did you raise your hand so hard you almost fell out of your chair? Weigh in here

Next, Zachary Hagen shares his best tips for writing fantasy: 5 must-haves for writing an excellent fantasy series

• Related Threads discussion: What makes for a better story: a villain that’s pure evil, or a “mixed-bag” villain with some qualities you might even relate to? Weigh in here

Finally, Tricia Copeland talks endings, happy or otherwise, and warns that how you wrap up your story can truly make or break it: Want to make readers hate your novel? Give it a bad ending

• Related Threads discussion: Under what circumstances, if any, should a novel end with a cliffhanger? Weigh in here

Enjoy this month’s issue of Books & Buzz Magazine, and I hope to see you in the 72-Hour Indie Novel Challenge!

To your writing success,

Timothy Pike
Editor of Books & Buzz Magazine