DeadlineDames
A working writers collective: books, reading and writing, filed on time.
Craft guides and tested tools
We keep our own deadlinesThen we tell you what survived them.
Writers, editors and former newsroom staff who spend most of the year on contract deadlines of their own. Practical guides to drafting, revising and delivering work on time, plus honest recommendations for the books, software and desk equipment that make the job less painful.
On the boardWhere deadlines break down, and where we start.
- 01Outlining a long project
- 02Tracking research
- 03Staying legible to an editor
- 04Getting the draft delivered on time
How we test
- Craft booksRead cover to cover before we recommend them.
- SoftwareRun through a whole project, from first outline to delivery.
- Desk hardwareKeyboards, chairs, lamps and notebooks kept on our own desks for weeks, not an afternoon.
Latest from the deskNewest posts first.
- 10 Best Undead Romance Books (August 2026): Our Top Picks
- 12 New YA Nonfiction and Comics (August 2026)
- 15 Best Halloween Picture Books for Kids (August 2026)
- 8 best new books September (August 2026)
- Murderbot Season 2 Cast: Everything We Know So Far (August 2026)
- Book Riot Newsletter ‘A Truly Limited Run’ Breakdown (2026)
- 3 Must-Read Costa Rican Writers (August 2026): Expert Picks
- Get your limited-edition Book Riot hoodie (August 2026)
- 9 Best Book Deals of the Day (August 2026) – Kindle Deals








