Welcome to the Writer's Bane Series
Workbooks, Planners, Resources, How-to, and more!
Practical tools for surviving the
beautiful curse of creating books.
Every writer carries a story that refuses to leave them alone.
The Writer’s Bane Series is a growing collection of practical guides, workbooks, worksheets, and creative resources designed to help writers move from uncertain ideas to finished, thoughtfully prepared books.
Written from the perspective of an author, book designer, researcher, and publishing professional, each volume breaks a complicated part of the creative process into approachable lessons, examples, checklists, and exercises you can actually use.
Inside the Writer’s Bane Series
Craft Guidance
Understand the building blocks of stronger stories, including characters, plot, pacing, worldbuilding, point of view, genre, and reader expectations.
Practical Workflows
Turn intimidating creative tasks into manageable steps with checklists, systems, worksheets, trackers, and guided exercises.
Publishing Awareness
Learn how manuscript preparation, editing, formatting, design, metadata, and distribution affect the finished book.
Writer Mindset
Build habits and expectations that support your process without demanding that you write like someone else.
Real Examples
See concepts applied through practical examples drawn from published books, workshops, author experiences, and ongoing projects.
Reusable Resources
Return to worksheets and reference material whenever a new story, revision, or publishing problem appears.
These guides are for you if…
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You have an idea but do not know how to turn it into a full manuscript.
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You have started several books but struggle to finish them.
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You want to understand story craft without enrolling in a formal writing program.
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You are preparing to self-publish and want to make informed decisions.
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You need a repeatable system for research, drafting, revision, or book production.
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You are an experienced author looking for practical refreshers and workshop-friendly tools.
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You teach or lead writing groups and need approachable resources for developing authors.
Whether you are writing your first book or rebuilding your creative process after your fiftieth, the goal is not to force you into one “correct” method.
The goal is to help you understand your options, choose your tools, and keep moving.
JM
This workbook-style guide helps you focus on the important questions while you work on your novel. With honest advice, handy tips, and tons of useful exercises, this book helped me avoid the trap of "SQUIRREL!"...
Lalo
This book is a must have. I love the way it is written and it’s packed full of valuable information. As a self publishing author, it is by far one of the best investments an author can make. This book is informative and the author’s style kept my interest by making this a pleasure to read. Every author should have this book on their bookshelf. Highly recommend.
LitLadyK
Comprehensive, concise, and creative! The author's approach to formatting instruction is innovative, easy-to-read, and non-threatening, thanks to all the colorful illustrations, definitions, and examples. Definitely a must-have for all publishers!
Explore the Series
Your Guides to Self Publishing
Cursebreaker’s Guide to
Novel Writing
A broad, practical guide to the full novel-writing process—from creative mindset and story foundations through drafting, revision, and early
publishing awareness.
Best for:
New writers, returning writers, workshop participants, and authors rebuilding their process.
RELEASE SEPT 2027
SPECIAL BOX
Cursebreaker’s Guide to
Novel Writing
Get a hardcover copy along with goodies to support, cheer, and get you rolling on your journey to break your curse.
Choose between 3 editions of boxes: Pantser, Plotter, and Plantser. Limited Supplies!
RELEASE SEPT 2027
Research
Learn how to find, organize, evaluate, and apply research without letting it bury
your manuscript.
This volume explores research for character development, worldbuilding, plot, history, mythology, culture, setting, and creative inspiration. It also includes activities, prompts, examples, and ways to reuse valuable research beyond the original book.
Best for:
Historical, fantasy, paranormal, speculative, nonfiction, and research-heavy writers.
Formatting 101
An approachable guide to manuscript preparation, book anatomy, trim sizes, typography, print and ebook formatting, software options, reader expectations, and
vendor-ready files.
It includes special considerations for picture books, middle grade, young adult, fiction, nonfiction, print-on-demand, and digital editions.
Best for:
Self-publishing authors, designers in training, small presses, and writers preparing files for professional formatters.
Mini KU Series!
Chapters and chunks broken into small KU mini-books for those on a budget and in need of resources!