May/June 2014 Issue
May/June Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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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
10 Lessons Learned: Confessions of a Covert Freelance Writer
BY ??? – You don’t know my name. You don’t know my face. But it’s now several decades since I earned my first farthings by putting words in some sort of publishable … Read more
2014 April PAD Challenge: Day 4
I hope you’re having a great time poeming so far. It’s been fun for me, and speaking of fun, I just recently learned about an article on Mashable that listed me and … Read more
7 Things How I Met Your Mother Can Teach Us About Writing
If you’re like us on the WD staff (okay, maybe just Brian and I—internet high five!), then you were enthralled, captivated, and head over heels in love with the television show How I … Read more
I Started a Small Press (and Then Things Got Weird)
BY J DAVID OSBORNE I tried retail for a while, and that was fun, in the way that puking on yourself at a family gathering is fun: you have a story. After … Read more
2014 April PAD Challenge: Day 3
Day 3 is traditionally one of those make it or break it days for poets. After all, it’s easy to show up for a couple dates, but it takes real commitment to … Read more
2014 April PAD Challenge: Day 2
Tammy and me are heading to Austin, Texas, this morning for the Austin International Poetry Festival. If you’re in the Austin area, I hope you’ll get out for some poeming fun. Speaking … Read more
The Why and How of Self-Publishing
The following is a guest post from the grand prize winner of our 1st Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published e-Book Awards (featured in InkWell in the May/June 2014 issue of Writer’s Digest). Judith … Read more
2014 April PAD Challenge: Day 1
Here we are. It’s been less than a month since the initial guidelines post for the 7th annual Poetic Asides April PAD (Poem-A-Day) Challenge, but it feels like years. I’ve been so … Read more
Avoid Rip-Offs and Publishing Sharks: For Writers, Songwriters, Poets, Etc.
Once or twice a month I receive a letter or an email from a songwriter informing me that they have become the victim of a scam, and more often than not the … Read more
2014 April PAD Challenge: FAQs (and Tips)
2014 April PAD Challenge countdown: 1. Tomorrow is the day that all the poeming begins. Roll up your sleeves, read some Neruda, drink a little wine–whatever you need to do to get … Read more
Literary Agent Spotlight: Jennifer Azantian Starts Her Own Agency
Jennifer is seeking: fantasy, science-fiction, and horror that focuses on characters that feel real, the kind whose stories she can get invested in regardless of extravagance in plot or setting. She is fascinated by the basic human truths that emerge at the heart of all the greatest fantasies. These are the kind of projects that she advocates. She is actively acquiring only science fiction and fantasy (including all of their subgenres) as well as smart, psychological horror for middle grade, young adult, new adult, and adult readers. Read more
Ashley Marie Egan and Diana Terrill Clark
2014 April PAD Challenge countdown: 2. That means tomorrow is one, and then, all bets are off. Come on, clock, tick faster! As many of you know, I’ve been featuring interviews with the … Read more
Write Opening Pages that Grab Readers’ (and Agents’) Attention — April 3 Webinar (with Critique!) by Agent Victoria Marini
Strong opening pages are essential to getting your novel noticed by an agent. First pages often dictate whether an agent requests a manuscript or rejects the query, and first chapters can mean the difference between capturing and sustaining a readers’ attention or losing it entirely. As an agent with Gelfman Schneider / ICM Partners, Victoria Marini has been selling Adult and Young Adult Fiction for years. She’ll share her first-hand knowledge of what she looks for in the opening pages of fiction, and what she lets go.
Learn how to create opening pages that capture attention, sustain interest, and ultimately compel readers to keep turning the pages. Develop authentic characters readers will care about, set pacing and plotting that will streamline your storytelling, and avoid the common mistakes that downgrade your craft. This new webinar is called “Let’s Begin: Write Captivating Opening Pages that Grab Readers’ (and Agents’) Attention,” and it all goes down at 1 p.m., EST, Thursday, April 4, 2014, and lasts 90 minutes. Don’t forget that several agents have signed writers after reading their work as part of a WD webinar. Read more
Tracy Davidson: Poet Interview
2014 April PAD Challenge countdown: 3. I’m starting to feel like that X-wing fighter guy from Star Wars: A New Hope: “Almost there…alllllmmmoooossst theeeerrrreeee…almost there…” If you don’t know what I’m talking … Read more
Deborah Purdy: Poet Interview
2014 April PAD Challenge countdown: 4. Yes, I’m excited–so excited–and I just can’t hide it. As a quick FYI, we now have 29 confirmed guest judges. I hope to have the list … Read more
Sally Valentine: Poet Interview
2014 April PAD Challenge countdown: 5. We’re getting so very close to the beginning of this year’s challenge. I hope your pencils are sharpened, your paper is uncrumpled, and your mind is … Read more
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 260
This is the final Wednesday Poetry Prompt before the 2014 April PAD Challenge. By the way, have you seen the big (breaking) news about the April challenge? We’re going to have a … Read more
2014 April PAD Challenge: Guest Judges
That’s right; I said guest judges! The list is now finalized for our guest judges for the 2014 April PAD Challenge! Have fun learning more about this impressive list of line breakers … Read more
Values and Message: Integrating Themes Into Your Nonfiction
The following is a guest post from the grand prize winner of our 21st Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. For more information about the upcoming 22nd Self-Pub Awards, click here. Former … Read more
Linda Simoni-Wastila: Poet Interview
2014 April PAD Challenge countdown: 6. I hope you’re getting excited, because I am! Linda Simoni-Wastila writes from Baltimore, where she also professes, mothers, and gives a damn. You can find her … Read more
How I Got My Literary Agent: Maria Mutch
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, with this installment featuring Maria Mutch, author of the memoir KNOW THE NIGHT (March 2014). These columns are great ways for you to learn how to find a literary agent. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings.
Maria’s literary agent is Nathaniel Jacks at Inkwell Management. Read more
George Smith: Poet Interview
2014 April PAD Challenge countdown: 7. Speaking of the April PAD Challenge, there’s some great news on the way. I’m still getting everything finalized, but we’re going to make the challenge fun … Read more
Literary Agent Spotlight: Allison Hunter of Inkwell Management
Allison is seeking: She is actively acquiring literary and commercial fiction (including romance), memoir, narrative nonfiction, cultural studies, pop culture and prescriptive titles, including cookbooks. She is always looking for funny female authors, great love stories and family epics, and for nonfiction projects that speak to the current cultural climate. Read more
An Agent’s Secrets to Selling Your First Novel – March 27 Webinar With Critique
In this live webinar, agents Irene Goodman and Rachel Ekstrom will share both time-tested trade secrets and cutting edge ideas that will help you cross the finish line from hopeful writer to published author. You’ll be provided with an insider’s view into the publishing process, including tips and strategies for getting your book noticed by hungry young agents, experienced agents, and publishers alike. You’ll also learn how they make their decisions about which authors to work with and who to publish.
This is a chance to get a rare glimpse into the minds of two agents-one who has closed hundreds of book deals, and one who stands on the edge of the new frontier. And as part of this new webinar, titled “An Agent’s Secrets to Selling Your First Novel,” all attendees are invited to submit their manuscript’s first page for a critique from an agent instructor. It all happens at 1 p.m., EST, Thursday, March 27, 2014, and lasts 90 minutes. Note: All proceeds from Irene’s share of the webinar will be donated to the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Also note: At least five literary agents have signed clients after seeing their work as part of a WD webinar or boot camp. Read more
Deri Pryor: Poet Interview
2014 April PAD Challenge countdown: 8. I’m always surprised by just how close we all are–often without knowing it. For instance, I drive up and down I-75 at least once a month, … Read more
