Nonfiction

Capturing Ideas Before They Get Away

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read Chapter 1 from 101 Songwriting Wrongs and How to Right Them: The Ones That Got Away.

The Anatomy of a Writer's Website

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Whether you build it yourself or hire a designer, your website can do more than bring you into the 21st century—it can be an invaluable part of your marketing arsenal.

by Linda Formichelli

Media Watchdog:
Brent Cunningham

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Brent Cunningham, Columbia Journalism Review’s managing editor, came to the magazine in 1999 on a fellowship and was convinced to stay on as managing editor. Founded in 1961, the magazine’s mission is to serve as “both a watchdog and a friend of the press in all its forms” and “encourage and stimulate excellence in journalism in the service of a free society.”

by Jordan E. Rosenfeld

The Roeder Report:
The Four Types of Plagiarists

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Jason Roeder takes a humorous look at the generally non-humorous topic of plagiarism.

by Jason Roeder

Why Authors Must Be Marketers Too

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I may never win a Pulitzer Prize for any of my novels but I wrote three sentences in 2004 that have garnered me a lot of ink: “Writing is an art. Publishing is a business. And an oft broken business at that.” And like it or not, these days authors are finding it necessary to get involved in the business side—specifically the marketing of their books.

by M.J. Rose

Flat Fees vs. Hourly Rates

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Forget charging by the hour. When writing copy, billing a flat rate can score you clients.

by Art Spikol

The Roeder Report:
You Can Write a Humor Book

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Reader, you’re hilarious. This has been verified by your mother, a co-worker who says you’re one of the 20 funniest people he knows, and the stand-up comedy teacher who will tell you anything to get you to catch his set at the smaller of two mini-golf snack bars.

by Jason Roeder

Addressing Artistic Despair

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read the Introduction to Pocket Muse: Endless Inspiration

Q&A: WDB Author Cap'n George Choundas

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cap'n George Choundas, author of The Pirate Primer: Mastering the Language of Swashbucklers and Rogues, talks about researching the pirate life and living the writing life.

6 Questions with New WD Editor Jessica Strawser

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It’s official: Writer’s Digest magazine has a new editor. In the wake of Maria Schneider, who left the publication in early October, F+W Media has appointed Jessica Strawser, North Light Books and Memory Makers Books Managing Editor—and former WD staffer—to the magazine’s top post.

by Zachary Petit

Culling Corporate Clients

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

You can break into the high-paying business market if you know where to look and how to sell your skills.

A Different Type of Memoir: Rick Moody

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"I frankly think that whenever a form looks exhausted, that's exactly the point at which you should swoop in and pry it apart and see what makes it tick."

9 Steps to Standing Out in Your Cover Letter

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A solid cover letter ensures your first impression isn’t your last.

by Susan Shapiro

Literary Hot Spots: San Francisco

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Want to know where all the literary hot spots are in bay area? We've got you covered. This is part two of your essential guide to living the lit life in several U.S. destinations, including Boston, San Francisco, New York City, Miami, Seattle and more.

by Jordan E. Rosenfeld

Anxiety Levels for Writers

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What if the Office of Homeland Security developed a color-coded warning chart for the anxiety level of writers? Here's what we believe it'd look like.

by WC Vasquez

Literary Hot Spots: Seattle

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Want to know where all the literary hot spots are in the Emerald City? We've got you covered. This is part five of your essential guide to living the lit life in several U.S. destinations, including Boston, San Francisco, New York City, Miami, Seattle and more.

by Jack Clemens

Evoke Emotions in Your Readers

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Based on the amateur memoirs I’ve read, I think the most common mistake—the mistake most likely to damage the readability of your book—is becoming a slave to chronology.

by Steve Zousmer

Surviving the Spite

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ever been torn to shreds by someone you’ve never met? You must be a writer. Don’t take it personally.

by Melissa Hart

Writer's Digest Weekly Planner

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With new story ideas to remember, deadlines to meet, and submissions to track, writers have a lot to juggle. The Writer's Digest Weekly Planner will keep your entire writing life organized and portable, all year long.

Writer's Digest's 2008 Best Writer�s Website Winner

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Most children stop obeying their parents sometime between junior high and high school graduation, but writer Claudia Luiz—a wife, mother of two and successful psychoanalyst—still listens to her mom.
And when Luiz’s mom told her she needed a website, Luiz obeyed.

by Brian A. Klems

This Writer's Life:
No Longer So Awkward

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Like most rookie writers, he thought his first attempt at a memoir was a masterpiece. One MFA later, he’s embarrassed to admit he wrote that.

by Kevin Alexander

Write Like Rick Steves: Travel Writer Extraordinaire

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Wanderlust, business savvy and a “magical, all-alone private Stonehenge”: How Rick Steves became the world’s most trusted travel writer.

by Zachary Petit

Challenging the Limits of Memory

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this excerpt from Writing Life Stories, Bill Roorbach teaches you how to pay attention to and translate your memories and how to overcome your resistance to remembered places and events.

Condors in a Coal Mine

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

California’s lead bullet ban protects condors and other wildlife, but its biggest beneficiaries may be humans.

by John Moir (78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition Winner)

On the Edge: Religion Wars

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A battle of faith is being fought on bookshelves and bestseller lists. Here, some of the key players chime in on the eternal debate.

The WD Interview:
Isabel Allende

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Isabel Allende found a release for her grief in the form of a memoir written to her departed daughter.

by Jordan E. Rosenfeld

Tips for Memoirists and Journal-Writers

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Tips from Frank McCourt, Mimi Schwartz and others on how to look at your story, how to make it significant.

Nonfiction: Avoid the Poison Pen

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

“What if I don’t want to offend anybody?" As a teacher of first-person writing who has published three provocative memoirs that my family hates, I’m often asked this question. It’s a conundrum for all authors. The great novelist E.L. Doctorow once told me there were stories he wouldn’t publish until certain relatives died—and he writes fiction!
by Susan Shapiro

Literary Hot Spots: Miami

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Want to know where all the literary hot spots are in Miami? We've got you covered. This is part four of your essential guide to living the lit life in several U.S. destinations, including Boston, San Francisco, New York City, Miami, Seattle and more.

by Natalia Maldonado

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Your Lead!

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Take a cue from great newspaper articles: Use snazzy and surprising leads that grab your readers' curiosity and keep them hooked until the end.

How to Build a Marketing Platform

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here are 10 simple steps that will take your visibility from zero to standout in a short time, while also giving you ample opportunities to flex your expertise, carve out your niche topic and connect with your audience.

by Christina Katz

Getting into the Glossies

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Those big-name magazines with a million-plus readers can be cracked by everyday freelancers, too. These six tips will help you glide past the velvet ropes.

This Writer's Life:
Agent Angst

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Medium-sized agencies handle your work with care, but the big guys may get you a six-figure deal. So, what’s a writer to do?

by Kevin Alexander

Tips for Revising Your Manuscript

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Revising is often perceived as frustrating and overwhelming, but Write Great Fiction: Revision & Self-Editing by James Scott Bell gives you the guidance you need to revise like a pro.

In this excerpt from chapter fifteen, discover why it's so important to do a careful first read-through of your manuscript before you start the revising and editing.

"Ever So Humble"

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"Ever So Humble"

An Interview with The Paris Review's Philip Gourevitch

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Rather than follow George Plimpton’s footsteps, Philip Gourevitch took over the reins of The Paris Review and sought a new audience.

Should You Write a Memoir?
(The Memoirist's Dilemma)

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Memoir author Matt Rothschild says there are issues you need to consider before telling your story.

By Matt Rothschild

7 Ways to Develop an Affordable Marketing Plan

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

You’ve gained admission to the publishing world. But now you have to stand out to an entirely new group: your audience.

by M.J. Rose

Tips on Following Your Dream

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way and The Right to Write, notes that writers are wrong to resist writing on speculation. In fact, she says that writing on speculation should be a goal.

The Writer-Editor Relationship

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How can you light fires under editors? In this excerpt from The Craft & Business of Writing, learn why it's a businesslike, professional, and distanced attitude that will first give you perspective on the problems you're encountering, and then will allow you to handle problems without placing a self-destructive fire under yourself.

5 Ways to Start Your Memoir on the Right Foot

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It’s often said that there are a million ways to tell a story—and thus a million ways to start one. So how do you generate a good starting idea? First, you need to be aware of your choices.

by Steve Zousmer

Your Novel Blueprint

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Turn your dream novel into a reality by taking some tips from the worksite and using this Story Plan Checklist.

by Karen S. Wiesner

Writing Corporate History

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How freelancer Jack El-Hai went from writing for historical magazines to writing corporate histories.

The Art of the Blog

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Web logs are the new online journaling craze. Get on board the buzz with this guide on how to blog!

3 Types of Prompts from The Writer's Book of Matches

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Situation, dialogue, and assignment prompts from The Writer's Book of Matches.

This Writer's Life:
Instant Blogification

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In late 2006, my editor at Writer’s Digest called me with an idea. “We’re putting together some blogs for our website. Do you want in?” At the time, I was wary of the whole blogosphere. I’d been under the impression that blogs were just online dream journals for tech-savvy, angst-ridden teenagers to share intimately detailed fantasies involving Prince William. Also, I’m not good at the Internet, as evidenced by my tendency to use outdated search engines and refer to it as the “Intranet.” But I was curious. So I decided to get informed.

Writing Exercise: Fiction Techniques for Nonfiction Characters

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Try these writing exercises to improve the quality of your nonfiction characters.

by Bill Roorbach with Kristen Keckler

Publish Your First Book After 50

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Who says publishing is a young person’s game? Here are an agent’s tips for writing and publishing well into your golden years.

By Scott Hoffman

Who Should Pay?

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Many publications won't pay travel costs for their writers, but they won't accept articles by writers who go on company-sponsored trips, either. What's a travel writer to do?

Add One Anecdote.

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Use anecdotes to deliver delicious features.

Rude Awakening

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

David Sedaris' finely tuned essays are smart, witty and often utterly unkind.

Research Tips on Writing About Your Life

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Writing about personal experiences presents special challenges. Here''s one of several tips from Bill Roorbach, author of Writing Life Stories: "Vague references hurt your writing. Find uses of recently, and references to generic objects and anonymous people, then get specific. When did it happen? What year and model was that car? Uncover the name of your mysterious neighbor. This sounds elementary, but even expert writers catch the

The Roeder Report:
Importance of Writing Environment

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I’m writing this piece in a coffee shop. I know, I know, you think of a coffee shop as a place where people slurp down their lattes as fast as burn prevention allows before leaping from their seats to make room for the next customer; a place where, if you dawdle for more than 10 minutes, you’ll be force-fed the last morsel of your cranberry-orange scone and shoved onto the sidewalk by a bouncer who’s hoping you give him an excuse to choke you out.

by Jason Roeder

7 Tips for Telling Your Life Story

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Telling your life story is big business these days. Edrienne L. Kittredge shares seven tips for deciding whether the skeleton in your closet needs to be shared with the world.

A Memoir To Remember

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It's the extraordinary story that interests readers. But it's how you present it that hooks them.

2 Simple Blogging Exercises

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Lessons and tips for working on specific aspects of your writing.
—From WD's Writer's Workbook section

Craft True-to-Life Nonfiction Characters

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Many of the same techniques for writing characters in fiction apply to nonfiction: Through detail, through gesture, through talk, through close understanding of whole lives before and after the scope of your story, you make your people vivid in your reader’s head.

by Bill Roorbach with Kristen Keckler

The Don'ts of Writing Nonfiction

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When it comes to writing nonfiction, there are several rules you must follow. This "Don't List"covers the basics.

by Susan Shapiro

Mix Mastery

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Variety is the spice of life and the spice of your articles. Cook up sources from different people and places to please all tastes.

Literary Hot Spots: New York City

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Want to know where all the literary hot spots are in The Big Apple? We've got you covered. This is part three of your essential guide to living the lit life in several U.S. destinations, including Boston, San Francisco, New York City, Miami, Seattle and more.

by Sarah Walker

November is National Novel Writing Month

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

NaNoWriMo’s Chris Baty shares five tips for writing your book in a month.

by Chris Baty

Literary Hot Spots: Boston

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Want to know where all the literary hot spots are in Boston? We've got you covered. This is part one of your essential guide to living the lit life in several U.S. destinations, including Boston, San Francisco, New York City, Miami, Seattle and more.

by Kevin Alexander

The Right Word for the Write Job

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Finding the right word can help strengthen your manuscript while adding your own voice and personal style to the piece.

The Surreal Life

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Augusten Burroughs wrote through his life as an abandoned child, high school dropout and alcoholic—and somehow found sanity, sobriety and success along the way.

5 Tips on Avoiding Information Overload

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What do you do when you have more information than your allotted word count can handle? David Fryxell, the editorial director of Writer's Digest, tackles the problem of information overload. Here five tips to help lighten your load.

A Day in the Life

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Historians hold Mary Chesnut's account of the Civil War as essential to understanding our past. Here's why.

Tips for Landing Your Own Newspaper Column

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Getting your own regular column with a newspaper today is as difficult as it is rewarding. The competition for landing these coveted spots is steadily increasing as the circulation of many dailies continues to shrink. Award-winning columnist Cynthia G. La Ferle offers advice and encouragement for writers struggling to break into this golden market.

The Healing Truth

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

An aspiring fiction writer realizes her story is better told as a memoir.

by Jordan E. Rosenfeld

On The Edge: The Happiness Craze

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A new wave of books about a timeless topic hope to help you—and their eclectic authors—live a better life.

by Linda Formichelli

Organizing Information So You Can Use It

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Freelance writers need reliable information, but they often lack the resources and organizational skills of a publication's editorial research department. Jeffery Zbar outlines six tips to turning vast stockpiles of otherwise latent research data into powerful snippets for your stories or leads for future pieces.

Word Play

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Language holds a key role in writing humor. Here are six steps to help you find the perfect word to nail a punchline.

This Writer's Life:
Giving It Up

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sometimes it takes a good kick in the pants to get your act together.

by Kevin Alexander

The Roeder Report:
Escaping the Slush Pile

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Your novel is finished. If you’re like most writers, you put months, maybe years, into writing it and then you proofread it through the envelope on the way to the post office. But then what? What happens between the moment you send the manuscript off and the moment some intern turns a flamethrower on it? You might have heard that it sits atop a stack of nuisance submissions called a “slush pile.” But that’s not actually true—it’s probably not on top of the pile.

by Jason Roeder

A Tuesday With Mitch

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A Tuesday With Mitch

The Roeder Report:
Just Trying to Be Nice

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A few years ago, I shared a short story with my writing group. It was a speculative work that dared to ask, “What if the circus took over the world?” The comments above were the three most encouraging I received from my cohorts. Of the two remaining members of my group, one handed me back my heavily wept-upon manuscript without a word, while the other simply dropped out of society.

by Jason Roeder

Q&A: WDB Author Christina Katz

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Q&A with Christina Katz, author of Writer Mama.

An Editor''s Advice on Writing for Teen Literary Magazines

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Deborah Vetter, editor of Cicada magazine, talks about reaching teenage readers with short stories, essays and poems.

Learn How to be a Columnist

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

You Can Write a Column is the only book of its kind that offers an insider''s perspective on this special field, blending practical writing instruction with savvy marketing advice to help you create successful columns for everything from neighborhood newspapers to high profile magazines. Click below for exercises to use whether you already write column or aspire to do so.

Clothing and Fashion of the 1800s

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Clothing and Fashion of the 1800s

Writing Another Life

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The biographer’s task can be overwhelming. Here’s how one biographer learned to breathe new life into her subject.

by Marion Elizabeth Rodgers

Hello Neighbor

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Break into national magazines by looking for the great human-interest stories in your own town.

The Incredible Disappearing Magazine

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When a magazine that you freelance for folds, it could put a squeeze on your wallet. But if you play it smart, it may also open up opportunities.

Red Flags for Writers

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

From “great clip” to “startup,” be on guard for these buzzwords.

by Linda Formichelli

A Good Yarn

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Caroline Alexander's nonfiction bestsellers are as gripping as any novel. The secret: Let the research carry you away.

Q&A: WDB Author Bill Roorbach

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bill Roorbach, author of Writing Life Stories, has publications in both creative nonfiction (memoir, essays, nature writing) and fiction (novel, short stories). He's also the William H.P. Jenks Chair in Contemporary American Letters at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. The advice he emphasizes is this: Write every day.

Writer Mama Third Place

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When Parenting and Writing Collide—Just Mom by Kathy Burns

Get Editors to Call You

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

After bagging that first assignment, do the job right to assure it's the first of many. In time, you'll become the indispensable writer upon whom editors rely.

Secrets to Great Interviews

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Author Greg Daugherty provides insights into interview preparation for nonfiction writers.

Finding Syndication Success

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Yes, the odds of landing a nationally syndicated column are against you. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find success.

by Lisa Abeyta

Master the Mechanics of Nonfiction

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Get your nonfiction book into the winner's circle by fine-tuning your passion and your business sense.

Black Cod with Green Tomatoes

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here's an excerpt from The Santa Monica Farmers' Market Cookbook, the grand-prize winner of the 2008 Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards.

by Amelia Saltsman

Tips for Powerful, Understated Writing

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In our era of exclamation points, sometimes nothing works better than a whisper.

Enough Backstory, On With the Action!

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Condense and time the delivery of a character's history to intensify your reader's interest in your nonfiction story.

Same Time Next Year

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Make a date to study magazines' editorial calendars before you query—they'll tell you exactly what editors want and when.

Write a Memoir to Remember!

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

An interesting life and excellent writing are key to a compelling memoir. Learn the elements that will help make your story stand out from the rest of the pack.

First-person Finesse

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There's a right way and a wrong way to put yourself in an article you're writing. Know the difference.

Writing Advice From Nonfiction Writers

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Nonfiction writers give us their techniques and advice for writing.

The Roeder Report:
Who Needs an Outline

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Wherever I go, everyone wants to know how I assemble the columns they occasionally skim once they’ve finished Writer’s Digest’s useful content. Well, I describe my writing process like this: “Writing is like driving. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip—what the hell was that? Did I just hit a deer? Aren’t there laws requiring deer to wear reflectors? I should go back. No, no, nothing I can do now. If I happen to pass a roadside trauma center, I’ll be sure to give them a heads-up. Now, which way is Mexico? … ”

by Jason Roeder

The Roeder Report:
Fiction to Film

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How to Write Fiction That’s Ready For the Big Screen.

by Jason Roeder

Freelance Success

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Freelance writer Tom Harpole, whose work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Outdoor Life and Air & Space Smithsonian, shares how he found success as a freelancer.

Miranda Rights for Writers� Subjects

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sure, in the writer’s mind, everyone’s fair game for material. But just like run-ins with the law, all suspects—even those popping up in your fiction and memoirs—deserve a fair reading of their rights.

by Cindy Adams

A Pep Talk for Essayists

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Strive to have your essays evoke your connection to the world, and you will grab readers' empathy, affection and attention.

Kurt Anderson: Co-chair of Inside.com

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Kurt Andersen, co-chair of the hot Internet site Inside.com, founder of Spy magazine and author of the best-selling novel Turn of the Century talks about his career here.

All Work and No Play? No Way.

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

All Work and No Play? No Way.

Ideas for Articles Close to Home

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

You may feel like you're in the middle of nowhere, with no compelling nonfiction topics to write about nearby. Marcia Yudkin, author of Writing About the World Around You, dispells that notion, and gives tips for researching the interesting ideas that surround you.

Writing Careers: Kathleen Gasperini

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Kathleen Gasperini, producer and editor of W.i.g. (Women in General), talks about her career.

Enlightened by Natalie Goldberg

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Enlightened by Natalie Goldberg

Becoming an Amateur Food Critic

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Critiquing a restaurant gives you a feeling of power. Do you give the restaurant a glistening review and let them stay open to serve another meal? Or do you pan them, point out their flaws, and watch them struggle? Of course, unless your reviews are published, you would never truly have that power over a restaurant, but there is some satisfaction sharing your entry with fellow travelers to put a few bucks into or take a few bucks out of the owner's pocket.

The Road More or Less Traveled

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Does a writer traveling equal a travel writer?

The Writing Life Interview: Beryl Bainbridge

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Beryl Bainbridge is the author of such historical novels as Master Georgie and Every Man for Himself (about the Titanic). She has an intriguing way of researching, and of feeding her imagination.

4 Tips for Songwriters

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Beware of the "song sharks" out there. Here are some tips to help you steer clear of those who are "ethically challenged".

Advice on How to Get Published in Magazines

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Editor and writer David Fryxell shares a valuable piece of advice with anyone trying to break into the magazine or newspaper market — "Learn to write the stories that editors dread."

Waiting to Excel

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It takes a lot more than writing your heart on the page to sell a book. Here are three lessons in perseverance one writer learned the hard way.

Nonfiction: Q&As

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

“There’s no Q&A protocol. You can write the manual,” The New York Times Magazine journalist Deborah Solomon told Columbia Journalism Review in the summer of 2005. Yet a recent controversy over Solomon’s Q&A interviewing techniques in her own weekly column proved her wrong about the lack of protocol for this popular but peculiar genre.

6 Questions: Ian Frazier

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ian Frazier, author of On the Rez, says the Native American ethos has long appealed to him, and what's wrong with that?

2 Tips to Writing a Memoir

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Writing a memoir can be a challenging experience. Writer''s Digest offers some helpful suggestions to make the process a little easier.

Everyday Life During the Civil War

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction

Michelle Takes Manhattan

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A writer makes the most of her grand prize from WD's Annual Writing Competition as she hits New York City for back-to-back agent meetings. Was it worth the trip? Come along and find out.

Mightier than the Sword

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Whether fountain or felt-tip, your words are worth the added flair of a perfect pen.

Memoirs vs. Biographies

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

by Susan Carol Hauser, author of You Can Write a Memoir

Writer out of Carolina: Dorothy Allison

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"This is not joy. This is not pleasure. Writing is work, and the most difficult work is inhabiting someone who is not you."

5 Tips for Correcting Factual Errors in Your Writing

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A sure-fire way to ruin any writer's relationship with his or her editor is to turn in an article with factual inaccuracies, especially if those mistakes make it to print. Britta Waller offers writers 5 tips on how to avoid the embarrassment of submitting erroneous material to your publisher.

Tips for Journalists About Publicists

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When you are researching a featured article for a magazine or newspaper, more often than not you will have a run-in with a publicist. Journalist and freelancer Geoff Williams shares his advice on about making the first move.

WD Profile: Amy Bloom

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

From prose to screenwriting and back again—here’s what short-story writer and novelist Amy Bloom learned from moving between prose writing and the all-show, no-tell world of screenwriting.

by Jordan E. Rosenfeld

Your Ticket to Travel Writing

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Nearly everyone wants to be a travel writer. Take this nationally syndicated columnist's advice to put yourself ahead of the pack.

All in the Family

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Capture your family stories in writing using these eight tips.

Cast a Wider Net

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If you're a freelancer focused exclusively on print magazines, it's time to expand your reach. Editors from the best of the web share their insider's take on breaking into webzines.

Writers of Song Lyrics: Find Your Collaborator

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The music industry is always looking for the next hit song ? the complete hit song. This means lyrics plus music. If you write the words and you want to break into this market, first you need to find your second half ? someone to create the melody.

5 Secrets to Fending Off Rejection Slips

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Nonfiction columnist David Fryxell, outlines the five secrets to writing query letters that can help fend off rejection slips.

Nonfiction

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Go Back in Time

Freelance Success -- Ruth Morris

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Living the dream in Bogota.

Dual Success

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

More and more print publications are producing web counterparts. How does that affect nonfiction writers? David A. Fryxell, Writer's Digest Editorial Director, provides some insight.

Looking for the Silver Lining

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The recent tough times in the media marketplace can mean opportunities for freelancers who can go with the flow.

The Art Of The Anecdote

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Art Of The Anecdote

Risky Business With Tony Horwitz

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Horwitz talks about America's obsession with the Civil War and how he finds great stories by taking chances.

Spilling Secrets

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The authors of two explosive memoirs talk about the fears that held them back—and why they wrote their books anyway. Could telling your own story be the corrective you need, too?

Put a New Spin on Nonfiction

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Creative exercises to keep your writing sharp, exerpted from Writing Creative Nonfiction.

STAR This Site

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Freelance copywriter has winning Web site

How to Write How-to

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Step 1: Read this article. Step 2: Write effective stories that will teach anyone how to do anything.

O Pioneers!

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

During slow times, be adventuresome: Explore new freelance opportunities, branch into niche publications and investigate different areas of expertise.

Setting Fees

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As the market shifts and publications die, freelancers need to know how to set competitive fees.

A Tip for Nonfiction Writers on the Use of Quotes

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There is a popular misconception among many nonfiction writers that leading off an article or story with a quote is a cliched technique. David Fryxell, however, disagrees.

The Truth is Out There

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Internet can make finding facts for articles fast and easy—but be careful not to get caught in the Web. Here's how to get instant answers online.

When Words Play, You Win!

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What to do when a blank page stares blankly back? Hold on tight while your mind unravels.

Writer Mama Second Place

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When Parenting and Writing Collide—a 492 word essay by Mar Junge.

5 Tips on Writing about Money

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

You may think that writing about money for magazines like Smart Money and Kiplinger's Personal Finance is just beyond your mathematical understanding. But in this online exclusive article, Greg Daugherty, former editor in chief of New Choices magazine and author of You Can Write for Magazines

Nonfiction

Capturing Ideas Before They Get Away

The Anatomy of a Writer's Website

Media Watchdog: Brent Cunningham

The Roeder Report:The Four Types of Plagiarists

Why Authors Must Be Marketers Too

Flat Fees vs. Hourly Rates

The Roeder Report:You Can Write a Humor Book

Addressing Artistic Despair

Q&A: WDB Author Cap'n George Choundas

6 Questions with New WD Editor Jessica Strawser

Culling Corporate Clients

A Different Type of Memoir: Rick Moody

9 Steps to Standing Out in Your Cover Letter

Literary Hot Spots: San Francisco

Anxiety Levels for Writers

Literary Hot Spots: Seattle

Evoke Emotions in Your Readers

Surviving the Spite

Writer's Digest Weekly Planner

Writer's Digest's 2008 Best Writer�s Website Winner

This Writer's Life:No Longer So Awkward

Write Like Rick Steves: Travel Writer Extraordinaire

Challenging the Limits of Memory

Condors in a Coal Mine

On the Edge: Religion Wars

The WD Interview: Isabel Allende

Tips for Memoirists and Journal-Writers

Nonfiction: Avoid the Poison Pen

Literary Hot Spots: Miami

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Your Lead!

How to Build a Marketing Platform

Getting into the Glossies

This Writer's Life: Agent Angst

Tips for Revising Your Manuscript

"Ever So Humble"

An Interview with The Paris Review's Philip Gourevitch

Should You Write a Memoir? (The Memoirist's Dilemma)

7 Ways to Develop an Affordable Marketing Plan

Tips on Following Your Dream

The Writer-Editor Relationship

5 Ways to Start Your Memoir on the Right Foot

Your Novel Blueprint

Writing Corporate History

The Art of the Blog

3 Types of Prompts from The Writer's Book of Matches

This Writer's Life: Instant Blogification

Writing Exercise: Fiction Techniques for Nonfiction Characters

Publish Your First Book After 50

Who Should Pay?

Add One Anecdote.

Rude Awakening

Research Tips on Writing About Your Life

The Roeder Report: Importance of Writing Environment

7 Tips for Telling Your Life Story

A Memoir To Remember

2 Simple Blogging Exercises

Craft True-to-Life Nonfiction Characters

The Don'ts of Writing Nonfiction

Mix Mastery

Literary Hot Spots: New York City

November is National Novel Writing Month

Literary Hot Spots: Boston

The Right Word for the Write Job

The Surreal Life

5 Tips on Avoiding Information Overload

A Day in the Life

Tips for Landing Your Own Newspaper Column

The Healing Truth

On The Edge: The Happiness Craze

Organizing Information So You Can Use It

Word Play

This Writer's Life:Giving It Up

The Roeder Report:Escaping the Slush Pile

A Tuesday With Mitch

The Roeder Report: Just Trying to Be Nice

Q&A: WDB Author Christina Katz

An Editor''s Advice on Writing for Teen Literary Magazines

Learn How to be a Columnist

Clothing and Fashion of the 1800s

Media Watchdog:
Brent Cunningham

The Roeder Report:
The Four Types of Plagiarists

The Roeder Report:
You Can Write a Humor Book

This Writer's Life:
No Longer So Awkward

The WD Interview:
Isabel Allende

This Writer's Life:
Agent Angst

Should You Write a Memoir?
(The Memoirist's Dilemma)

This Writer's Life:
Instant Blogification

The Roeder Report:
Importance of Writing Environment

This Writer's Life:
Giving It Up

The Roeder Report:
Escaping the Slush Pile

The Roeder Report:
Just Trying to Be Nice

The Roeder Report:
Who Needs an Outline

The Roeder Report:
Fiction to Film