Vaughn Roycroft

Reading as an Agent Two very recent WU posts (HERE and HERE) got me thinking about how I read. In one mode, I read manuscripts with an agent’s eyes. In another mode, I read novels (published or pre-) as a craft analys…

Curious about what a literary agent is looking for in a reading experience? Agent, author, and teacher Don Maass shares his reading mindset, today at WU.

Lovely essay.

Can’t wait for this one! Grab your coffee and join us. ☕️

Who Are You? Part Two Do you remember the scene in that classic film What about Bob? in which Bob arranges to have himself tied to the mast of a sailboat? He wants to be included in his friends’ activities despit…

Identity, both as perceived by oneself or by society, strongly affects characterization. Kristin Hacken South delves the depths of character, using herself, living in Egypt, as an example. A fascinating post, today at WU.

You’re the best!

The Twilight of Literacy…? I swear, I know what the word doomscrolling means. After all, it’s been around since the twenty-teens, and was added to dictionaries several years ago now. I’ve regularly used the term, even in ess…

'Reading fiction builds empathy, strengthens our patience ...broadens our understanding of the world beyond our horizons.' But are we seeing 'the sunset of literacy'? Powerful warning from @vaughnroycroft.bsky.social writerunboxed.com/2026/02/25/t... #writingcommunity #books

Trying to turn my fear into hope, one reading session at a time. Care to join me?

On Magic and Spirituality in Story It might be a surprise to some of you that, when it comes to magic in story, WU’s resident fantasy geek (yours truly) is not the most ardent proponent. This is the case in regard to both my reading…

This is a fascinating article from @vaughnroycroft.bsky.social over at @writerunboxed.bsky.social on the use of magic and spirituality in stories.

Practicing Radical Gratitude Though today’s post is not an insightful rumination on fiction craft or the publishing business, and isn’t as polished as I might wish it to be, I hope you’ll stick with me. This is a post about gr…

What do you have to be “radically grateful” for? Author Therese Anne Fowler celebrates finding her way home, today at WU.

🖐️🐉Review alert!🐉🖐️

To Touch a Silent Fury by @rasandpiper.bsky.social

This book was phenomenal with some of the best 1st POV prose I've ever read. Highly recommend this one!

Full review at FanFiAddict, link below #booksky

The Oathsworn Legacy by K.R. Gangi YouTube video by Willow Wraith Press

Mini book rec Monday! #booksky 📚

The Oathsworn Legacy by KR Gangi

- Witcher-esque monster slaying 🧌⚔️
- Brotherly banter 🗣️
- Conspiracies & mercenaries 🗡️🛡️
- Lots of action 🧨

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzLG...

😮‍💨 I needed this today.

The Parent Trap: Regulations for the Fictional Parent In fiction, it is not at all uncommon to meet characters whose parents are lacking in some regard or another. Some parents are physically present but emotionally distant; some die for the sake of t…

Parents are often distant or missing in stories—particularly in the fantasy genre. Author Kit Aldridge explores the ways parents can deepen or even elevate a story, today at WU.

1. It was not an accident.
2. It was not a staffer.
3. While the president may have dementia his racism is not due to dementia.
4. He isn’t sorry. He means every racist thought he shares.
5. His base agrees with him.
6. He will do it again.
7. No one in power will hold him accountable.

The Greengrocer Writes a Fantasy Novel “…spent years running from the prince who bound her into his service.” “…a runaway queen and a reluctant prince are thrown together on a quest…” “…as her kingdom barrels toward destruction…” “…King…

Why are so many fantasy books and series centered around monarchy? What are the alternatives? Kelsey Allagood explores fantasy’s royal problems and solutions, today at WU.

A provocative, timely, and necessary essay.

Radical Immersion: Becoming Your Character We hear actors talk about immersing themselves into a character, often using techniques rooted in the methods of the great character actor and director Konstantin Stanislavski. But why don’t we tal…

You’ve heard of method acting—deep immersion that carries on past “cut!” Why not try method writing? Author Boo Walker walks us through it, today at WU.

I needed this essay today. 🙏

Looking To Reclaim a Rhythm There’s been a palpable feeling here on WU through the opening weeks of 2026. Behind many of the posts and comments I’m sensing alarm and outrage, disappointment and sadness over the state of the w…

There are times when our work seems trivial and inadequate. But, says @vaughnroycroft.bsky.social @writerunboxed.bsky.social, it's how we reclaim and fight for our humanity writerunboxed.com/2026/01/26/l... #writinglife #writingcommunity #authorlife

Looking To Reclaim a Rhythm There’s been a palpable feeling here on WU through the opening weeks of 2026. Behind many of the posts and comments I’m sensing alarm and outrage, disappointment and sadness over the state of the w…

Chaotic times have you alarmed? Disappointed? Angry? Distracted? Author Vaughn Roycroft makes the case that doing your work is an act of rebellion, today at WU.

Last of the Atalanteans Discussion With Friends YouTube video by Zachary Shaye

**SPOILER FILLED**
So honoured by such a wonderful group of minds chatting about
Book 2 in my Drowned Kingdom Saga
THE LAST OF THE ATALANTEANS!
If you've read the book, hope you watch and find it insightful!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7ug...

This.👇

20 Years: A Writer Unboxed Milestone — and a CONTEST This week marks our 20th year online here at Writer Unboxed, and I hope you’ll indulge a little reflection. First, the personal. Guys! Twenty years! What an incredible ride it’s been as…

WU turns 20 today! And we’re celebrating with pie! And a contest! Stop by and join the fun, today at WU.

My Secret Love Affair For many of us, it is so hard to focus right now. Writing can seem impossible. Even reading, almost always a source of comfort, is a struggle. So where then can we turn for escape, for inspiration?…

In times of crisis, it can be difficult to focus. We writers can find difficulty writing. Or even reading. Author Liz Michalski shares her newfound love of poetry, and how it helps her cope, today at WU.

Who Are You? A Writer’s Take Who are you? When you meet someone new, how do you answer this question? You might start with your name, but after that, how do you describe yourself to a stranger? What aspects of yourself do you …

How do we claim our identity as a writer? How do we continue to do so? Author (and scholar and mother and…) Kristin Hacken South explores embracing identity, today at WU.

The Sum of Our Longings Come to me in my dreams, and then By day I shall be well again! For so the night will more than pay The hopeless longing of the day. From Longing by Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) Several years ago, I …

“Goals, desires, wants orient us to a character’s surface motivations. Longings reveal who they really are.” Author Julie Christine Johnson explores character via longing, today at WU.

Have you ever wondered if The Sundered Nation Trilogy is for you?

Have you ever had the kindest reviewer make your month? 🙏🤯

#Epstein

#EpsteinFiles

85 Indie SFF Authors You Should Read in the Next 85 months YouTube video by The Drowned Kingdom Saga

My YouTube recs for
85 Indie SFF Authors
You Should Read
in the Next 85 months !!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLCp...

What Else? A few days ago my journaling prompt* was, CURSED DAYS, which was, in turn, based on a prompt from Molly Prentiss called WHAT ELSE? Both prompt titles felt way too on the nose for the state of thing…

Feeling overwhelmed? Author Natalie Hart shares an exercise to help us move forward. It starts with asking “what else?” Today at WU.