February 2012 Issue
February Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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Website of the Week
Writing Website of the Week
Andrew Jack's site not only follows the journey of this writer on his quest to get his fiction published, but also offers solid writing advice.Andrew Jack Writing 
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[description]Discover what it takes to improve your writing skill, after you’ve become a published author, by exploring Writer’s Digest’s vast collection of tips, news and advice.[/description]
[keywords]how to become an author, how to become a published author, how to get published, get book published[/keywords]
[keywords]how to become an author, how to become a published author, how to get published, get book published[/keywords]
You’ve finished your manuscript and gotten it published. Seeing your book on a shelf isn’t a new experience. But you want to know how to improve your work, grow your audience, make more money and life the writing life you’ve dreamed of. You’ll find the best help here.
How to Avoid 10 Common Conference Mistakes That Most Writers Make
10 top conference organizers reveal the 10 common pitfalls they most often see writers tumbling into—and how to avoid them. Read more
50 Simple Ways to Build Your Platform in 5 Minutes a Day
If you’re the kind of writer who prefers being read and selling your work as opposed to being an unknown starving writer (who doesn’t?), here are 50 quick, simple ways to launch your platform into action and climb your way to success. Read more
Before They Were Famous: The Oddest Odd Jobs of 10 Literary Greats
Plenty of acclaimed and successful writers began their careers working strange—and occasionally degrading—day jobs. But rather than being ground down by the work, many drew inspiration for stories and poems from even the dullest gigs. Here are 10 of the oddest odd jobs of famous authors—all of them reminders that creative fodder can be found in the most unexpected places. Read more
Conflict & Suspense Exclusive
Download a free PDF of Bell’s in-depth conflict analysis of his novel No Legal Grounds. Find out more about Elements of Fiction Writing: Conflict & Suspense by James Scott Bell.
Conflict & Suspense Excerpt
Brainstorming for Conflict from Elements of Fiction Writing: Conflict & Suspense by James Scott Bell How do you begin to write a story with conflict? 1. You come up with ideas that … Read more
Conflict & Suspense
Elements of Fiction Writing: Conflict & Suspense by James Scott Bell Writer’s Digest Books, 2011 ISBN-13: 978-1-59963-273-5 ISBN-10: 1-59963-273-X $16.99 paperback, 256 pages Buy the Book! Read an Excerpt! Learn surefire techniques … Read more
Writer’s Workout Exclusive
Download a free motivational poster to keep you moving as your build your writing career. Read an Excerpt! Learn how to cultivate clarity, inventory ideas, write richly, and serve up words. About … Read more
Writer’s Workout Excerpt
Excerpt from The Writer’s Workout by Christina Katz CULTIVATE CLARITY When you write something needlessly prolix and convoluted, there’s a reason for it, and that reason is usually a lack of clarity … Read more
Writer’s Workout
The Writer’s Workout: 366 Tips, Tasks, & Techniques from Your Writing Career Coach by Christina Katz Writer’s Digest Books, 2011 ISBN-13: 978-1-59963-179-0 ISBN-10: 1-59963-179-2 $19.99 paperback, 384 pages Buy the Book! Read … Read more
Word Savvy Excerpt
Attacking the Wrong-Word Problem From Word Savvy by Nancy Ragno Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you’re ready or not, to put the plan … Read more
Word Savvy
Word Savvy: Use the Right Word Every Time, All the Time by Nancy Ragno Writer’s Digest Books, 2011 ISBN-13: 978-1-59963-303-9 ISBN-10: 1-59963-303-5 $14.00 paperback, 224 pages Buy the Book! Read an Excerpt! … Read more
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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How to Set up A Preorder Event for Your Book
A preorder event is a great way to not only generate buzz for your book, but also to pull in some early sales. Seth Harwood, author of Jack Wakes Up and Young Junius, offers up several strategies on how to have a successful preorder event.
by Seth Harwood with Alison Janssen
Finish Your Novel in 4 Simple Steps
You need stamina to transform that out-of-shape first draft into a story with staying power. Use these 4 revision strategies to make your novel go the distance.
By Lin Enger
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Publishing Contracts 101 (Protect Your Work)
Make sure your agreement protects you—and your book. Here are 6 key terms/areas you need to address before signing on the dotted line.
by Paul S. Levine
Publishing 101: What You Need to Know
Here’s your step-by-step guide to the publishing process–how it works, why you need to know and how you can play an influential role in your book’s success.
by Jerry D. Simmons
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The 7 Biggest Myths of Publishing (Know the Truth)
A veteran author tells you, writer to writer, what getting published is really like—and confronts the seven biggest myths.
by Elizabeth Sims
10 Questions Writers Must Ask Before Quitting Their Day Job
Ask yourself these 10 crucial questions before you quit your day job.
by Jeff Yeager
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A Writer’s Guide to Social Networking
Find out how hopping on the social networking bandwagon can actually help you stand out to agents, editors and potential readers.
by the Writer’s Digest staff
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What to Avoid When Marketing Your Writing
There really is such a thing as bad publicity. Here’s how to know just how far too far really is.
by M.J. Rose Read more
William P. Young’s Cinderella Story
It’s the ultimate self-publishing dream: William P. Young’s novel went from photo-copied Christmas gift to chart-topping bestseller. Here’s how he pulled it off.
by Jordan E. Rosenfeld Read more
Why All Authors Need a Platform
Before you are in a position to land a book deal, you need to construct a platform that will build your future book’s readership, project your professionalism, and attract the interest of editors and agents. Read more
The Anatomy of a Writer’s Website
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 Read more
What Agents Hate
Ask any literary agent what they’re looking for in a novel’s first chapter and they’ll all say the same thing: “Good writing that hooks me in.” Agents appreciate the same elements of good writing that readers do. They want action; they want compelling characters and a reason to read on; they want to feel an immediate connection with your writing.
by Chuck Sambuchino Read more