He is seeking: science fiction and fantasy (exceptional world building is a must), and nonfiction (the inspiring, intriguing, mysterious, and scientific). More information about Lane and submission instructions are available after the break.
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.
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 294
For this week’s prompt, take the phrase “State of (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then write your poem. Possible titles include: “State of the Union,” “State of Ohio,” “State of Grace,” “State of Mind,” and so on. ***** Get Started...
How 5 Great Writers Got Started on Their First Books
1. Toni Morrison -- The Spark: A Writing Group. Morrison was a 35-year-old professor at Howard University when she joined a writing group just for fun. It soon became clear that she couldn’t remain in the group unless she actually wrote something, so she began toying with a story based on an African American...
7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Eric Smith
This is a recurring column called “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers at any stage of their careers can talk about writing advice and instruction — by sharing seven things they’ve learned along their writing journeys that they wish they knew at the beginning. This is installment is from Eric Smith, author...
Writing and Selling Middle Grade Fiction — Jan. 22 Webinar (With Critique) by Agent Jennifer Laughran
In this live webinar, "Writing and Selling Middle Grade Fiction," instructor and literary agent Jennifer Laughran (of Andrea Brown Literary) will talk about what's happening in the exciting Middle Grade market, as well as examine some recently published titles to see what they got right. She'll also talk revision tips and tricks to help...
New Literary Agent Alert: Caitie Flum of Liza Dawson Associates
Caitie is seeking: Commercial and upmarket fiction with great characters and superb writing, especially historical fiction, mysteries/thrillers of all kinds, magical realism, and book club fiction; historical fiction with unusual perspectives and stories told in a unique way; police procedurals, cozy mysteries, psychological thrillers, and amateur sleuths, especially those with series potential; book club/women’s...
Successful Queries: Agent Suzie Townsend and “A Death-Struck Year”
This series is called “Successful Queries” and I’m posting actual query letter examples that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. The 71st installment in this series is with agent Suzie Townsend (New Leaf Literary) for Makiia Lucier's historical young adult debut, A DEATH-STRUCK YEAR (HMH Books for Young Readers, March 2014).
Agent One-on-One Boot Camp (w/ Critique): How to Craft Query Letters & Submission Materials That Get Noticed — Starts Jan 20, 2015
Attendees will learn how to write a dynamite query letter, tackle a one-page synopsis (for fiction) and a book proposal (for nonfiction). The instructing literary agents will critique 10 pages of your work as well as a query letter, providing invaluable professional feedback.
11 Secrets to Writing Effective Character Description
The following is an excerpt from Word Painting Revised Edition by Rebecca McClanahan, available now! The characters in our stories, songs, poems, and essays embody our writing. They are our words made flesh. Sometimes they even speak for us, carrying much of the burden of plot, theme, mood, idea, and emotion. But they...
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 293
For today’s prompt, write a beauty poem. Think Beauty and the Beast; think beauty sleep; think airbrushed images in magazines, self-esteem, and selfies. Personally, I always think of the old black & white version of King Kong and the final line of the movie. ***** Ignite Your Creativity! Jump start your creativity with four...
Get a Literary Agent in 2015: My New Book Features Advice From More than 100 Agents (and a GIVEAWAY CONTEST!)
GIVEAWAY: I am giving away 3 copies of GET A LITERARY AGENT to random commenters. Simply comment on this blog post anytime before the end of Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. You can win a blog contest even if you've won before. UPDATE: The winners ate ggilliam, WordsLikeHeroin, and PauldSwann.
How to Promote Your Work Like a Pro
Now more than ever before, there are so many things we can do to promote our books, articles, stories, essays, services, and other creative works and skills—regardless of whether we’re self-published, traditionally published, or even not-yet-published. Bookstore and library events remain staples, of course, as do reviews, mentions and bylines in prominent media. But...
Reading, Workshops, and Thinking: An Author’s Tale
The following is a guest post from one of WD’s bloggers from our NaNoWriMo project, EJ Runyon. In this post, EJ talks about the important steps that need to be taken between first draft and revision, and the difficulty of working with a piece or a story that you can become too close to. Sometimes...
New Literary Agent Alert: Amanda Panitch of Lippincott Massie McQuilkin
She is seeking: Young adult and middle grade only. In particular, she'd love to find a high fantasy set in a non-Western inspired setting. Other concepts she'd love to see in her inbox include a dark psychological thriller, a quirky mystery, a gorgeous literary contemporary, historical fiction set in a place or time not...
It’s 2015 — Believe Anything Can Happen in Your Writing Life
My rational mind knows that the odds of these things happening might not be in my favor—and probably a kajillion-to-one for #2—but there’s something very liberating about giving myself permission to be open to the idea that anything can happen. As Alice’s father says, “The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe...
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 292
Today has been a weird day. I’ve been receiving entries for the 2014 November PAD Chapbook Challenge, and my online connection has been faulty at best. Plus, the kids didn’t go to school on Monday (making it feel like a Tuesday instead of a Wednesday). For some folks, this prompt may be dropping on...
A Better Approach to “Write Every Day”
Happy New Year! Happy … and yet. Everywhere you look, it’s all about pushing ourselves, isn’t it? First came November’s NaNoWriMo, with all the tips for writing more, more, more, writing faster, faster, faster. Then came the holidays, with 12 days left to shop/plan/wrap/bake/revise that manuscript from last month, 11, 10, 9 … And...
5 Ways to Take Your Readers Back in Time: The Importance of Historical Research
GIVEAWAY: Author Tessa Arlen is excited to give away a free copy of her novel, DEATH OF AN HONORABLE GENTELMAN, to a random commenter. Comment on this post within 2 weeks. You can win a blog contest even if you've won before.
New Literary Agent Alert: Kirsten Carleton of Waxman Leavell Literary Agency
Kirsten is seeking: Upmarket young adult, speculative, and literary fiction with strong characters and storytelling. She’s particularly interested in novels that bend and blur genres; literary takes on high concept worldbuilding; diverse characters in stories that are not just about diversity; antiheroes she find herself rooting for; stories that introduces her to a new...
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 291
Today is the final day of 2014, and tomorrow is 2015. At least, that’s how it is in Atlanta, Georgia. As such, this week’s prompt is to write a party poem. A lot of stuff happens at parties. There are people who are the life of the party, who crash the party, and who...
Your 2015 Blogging Roadmap
Thinking of starting a blog in 2015 to build your writer platform and gain a readership for your work? All the best journeys start with a bit of planning. Even if you’re not one for planning and would rather dive in right away, bear with me! In this exclusive excerpt from Blogging for Writers,...
New Literary Agent Alert: Cynthia Kane of Capital Talent Agency
"The new literary division of Capital Talent Agency is a wonderful home for authors who are looking for a supportive and hands-on agency." Cynthia is seeking: young adult, children's, nonfiction, memoir, commercial fiction (but no science fiction or fantasy).
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 290
Quick note: If you’re searching for a gift for a writer friend or family member, consider giving the gift of a subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine. Click here for details. For today’s prompt, write an excitement poem. Excitement can be a good thing, but excitement can often lead to very bad things. So whether...
Writers Conference Spotlights: Kentucky Writing Workshop (Feb. 6, 2015) and Tennessee Writers Conference (Feb. 7, 2015)
There are two great February 2015 writing conferences coming up that I have been asked to speak at: the Kentucky Writing Workshop on Feb. 6 in Louisville, KY, and the Tennessee Writers Conference on Feb. 7 in Nashville, TN. There are literary agents at both events taking pitches, and both are one-day events.
New Literary Agent Alert: Leon Husock of L. Perkins Agency
Leon is seeking: He has a particular interest in science fiction & fantasy, young adult and middle-grade novels filled with strong characters and original premises, but keeps an open mind for anything that catches his eye. He is also looking for historical fiction set in the 20th century, particularly the 1980s or earlier. He...