Ross Browne at The Editorial Department, LLC

05/18/2026

Any S.A.Cosby Author fans who happen to be writers with a few moments to spare?

05/14/2026

Very pleased to share this updated, new-and-improved list of books on writing craft our editors love best.

Explore the best books on writing, curated by professional editors. From fiction craft and story structure to style, revision, and screenwriting, these help novelists, memoirists, and storytellers improve their craft.

05/06/2026

Barbara Taylor Bradford once described what it takes to be a great writer — a clear sense of storytelling and the ability to create unforgettable characters.

Beyond the iconic Emma Harte, BTB has gifted us with so many memorable characters over the years.

Which of Barbara’s characters have stayed with you long after you turned the last page? Comment below ⬇️

05/05/2026

We've updated this EDITOR'S EAVESDROP piece, which provides an insider's guide to maximizing the appeal of your book proposal to literary agents and publishers. We also added a downloadable checklist to help you hone your submission and publishing strategy--and avoid missteps. http://www.editorialdepartment.com/editors-eavesdrop-what-agents-and-acquisitions-editors-really-want-in-a-nonfiction-book-proposal/

04/28/2026

Reviewing JUDGE STONE by James Patterson and Viola Davis this week. Interesting read with some interesting challenges!

04/07/2026

Are your antagonists too one-sidedly evil? Rebecca Forster's HOSTIILE WITNESS is a terrific legal thriller that provides a cautionary tale about how one-dimensional villains can hurt your story. https://www.editorialdepartment.com/review-of-hostile-witness-by-rebecca-forster/

03/24/2026

How many of King’s 93 books (including the upcoming third Talisman book) have you read?

Follow for more: Lilja's Library - The World of Stephen King

03/04/2026

Another challenge presented by AI for working authors. (Sigh...) Cant say I blame him!

Today in “Things that ‘AI’ has ruined”: No, I won’t be able to show up to your book club’s online/offline gathering, and the reason for this is simple: I, and li…

02/26/2026

Revisiting this topic today after finishing John Kenney’s I SEE YOU’VE CALLED IN DEAD (loved it—review coming soon!). His opening grabbed me immediately:

The good news, of course, is that someone died today. That can out wrong.

My name is Bud Stanley. I am an obituary writer...

If you write in the first person, you might enjoy this breakdown of how ten bestselling authors introduce their protagonists--and the techniques they use to make those openings memorable.

Editor and writing coach Ross Browne explores the art and craft of introducing your novel's narrator when writing in the first person.

10/14/2025