Crack a Joke – But Only for a Good Reason – Inventing Reality’s Newsletter for Sept. 1, 2026

Craft of Writing: Crack a Joke – But Only for a Good Reason
Just as in real life when humor is used to ease tension in social situations or to bond with another person, so jokes and comedy serves a purpose in your story. Unfortunately, a lot of novice writers don’t quite know when to inject humor into their fictional tales. The result is they either miss opportunities to use an effective narrative tool or they misuse (and quite often overuse) it. READ MORE

Marketing Tip: How to Do a Book Reading/Signing
Many authors are happy to simply do what they enjoy most, which is write. You also have to promote your published books, though, and a time-honored way of doing so is by making presentations, such as readings and signings, at libraries, bookstores and other businesses that might carry your titles. My book Nail Your Book Reading and Signing covers just how to do that with easy to understand, practical tips. Topics covered include: potential locations for a book presentation; arranging, preparing and promoting your presentation; creating visuals for the presentation; avoiding stage fright during a presentation; setting up back of room sales, and more. The tips come from a long-time author who has done dozens of book readings and signings as well as advised hundreds of his writing clients about how to give a presentation. SEE BOOK

Writing Tip: Every Writing Session Teaches Me Something
Among the biggest mistakes that writers stuck in a rut make is thinking that their writing sessions are going nowhere. Rather than view the writing session from a negative perspective – which often leads to a sour attitude when approaching your next session – instead look at it as a positive learning experience. READ MORE

Self-Publishing Tip: Developmental Edit Guides Author Through Writing
Authors who haven’t started penning their book and need guidance through the writing process typically need developmental editing. READ MORE

This Week’s Podcast: Be a Better Writer by Empowering Your Reader
When you empower your reader, you become a better writer. To empower your reader means respecting his intelligence. LISTEN TO PODCAST

Book Marketing Tip: Devise Plan to Market Your Self-Published Book
It’s the rare book that somehow goes virulent and captures the public’s attention and admiration all on its own. Indeed, around 800 books are published daily in just the United States alone, so no matter how good your book is, the odds of it even being noticed are nil at best. The reality is that indie authors and those who self-publish need to market their own books. READ MORE

Client Spotlight: “The Sound of the Wind in the Leaves” by Jana Meador
A few years ago, I edited this historical fiction novel, and the power of its writing has stuck with me ever since. Jana Meador’s The Sound of the Wind in the Leaves begins in 1916 when seventeen-year-old Eva leaves her small Bohemian village to work on an English estate, setting in motion the incredible story of one family’s struggle to ensure their brick building business and household survive the Great Depression, Nazi occupation, and a communist takeover. Across three generations, they discover that their will is indomitable, so long as they retain their traditions, remain steadfast in their love for one another, and never let go of their values…but the inner calls to do so – like the sound of the wind in the leaves – are not always easy to hear amid the world’s drumbeats of greed and war. CHECK IT OUT

$25 Off Your Next Edit!
For being a newsletter subscriber, please take $25 off your next edit with Inventing Reality Editing Service. When scheduling your edit, be sure to mention you’re a subscriber and give the email where you received this newsletter. Minimum order of $200. Offer expires Sept. 8, 2026. SCHEDULE EDIT

My name is Rob Bignell. I’m an affordable, professional editor who runs Inventing Reality Editing Service, which meets the manuscript needs of both aspiring and published writers and offers a variety of self-publishing services. During the past 15 years, I’ve helped more than 425 novelists and nonfiction authors obtain their publishing dreams at reasonable prices. I’m also the author of a novel, the Storytelling 101 Quick Read series, four children’s books, more than 25 bestselling hiking guidebooks, and even a book of poetry. Several of my short stories in the literary and science fiction genres also have been published.