May/June2013 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
How to Get a Short Story Published Like a Pro
As a writer you probably hear a lot of advice about how to get your novel published, how to write a perfect query letter, how to get an agent or editor’s attention … Read more
5 Ways How to Write a Poem
Okay, so there are probably about a million ways how to write a poem, but the five methods below help me when I’ve been stuck in a rut. If you have other ways … Read more
Agent Kathleen Ortiz Teaches How to Write a Great Query on Aug. 2, 2012 (Includes Query Critique!)
The query letter is that all-important first contact with literary agents. Before they opt to read your work, they have to be interested in you and your story — and that’s what the query letter does. We all know that composing a query is a completely different monster than writing a story. If you’re getting rejected at the query stage, don’t fret — we have an expert for you. Literary agent Kathleen Ortiz of New Leaf Literary is teaching an intensive webinar on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012 called “How to Hook an Agent or Editor With Your Query.” The intensive webinar features a query critique by Kathleen for every registrant. Read more
What You Should Know About the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award
The very narrow annual submission window is now open for the much-buzzed-about Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award (learn about it here). If you’re an unpublished or self-published first-time novelist, you’re eligible to enter … Read more
New Agent Alert: Erin Harris of Skolnick Literary
About Erin: Erin Harris is an agent at the Irene Skolnick Literary Agency. A graduate of the MFA program in creative writing at The New School, Erin received her B.A. in English from Trinity College (Hartford, CT), where she was Presidential Fellow of the English Department and inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.
She is seeking: literary novels with compelling plots and international settings; literary thrillers and mysteries (She’d love to find the next Tana French!); noirs (especially starring headstrong female protagonists); and YA and middle grade novels that transport her to magical places. Read more
Conference Spotlight: 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference (Feb. 18, 2012)
One of the largest writing conferences on the west coast is approaching quickly: the 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference, happening Feb. 16-19, 2012 (President’s Day weekend). This event typically sells out every year and attracts more than 20 agents, to say nothing of the large amount of authors and editors who are also part of the program. Keep reading to learn more. Read more
Tips to Make Selling Your Fiction a Reality
Guest Post by Rob Eagar Earlier this year, I heard a publishing executive say, “The best way to market your fiction is to write more fiction.” I disagree with this idea, because … Read more
WD Poetic Form Challenge: Tritina
I’m so excited for this WD Poetic Form Challenge, because it’s like the sestina, but it’s much shorter. For some, this may make it easier; for others, maybe not. So what are … Read more
How I Got My Agent: Robin Mellom
“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 literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we’ll talk specifics.
Robin Mellom is the author of DITCHED: A LOVE STORY, a young adult novel released in Jan. 2012 by Disney/Hyperion.
GIVEAWAY: Robin is excited to give away a free copy of her book to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. (Update: Grammarian won.) Read more
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 163
For this week’s prompt, write a friend of a friend poem. This poem would be one in which you write about or in the voice of a friend of a friend. Why … Read more
4 Techniques for Creating Believable Villains
The protagonist’s conflict with an opposing force—usually in the form of another character—is the essence of every novel. Read more
Literary Agent Interview: Nicole Resciniti of the Seymour Agency
“Agent Advice” is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else. This installment features Nicole Resciniti of the Seymour Agency. Nicole is a member of AAR, ACFW, RWA, and Mensa. She holds degrees in biology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. She also Tweets.
She is seeking: romance, mainstream suspense, thrillers, mysteries, young adult, inspirational, science fiction/fantasy, and action/adventure. Read more
Best Advice for Getting Your Fiction Published
Seeking publication for your fiction? Start by making sure your writing is top notch. Read more
Top Tips From the Writer’s Digest Conference
The staying power of events like this weekend’s Writer’s Digest Conference comes down to one thing: Momentum. It’s energizing being in the company of so many like-minded people—the solidarity is encouraging, and … Read more
The 2012 Writer’s Digest Conference — a Recap
I just got back from our writers conference in New York, and, as expected, it was extremely busy yet extremely great. It was our second year hosting it in Manhattan, and, besides a snowstorm that hit on Saturday, everything went very smoothly — including the gigantic Agent Pitch Slam, which is my big focus in terms of planning. (If you couldn’t make the conference this year, stayed tuned to the conference website. I expect we will be back in mid to late January 2013 for more awesomeness.) Read more
The Drive to Write
Chris Baty, founder of National Novel Writing Month, gives the closing address of the 2012 Writer’s Digest Conference. Read more
How to Make Your Novel’s First 50 Pages Stand Out
Jeff Gerke gives tips to aspiring novelists on how to improve their first fifty pages. Read more
Making Good Ideas Great
Jack Heffron gives tips about how to make good fiction and non-fiction ideas great. Read more
How to Better Market Your Book
A panel of marketing experts give tips on how to better market your book. Read more
Writers Now Have A Choice
Best-Selling Author Barry Eisler predicts the future of publishing. Read more
Seven Secrets of Successful Self-Published Authors
Keith Ogorek, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Author Solutions and self-published author of two books, shares his seven secrets of successful self-published authors. Read more
Ask the Agents
A panel of literary agents talk about their role in the publishing industry and reasons why they reject query letters, proposals, and manuscripts. Read more
Conference Spotlight: The Business of Pet Writing Conference (Feb. 11, 2012 in New York)
Pet writing enthusiasts will gather at The Business of Pet Writing Conference in the Hotel Pennsylvania’s Penn Top Ballroom, and rub elbows with the premiere people in the publishing, social media, pet and related industries. This year, the pet writing conference offers seminars and workshops that help pet writers learn: to report breaking pet news; to create compelling video; to work as a pet travel writer; to pitch pet websites; to create eBooks; as well as to use Facebook and Twitter and Linked strategically as a writer. Read more
Step-By-Step Ways to Build Your Author Entrepreneurship
Dan Blank, founder of wegrowmedia.com, shares his thoughts on building an author entrepreneurship and getting the most out your book. Read more
The Skinny on Social Networking
Guest post by Rob Eagar Marketing books via blogs, Twitter, and Facebook has become an extremely confusing topic for many authors. Some people herald social media as the saviour of marketing. Others … Read more
