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February 2012 Issue
February Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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Writing Editor Blogs
[description]Browse our editors blogs for topics related to the Writing community including guide to literary agents, Questions and Quandaries and more.
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[keywords]editor blogs, writing blogs, writing community[/keywords]
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[keywords]editor blogs, writing blogs, writing community[/keywords]
Guide to Literary Agents Blog
by Chuck Sambuchino
GLA Editor Chuck Sambuchino keeps track of all news related to literary agents and writing conferences on his blog. Common features include agent interviews, new agency listings, agency profiles, upcoming conferences of interest, contests and other publishing opportunities, valuable writing resources, submission tips and information, and a blogroll of other agent blogs. Read Chuck’s Blog
There Are No Rulesby the editors of Writer’s Digest
Get on the cutting edge of today’s publishing trends and how authors can succeed in a world of fast-paced technological change, guided by the editors of Writer’s Digest. You’ll get an inside look at the work, play, and passion of the publishing business and find practical tools for success. Read There Are No Rules
Questions & Quandariesby Brian Klems
Don’t know the difference between “who” and “whom”? Facing an ethical dilemma about accepting gifts from subjects? Let the informative (and humorous) columnist Brian A. Klems answer some of your most pressing grammatical, ethical, business and writing-related questions. Check out his advice and don’t hesitate to ask a question—your writing career will thank you. Read Brian’s Blog
Poetic Asidesby Robert Brewer
Published poet Robert Lee Brewer blogs on issues affecting poets from the poet’s perspective. As the editor of Writer’s Market, Brewer also shares insights on the publishing industry, especially as it relates to poetry and the poetry markets. He also explains poetic forms, interviews other published poets, and provides the occasional poetry prompt. Read Robert’s Blog
How to Find Your Narrative Voice
A strong narrative voice gives your fiction a distinctive flavor and makes it stand out in a slush pile. But many beginning novelists struggle with finding their narrative voice, and some opt … Read more
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 167 (Risk Poems)
For this week’s prompt, write a risk poem. That is, write a poem in which either the narrator, a character, or whatever takes a risk, or in which risk is involved. For … Read more
How to Research Your Novel
Just because you’re writing fiction, it doesn’t give you license to make everything up. Well, okay, so maybe it does. It’s your story, you can do whatever you want. But, let’s say … Read more
New Webinar on Feb. 23, 2012 — “E-Publishing for Writers: How to Get Published and Thrive”
This new webinar on Feb. 23, “E-Publishing for Writers,” will give you everything you need to know to break into this exciting moneymaking e-marketplace, and get e-published well. This session will evaluate if you should self-publish or if you should approach an established e-publisher, delving into the reasoning of one versus another. No matter what the recommendation for your work, you will learn what to expect and watch out for in terms of contracts and royalties, how to brand yourself as an author and use social media to drive sales, as well as how to monetize your e-book. Read more
New Agent Alert: Kat Salazar of Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents
About Kat: Kat Salazar joined Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents in February 2011 as an intern for the agency working directly for agency co-founder Elizabeth Pomada. Previously she worked for University of Washington Press as a Marketing Assistant and held internships at University of California Press, HarperOne of Harper Collins, and Wales Literary Agency.
She is seeking: Kat is actively looking for young adult, middle grade, and children’s picture books. For adult audiences, she is interested in literary fiction and urban fantasy. Read more
My Adventures in … San Francisco 2012
I just got back from the 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference over Presidents’ Day Weekend, and the event was fantastic. The SFWC, which is co-sponsored by WD, is famous for its number of agents, editors and authors who attend. The San Fran area is rich with writing talent, and the SFWC brings in a lot of area speakers. If you live anywhere in the area, I seriously recommend checking out the event for 2013. Read more
WD Poetic Form Challenge: Quatern
A week ago, I explained the quatern. It’s a fun form that includes a refrain but not too many rules beyond that. (Click here to learn more about the quatern.) Anyway, I … Read more
Since vs. Because
Are “since” and “because” interchangeable or is there a difference between them? This quick explanation will help you put this hot-button issue to rest once and for all. Read more
21 Ray Bradbury Quotes: Your Moment of Friday Writing Zen
Every week, I spelunk into the Writer’s Digest archives to find the wisest, funniest, or downright strangest moments from our 92 years of publication. Today: An array of quotes from the brilliant … Read more
Don’t Write a Book Without a Buyer
(The following is a guest post by Rob Eagar) During the recent housing crash that devastated our economy, a lot of builders built homes based on speculation called “spec homes.” In these … Read more
Expert Tips for Writing Action Scenes
Think “action scene,” and you probably think of the Hollywood version: A character is thrust into high-stakes, physical drama (a gunfight, a daring rescue, a desperate escape) that changes her in some … Read more
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 166 (Thinking Poems)
Good morning! Over this past winter, I put together 8 e-books for writers that included some niche market guides, such as Horror Writer’s Market, Mystery Writer’s Market, and others. However, one of those … Read more
Agent Advice: J.L. Stermer of N.S. Bienstock
“Agent Advice” is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.
This installment features J.L. Stermer of N.S. Bienstock, a full-service talent agency with a division dedicated to developing literary projects, where she handles both nonfiction and fiction authors. She previously served as literary agent and contracts director with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Born and raised in New York City, and a graduate of Columbia University, she currently resides in Manhattan solidifying that she is forever a city girl through and through. Read more
Writing Dialogue: The 5 Best Ways to Make Your Characters’ Conversations Seem Real
Whether you write novels or prefer writing short stories, it’s important to know how to write dialogue in a story. Dialogue is one of those key elements of fiction that a lot … Read more
Debut Author Interview: Chris Pavone, Author of THE EXPATS, a 2012 Thriller
Along with plenty of agent interviews on this blog, I’m hoping to do more interviews of up-and-coming writers (especially debuts) that I like or I think you should know. Today please enjoy an interview with author Chris Pavone, author of the buzzed about novel, The Expats (March 6, 2012, Crown).
GIVEAWAY: Chris is excited to give away a free copy of his novel to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. Read more
Types of Poetry Forms: Quatern
Today, I tried my hand at a new (to me) French poetic form that incorporates a refrain like in the villanelle and eight-syllable lines like in the kyrielle. Since I’m a big … Read more
Do You Really Need to Write Every Day?
So many writers are adamant about the importance of writing every day that just the act of putting the adage into practice has become a way to define yourself as A Serious … Read more
New Agent Alert: Dawn Michelle Hardy of Serendipity Literary
About Dawn: Dawn Michelle Hardy of Serendipity Literary received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing: International Trade and her Associate of Applied Science degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. For several years Dawn oversaw the day-to-day production and sales operations for independent publisher turned New York Times bestselling author Teri Woods (True to the Game, Dutch trilogy, Alibi).
She is seeking: nonfiction self-help, motivational and empowerment, women’s fiction, relationship, pop culture, leadership and non-denominational spiritual titles. Feel free to contact her in reference to any nonfiction subject. Read more
6 Tips On Writing Plays For Kids
1) Be realistic.Your script probably won’t be performed on Broadway or turned into a blockbuster movie. Avoid special effects, amazing stunts, or anything else that can’t be accomplished by ordinary kids. Keep costumes, sets, and props to a minimum. Writing in the readers theatre format is one of the best ways to create a play that’s simple to stage but exciting in content. For information about readers theatre along with a sample play click here.
GIVEAWAY: Diana has written several books of kids’ plays, and is happy to give a book to a random commenter. Just comment on this post within 2 weeks and a winner will be chosen at random. Winners must live within the US/Canada to win. The winner can choose whichever of Diana’s books they like. Read more
Vintage Writer Cartoons and Jokes (Plus, Win a Free Book)
(Your Moment of Friday Writing Zen) Every week, I spelunk into the Writer’s Digest archives to find the wisest, funniest, or downright strangest moments from our 92 years of publication. This week, … Read more
5 Tips for Fearless Writing
Putting ideas out in the world takes courage, so playing it safe with your writing can be an appealing strategy. Faced with limited writing time and abundant competition, you figure out what … Read more
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 165 (Dead End Poems)
For this week’s poetry prompt, write a dead end poem. By dead end, I just mean hitting a wall or road block in a physical or metaphorical sense. And to make things … Read more
6 Tips To Resuscitate a Dying Author Blog
Maintaining an author blog is no cakewalk. So if your author blog is slumping, pat yourself on the back. At least you have a spine to slump! If you started your blog because you wanted to impress literary agents and editors with your ability to mobilize audiences, then you want your posts to show lively discussions. You never know who is lurking. But even the freshest blogs can go stale. As a novelist who—for better or worse—started blogging when my first novel came out back in 2009, my blog has seen ups and downs of roller coast proportions. Here are 6 quick tips for boosting buzz when your audience seems like its fizzling.
GIVEAWAY: Lisa is excited to give away a free copy of her book to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. (Update: Sandra Beckwith won.) Read more
Finding Creative Writing Ideas
Where Do You Get Your Creative Writing Ideas? As a writer one of the most common questions you’ll hear is “where do you get your ideas?” Non-writers think that writers have some … Read more
Amazing Giveaway: A Free Pass to the 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference (Feb. 16-19, 2012) Worth $745
This is amazing news. Writer’s Digest has 1 free pass to giveaway to a random commenter for a full registration pass at the 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference (Feb. 16-19, 2012). (Wow!!) Make sure you read this entire post to see all the details of the giveaway, as there are some things you need to do to formally enter. To enter, you will need to comment on this post, and spread the news a bit via social media. (Update: Joan Swan won the pass. Congrats to Joan! Joan will be guest blogging about her travels here on my GLA Blog following the event.) Read more
