Using trademarks in fiction (plus the MEGALIST of trademarks)
What are trademarks, and can you use them in your book? Learn all about trademarks in fiction (plus my megalist of trademarks).
Accents on French words in English (when to include them)
When writing a French word in English text, should you include the original accents? Cafe or café? Chateau or château? Facade or façade?
English phrases with a military origin (who knew?)
The military origin of these common English phrases may take you by surprise. Learn where ‘blockbuster’, ‘moaning Minnie’ and other sayings come from.
Capitalisation of animal breeds
Should guinea/Guinea pig be capitalised? How about chihuahua/Chihuahua and labrador/Labrador? Read on to discover when to capitalise dog breeds and other animal names.
How to use ellipses (… a complete guide)
Knowing how to use an ellipsis can be confusing. A space before the ellipsis or not? Spaces in between the three dots or not? Fear not. This guide will tell you all you need to know.
Common English phrases involving animals
How many of these everyday phrases involving animals do you know the origin of? Some may surprise you.
The 12 Days of Christmas Editor Edit
Enjoy this cheesy festive treat – The 12 Days of Christmas rewritten for editors and writers everywhere. Apologies in advance for the singing.
Should authors misspell book titles on purpose? (with lots of examples)
Why do authors and filmmakers use misspelled titles? Discover when intentional misspellings work … and when they don’t.
English words and phrases of (surprising) French origin
How many of these English words and phrases did you realise had a French origin? They’re not obvious, including the British ‘loo’!
Surprising origins of food-related phrases
These common phrases have a food-related theme, but you may be surprised by their origin. Prepare to be amazed!