Sincerely, Riley

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How to Choose a Title for Your Book

July 8, 2020

Choosing a title for your book is one of the most important parts of the publishing process. Your book title is a large part of what attracts readers to your story and gets them to pick it up. I thought I'd write about this topic today because I've just changed the title of my current work in progress and thought walking you through why I did this might help anyone else playing around with title ideas. My book primarily takes place during one weekend at a hotel on the marsh in Charleston, . . .

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How To Get Started Writing a Novel

April 30, 2019

So you want to write a novel? Congrats on this big decision and first step! 81 percent of Americans have a dream to write a book, but few actually follow through with it (something I totally get now that I've finally published a book). The novel is the greatest undertaking of the human imagination, a professor I once had told me, so it makes sense that it takes so long to figure it out. That being said, it is such an exciting challenge and a journey I highly encourage you take if you have a . . .

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Writing Advice I Wish I Knew When I Started Waiting at Hayden’s

April 2, 2019

When I took a year off school and moved across the country to Charleston, South Carolina to write the first draft of Waiting at Hayden’s ten years ago, I knew very little about writing a book; all I did know was that I needed to get my story idea down on paper. I think that’s the case for most writers—and to be honest, it’s sort of wonderful to only know that and nothing more. If you’re in the early stages of writing a book, the words are flowing, and you’re feeling that “writers high,” feel . . .

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My Favorite Reads of 2018

January 1, 2019

2018 was a big year for me as a writer. After ten years of writing, revising, and pitching my story, my first novel, Waiting at Hayden's, was finally published! I want to thank and every person who supported the book--whether by attending one of my launch parties, reading the story, sharing it with a friend, or offering words of encouragement during the journey to publication. A lot goes into releasing a book--way more than I could have EVER imagined when I first decided I wanted to write . . .

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My Favorite Places to Write (And Eat) In Charleston

December 22, 2018

For the longest time I had to write on the second story of a building. I have LITERALLY no idea why, but most authors can’t seem to explain their bizarre writing habits. Dan Brown apparently puts on gravity boots and hangs upside down to help him with his focus on his stories. Truman Capote had to write while lying horizontal—and often in the nude. And Maya Angelo would rent hotel rooms (a woman after my own heart!) and write on her bed. Most of Waiting at Hayden’s was written at Tea Chai Te . . .

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How To Stick With a Dream That Takes Years To Accomplish

November 14, 2018

In our current culture of instant gratification, deciding to take on a project that you know will takes years to complete can feel daunting. Social media doesn't help. It makes it look like others' dreams are materializing overnight and that can certainly add to the frustration and maybe even make you want to quit. (Been there!) As most of you know, I recently published my first novel after working ten years on the story. A few weeks ago I met another writer, Julianna Lembeck, who has spent the . . .

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rileycostello

Finished!! If you loved Waiting at Hayden’s, I c Finished!! If you loved Waiting at Hayden’s, I can guarantee you’re going to enjoy this book. A little bit more 🔥 & the same amount of ❤️. This book is fun. And I hope makes you feel good next fall!
Waiting for December - the title for my September Waiting for December - the title for my September 2022 release! ❄️ Another peek here at the inspired setting in Stowe, VT. 📷 : @edsonhillvt
Waiting at Hayden’s is getting a sequel (sort of Waiting at Hayden’s is getting a sequel (sort of!) and it’s a Christmas story. 🎄Coming September 2022!
My mom and I started an Etsy shop! 💕 Early on i My mom and I started an Etsy shop! 💕 Early on in the pandemic my mom shared with me that it’s always been a dream of hers to have a card company. When she was in her early thirties she and my dad worked as caretakers at a campground for six months to change things up, have fun, and work a job where they could spend time together, and during that time she attempted stitching and sewing handmade cards. While she loved the creative part, it was too labor intensive, and nothing came of it.

She showed me her original designs when the pandemic started and told me she still wished there was a way to bring them to life. So, I said we’ve got the time right now—let’s find a way. And we decided to start a shop an Etsy shop!

We’ve spent the past six months designing printable cards, wall décor, bookmarks, and more. 

It’s been really neat to see my mom’s dream come to life and to get to work together on building a brand that’s inspired by her vision. 

2020 was really tough for all of us, and creating this store with my mom was a little bit of light. I’ll always remember getting to work side-by-side with her on this. Link in bio to our store. We’ll have new designs each week! Happy New Year!💕 #bookmarks #bookstagram #etsyshop
Finished!!!! 💕✨🌟 Such a journey! Thank you Finished!!!! 💕✨🌟 Such a journey! Thank you for all your encouraging messages this weekend! This book was very challenging to write, but I also felt lucky that I had this story idea at this time & that I got to do this work during quarantine. It brought a lot of light into my life, a lot of laughs, and lots of new, interesting perspectives—and that’s what I hope it brings to all of you next. I can’t wait to share ONE PERFECT WEEKEND!! #thend #oneperfectweekend #writinganovel #womensfiction #newbook
We’ve changed the title for my next book! This w We’ve changed the title for my next book! This was a change I wanted to make for a number of reasons: the main one being that the book, at it’s core, is a love story just like Waiting at Hayden’s and I didn’t feel like The Influencer reflected that. The book’s new title is One Perfect Weekend and I feel it fits the story SOO much better. 💕 If anyone is curious about what goes into picking a book title or if you’re working on a WIP of your own, I wrote up a blog post about the topic and it’s linked in my bio. I talk more in there about the title change for this story too! #oneperfectweekend #womensfiction #newnovel #beachreads 📷: @ryanselewicz
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