Writing Editor Blogs

The Writer’s Dig
by Jess Zafarris
Content Strategist Jess Zafarris covers everything about writing on this blog. From grammar to writing tips to publishing advice to best practices in finding an agent to fueling your creative fire, she’s got you covered by pulling in great tips (not just from herself but from from other published and award-winning authors, too). Check out her advice—your writing career will thank you. Read The Writer’s Dig

Guide to Literary Agents Blog
by the editors of Writer’s Digest
The GLA blog keeps track of all news related to literary agents and writing conferences. 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 the Guide to Literary Agents Blog

There Are No Rules
by 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

Poetic Asides
by 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

'Worst Storyline Contest' Winners Announced

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The (third) “Worst Storyline Ever” Contest is now closed and judged. Thank you to all who entered. Here are the winners! “Worst Storyline Ever” Contest GRAND-PRIZE WINNER “When a pack of dingos refuse to eat her baby, psychotic woman Helen Grinkel turns the tables by eating one of their pups, sparking...

On Trusting Your Voice

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“Give a piece to one hundred people, you could possibly get one hundred different opinions—not absolutely different, but lots of variations. This is where the depth of your relationship with yourself is so important. You should listen to what people say. Take in what they say. (Don’t build a steel box...

How to Write a Book Series

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It was a strange thing. There I was writing books about teens struggling with alcoholic parents and depression, when an idea for ninja cheerleaders popped into my head. See—strange? Turns out that idea became The Naughty List, my first young adult novel (released in February 2010). But then things got even...

Agent Advice: Cameron McClure of Donald Maass Literary Agency

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This installment features Cameron McClure of the Donald Maass Literary Agency. She joined the Maass Agency in 2004 and, in addition to her own growing client list, Cameron handles the agency's foreign and film rights. She is seeking: Cameron represents mostly fiction and is especially interested in seeing literary fiction, mystery and...

How to Target Your Submissions to Agents

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So you feel it in your bones that there’s a perfect individual out there ready to fall all over the slush pile to publish your manuscript. Maybe you’re scouring the planet for an agent to stand behind you when the winds of rejection threaten to blow the knuckle hairs off your...

New Agent Alert: Ali McDonald of The Rights Factory

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Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage. She is...

Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 4/2/10)

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I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Sunday for the week’s best Tweets. If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments. Always welcome your suggestions on improving this weekly feature. Quick plug: Check out these upcoming Writer’s Digest webinars: Self-Marketing for Authors by agent Chip...

7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by David Blockley

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This is a recurring column I’m calling “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers at any stage of their career can talk about seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning. This installment is from writer David Blockley. David Blockley is a professor...

A Thank You to My Wonderful Blog Readers!

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I just got the numbers stuff for March 2010 and it was the blog’s biggest month ever. Right now, the site gets more than 100,000 page views each month and continues to grow. I just wanted to stop for a minute and say thank you for following the site. Thank you...

How I Got My Agent: Richard L. Mabry

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"How I Got My Agent" is a recurring feature on the GLA blog. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings. If you have a literary agent and would be interested in writing a short guest column for this GLA blog,...

What Lies In Between

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Today’s guest post is by the wonderful Darrelyn Saloom, who is working with Deirdre Gogarty on a memoir. Follow Darreyln on Twitter, or read more of her guest posts. Pictured above: “The Farm” by Heather Holland. It’s been a long, cold winter south of Interstate 10. And there have been losses....

What's the Most Helpful Writing Advice You've Read This Year?

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This week marks the 2nd anniversary of There Are No Rules! To celebrate, I’m giving away a Writer’s Digest VIP package and the option to attend the September Editors’ Intensive for a free 50-page critique and appointment with yours truly. (Read fine print below, please!) If you’d like to participate, then...

On Ending a Creative Drought

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The advice below was much needed today. I opened Julia Cameron’s book for some inspiration and there is was. I’ve felt this heaviness lately, this seriousness, when it comes to my writing. I’m realizing this is mostly due to the fact that the final months of my program are approaching and...

Try the "Cut Up" Technique to Free Your Writing

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The following advice was shared by Thomas E. Kennedy as part of Glimmer Train’s recent bulletin (click here for full bulletin). Working in Paris in the late 1950s, Brion Gysin and William S. Burroughs developed the so-called “cut-up” technique to try to get deeper into the unreasonable heart of a material...

Is Your Story Worth Saving?

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I am not knee deep in the revision process. I am neck deep. So deep that I often feel like I’m drowning. It’s Thesis Time and I’m weeding through all my stories, trying to figure out which ones I want to continue to work on, continue to revise. This is a...

Agent Advice: Marlene Stringer of The Stringer Literary Agency

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This installment features Marlene Stringer of The Stringer Literary Agency. She is seeking: Fiction interests include mystery, thrillers, contemporary and urban fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, women’s fiction, romance, and YA/teen. Nonfiction interests include history, military history, parenting, music, sports, and science.

Pronoun Problems: "He/She," "He or She," or Just Plain "He"?

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Q: Is there a special rule regarding which pronoun to use when talking about a non-specific gender (“he/she,” “he or she,” “he”) or is it completely the writer’s choice? —Jarrett Z. A: For years, the masculine pronouns (he, his, him) graced most literary work when referring to a non-specific gender. It...

7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Patricia Stoltey

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This is a new recurring column I’m calling “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers at any stage of their career can talk about seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning. This installment is from writer Patricia Stoltey. Patricia Stoltey is the...