July/August 2013 Issue
July/August Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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How to Publish a Book, Get Published
You’ve finished your novel, short story, or work of non-fiction – now you need to find someone who will publish it. Or perhaps you want to publish it yourself. Whatever your goals may be, you’ll find the information you need to get published right here. It’s to your advantage to get started today because getting published may be easier than you think. The first step is to tap into the vast writing resources available at Writer’s Digest, then collaborate with our advanced but easy to use information to help you find a literary agent. Get started today.
6 Reasons Partnering with Other Authors Can Benefit You
Partnering with other authors can give you leverage for your career—and a whole host of other benefits besides. Here’s how to do it.
by Marie Lamba
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Confessions of a Tweetaholic
In the summer of 2009, I joined Twitter, and my life as a writer forever changed. Here’s how I came to understand the value of Twitter.
by Jeanne Veillette Bowerman
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10 Reasons the Freelance Life is a Good Life
Writer’s block. A bad economy. Dwindling markets. Freelancing can be frustrating—but there’s still plenty of motivation to write on. Here’s why.
by Art Spikol
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Are You a Writer or Creator?
Are you ready for everything the next wave of publishing has to offer?
by Guy LeCharles Gonzalez
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10 Tips for Delivering a Killer Reading
Most of us dread public speaking at first, but once you learn how to plan for a reading, you may find you actually enjoy it. Here are 10 essentials to get you started.
by Barbara Croft
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Pitching the World
What would happen if you queried every market in the latest freelance directory? From A–Z, one writer decided to find out.
by Steven Rowland
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How to Make the Most of Any Writing Conference
10 top conference organizers share secrets learned behind the scenes.
by Linda Formichelli
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Give Editors What They Want
Get more insider advice on how to break into this issue’s spotlight magazine, The Sun, and book publisher, Cleis Press. Read more
The Online Advantage: In the Editors’ Words
In this online-exclusive, we asked three leading editors with Web-based literary journals what makes online markets such great opportunities for writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Read on for their best tips and advice.
by Vanessa Weiland
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The Market for Memoirs
Top literary agents get real about what you need to know to break in—and what you need to do to break out.
by Jessica Strawser
Ask the Pro: Literary Agent Cherry Weiner
Agent Cherry Weiner talks about queries, her dream client, her biggest pet peeves and more.
Defining Science Fiction and Fantasy
Science fiction and fantasy stories take place in worlds that have never existed or are not yet known. Still a little confused about what falls into the realm of sci-fi and fantasy? Let us break it down for you.
by Orson Scott Card
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Cracking Into Comics
Thanks to a genre no longer dominated by caped super-heroes, one of the bright spots in publishing is the increasing popularity of comics and graphic novels. Scott Allie, senior managing editor of Dark Horse Comics, shares his thoughts on what it takes to write comics well.
by Vanessa Wieland
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A Legal Checklist for Writers
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you should take special care that you’re not risking an invasion of privacy or defamation charge.
by Amy Cook
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A Writer’s Guide to Defamation and Invasion of Privacy
Chances are, you’re not the only character in your book. Here’s what every memoir writer needs to know about invasion of privacy, defamation and the law.
by Amy Cook
Do Memoirs Have to Be True?
Memoirists often take some liberties with the "truth." Is that OK?
by Jenny Rough
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How to Add Suspense to Your Novel
Forget formulaic junk-food mysteries. Infuse your story with all the ingredients of savory suspense.
by Elizabeth Sims
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Ask the Pro: Literary Agent Chris Richman
Agent Chris Richman shares the best query he ever received, his biggest pet peeve and his dream project.
by Kara Gebhart Uhl
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Ask the Pro: Literary Agent Ted Weinstein
Founder of Ted Weinstein literary management, this agent says he loves being surprised by great projects on topics he hasn’t thought about before.
by Kara Gebhart Uhl
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Ask the Pro: Literary Agent Rachelle Gardner
Super-agent Rachelle Gardner shares the inside scoop on her pet peeves, the worst query she’s ever received and what her dream client would be like.
by Kara Gebhart Uhl
Ask the Pro: Assistant Agent Suzie Townsend
Assistant Agent/Executive Assistant Suzie Townsend answers 10 questions to give you a better understanding of what agents want.
by Kara Gebhart Uhl
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The Evolution of the Literary Agent
As publishing models change, so must the agent-author relationship. So what should you be prepared for? Some of the industry’s most innovative reps speak out.
Compiled by Jane Friedman
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Publishers Seeking Romance Writers
Here’s a list of the top five publishers for romance fiction and some details about them.
by Brenda Novak
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How to Break into the YA Market
Agents and editors in the young adult genre tell you what’s hot, what’s not, and what you need to know to break in.
by Jessica Strawser
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The Dos & Don
Historifiction-YA-Paranormal-Bromance? Yikes. Here’s how to mix elements of different genres in your novel the right way.
By Joanna Stampfel-Volpe
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