Author Stories — Fortelling Blog

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: "A Beta Reader Stole My Book" — With A.E. Ward (The Second Thread)

What happens when one of the people you trust with your creative writing turns out to be a digital pirate? For one UK-based author, this was a nightmare that became a reality. Read on for a raw, vulnerable interview detailing the experience.

Will Irvine

September 30, 2026

author-stories

Author Stories

BETA READER BETRAYAL: One Author's Story Of Theft — A Prevention Guide

We all know about beta readers. They’re the ones we trust to share our work with and seek feedback from — but what happens when a trusted reader steals your work and publishes it as their own? This isn’t just a scary hypothetical! Read this week’s blog for the story, and some tips on how to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

LET’S TALK ABOUT: The Em-Dash and The Recent AI Controversy

What is the history of the "em-dash", why and how is it used, and why has there been controversy surrounding it recently? Find out inside this week’s Fortelling Writers’ Blog.

FIRST WORDS: 5 Tips For How To Craft A Good First Sentence And Hook Your Readers

How do you hook a reader from the very first sentence? In this first Writing Tips blog, here are a few methods worth trying to pull readers into your story straight away.

Best writing app with sync and no AI for Novelist - Fortelling 5.0

What is new in Fortelling 5.0? Family trees: Map character dynasties across generations. Board tools: Draw, add stickers, and export boards as PNG or PDF. Writing motivation: Set flexible goals, run writing sprints, and track progress. Improved statistics: Review pace, momentum, records, and productive days. Widgets and sharing: Surface progress on your home screen or share it.