Make writing progress fun again: Join our writing & editing quests!


Don’t want to get any more emails in the next few weeks about the Just Keep Writing membership? Click here and we’ll keep you off this round of emails. You’ll still get regular updates from me, just not about the membership.

Hey Reader,

Sometimes writing feels magical.

Sometimes it feels...like dragging yourself through partially dried cement.

We get it. And that’s why inside Book Boss: Just Keep Writing, we’ve created challenges that help you build momentum—without the guilt, pressure, or burnout.

Here’s how you can jump in:


👑 Quest for the Author’s Crown (Drafting Challenge)

  • Write 5,000 words? You earn a Writing Gem.
  • Stack six Gems (30,000 words total), and you’ll be awarded the fabled Author’s Crown.
  • Start anytime. Go at your own pace. No deadlines—just milestones and celebration.

Here’s a peek at the welcome card that kicks off your quest:


🧙‍♀️ The Manuscript Alchemist’s Workshop (Editing Challenge)

  • As you revise, every 10% of your manuscript earns you a magical Alchemical Sigil.
  • Complete your full revision to receive the Alchemist’s Grimoire—your symbol of editorial mastery.
  • Track your progress by scenes, chapters, word count—whatever works best for your brain.

Here’s a glimpse of your first sigil:


🌸 May Flowers Writing Challenge (Daily Momentum Challenge)

Starting May 5, we’re kicking off the May Flowers Challenge—designed to help you build sustainable, daily writing habits with small, focused tasks posted Monday through Friday.

  • 20 weekday writing actions + 2 bonus activities
  • Light, achievable tasks—no big word count goals
  • Focused on growth, consistency, and steady blooms 🌸

If you've been waiting for the perfect time to reset your writing rhythm... this is it.


Whether you’re writing, revising, or just trying to reconnect with your story, there’s a path here for you.

👉 Start your quest and join Just Keep Writing

Writing a book—and nurturing a writing life—is a long journey.

You deserve to collect crowns, sigils, and blooms along the way. ✨

~Angela

P.S. All challenges are completely optional and no one is expected to join--you may find that this is one aspect of the community that's not for you, while you utilize other aspects of the community (like co-writing, accountability and writing sprints).

Jump in when you’re ready, move at your own pace, and celebrate your progress every step of the way.

Not interested in the Just Keep Writing membership right now? No worries! Click here to opt out of this promo series—you’ll still stay on my main list for all the regular content and updates.

Angela James

Join my newsletter for publishing, writing and marketing tips and advice! Angela James (she/her) is a #1 New York Times bestselling fiction freelance editor and author career coach, and has enjoyed two decades in genre fiction publishing. She's edited bestselling books and authors, including the #1 New York Times bestselling Paper Princess by Erin Watt, as well as hundreds of other authors such as Mariah Stewart, Shelly Laurenston/G.A. Aiken, A.C. Arthur, Jaci Burton, Ilona Andrews, Alexa Riley, Lilith Saintcrow, Josh Lanyon, K.A. Mitchell, Shannon Stacey, and more. She is also the creator of Before You Hit Send: a popular online self-editing and writing workshop as well as Book Boss: From Written to Recommended, a supportive and growing author community. For more information about Angela’s freelance editorial and consulting services visit angelajames.co.

Read more from Angela James

Don’t want to get any more emails in the next few weeks about the Just Keep Writing membership? Click here and we’ll keep you off this round of emails. You’ll still get regular updates from me, just not about the membership. Hey Reader, Are you looking for a super low pressure writing challenge to help you put some focus on your writing habit? Our May Flowers Writing Challenge kicked off today in the Just Keep Writing Membership and there's still plenty of time for you to join this week. This...

Don’t want to get any more emails in the next few weeks about the Just Keep Writing membership? Click here and we’ll keep you off this round of emails. You’ll still get regular updates from me, just not about the membership. Hey Reader, Let’s talk about something that matters deeply to me—and to the Just Keep Writing community: Inclusion. Not in the “corporate checklist” kind of way. Not as a buzzword. But as an intentional, ongoing commitment to making this space feel safer, more welcoming,...

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