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Series:Grammar
Topics:Barnes & NobleBest seller EbooksBook PrintingBook Publishing In NigeriaBook Publishing ServicesEbookEditingFlorida AuthorsHow To Publish Your Own BookHow to writeIndependent AuthorsNigerian PublisherNon-FictionProfessional services
What Is a Novella? Definition, Word Count and How It Differs from a Novel
A novella sits between a short story and a novel: 17,500 to under 40,000 words under the Nebula rules. What makes one, with examples and a self-check.
Simile vs metaphor: the difference, and how to use each well
A simile compares with like or as; a metaphor states one thing is another. Here is when each works, the mistakes to avoid, and a four-question test for your own draft.
Passive voice: when it's actually correct (with examples)
Passive voice is not an error. It is a shift in emphasis that is right when the doer is unknown, obvious or unimportant, and wrong when it hides responsibility.
Em dash vs en dash: which one, and when (a writer's rule)
The em dash marks a pause, the en dash marks a range, and the hyphen joins one compound word. Here is how to tell them apart and check your manuscript.
When to Use a Semicolon (and When Not To): Rules and Examples (2026)
A semicolon joins two complete sentences that belong together. The rule, the four tests, and the mistakes that most often go with it.
Lay vs Lie: The Rule, the Tense Table and the Traps (2026)
Lay takes an object; lie does not. The rule, the full tense table, the trap in the past tense, and a one-pass check for your draft.
The 30 most common grammar mistakes (and how to fix each)
Most manuscript errors come from a handful of habits. Here are the 30 most common grammar mistakes, grouped in five families, with a fix for each.
Protagonist vs antagonist: what each one actually is (with examples)
Protagonist and antagonist describe roles in a story's conflict, not moral standing. Here is the difference, with examples and a simple test.
Compliment vs complement: how to keep them straight
A compliment is praise; a complement completes or matches something. Here is the quick test, plus complimentary vs complementary.
Bear with me or bare with me? The one you actually want (2026)
Bear with me means please be patient; bare means uncovered. Here is the one-question test and why spellcheck misses this homophone slip.