The Caffeinated Writer | Michelle Richmond | Substack

An Index of Writing & Publishing Posts from The Caffeinated Writer

essays on the craft of fiction. submission opportunities. inspiration for writers

Dec 31, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

The Last Long Night

a weekend story prompt and guided writing exercise

16 hrs ago • Michelle Richmond

How to Be Kind to Your Readers

Why clarity makes for good storytelling

Feb 10 • Michelle Richmond

Writing, Publishing, and Literary Substacks to Read in 2026

Morning coffee was a little different this year.

Dec 27, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

12 Grants, Awards, and Publishing Opportunities for Writers Over 50

Plus success stories of writers who started later in life

Dec 24, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

Most Popular

Becoming a Writer Later in Life: How to Start Writing After 50

Nov 20, 2023 • Michelle Richmond

What Publishers Do for Authors

Apr 27, 2024 • Michelle Richmond

On Writing: 13 Great Books for Writers

Nov 6, 2022 • Michelle Richmond

How to Write a Novel: 10 Steps to Get You Started

Jul 1, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

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Craft

How to Be Kind to Your Readers

Why clarity makes for good storytelling

Feb 10 • Michelle Richmond

Break Through Writer's Block with a Narrative Experiment

7 Story Structures to Try

Dec 2, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

How to Write Description in Fiction: Minimalism, Meaning, and a Red Wheelbarrow

on minimalism and meaning in fiction

Nov 20, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

I Went to Costa Rica to Find the Heart of My Novel

I went to Costa Rica to finish my novel. It made all the difference.

Jul 21, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

Publishing

Why Now Is a Great Time to Be a Debut Author

And How a Small Book Advance Can Set You Up for Long-Term Success

Oct 13, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

Five Fiction Writing Contests, plus a Call for Novella Submissions

Do you have flash fiction, a short story, or an unpublished story collection?

Jun 22, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

How One Professor Helped His Students Publish 95 Books

Plus two great resources for nonfiction book proposals

May 26, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

The Best Book Formatting Software for Independent Publishing

How to Create Beautiful Paperbacks and Ebooks the Easy Way

Apr 19, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

How to Break into Publishing Without a Referral

Two Strategies That Work Better Than the Slush Pile

Apr 11, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

Substack for Authors

17:29

What Makes a Successful Substack Post?

Watch now | a deep dive into one of my most popular posts, and an analysis of why it resonated with readers

May 18, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

Substack for Authors

Launch an author newsletter on Substack, write posts that resonate, and reach new readers

May 17, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

I Write Four Substacks Because I Drink Too Much Coffee

Here's why I have four instead of one, and what I've learned in the process.

Feb 5, 2025 • Michelle Richmond

How to Start an Author Newsletter on Substack

7 tips for writers on what to post, how often to send your newsletter, how to use paid subscriptions, and how to repurpose your existing writing

Aug 21, 2024 • Michelle Richmond

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