Q. My 96,000-word manuscript features a 12 yr old and 11 yrs old protagonist, the themes are dark. Have been looking around and am unsure — YA or mid-grade? Help! – Marco A. I think I can help. I just finished my first middle grade novel and, for a good while, I thought...
Writing Editor Blogs
The Writer’s Dig
by Brian A. Klems
Online Editor Brian A. Klems covers everything about writing on his blog. From grammar to writing tips to publishing advice to best practices in finding an agent to fueling your creative fire, he’s got you covered by pulling in great tips (not just from himself but from from other published and award-winning authors, too). Check out his advice—your writing career will thank you. Read Brian’s Blog
Guide to Literary Agents Blogby 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
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
April PAD Challenge: Day 22
For today’s prompt, I want you to write a work-related poem. Work doesn’t have to be the main feature of the poem, but I want you to “work” it in somehow. And remember: There are different types of work. Of course, there are the activities that gain you fortune and fame (or not), but...
Interview With Poet Sage Cohen
Sage Cohen is the author of Writer’s Digest Books’ most recent poetry title, Writing the Life Poetic. She’s also the author of Like the Heart, the World (Queen of Wands Press). She’s taught poetry at universities, hospitals and writing conferences as well as online. As principal of Sage Communications, Cohen writes the words that...
Best Tweets for Writers (4/21/09)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. If I missed a great Tweet today, leave it in the Comments. Most valuable Tweet of the day: Hilari Bell has posted her tips on how to pitch a novel @xenabelle The rest: Ripe for Writers: Love is that sound molecules make before bonding; can you...
Don't Use "Exact Same"
Q: Is the term “exact same” correct? As in: “The sisters were raised in the exact same environment?”—Judy R. A: No, the term “exact same” isn’t correct. Why? For the same reason “end result,” “unexpected surprise” and “basic fundamentals” are wrong—they’re redundant. While all these expressions have sneaked into daily conversations around the water...
You Have a Contract But No Literary Agent
Q. My friend (I write that and I feel like I’m trying to hide from a therapist or something!) had her first novel published by a smaller publishing house earlier this year. Now they would like to offer her a contract for five more books in the series. She negotiated the first sale without...
You've Got a Memoir – What Now?
Q. I have a completed draft of a nonfiction book. It is, I think, a memoir. My question is this: who do I look for? I’m thinking that it might be in the memoir list of agents, but some might not want to deal with me. I don’t know of any stories similar to...
April PAD Challenge: Day 21
We’re now 3 weeks into April! And to celebrate, we get a 2-for-Tuesday prompt. Hurrah! Here are the two prompts for the day (you only need to choose one, unless you’re all about pushing yourself to the limit): 1. Write a haiku. The haiku is not just a form but a genre of poetry....
Best Tweets for Writers (4/20/09)
Note on Twitter tools: See this great analysis of Tweetdeck vs. Seesmic. I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. If I missed a great Tweet today, leave it in the Comments. Today’s post includes items from the weekend. Most valuable Tweet of the day:I can honestly say it was something Writer’s Digest noticed...
Writers and the Recession: How Can You Succeed?
I was interviewed by Tad Richards of the New York Careers Examiner. We discuss writing, publishing, recession, and how everything is changing … and how writers need to shift strategy to succeed. A snippet: TR: With print periodicals in danger of becoming dinosaurs, what’s the future there for writers? JF: Where is journalism headed...
My Adventures in Las Vegas: Part 2 (Criss Angel & Perez Hilton)
Have you ever been somewhere boring and said, "God, can't some celebrities get in a shouting match in front of me so I have a story to tell?" Well, that kinda happened to me one night in Vegas after teaching at the writers' conference. Let me explain.
My Adventures in Las Vegas: Part 1 …
The Las Vegas Writers' Conference started in full on Friday and I presented on agents, and then again on pitching. The sessions went well. Along with my coworker, Zac Petit, there were a few authors there and a good amount of literary agents taking pitches from every direction. The agents were very available and...
Poetic Forms: Villanelle
(Okay, I’m going to try posting this again. Apparently, this blog is anti-villanelle.) So, the French form I had not covered yet was not the rondeau, but the villanelle. Oh well. We got a nice rondeau refresher earlier this week. (Check it out here.) The villanelle, like the other French forms, does have many...
April PAD Challenge: Day 20
We’re now 66.7% of the way through April (after finishing today’s poem). Despite crazy technological snafus, I think we’re going to make it. Only 10 days to go after today! Yay! For today’s prompt, I want you to write a poem of rebirth. There are many different types of rebirth available, including the changing...
April PAD Challenge: Day 19
I apologize for the problem some people were having yesterday with posting their poems. I think it is fixed now, because I was just able to successfully leave a comment on Day 18. Perhaps appropriately, today’s prompt is to write an angry poem. That is, a poem about someone or something that gets angry....
April PAD Challenge: Day 18
After today’s poem, we’ll be 60% of the way through this challenge. Woo-hoo! For today’s prompt, I want you to write a poem with an interaction of some sort. The interaction does NOT have to be between people, though it can. For instance, you could write about the interaction between a bee and a...
Is Your Submission Considered 'The Slush Pile'?
Q. I subscribe to and pay for Writer’s Digest online [www.writersmarket.com]. I believe the staff of Writer’s Digest insult me and all other serious writers by referring to our submissions to agents as the slush pile. It is my understanding the term is derived from the pile of manuscripts created in the various publishing...
Best Tweets for Writers (4/17/09)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. If interested in where I found the Tweet, I’ve indicated the Twitter user. If I missed a great Tweet today, leave it in the Comments. Today was #queryday; use Twitter search sites (like this one) to track the conversation related to queries (between writers and agents)....
Tools to Manage Twitter Volume (But They Don't Really #&%@* Work!!)
I am being driven insane by the lack of effective Twitter utilities/software. Here’s what I’ve found so far, and my experience. (A part of me hopes that I’m not using these tools correctly and someone can point out my lack of brains.) TweetdeckAt first I loved TweetDeck (Adobe Air software); it has great customization,...
April PAD Challenge: Day 17
As with so many others who’ve been participating in this challenge, I am amazed not only by the quantity of poems submitted to Poetic Asides, but also the quality. And the creativity. You guys rock! For today’s prompt, I want you to write a poem with the following title: “All I want is (blank),”...
Best Tweets for Writers (4/16/09)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. (We’ll see how long I can last.) If interested in where I found the Tweet, I’ve indicated the Twitter user. Most valuable Tweet of the day: 6 Reasons Why No One Likes You Online: “If you… view your potential community as a group of people to...
April PAD Challenge: Day 16
If you feel up for it, be sure to share your favorite poem from the first 15 days of the challenge here. ***** For today’s prompt, I want you to pick a color, make that the title of your poem, and write a poem that is inspired by that color. Here’s my attempt for...
Share Your Favorite Poem!
Jennifer VanBuren, the editor of Mannequin Envy, recently suggested that I allow poets to pick their favorite poem from the first 15 days of the challenge. Since more than 10,000 poems have been posted to the blog so far this month, I think this sounds like a good way to let poets read some...
JON'S QUESTION: Can older writers get into Hollywood writing programs?
Today’s reader question comes from Jon, who lives in Iowa and writes in response to Monday’s post about the network and studio writing programs (NBC’s Writers on the Verge, the Disney Fellowship, the FOX Diversity Program, etc.). Jon writes… “Why there isn’t such a program for we victims of age discrimination? I’m being facetious,...
279 Days to Overnight Success
One of the Twitter sensations right now is 279 Days to Overnight Success by Chris Guillebeau. In less than a year, he has created a sustainable living for himself through writing/blogging, while traveling the world. Highly recommend you download his free PDF here.