TAYLOR ENGLE ANDERSON BRAIN

Five small ways to conjure rest, renewal, and radiant skin this Halloween. There’s more than one reason we all adore this season: the air is crisp with change, the veil between worlds feels a little thinner, and our bodies beg us for slower rituals and deeper rest. Halloween doesn’t have to be just costumes and candy. It can also be a time to honor your body, your energy, and your inner witch. Here are a few small rituals I’ve been loving lately: 1. Draw a Bath and Banish the

In today’s digital world, being a talented writer doesn’t feel like enough anymore. Your words might be brilliant, but if no one knows who you are, they can easily get lost in the noise of oversaturation.  But even in a chaotic digital world, you can carve out your peaceful little corner. Building a personal brand as a writer isn’t just about marketing or chasing followers: it’s about claiming your voice, showing up in ways that feel authentic, and connecting with readers who

It’s Scorpio season! Time to embrace intensity, mystery, and transformation.  If you’ve ever wanted to create a character that lingers in your reader’s mind long after the last page, a Scorpio-inspired character is your secret weapon.  They’re magnetic, mysterious, and deeply passionate: sometimes in ways that make your other characters (and your readers) sweat a little. Let’s break down what makes a Scorpio tick so you can understand how to channel their energy on the page.

Self-publishing isn’t just about writing a book. It’s also about selling it, which can feel like its own beast.  Selling yourself means embracing a side of yourself many writers resist: the marketer. For introverts, this can feel especially uncomfortable. As writers, we’re used to hiding behind the page, letting the words speak for themselves. But if you want your book to find readers, pre-launch hype is essential, and that means you have to be okay with being seen. The pre-l

Autumn is here! It’s time for cooler nights, cozy vibes, and a natural shift inward. A.k.a., the best time of year. This is the perfect season to focus on self-care and create rituals that keep your body and mind balanced. CBD can be an amazing ally this time of year. It helps ease tension, supports sleep, and keeps your skin glowing through the colder, dryer months. Here are five LumiBloom must-haves to help you thrive this season: Cherish CBD Bath Bomb When the temperature

The zodiac is a surprisingly rich toolkit for building characters. Every sign comes with traits, strengths, weaknesses, and conflicts that can make someone feel fully alive on the page.  If you’re looking to add depth and nuance to your cast, understanding the signs can give you a shortcut to personality, motivation, and internal tension. Virgo is a study in contrasts: grounded yet quietly passionate, practical yet deeply compassionate, organized yet prone to perfectionism. T

Marketing your self-published novel series can feel overwhelming. Breaking it into actionable steps is what makes it manageable. Here’s a practical roadmap to help your books reach readers. Build Your Author Platform Think of your platform as your launchpad. It’s where readers discover you and your books, and you want it to easily reflect that. Website Include a clear bio, book covers, buy links, and a blog or news section. You should also consider offering a free incentive (

Life doesn't always slow down long enough for bubble baths and ten-step rituals, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn't try. We deserve the little luxuries to keep us sane, grounded, and glowing, and this line is one of my favorites. LumiBloom’s Shower Steamers is a spa moment tucked right into your daily shower. Female-founded by Mackenzie McClain Hill and designed with both CBD and non-CBD options, these bombs fizz into aromatherapy magic the second they meet water. Think of t

Journaling is one of the simplest and most powerful tools for self-reflection, creativity, and discovering your own voice. Over the years, I’ve developed a daily practice that keeps me connected to myself, my stories, and the world around me. I want to share that with you. Here are nine ways to take your journaling practice deeper: 1. Journal Fictionally Step into your character’s mind. Write as if you are them: what they see, feel, and think. I do this every day with my crea

I’ve spent the better part of the last decade in PR and journalism, which means I’ve sent more pitches than I can count to editors, producers, hosts, and inboxes that will probably never see the light of day again. When you’re in this world, you learn fast that the “where” matters just as much as the “what.” A.k.a., your perfect pitch doesn’t matter if it’s in the wrong inbox. That’s why I was intrigued to try MillionPodcasts , a platform built for one thing: helping you find

It’s the best time of the year! As the golden leaves start to fall and the air turns crisp, autumn invites us to slow down, reflect, and prepare for rest. This seasonal shift isn’t just a backdrop for cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice; it’s a powerful rhythm that mirrors the natural cycles inside our bodies—especially the menstrual cycle’s luteal phase. Autumn energy is about winding down with intention. It’s a time to gather the fruits of your summer labor, savor what you’ve c

Why breaks are essential for maintaining your writing spark.  We glorify the grind, but creativity requires contrast, and rest is not a reward; it’s part of the process. If your writing feels flat, uninspired, or forced, it might be time to stop doing and start being.  Here are seven ways to shake it up with ease: 1. Go for a walk. Let your mind drift. Observe something beautiful. Look at trees, strangers, shadows, sunlight. Sometimes, the best ideas float in when you're not

You’ve written your book, and now you’re wondering: How much should I charge for it? Pricing isn’t just about numbers; it’s about positioning. Your price tells a story. It shapes how readers perceive your work and can either invite them in or quietly signal, “This isn’t for you.” So how do you make a pricing decision that feels aligned, strategic, and confident? Let’s break it down. Factors to Consider When Setting a Price Start with the basics: Genre norms. What’s typical fo

My first glimpse of the Sun was my father: From the portal of creation, I flew Into the arms of a Lion. How long do you think he waited Until he told me my first joke? I’m meant to spend this lifetime with Leos. I’m not sure why—only that the universe keeps putting them in my path, from my father to my first best friend to my dance students to my soulmate. Where others find them grandiose or self-centered, I think Leos are inspiring, exciting, and powerfully compassionate. Ye

If you’re dreaming of seeing your work in print or digital form, self-publishing is a powerful way to make that happen on your own terms. But with so many platforms out there, it can feel overwhelming to figure out which one is right for you. I’ve self-published two projects myself: the Creatress Journal , a deeply personal guided journal for menstrual cycles, and my women’s magazine , which I published on Blurb, a platform known for beautiful print-on-demand books and magazi

This November marks three years since I texted you and asked, “What are you doing tonight?” You said, “Waiting for you,” and we’ve never had to wait for each other since—except when it’s time to go and you’re sitting on the couch, not dressed yet, screaming, “Am I ready?! I’ve BEEN ready for 17 hours." You’re insane and hilarious—the only person who’s ever held my attention long enough to win me for life. You’re the only person I’ve ever killed my ego with.  Sometimes you’re

If you’ve ever struggled to breathe real life into your fiction characters, astrology  might be your secret weapon. And when it comes to emotional complexity, the Cancer zodiac sign is a goldmine.  Born between June 21 and July 22, Cancer is a water sign ruled by the moon. Cancers are all intuition, memory, and deep feelings. This is also a cardinal sign, meaning it initiates and leads more than the other water signs—but unlike fiery Aries or air-focused Libra, Cancer leads w

As someone who’s worked in and reviewed the industry for almost ten years, I’ve become very picky with flower—especially in California, where the industry is changing fast and legacy feels more like a buzzword than a backbone. So when I heard CAKE She Hits Different  was stepping into the flower game, I did a mental double-take.  This pause was not because I doubted their ability. I love their vapes, but because expanding in today’s Cali market goes against what nearly every

When it comes to self-publishing, your book cover is what people judge first, no matter how often we warn against it. It’s the first impression readers get, the face of your story, and often the reason someone clicks either “buy” or keeps scrolling past.  A professionally-designed book cover doesn’t just look pretty: it communicates your genre, tone, and the quality of your writing in one clean, powerful image. Here’s how to make sure your cover actually sells your book. Why

It’s summer in South County, and sure, you’ve got to be prepared for the odd (somewhat terrifying) wildfire. But otherwise, it’s where everyone wants to be .  At least that’s what we tell ourselves. Aren’t we lucky? Aren’t we blessed? California is just the best.  Although a SoCal summer is truly inimitable, it’s also not the only place to be from June to September. When I lived in Brooklyn, the annual post-spring anthem was, “We OUTSIIIIIDE!” And we were, almost nonstop, unt