Lately, I am seeing more and more authors mix genre elements like fantasy with mystery, romance with thriller, sci-fi with cozy, etc. It’s exciting because it allows stories to feel fresh and gives readers surprising combinations they didn’t even know they wanted. Blending genres can do multiple things for an audience including: ✅ Allow you to reach a new audience ✅ Give you unique positioning in a crowded market ✅ Help you write with tropes in a way that feels new ✅ Keep your creativity alive and challenged That said, blending genres does require some precision: - You still want to deliver the core experience readers expect from each genre you include - If you blend fantasy with romance, for example, make sure both the magical world and the relationship arc satisfy those reader bases. 👉 I’m curious: Are you writing in any blended genres? Or is there a combo you’d love to try?

Do promo sites and Amazon free days actually work?Or are we all just clicking “book now” and hoping for the best? Maybe you’ve: - Booked one random promo and crossed your fingers - Used your free days without much of a strategy - Wondered if stacking sites really makes a difference - Or avoided it altogether because you don’t want to waste money Most authors simply haven’t been shown a clear, repeatable system. That’s exactly why I created Stack & Scale Week (Feb 23–27). This isn’t about hacking algorithms. It's not about chasing a badge. And it’s definitely not about throwing money at promo sites and praying. It’s about being intentional! Inside Stack & Scale Week, I’ll walk you through step by step how to: • Set a realistic promo budget (without overspending) • Choose reputable promo sites that reach real readers • Stack promos strategically during your free or discounted days • Track and evaluate results so you can refine and repeat Marketing your books should never feel like a gamble. It should feel like a plan! A strategy. When promo weeks are done thoughtfully, they can support: ✔ Reader growth ✔ List building ✔ Long-term momentum ✔ Honest reviews and social proof No hype. No overnight fame promises. Just strategy you can implement and feel good about. If you want more clarity around how to approach promo stacking wisely, I’d love to have you join us! 👉 Join Stack & Scale Week here: https://www.lornakbailey.com/stack-scale-week And I’m curious — what’s been your experience with promo sites so far? Let’s talk about it below. 💬

Every author has THAT author! The one whose books make you want to run back to your keyboard, rethink a scene, or fall in love with storytelling all over again. I've even told my husband (who is also an author) - I want to write books that make me feel how this author does! Specifically, when I'm reading a good book, it feels like a treat. I can't wait to wrap myself up in bed at night and jump back into the story. 👉 I’d love to know: Who is your favorite author or the author who most inspires your own writing? It can be someone whose craft you admire, whose voice you love, or whose career path motivates you. Drop a name (and feel free to share why if you want!). Let’s build a little inspiration list.

This past weekend was heavy. Many of us woke up, went about our days, and just felt it: a tightness, a weariness, the way everyday moments feel harder to move through. (If you’re in the U.S., you’ve likely heard about the recent fatal shooting involving federal agents and the grief and tension it’s sparked across communities. That along with the worry of loved ones in the Eastern states battling an insane winter storm and cold!) On Sunday evening I found myself exhausted in a way that had nothing to do with productivity — but everything to do with feeling the weight of the world. All I kept thinking was: "I can’t wait to crawl into bed and disappear into my book for a while." I’ve heard authors ask, “What’s the point of writing when life feels so hard?” Writing is not an escape from reality. . . it’s a way of expressing it. Stories are how we make sense of the world around us. They help us grapple with pain, process emotions, and find connection when it feels like everything else is fragmented and crazy. That’s why, when a character feels real (not just a collection of traits), it matters! When you get inside their head, when you understand not just what they do, but why they feel the way they feel — that’s when your stories start to resonate with readers on a deeper level. That's when lives are changed. People are motivated. They find the spark to just. Keep. Going. For a character to feel real, they need: 1. Depth of backstory — not just facts, but emotional history 2. Clear motivations — what they want and what they fear 3. Consistency with complexity — real people have contradictions, and so should your characters If you’re finding yourself wrestling with emotion right now (let's be honest, who isn’t?), you might find it helpful to pour some of that into your writing — letting your characters live inside those questions and feelings. And of course if you write nonfiction, sharing what you know and how it can help people.

One of the most meaningful (and often overlooked) parts of being an author isn’t just selling books. . . it’s building connection. Readers who feel seen and valued don’t just read one book, they stick around! Building community doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. It can start small: - Replying to reader emails or DMs - Asking questions in your newsletter - Sharing behind-the-scenes moments of your writing life - Creating a space (like a Facebook group, Discord, or newsletter replies) where readers can interact with you and each other Community grows through consistency and genuine care, not perfection or constant selling. 👉 How do you currently connect with your readers? Or if you’re just starting out, what’s one way you’d like to build more connection?