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Ibukun
A blessing that arises after hardship.
Welcome to the official blog publication of ALCG Books. Ibukun Journal is your source for craft, creativity, and connection on writing and literature.
Writing in a New Era of Book Bans
In recent years, the United States has seen a significant surge in book bans. PEN America found that over 10,000 unique titles were banned
ALCG Books
Feb 152 min read
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Can Aristotle's Rhetoric Teach Us Something About Writing Fiction?
Fiction, at its heart, is an art of persuasion. Though we may not think of novels, short stories, or plays as persuasive arguments ...
Toyin Adeyemi, ALCG Books
Jan 275 min read
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Writing for Emotional Resonance
When was the last time you read a book or novel that lingered in your mind long after you turned the last page?
ALCG Books
Jan 144 min read
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Mastering the Art of "Subtext" in Fiction
Subtext allows writers to reveal the inner thoughts, desires, and motivations of characters without stating them explicitly.
ALCG Books
Feb 18, 20242 min read
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How To Apply the "Unreliable Narrator" Technique
One powerful literary technique used to keep readers engaged is a device called the unreliable narrator. Here's how to apply the technique.
ALCG Books
Feb 17, 20242 min read
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How to Write a Query Letter Like a Pro
Here's how to write a query letter that stands out and increases your chances of gaining representation.
ALCG Books
Feb 12, 20245 min read
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A Brief Guide to Finding The Right Literary Agent
The publishing experts at ALCG Books have compiled this checklist to help you know what to prioritize while searching for a literary agent.
ALCG Books
Feb 12, 20242 min read
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How to Keep Your Readers Engaged Until the End
Imagine that you've crafted an impressive novel, building tension, developing characters, and leading your readers to the climax.
ALCG Books
Feb 7, 20244 min read
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How "Defamiliarization" Works to Keep Readers Reading
As writers, we know what goes into great storytelling, but when we sit down to write, words sometimes fail us. Sometimes our imaginations ..
ALCG Books
Oct 2, 20233 min read
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The Editing Process: How to Prepare Your Creative Writing for Publication
Writer Zadie Smith put it aptly in her 2008 essay, That Crafty Feeling: "The secret to editing your work is simple: you need to become its
ALCG Books
Jul 17, 20233 min read
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2023 PEN America World Voices Festival: Ottessa Moshfegh Asks Writers "Why Write?"
As the 2023 PEN World Voices Festival kicked off on May 10th, Ottessa Moshfegh curated a panel that explored the very essence of writing.
Toyin Adeyemi, ALCG Books
May 13, 20233 min read
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Pen World Voices Festival 2023: A Celebration of Great Literature Amid Censorship and Silence
Follow ALCG and our CEO Toyin Adeyemi as we cover events featuring some of the most prominent writers in global literature today.
ALCG Books
May 5, 20233 min read
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Finding Your Writing Voice: Tips for Developing a Unique Style
When it comes to writing, the question of "voice" affects new and published writers alike. Learn why it's important and gain some tips.
ALCG Books
Apr 5, 20232 min read
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Books and Beverages
Here's what we're reading these days. By ALCG Books February 19, 2023, 8 a.m. PT Mamme by Jessica George (2023). The British-Ghanaian...
ALCG Books
Feb 27, 20231 min read
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Traditional vs. Self-Publishing
In the past, the traditional publishing route was the only viable option for most writers to get their books into the hands of readers. But
ALCG Books
Feb 18, 20234 min read
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How Literary Consulting Works
Literary consulting is the process of working with an expert in the literary industry to help refine and develop a writer's work.
ALCG Books
Feb 18, 20232 min read
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