After taking in forums and coliseums, oodles of trains and 13 different (incredible, highly sedative) servings of gelato in Italy, I’m back in Prompt action. A special thanks to Jessica for posting in the last week, and for all of your comments and stories. While on vacation, I found myself in a random discussion...
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 Blog
by Cris Freese
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
Scriptapalooza deadlines approaching
Hey, screenwriters– Got an email from the folks at the Scriptapalooza screenwriting contest, which opens for submissions in a couple months, so just wanted to pass along the info! Here ya go… Scriptapalooza is now accepting submissions of screenplays for its twelfthannual screenwriting competition. Every script that is entered into Scriptapalooza is read by...
How I Got My Agent: Shelli Johannes-Wells
"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, e-mail me at...
The “Proof of Life” Synopsis
This time it's Proof of Life, a good example of a thriller/action story. Look at what this synopsis does right. I like how the story starts quickly. Alice is a big character and she is unhappy with her situation. Her husband is kidnapped and the story is in motion. The climax (a battle) is...
Cover Band Soap Opera: We Need a New Song – You Choose!
It’s that time again – time to pick some new songs for my cover band to learn. That said, I need some guidance in making my next pick. Below you will find four “finalists” for our next song to learn. I need an informal vote on which one to choose, and YOU are the...
Agent Advice: Amy Tipton of Signature Literary
This installment features Amy Tipton of Signature Literary. Formerly, Amy was with FinePrint Literary Management. She is seeking: Amy is looking for both fiction and nonfiction–edgy or quirky, commercial or literary–in particular, she is interested in YA, middle grade, and women’s fiction. In nonfiction she is looking for women’s studies/academia, fashion/beauty, and pop culture.
Does 'Commercial' Mean All Genres?
Q. If an agent lists “commercial” as what he handles, can I assume that would cover all fiction genres? A. “Commercial” means “genre fiction,” so your assumption is a good one, but I would look through some guides and sites (and look at sales on Publishers Marketplace) to see if this agent handles ALL...
If You Want to Write: 5 for Friday
Here are 5 musts from Brenda Ueland’s If You Want To Write: 1. Know that you have talent, are original and have something important to say. 2. Don’t be afraid of writing bad stories. To discover what is wrong with a story write two new ones and then go back to it....
Your Simple Checklist for Getting Known & Getting Readers
There’s such a wonderful comment on yesterday’s post that I wanted to bring attention to it (slightly modified to apply to all genres). Thank you, Banana the Poet (aka Michele Breton)! Follow her on Twitter or visit her site. Simple Checklist for Getting Known, Getting Readers, Building Platform Blog your work and gather readers...
Turn Your Book Into an iPhone App
This is a story about an energetic author who deserves an award for truly living by the adage, “There Are No Rules.” In fact, I shall start an honorable group, “There Are No Rules Crown Club,” for people who live up to this moniker, starting with Al Katkowsky. Al e-mailed me over the summer...
Why our writing space is so important
It is said that Kurt Vonnegut used his hardwood floor as his desk. He worked from his lap with everything—papers, notes, drafts—spread out around him. I’ve read that many authors’ lock themselves away into as small a place as possible. No windows. No outside light. Nothing to distract them from the world that is...
New Agent Alert: George Bick of the Doug Grad Literary Agency
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. He is seeking: Bick is...
Agent Advice: Dorian Karchmar of WME (William Morris Endeavor) Entertainment
This installment features Agent Advice: Dorian Karchmar of WME (William Morris Endeavor) Entertainment. Dorian has been a literary agent for over a decade. She is looking for: "She represents bestselling and award winning literary and quality mainstream fiction and narrative nonfiction (memoir, biography, history), cookbooks and general upmarket nonfiction."
Achieving a Dream of Mine
Years ago, back when I was directing the trade books and market annuals for Writer’s Digest, I would often have a conversation with author Christina Katz that went something like: CK: Hey, you guys should bundle together XYZ!Me: Yeah, I wish we could! We’re not set up to do that, though.CK: You should also...
Real Secrets of Expert Authors
Which came first: The expert author or the book? It depends. Consider today’s installment of Promptly’s Top 20 Lessons from WD in 2009 series: #13: Your Enthusiasm Is Contagious“People think you’re an expert when you write a book; it gives you some authority, whether you deserve it or not. I took advantage of that....
Successful Queries: Agent Greg Daniel and ‘Peaches & Daddy’
This new series is called "Successful Queries" and I'm posting actual query letters that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting the actual query letter, we will also get to hear thoughts from the agent as to why the letter worked. The 17th installment in this series is with agent Greg...
Get into the TV Writing Room… for FREE!
Hey, folks– Just wanted to invite you all to a great event next Monday, October 26… Final Draft software, “Script” magazine, and Writers Boot Camp are hosting a series of FREE writing panels designed to help film and TV writers navigate Hollywood… and I’ll be speaking on next week’s TV panel, “Getting Into the...
The Much Maligned Adverb
Today’s guest post is by Jim Adam, who wrote a wonderful 3-part series on protagonists & goals. Read the part 3 here (which includes links to parts 1 & 2). Visit Jim at his site or follow him on Twitter. Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Nobel Laureate, went on record several years ago saying that he...
What is an M.F.A.?
Q: What exactly is an M.F.A. and how is it beneficial to writers? –Matthew G. A: While the initials M.F.A. sound like an outer-space contraption that the government is trying to hide in the desert, it’s actually a very valuable credential earned by some writers. An M.F.A., or Master of Fine Arts, is one...
How I Got My Agent: Adrienne Kress
"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, e-mail me at...
How to Get Your Book Published
The No. 1 question we get asked at Writer’s Digest is “How do I get my book published?” As the Brazen Careerist has noted, sometimes people don’t ask the best or most focused questions if they want a meaningful answer (or if they want to respect the person they’re requesting information from). In my...
The First 5 (Simple) Steps for Growing Readership on Your Blog
One of my posts last month, The Benefits of Blogging, received a number of valuable comments. For anyone wondering about the value of blogging, this is a must-read for the variety of perspectives. The next question that naturally arises—after you decide to blog—is how to gain readership. Before I mention specific tactics, 3 things...
Real Writers Never Give Up
Pulitzer Prize winning author Junot Diaz offers some inspirational, powerful words about not giving up in this month’s Oprah magazine. I think they are good words to hear on a Monday, good words to get us started, as writers, on the first day of the week. This is my goal for the week: write...
Tip & Prompt: A Writer's Best Friends
What better way to kick a week off than with two of a writer’s best friends: a tip and a prompt? Here, in continuation of Zac’s countdown of his favorite tips from WD in 2009, is #14: “Know the adage ‘There’s no such thing as bad publicity’ isn’t necessarily true. You can go too...
Chuck's question: Am I wasting my time if I don't live in L.A.?
Hey, folks— Today’s question comes from Chuck, who writes… “I am writing some spec screenplays, and a pilot. But let’s face it – I will never move to LA. Meetings – yes. Move – no. Am I wasting my time? I’ve met managers who have said “Send me something when you have...