Ad
May/June2013 Issue
May/June Issue

Writer's Digest Magazine
Preview the Issue
Buy It Here
Give a Gift SubscriptionSave 58%!
Free Writing Downloads
WDU Promo
Ad
Google Ad
Website of the Week
Writing Editor Blogs
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
Back and Even Better
Hello, friends. First of all, I’d like to offer a quick apology for the lack of communication via the blog lately. You see, we at WD have been doing some thinking and … Read more
My Manifesto
Hi Writers,A writer friend of mine pointed out a particularly harsh remark about Writer’s Digest on Scott Oden’s blog that I’d like to respond to here. Here’s a passage from his post: … Read more
Concrete Poems: Or Sculpting Poetry
Concrete poetry is one of the more experimental poetic forms available to poets. Concrete poems use space and sound to communicate the meanings of the words. Words can cover other words; and … Read more
Friday SPAM poetry prompt #907
SPAM prompt line: Over 800 models Maybe it’s because it’s “fashion week” in New York (which I only know because I heard David Letterman mention it), but this line jumped out … Read more
PROJECT 20/20 BUILD MY BLOGROLL: WEEK 4 ADD!
Hi Writers,It’s the fourth week in my ongoing quest to add one writer’s blog to my blogroll each week for 20 weeks. If you’ve been following my Project 20/20, one thing you’ve … Read more
Make Poetic Asides Your Friend…
…on MySpace! I’ve created a Poetic Asides profile on MySpace and will be glad to befriend and communicate with all the readers of the Poetic Asides blog. While our blog entries will … Read more
'Create a Word' Contest
Writer Unboxed, a helpful site devoted to genre writing, has kicked off a cool contest asking writers to create a new word. Writers must create a new word and then define it. … Read more
Should Poets and Politics Mix?
“Stranded: Poet Mark Strand Preaches Political Indifference at UCI,” by Victor D. Infante from About.com (reprinted from The Orange County Weekly), examines a comment made by Strand that poets should rise above politics … Read more
Hey, look–a contest at Writer Unboxed!
The folks at Writer Unboxed (About the craft and business of genre fiction) are running a contest in which writers make up a word (or two or three) and post their creations … Read more
A market that's NOT closed: River Oak Review
I’ve received an e-mail from Lance Wilcox, Associate Poetry Editor of River Oak Review. He discusses a situation I just hate to hear about–an editor returned a listing verification for the 2008 … Read more
A market that’s NOT closed: River Oak Review
I’ve received an e-mail from Lance Wilcox, Associate Poetry Editor of River Oak Review. He discusses a situation I just hate to hear about–an editor returned a listing verification for the 2008 … Read more
AN ARSONIST'S GUIDE + VISUAL AIDS!
Hi Writers,As I wrote a few posts ago (see “the memoirizer” post below), I just had the opportunity to interview writer and fellow Cincinnatian Brock Clarke about his new novel An Arsonist’s … Read more
Can I Use Contractions in my Writing?
Q: I know that grammatically we shouldn’t use contractions at all unless it’s‑in speech, but I see that many nonfiction bestselling authors use them. What are the current guidelines for their use?—Henry … Read more
Announcing a new series: OFF THE PAGE
Hi Writers,Anyone who still doubts the rising significance of blogs—especially in the publishing world—needs to check out this article from the Sunday New York Times. The Author Will Take Q.s Now It’s … Read more
Friday SPAM Poetry Prompt #831
SPAM prompt line: Dude, check out this sweet site. Mmmm, sweets. Shouldn’t have them, can’t stay away from them. The next best thing to actually consuming sweets is to read about … Read more
PROJECT 20/20 BUILD MY BLOGROLL: WEEK 3 ADD!
Hi Writers,It’s the third week in my Project 20/20. My goal: to add one writer’s blog to my blogroll each Friday for 20 weeks. I have a personal favorite to add to … Read more
Found Poetry: Converting or Stealing the Words of Others
Here’s one of my earliest published poems from a 2006 issue of Children, Churches & Daddies. “RE: your hips” OKtime to get serious… Don’t you think it’s about time you dropped a … Read more
2008 Poet’s Market correction: Crab Orchard Review
In the comments to this post, editor Allison Joseph points out an error in the Crab Orchard Review listing in the 2008 Poet’s Market: Hi Nancy: Thanks for listing Crab … Read more
2008 Poet's Market correction: Crab Orchard Review
In the comments to this post, editor Allison Joseph points out an error in the Crab Orchard Review listing in the 2008 Poet’s Market: Hi Nancy: Thanks for listing Crab … Read more
Just for Kicks
Hi Writers,I just finished interviewing Brock Clarke about his great, funny new novel (cleverly disguised as a memoir) The Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England. You’ll have to wait a … Read more
Bookstores, travel, and more
“Lyrical days on isle of poetry,” by Neil Sowerby for Manchester Evening News, is more a travel than poetry piece. But it was a fun read about Deia, where poet and author … Read more
Alphabet Poetry: Or, Going Back to School
This week, my oldest son (6) started kindergarten (and riding the school bus), and my youngest son (4) started preschool. Besides making me feel sentimental and teary eyed about how fast my little guys … Read more
‘All Agents – All Day’
Just got a tip from a fellow editor (thanks, Alice) about the Backspace Agent-Author Seminar, Nov. 6-7, in Manhattan. It looks to be a large conference-like gathering with plenty of powerful agents in attendance. It seems like there will be free time built in where authors can schmooze with reps. This one is not to miss if you’re in the area. Read more
Why Your Manuscript Can Get Rejected (Part 3)
At Killer Nashville, a trio of extremely knowledgeable publishing pros held a panel on the most common reasons why a manuscript is rejected by an agent. Below you’ll find part two of … Read more


My Submission Process
Today, I received a nice rejection on some poems I submitted to Thieves Jargon. I also sent out a group of poems to Burnside Review. Since I went through the process of … Read more