The Doha Diaries #1: One-Way Tickets and Indemnity Forms, Confiscated and Stripped

I’ve spent the last decade helping authors find the heart of their stories, acting as that voice on their shoulder between a messy first draft and a polished, ready-to-publish book. But lately, I’ve realized I’ve been ignoring a story of my own—one that’s been sitting on a dusty hard drive for nearly two decades. Okay, not dusty, it was in a drawer. I’m digging into my archives and treating my old journals with the same clinical yet caring eye I give my clients—this is terrifying. This will be a series of essays I’m calling "The Doha Diaries," where I’ll be sharing the raw, unvarnished, and very messy lessons of a year that broke me down and built me back up, all while showing you exactly how a publishing partner turns life’s chaos into a narrative that matters.

Settle in and buckle up, you’ll want your beverage of choice for this ride…

The Soul in the Machine vs. The Squeak of the Wicker Chair | A Perspective on the Progression and Importance of Writing Craft

For most of my career, I lived in a world built on logic gates and systems architecture. My daily rhythm was defined by the precision of project management. In that space, your first language isn’t prose; it’s the structured clarity of technical requirements. When you spend decades analyzing how machines process data, you develop a balanced neutrality toward technology. To me, a new piece of software isn’t a monster or a miracle. It is simply a tool—a calculator, a CAD program, or a more efficient way to map a workflow. So, when yet another scandal rocks the publishing industry, I like to take a moment or many to dissect it within the context of my role in this world. And this is where I've landed. Sit tight, it's one heck of a ride...

The Whirlwind, The Wins, and a Little Family Time | Q1 2026 Recap

Hello everyone!

Can we just talk about how 2026 has been an absolute ride already? I’m currently in a serious "clear the decks" mode because life is about to get a bit more personal. Hubby is headed in for knee surgery in just five days, so I’m prepping to be MIA for a bit. I’m taking the first week of April to focus entirely on his recovery (ice packs and TLC on deck!), and then I’ll be sliding back into my work seat during the second week of April.

Beyond the Verdict, the Line in the Sand, and Maybe a Cell Door | Lauren Ashley Mastrosa aka Tori Woods

One year ago, a single book set the publishing world on fire, but today, that fire has finally burned the house down. What started as an experiment in taboo erotic romance has officially ended in a criminal conviction that should terrify every author who thinks their imagination is untouchable. The verdict is in: the eighteen-plus disclaimer is dead, and the cell door is swinging open.

Take a Front-Row Seat in the Publishing Process | Join the Deanna’s World Typo Hunter Team

I’ve always believed that for every beautiful story, there is a meticulous set of eyes that helped it get there. Whether you’re the person who can’t help but spot a typo on a restaurant menu or someone who catches a lingering error in a best-seller, I see you—and I cherish that eagle-eyed nature. I built this community on a deep passion for books, and today, I’m inviting you to take a front-row seat in the final stage of the creative process.

Around the World 175 Times with Gill the Literary Nomad

I’ve always said that reading is my ultimate escape, but y’all, I think Reader Gill might have actually figured out how to fold time and space. I was looking over her 2025 reading logs (she sends them to me every month, for which I am very grateful) and I was very suitably impressed. 175 books in a single year!

2025 Reflections and 2026 Roadmap. Navigating the Zigs and Zags of Publishing

Happy New Year!!

Well, it’s the end of 2025 and the start of 2026, and today, as I write this, the end of the year is looming. I plan to post this on January 1st, and hopefully, I am organised enough to get it done in time. 2025 has been a very eventful year, so this is going to be a long one. Hang tight, grab a cup of coffee or your beverage of choice, and kick back. There’s a lot to cover.

Our Book Club Dines Out on Stanley Tucci. A Recap Served Hot (and with a Side of Controversy!)

I know, I know. My ability to remain consistent with my posting ebbs and flows. Believe me when I say that it is not my intention. I truly had the best of intentions, but this year, my health has been kicking me in the butt and growing older is no joke. But... you're not here for that.

I’m trying something a little different with this new series, so bear with me! Many of you know Deanna's World for its focus on the publishing industry, writing insights, and book-related topics. Lately, I’ve felt the itch to stretch my writing chops in a new direction and bring some fresh variety to what you find here – something purely for the enjoyment of it.

I’m a member of a wonderfully spirited local book club that gathers monthly at a book cafe in town. We choose a book, and the next month, we unpack it with gusto. The conversations are… well, you’re about to find out!

So, to share a slice of that enjoyment and offer a different flavor of writing from my corner, consider this your invitation. Here’s a look at our (not so) recent, rather animated, discussion that's only slightly exaggerated…

The 6% Rule | A Data-Driven Case for Why Reader Loyalty Can't Be Faked

There’s a question I get asked in my inbox at least once a week: a reader, staring at their overflowing Kindle library with a mix of excitement and dread, wondering how on earth they’re supposed to choose what to read next. I smile every time because I get it. I really do. My own Kindle library had become a digital swamp of good intentions. It was a chaotic collection of books downloaded on a whim from a BookTok video, a "must-read" recommendation in a reader group, or an ad that was just too tempting to ignore.

For the CEO Author | A Strategic Partner is for Your Business, A Checklist is for Your Groceries

If you’re an author, your online world is likely flooded with well-meaning advice. You see the "Top 5 Marketing Tips," the "7 Steps to a Perfect Plot," and the endless "how-to" guides promising to unlock the secrets of success. But perhaps you’ve tried them and found they didn't quite fit. Or maybe you've felt a growing sense that a generic checklist, no matter how good, can't possibly solve the unique challenges of your career. If so, this article is for you. I’m not going to give you another list of tips. Instead, I’m going to pull back the curtain on why that model often fails and offer a more powerful framework: understanding your specific "What" and "Why" before you ever get to the "How."

Your Book's Copyright Registration Could Unlock a Payout from the $1.5B Anthropic AI Settlement

A landmark copyright case has resulted in a historic settlement for authors. Here’s what you need to know to determine if you might have a claim.

In the ever-present storm of news about Artificial Intelligence, one story has just broken through that should have every single author sitting up and paying attention. AI company Anthropic, the creator of the model named Claude, has reached a landmark settlement agreement. And the number is staggering: $1.5 billion.

Join the Deanna's World Advance Readers (ARC) Team & Support Authors | Read Books Before They're Released

Hello everyone,

For years, I’ve had the incredible privilege of being a partner in the creative process for hundreds of books. I get to see stories evolve from a flicker of an idea into a fully-realized world. It’s a part of my job that I cherish, and it’s a journey I’ve largely taken behind the scenes with my author clients. Today, I’m so excited to open that door a little wider and invite you to become an even more integral part of bringing these books to life.

The Great Proofing Wars | Love, Honor, and a Red Pen

I’ve always believed that for every professional project, there are two games being played at once. There’s the official game—the one with deadlines, edits, and clients—and then there’s the real game. The one that happens behind the scenes, fueled by inside jokes, questionable negotiations, and the loving, chaotic support of a spouse who knows exactly which buttons to push. In my house, that spouse is Hubby.

Choose Your Game | Why I’m Abandoning the Social Media Hamster Wheel

There’s a feeling many of us in the creative and professional worlds know all too well. It’s the low-grade hum of anxiety that starts on a Sunday night, the feeling that you’re already behind on a week that hasn’t even begun. It’s the pressure to feed the beast—the insatiable, ever-changing social media algorithm. It’s the content hamster wheel, and for years, I was running on it just as fast as everyone else.

Notes from Deanna's Desk #1: Juggling Deadlines and Daydreams

There are two women living inside my head.

One is a productivity machine. She’s an editor and publishing partner who thrives on deadlines, project plans, and the satisfaction of moving a book from a manuscript to a published reality. She loves her work, and she’s good at it. The other woman? She just wants to curl up with a good book, a warm cup of tea, and shut the world out for a little while. She craves slowness, quiet, and the comfort of a familiar story.

A Warm Hug in a Book | Sweet City Hearts & Kisses by Emma Hartlight

Every so often, after working on hundreds of books, you get to be part of a project that feels less like a job and more like coming home. It’s a rare and wonderful feeling, like watching a close friend achieve a lifelong dream. That’s exactly how I feel about Sweet City Hearts & Kisses, the debut collection from a truly special new author, Emma Hartlight. I admit I might be a little biased here, but oh well…

Drastic Stand, National Pain, or Author's Freedom? Unpacking the Sophie Lark KSD Book Destruction

It’s not every day a book publishing story makes you stop. Makes you really think. But a couple of days ago, news crossed my feed that did just that. A Ukrainian publishing house, KSD, made a dramatic decision. They wouldn't just stop selling books by romance author Sophie Lark. They would destroy a massive print run – some 30,000 copies, it seems – of her novel, "Brutal Prince."

Human vs. AI Narration for Romance Authors. Making the Right Audiobook Choice

We kicked off this series by diving into the exciting world of audiobooks – a world that's booming, especially for us romance authors and readers. We also introduced the new kid on the block, AI narration, and the siren song of "free" audio offered by platforms like KDP Virtual Voice. But the question that lingered, the one that's probably been buzzing in your mind, is all about quality. Can a computer really capture the passion, the heartbreak, the sheer feeling of a romance novel?

Unlock More with Deanna's World. Our Newsletter is Moving to Substack

Hello everyone, and thanks for being such a valued part of our community here at Deanna’s World. I’m dropping in with a little bit of housekeeping news today – something I’m actually quite excited about and wanted to share with you all straight away. Our newsletter, your regular dose of author support insights and romance read discussions, is getting a new home!

Boycotting Amazon? Skipping Kindle? Reader Power, Author Livelihoods, and Who Really Pays

I’ve been seeing quite a few conversations online recently, like the one mentioning how easy it can be to remove American products or companies from daily life – switching from an American fast food chain (like Maccas!) to a local spot, or swapping a Kindle for a Kobo. And honestly? My first reaction was… well, let's just say it involved a fair bit of steam coming out of my ears. I actually typed out a whole rant – angry, frustrated, probably a bit self-righteous – ready to hit 'post' on social media.