Some of you may remember me mentioning my baby brother is a storm chaser. Apparently, NBC contacted him to star a reality storm chasing show for this fall season. While these things can always fall through at a moment’s notice, he’s currently in the process of filming. So imagine the irony last night when I unintentionally drove...
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
Make a Living as a Writer
by Rebecca Matter and AWAI’s expert panel
It’s true, you CAN make a living as a writer! And each week AWAI’s expert panel, led by writer and marketer Rebecca Matter, will introduce you to the best-paying writing opportunities, give you inside tips and advice on landing them, and help you live the writer’s life of your dreams. Read Rebecca’s Blog.
Read Rebecca’s Blog
This Blog is Sponsored and Written by American Writers & Artists Inc.
101 BEST WEBSITES FOR WRITERS
Hi Writers,I’ve included a handy link in the left navigation to our 2008 101 Best Websites for Writers. We’ve been running this list annually for 10 years now, and we’re quite proud to be able to spotlight these great resources. As you can imagine, weeding through the thousands of nominations we receive each year...
Reality Seminar– Back By Popular Demand!
Hey, screenwriters– If you’re in Los Angeles and interested in knowing how to develop and sell the next So You Think You Can Dance or Living Lohan, I’m once again teaching my 3-hour reality TV seminar at mediabistro.com next Saturday afternoon, and I’d love to see you there! Here’s the scoop…WRITING THE REALITY TV...
Pitch With a Partner?
Q. One of (my group’s writers) is co-authoring a book. She wants to know if she and her co-author would be advised to pitch this book to agents together at our upcoming conference, or if they should they pitch separately, maximizing their coverage. What should they do? A. Depends. I recently pitched a book...
On the Competitive Nature of Reunions
First of all, I mine-as-well get this out of the way: I saw the Sex and the City movie and it wasn’t not good. I know, I know– I want very badly to say that I was forced into it, that I had no choice but to see it bc (Insert Pseudo Interesting Art...
Ian Frazier on Humor Writing
Hi Writers, I read this great piece in The New Yorker May 26, “Tales from a Chelsea Soup Kitchen” by Ian Frazier. It’s a feature about how he started a writing workshop that operates in tandem with a NYC church-based soup kitchen. I thought it had a lot of interesting things to say about...
Poetry From the Skies
Just stumbled across this interesting story of a book author promoting his book by dropping cash from a plane. You can check out the article here. Apparently, another publicity stunt helped him become a bestselling author in Indonesia a few years back. Since I’m always wondering how to drum up interest in poetry, I...
Meeting Miss Snark – Again!
Last year, at BEA in Manhattan, I had the wonderful experience of coming across famed agent and blogger Miss Snark during the expo. I wrote a post about it. For those who don't know, Miss Snark's original blog was a work of genius and gave infinite great advice. Her real identity is a secret.
My Adventures in Los Angeles at BEA: Part II
So many things to say... I'm traveling home (connecting in Charlotte) from the conference and BookExpo in Los Angeles. Just like last year, BEA was insane. So many people wheeling and dealing. "Buy this. Sell that. Did you see that one book? Is it hot in here or just me?" As usual, there were...
THE SCRIPT NOTES ONLINE PITCH WORKSHOP!
Hey, film and TV writers— I’ve gotten several emails and questions from readers with specific questions about pitching projects they’re working on, asking if there’s some way to use Script Notes to really get down-and-dirty, hands-on advice about shaping their TV and film projects. After all, whether you’re a newbie just penning your first...
Back from LA, and I find…
…this really cool portrait painted by poet/publisher/artist Didi Menendez of MiPOesias, Ocho, Oranges & Sardines, Menendez Publishing, and so much more. The portrait is of yours truly, and you can see it at http://americanpoets.blogspot.com/2008/05/robert-lee-brewer.html. When Didi’s not publishing poets, she’s painting them. In this year alone, she’s painted several poets, including Suzanne Frischkorn, Courtney...
Live From LA: Questions from the Writer's Conference
Yesterday was the annual BEA/Writer’s Digest Books Writer’s Conference, and I was fortunate to be a panelist on the popular Ask the Editors session. The organizer, GLA editor Chuck Sambuchino, told me it was for my in-depth knowledge of the submission and editing processes and my familiarity with inexpensive ways to self-market work, but...
Brian A. Klems went to L.A. and all I got was this dumb video
Hi Writers,I sent our online managing editor (you know him, you love him) Brian A. Klems out to L.A. to cover BEA (Book Expo America) and the Writer’s Digest Books/BEA Writers Conference (which happened yesterday). I’m sure you’ll agree this was pretty nice of me to send Brian to L.A. while I sit in...
My Adventures in Los Angeles: Part I
Been long enough since I blogged? (Don't answer that.) I know - I've let you down this past week, but I was knee deep in duties concerning our writers conference out in LA in conjunction with the BookExpo America trade show.
Our August cover: Diablo Cody
Hi Writers,Hot off the presses: our August issue featuring cover girl Diablo Cody. Our fab Script Notes blogger Chad Gervich interviewed Cody a week before she won the Oscar for Juno. If you’re a subscriber, this issue—packed with material about breaking into screenwriting—will be hitting your mailbox any day. And if you’re not, it...
In Case You Have Nothing To Do and The View is a Re-Run…
I will be interviewed on Helen Coronato’s Novel Idea radio show from 10-11 AM Thurs morning. Possible topics include books, supremely clever puns my illustrious career and the awe-inspiring fragility of my ego. You can tune in and find out whether or not I accidentally curse via The InterWeb here: http://www.homegrownradionj.com/DJs/shows/novel_idea.htm And you can...
The Hazards of Oversharing
Hi Writers,I am so very glad that the blogsophere didn’t yet exist when I was a teenager/ twentysomething. Reading the New York Times magazine essay about blogger Emily Gould only amplified this feeling. I’m quite sure if I had acceses to a blog when I was 20 all of the stupid details of my...
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 004
I’m prompting from sunny Los Angeles this week. The weather is perfect outside and the palm trees are already swaying. But enough about me, let’s get to the prompt. For today’s prompt, let’s write a poem about commerce. You can write about haggling over Christmas tree prices, bleeding money at the gas pump, getting double-charged for shampoo...
COOL FILMMAKING SITE OF THE WEEK: Moviecues.com
Hey, filmmakers (and musicians)– This is a pretty cool new service and website– MovieCues.com… it not only provides filmmakers with pre-cleared music that can be licensed over the Internet, it connects local and regional musicians to local and regional filmmakers. In other words, it helps local musicians get their work out their while also...
A Letter To Myself
Dear Kevin, Sup, friend!? That was a pretty nice Memorial Day weekend, wasn’t it? Yes, I know you were technically “working” but, really, how much work is it to cover a sailing event on Nantucket? No, you’re right; it is kind of a pain to write things down longhand, especially when it’s windy. I...
On Handling Criticism and Critique Groups
Over the weekend, I was asked by a poet for tips on how to handle criticism as he tried thinking out whether he should join a writing critique group. With his work, he was afraid of a few things: He wouldn’t be able to handle the critiques. That is, he was afraid too much...
Here, there & everywhere!
Okay, had a great Memorial Day weekend with my boys. And I’m now super tired, because something told me it was a good idea to go for a 3 1/2-mile run late last night and then follow it up with a 4-miler this morning. But such is life when trying to get in shape with...
Kill Your Darlings (and other terrifying advice)
Hi Writers,Following up on my previous post, the Ira Glass storytelling video, there were some interesting comments on the forum. I mentioned that I really took to what Glass had to say about killing much of your work so that the best can live. And this brought up the anxiety-inducing advice that all writers...
Writer's Conference
Hi Writers, Writer’s conferences are great places to network with other writers, get a chance to talk with editors and agents, and meet successful authors. Next week I’m headed to the 2008 Book Expo America Writer’s Digest Books Writers Conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The conference is on Wednesday (May 28). It runs...
Female Poet Laureate?!?
Found these articles this week on the poet laureate situation in England: * “Call for female poet laureate,” by Gary Bills-Geddes from Ledbury Reporter * “Pressure on Burnham over female poet,” from The First Post * “Queen is asked to appoint first female Poet Laureate after 22 men in 340 years,” by Arifa Akbar...