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May/June2013 Issue
May/June Issue
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There Are No Rules
Getting Published
Check Out Agent Michelle Wolfson’s “Query Letter Intensive” Webinar on Sept. 27, 2012 (All Attendees Get a Query Critique)
“How to Write a Query Letter” is probably one of the most important and common topics that we discuss here at Writer’s Digest. After all, a query is your all-important tool to get an agent to request more of your work, and eventually sign you as a client and sell your book. Your query letter must be short, but it must also explain what your book is about and hook the reader in. With all that in mind, we’re very excited to announce an all-new webinar called “Query Letter Intensive” taught by literary agent Michelle Wolfson (Wolfson Literary) on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. All attendees get their query critiqued. Keep reading to learn more.
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3 Steps to Successful Book Marketing – Part 2
By Rob Eagar Previously, I covered part one of a 3-part series called “Successful Steps to Marketing.” The gist is that effective marketing can be boiled down to three fundamental questions. Whether you’re … Read more
Stop, Look, and Listen for Better Book Marketing
By Rob Eagar Young children are often taught to “stop, look, and listen” before they cross the street. Stop to see what’s in front of you. Look both ways to make sure … Read more
Marketing is About Success Not Perfection
By Rob Eagar Life is about success, not perfection…and so is marketing. Case in point: A few weeks ago, I sent out my weekly newsletter that wound up having a couple of … Read more
LeBron’s Lessons for Authors
By Rob Eagar I’m a 5-foot, 10-inch man who can barely jump. LeBron James is 6-foot, 8-inch basketball superstar who can jump so high that people wonder if he’s human. So, we’re … Read more
Marketing Lessons from My Father
By Rob Eagar Marketing and sales are in my blood. That’s because I come from a distinguished line of salesmen. My grandfather was in sales. My father was in sales. In college, I … Read more
Advice for Writers: 7 Reasons to Self-Publish Your Book
Self-publishing used to be a last resort for aspiring authors unable to break through the traditional publishing fortress. With the help of vanity presses, those writers took matters into their own … Read more
Writing Inspiration From Andre Dubus III: How to Stay True to Yourself
A couple of months back, I had the pleasure of talking writing over a Guinness with Andre Dubus III, author of House of Sand and Fog, Townie, and other books. Our profile … Read more
Don’t D-Y-I “Do-Yourself-In” with a D-I-Y Mentality
by Rob Eagar I am one of the few original self-publishing success stories. And, I did it way before the advent of e-books, Amazon, and social media. Over 10 years ago, I … Read more
All Marketing is a Felt Need
By Rob Eagar In my work as a marketing consultant, I’ve met numerous authors who work in academic circles, such as counselors, professors, pastors, and specialty book publishers. A common problem among … Read more
The 10 Commandments of How to Write a Thriller
Every week, I spelunk into the Writer’s Digest archives to find the wisest, funniest, or downright strangest moments from our 92 years of publication. About 10 years ago, lawyer-turned-novelist John Grisham spilled the beans in Newsweek that … Read more
Top 10 Blogging Tips: How to Turn Your Blog Into a Book
If you’d like to quickly amass content for a book—without the pressure of actually having to work on one—consider blogging a book. Blogging is a fast and simple way to generate a … Read more
What’s the single best piece of writing advice? Harper Lee, John Steinbeck and Carl Sandburg weigh in
Every week, I spelunk into the Writer’s Digest archives to find the wisest, funniest, or downright strangest moments from our 92 years of publication. Harper Lee’s birthday is tomorrow, so today I went on a hunt … Read more
Writing Advice: 3 Reasons to Never Give Up, From Bestselling Author Lisa See
One of the best parts of my job as editor of Writer’s Digest magazine is that I frequently have the chance to speak with authors I admire as part of our ongoing … Read more
Interview With Expert Freelancer Kelly James-Enger
Today I’m talking with author and freelancing expert Kelly James-Enger, whose work has appeared in dozens of national magazines, including Redbook, Fitness and Self. James-Enger says that her success as a full-time … Read more
The Best New Advice for Getting Published
You can always tell when it’s officially springtime here at the WD offices. Everyone is smiling because of the sunshine. Everyone is sneezing because of the pollen. And everyone is buzzing about … Read more
How to Write Effective Dialogue
Dialogue serves several key functions in your fiction: It reveals your characters’ personalities and beliefs, heightens tension, provides an alternative to lengthy descriptive passages and, most importantly, advances your plot. The key … Read more
How to Edit Your Novel
Completing your novel is a momentous achievement. After months (or years) of hard work and sacrifice, your first impulse might be to start submitting it willy-nilly—time is of the essence, right? In … Read more
How to Start a Book Project
March seems like a good checkpoint for New Year’s writing goals: Two months into the New Year, you probably have a sense of whether a resolution made in January will become … Read more
When It Comes to Getting Published, There’s No Shortage of New Ideas
Today I’m talking with Jesse Potash, the founder of PUBSLUSH (www.pubslush.com), which presents a unique new model for getting published. Because it’s so unusual – and because they’re a non-profit – I … Read more
How to Find Your Narrative Voice
A strong narrative voice gives your fiction a distinctive flavor and makes it stand out in a slush pile. But many beginning novelists struggle with finding their narrative voice, and some opt … Read more
Expert Tips for Writing Action Scenes
Think “action scene,” and you probably think of the Hollywood version: A character is thrust into high-stakes, physical drama (a gunfight, a daring rescue, a desperate escape) that changes her in some … Read more
5 Tips for Fearless Writing
Putting ideas out in the world takes courage, so playing it safe with your writing can be an appealing strategy. Faced with limited writing time and abundant competition, you figure out what … Read more
The Secret to Writing a Standout Picture Book
As any children’s picture book author will attest, writing for children is not easier than writing for adults. In fact, it’s probably more difficult, and here’s why: The story must appeal to … Read more
