Behind the Book | Author Feature Series

Behind the Book

Behind the Book banner with an open journal, fountain pen, floral background, and the tagline Every Book Has a Story Before Chapter One.

Every author has a story that never made it into the book.

Welcome

Books don't simply appear on bookstore shelves. Long before Chapter One is written, there are moments of inspiration, years of research, unexpected discoveries, and personal experiences that shape every story.

Behind the Book is an original feature series where authors step away from the book blurb and invite readers into their creative journey. Here, they share the inspiration, research, unexpected discoveries, and personal experiences that shaped their books. From stubborn characters to fascinating historical details, readers get a glimpse into the creative journey behind every story.

Whether you're a lifelong reader, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about the creative process, I hope these features help you connect with books in a whole new way.

New to Behind the Book? Every feature explores the inspiration, research, and personal experiences that shaped a book-not simply the book itself.

What Makes a Great Behind the Book Feature?

The best Behind the Book articles don't sell a book-they tell a story.

I'm looking for thoughtful, engaging articles that help readers understand what inspired your work or what happened along the way.

Some ideas include:

  • The real-life inspiration behind your novel
  • The research rabbit hole you never expected
  • A place that became one of your characters
  • A family story that inspired your plot
  • The scene that almost didn't make the book
  • The character who surprised you
  • Lessons learned while writing
  • A historical mystery you couldn't let go
  • Why this particular story needed to be told
  • An unforgettable writing experience

Readers remember the stories behind a book long after they've forgotten the blurb.

Submission Guidelines

Participation is by invitation or proposal. I welcome thoughtful submissions that fit the spirit of the series.

Length

Approximately 700-900 words is ideal. If your story needs a little more room, that's perfectly fine-I'll work with you to make sure it fits the feature while preserving your voice.

Tone

  • Conversational
  • Personal
  • Story-driven
  • Reader-focused

Think of it as telling a fascinating story over coffee.

Please Avoid

  • Book blurbs
  • Sales pitches
  • "Buy my book" articles
  • AI-generated content
  • Previously published articles (unless we've discussed it)

Images

You're welcome to include:

  • Author photos
  • Research photos
  • Historical images (if you own or have permission)
  • Maps
  • Travel photos
  • Writing notebooks
  • Anything that helps tell your story

Three to eight images usually work well.

Editing

I reserve the right to make light edits for:

  • Grammar
  • Spelling
  • Readability
  • Formatting
  • SEO

Your voice and message will always remain intact.

What You Can Expect

Every accepted Behind the Book feature includes:

  • Professional formatting and layout
  • Images optimized for the web
  • Relevant links to your website, books, and related content
  • Promotion across my website, newsletter, and social media channels
  • Feature in my Friday Finds newsletter whenever possible
  • A permanent home in the Behind the Book archive

Explore Behind the Book

Want to see what a finished Behind the Book feature looks like? Explore these author stories and discover the inspiration, research, and unexpected journeys behind the books.

Behind the Book: When One Story Becomes Four with Patricia Furstenberg
Discover how research for When Secrets Bloom grew into four stories inspired by medieval Transylvania, forgotten lives, family legacies, and characters who refused to disappear.

Behind the Book: The Forest Exiles Saga by Mark J. Engels
Mark J. Engels shares the story behind The Forest Exiles Saga and the books he had in his heart to write-the kind of stories he wanted to read but couldn't find.

Behind the Book: Rübezahl by M. Laszlo
M. Laszlo shares how an off-season stay at Chautauqua Institution, political tensions, and Central European folklore helped shape the atmosphere, themes, and world of Rübezahl.

Is every proposal accepted?

Because Behind the Book is a curated editorial feature, I can't guarantee every proposal will be accepted. I'm looking for articles that fit the spirit of the series and will resonate with my readers.

Before You Submit...

"Would this still be interesting if the reader never bought my book?"

If the answer is yes, you're probably on the right track.

Ready to Share Your Story?

I'd love to hear your idea! Send me an email with the information below, and I'll personally review your proposal. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

When you're ready to submit your proposal, please include the following information:

  • Your name
  • Email address
  • Website (if applicable)
  • Book title
  • Proposed article title
  • A brief summary of your article (2-3 sentences)
  • Approximate word count
  • Your completed article as an attachment
  • Any images you'd like included with your feature

Questions before submitting? Feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to discuss ideas before you start writing.


Submit Your Proposal by Email

Looking for other ways to collaborate? Visit my Work With Me page.

If you're interested in a book review instead, please visit my Review Policy.