THE BLOG

No-fluff guidance on writing, editing, and publishing nonfiction.

This is where I ungatekeep the writing process, the craft decisions, the editorial mechanics, the publishing strategy, and the honest take on everything the industry loves to overcomplicate — no “just try harder” or AI templates here.

FREE RESOURCES

Must-have tools for writers

A supplement to the archive of blog articles, the resource library includes guides, courses, and templates ready for you to download and use to jumpstart your author journey.

access the resource library

A free, 5-day email course titled "Ready to Write" by Ellen Polk. This course is designed to help writers use the expertise, stories, and content you already have to create a nonfiction book worth publishing.

A free resource for writers titled "The Author's Guide to Hiring an Editor." Use this guide to help you understand where, when, and how to find freelance book editors. Includes 21 questions you should ask an editor before you hire them.

Ellen Polk 8/13/26 Ellen Polk 8/13/26

Will AI replace editors? A book editor's honest answer

A book editor who saw the AI wave coming in 2022 gives her honest take about what AI can and can't do, why human editors aren't going anywhere, and what this actually means for authors.

Get this kind of guidance in your inbox — free, weekly, no fluff.

BUCKET LIST TO BOOKSHELF ®