May/June 2012 Issue
May/June Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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Website of the Week
Writing Website of the Week
Published author Roz Morris' website covers a lot of topics about writing--some serious, some for fun. Either way, it's a site that's worth a few minutes of any writer's week. (I recommend following her on Twitter too.Nail Your Novel 
*Not affiliated with our 101 Best Writing Websites feature.
Literary Fiction
Successful Queries: Agent Elisabeth Weed and “The Arrivals”
This series is called “Successful Queries” and I’m posting actual query letters that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting the actual query letter, we will also get to hear thoughts from the agent as to why the letterworked.
The 54th installment in this series is with agent Elisabeth Weed (Weed Literary) for Meg Mitchell Moore’s debut novel, The Arrivals (May 25, 2011; Reagan Arthur Books). Learn more at megmitchellmoore.com, or through Meg’s Twitter. Read more
7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Alexander Yates
This is a recurring column I’m calling “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers at any stage of their career can talk about seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning. This installment is from writer Alexander Yates.
Alexander Yates grew up in Haiti, Mexico, Bolivia and the Philippines. His first novel, Moondogs, (Doubleday; March 2011) was given a starred review by Kirkus, which called it “accomplished … unusually involving.” Read more
How I Got My Agent: Matthew Gallaway
“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.
Matthew Gallaway is the author of The Metropolis Case (Dec. 2010), a literary novel praised by Entertainment Weekly and called an “enchanting, often funny first novel” by The New York Times. Read more
8th "Dear Lucky Agent" Contest: Literary Fiction
This contest is closed as of the end of Sunday,Jan. 23, 2011. Winners announced in threeweeks or less. Thanks for entering! ——————— Welcome to the eighth (free!) “Dear Lucky Agent” Contest on … Read more
Successful Queries: Agent Janet Reid and “Numb”
This series is called “Successful Queries” and I’m posting actual query letters that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting the actual query letter, we will also get to hear thoughts from the agent as to why the letter worked.
The 43rd installment in this series is with agent Janet Reid (FinePrint Literary Management) and her author, Sean Ferrell, for his novel, Numb, which was released in August 2010 from Harper Perennial. Kirkus Reviews called Numb an “eye-catching debut … Artfully barbed entertainment.” Read more
Successful Queries: Agent Michelle Brower and “The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors”
This new series is called “Successful Queries” and I’m posting actual query letters that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting the actual query letter, we will also get to hear thoughts from the agent as to why the letter worked.
The 34th installment in this series is with agent Michelle Brower (Folio Literary) and her author, Michele Young-Stone, for the literary fiction novel, The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors (April 2010). Read more
Agent Advice: Lisa Bankoff of ICM
This installment features Lisa Bankoff of ICM (International Creative Management).
She is seeking: literary fiction, some women’s fiction, some mainstream fiction, and narrative nonfiction written by journalists. Read more
Successful Queries: Agent Ayesha Pande and “Finny”
This new series is called “Successful Queries” and I’m posting actual query letters that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting the actual query letter, we will also get to hear thoughts from the agent as to why the letter worked.
The 32nd installment in this series is with agent Ayesha Pande (Collins Literary) and her author, Justin Kramon, for the literary fiction novel, Finny (set for release July 2010). Justin keeps a blog of free resources for writers looking to publish their work at justinkramon.wordpress.com. Read more
Successful Queries: Agent Lisa Bankoff and “If You Follow Me”
This new series is called “Successful Queries” and I’m posting actual query letters that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting the actual query letter, we will also get to hear thoughts from the agent as to why the letter worked.
The 30th installment in this series is with agent Lisa Bankoff (ICM) and her author, Malena Watrous, for the literary novel, If You Follow Me (March 2010, HarperCollins). Read more
New Agent Alert: Drew Perez of Andrea Hurst & Associates
Note from Chuck (December 2010): It appears from the agency website that Drew has stopped agenting.
Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage. Read more