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September 2014 Issue
September Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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There Are No Rules
There Are No Rules Blog by 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.
How to Spot Questionable Writing Advice
Today, I’m a guest over at Writer Unboxed, where I detail how to identify what might be “bad” writing advice: How to Avoid Being Fooled By Bad Writing Advice Usually what constitutes … Read more
Thinking Beyond the Book: What's Your Demand Curve?
At the Writer’s Digest Conference, Richard Nash delivered an inspiring keynote. Writers loved it. Deep in his talk, a slide flashed up on the screen that, to the untrained eye, might not … Read more
Are You a Renaissance Soul? Use It to Your Advantage
Today’s guest post is from Michelle Ward, aka The When I Grow Up Coach, who has worked with over 100 creative types to help them with their career goals. – Are you … Read more
MASTER Recap of 2011 Writer's Digest Conference
This post is a collection of: Best tweets from the 2011 Writer’s Digest Conference Links to official live blog posts of selected sessions Best recaps of the event by attendees & presenters … Read more
A Writer's Platform: How to Make It Natural and Happy
The following guest post is by writer Erika Robuck, who attended the Writer’s Digest Conference on Saturday and generously offered to recap the sessions she attended. “The business of writing is the … Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 1/21/11)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Sunday for the week’s best Tweets. If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments. Want to know about the … Read more
A Luddite Enters the Digital Marketplace
Today’s guest post is from author Nath Jones. In 2011, Nath Jones will finish an MFA in creative writing at Northwestern University, where she was a nominee for The Best New American … Read more
An E-Publisher That Specializes in Original Short Works
The digitization of publishing has spawned many new presses and publishing models, and one of them is 40K Books. 40K takes advantage of the e-book format by specializing in novelettes and focused … Read more
How to Find a Direct Line to Your Readers
On tap today we have a Q&A with author and independent publisher Patricia V. Davis, who will be a featured speaker at the Writer’s Digest Conference in NYC. I first met Patricia … Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 1/14/11)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Sunday for the week’s best Tweets. If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments. Want to know about the … Read more
My Session Picks for the Writer's Digest Conference
If you’re attending the WD conference next week in New York, there will be an embarrassment of programming riches to choose from. Here are my session picks based on what you’re hoping … Read more
Get Your Nonfiction Query Critiqued By Me
Next week, I’m teaching an online class on landing a nonfiction book deal. The registration fee ($89) includes a critique of your query letter or hook, up to 300 words. If you’re … Read more
Have High Expectations for Yourself
I’m honored & privileged to be included in a round-up of advice on how to beat back low expectations and live an audacious life. You can click here to read all 19 … Read more
Pitch Your Work at the Writer's Digest Conference
Next week, the annual Writer’s Digest Conference will convene again in the heart of New York City. It includes an extensive pitch slam offering an opportunity to pitch your work to agents … Read more
The Evolution of How I Use Twitter
I’ve written several lengthy posts on how writers can use Facebook to platform build. I’ve said very little about Twitter use. That’s because it’s so difficult to give advice on how to … Read more
Make It Memorable: What Does That Mean?
One my favorite pasttimes these days is pondering the kind of writing advice that can actually hurt writers—usually by becoming a cliche, without offering a deep understanding of a complex issue. Here’s … Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 1/7/11)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Sunday for the week’s best Tweets. If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments. Want to know about the … Read more
Writing Memoir: Art vs. Confessional
Continuing with the theme of memoir this week, Susan Cushman (pictured above) is today’s guest on NO RULES. Like Darrelyn Saloom, Susan was deeply impacted by the reading of Robert Goolrick at … Read more
Limited Offer: Get Started Writing in 2011
I’m often asked by absolutely new writers: How do I get started? In honor of the new year, Writer’s Digest is offering a comprehensive package of tools, for a limited time, that … Read more
3 Important Privacy Issues in Memoir
Today’s guest post is from author and professor Tracy Seeley. Her memoir, My Ruby Slippers, will soon be available from University of Nebraska Press. Visit her blog, or pre-order the book from … Read more
Can You Write Like Jane Austen?
If you’re a Jane Austen fan, you don’t want to miss this. My friends & colleagues over at Adams Media are running a Bad Austen writing competition. In the tradition of the … Read more
A Feast of Days (Part 4): The Last Chapter
Today’s guest post is by emerging writer Darrelyn Saloom, who recently attended the Oxford Creative Nonfiction Writers Conference, and is offering up a 4-part narrative on the experience. Darrelyn is a regular … Read more
To Inspire You in the New Year
One year ago, I spent the holidays in Ireland, more than half of it alone on the island of Inis Meain. (Go see photos.) It wasn’t a digital sabbatical—I had an Internet … Read more
If I Write a Book: Your Feedback
About five years ago, I revised a new edition of the Beginning Writer’s Answer Book for Writer’s Digest, which is in Q&A format. A lot has changed since then. Obviously the industry … Read more
Is It Tougher to Get Published These Days?
Over at Writer Unboxed today, I have a guest post that tries to pin down how much “trouble” the book publishing industry is in, and how that affects writers. It’s a highly … Read more
