May/June2013 Issue
May/June Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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Writing Articles
Unleash your writing potential now with Writer’s Digest writing articles. Here, you can learn everything you need to know about virtually any writing topic and genre. Whether it’s fiction writing, how to write an article, getting published, promoting your work and much, much more. Learn from published authors and industry experts alike how to take your initial ideas and turn them into a completed story that is creative and print-worthy – from the Writer’s Digest writing articles.
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Q&A With Nancy Kress
Read an exclusive Q&A with Nancy Kress, author of Elements of Fiction Writing: Beginnings, Middles, & Ends.
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Take Back Your Lunch Hour
In this excerpt from Chapter 4: Writers, Take Back Your Lunch Hour from Áine Greaney’s Writer With a Day Job, you’ll learn:
- how to make your lunch hour work for you
- the most effective ways to organize your time at lunch
- how much you can really expect to get done in an hour
Writer With a Day Job
In Writer With a Day Job by Áine Greaney
- Learn how to balance a day job and a writing life
- Find exercises, inspiration, and techniques you need to build creative expression into your daily life.
- Get quick, practical tutorials to help you master scenes, point of view, characters, settings, dialogue, and more
How to Craft Compelling Characters
To make characters seem real, you need to tap into what drives them. Use this foolproof method to bring the emotion of your story to life.
by David Corbett
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Finding Your Memoir’s Voice
Literary agent Paula Balzer discussed finding your voice in this excerpt from her book WRITING & SELLING YOUR MEMOIR. Read more
18th Annual Self-Published Book Awards Winners – Life Stories
Announcing the Life Stories winners of the 18th Annual Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Awards.
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18th Annual Self-Published Book Awards Winners – Reference
Announcing the Reference winners of the 18th Annual Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Awards.
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18th Annual Self-Published Book Awards Winners – Nonfiction
Announcing the Nonfiction winners of the 18th Annual Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Awards.
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18th Annual Self-Published Book Awards Winners – Poetry
Announcing the Poetry winners of the 18th Annual Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Awards.
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18th Annual Self-Published Book Awards Winners – Middle Grade/Young Adult
Announcing the Middle Grade/Young Adult winners of the 18th Annual Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Awards.
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Online Exclusive: Stock Your Bookshelves the Pat Conroy Way
In this bonus online exclusive, Pat Conroy (The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini and other contemporary Southern classics) shares recollections and recommendations of some of his favorite bookstores, past and present, across his native South.
by Lynn Seldon
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Learn How Less Can Be More
Read the winning story in WD’s 11th Annual Short Short Story Competition, and find out more about how its author, Mikala Engel, conveyed big emotion in a small word count. Read more
Get Started With Your Own Website or Blog
If you’re serious about your career as an author, you need a website. And the sooner you get one going, the better. Why? The most important reason: There’s a learning curve. You … Read more
Elements of a Successful Fiction Platform
To really make your name, you need to put it out there—and not just on the cover of your book. Here, novelists share which strategies for attracting readers work, which ones don’t, and why craft is still as important as ever.
By Christina Katz
How to Get Reviews for Self-Published Books
Today’s guest post is by Joel Friedlander, one of the most informative people I know on the topic of self-publishing. Go visit his blog, or follow him on Twitter. – It’s never … Read more
How to Start a Professional Newsletter for Free
Last year, I talked about why authors need to start building an e-mail list … NOW. Even though it may sound antiquated in light of other tools available, e-mail is still one … Read more
10 Ways to Start Your Story Better
A good opening line is a powerful thing: It can grab an editor’s attention, set the tone for the rest of the piece, and make sure readers stay through The End. Here are 10 ways to steer your story toward success.
by Jacob M. Appel
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How to Amp up Dialogue with Emotional Beats
Dialogue benefits from variety. A good way to maintain your reader’s interest is to insert a variety of beats into your dialogue. Beats are descriptions of physical action—minor or major—that fall between lines of speech. Try the following techniques to punch up your dialogue.
by Todd A. Stone
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10 Steps to Secure Your WordPress Blog From Hackers
Today’s guest post is from Triona Guidry, a computer consultant and freelance writer in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Her blog offers tech support for Windows and Mac, security alerts, and advice … Read more
How I Got My Agent: Stacy Pershall
“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.
Stacy Pershall, holds a MFA degree in electronic art from the University of Cincinnati. Her memoir, Loud in the House of Myself: Memoir of a Strange Girl (2011; Norton) was chosen for the Barnes and Noble spring 2011 Discover Great New Writers program. Booklist called the memoir an “electrifying account … one whirlwind ride.” Read more
How to Turn Rejection Letters into a Positive
Lessons in perseverance can come in unexpected packages. Learn how one writer found redemption through rejection.
by Sue Fliess
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How to Celebrate National Poetry Month: Guest Post by Nancy Posey
Please welcome our own Nancy Posey as she discusses ideas for celebrating National Poetry Month in April (outside of participating in the Poetic Asides April PAD Challenge). As many of you may … Read more
Reject a Hit: J.K. Rowling
Let’s step once again into the role of the unconvinced, perhaps even curmudgeonly or fool-hearted editor: What harsh rejection letters might the authors of some of our favorite hit books have had to endure? This time we take on J.K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame.
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10 Basics on How to Nab Your Book a Blurb
Follow the rules of endorsement etiquette to get the names you want on your book jacket.
by Jenna Glatzer
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8 iPhone Apps to Grow & Connect With Audience
Last summer, I did a post on Ultimate iPhone Apps: 30+ Productivity and Creativity Boosts. In a few months, I’ll update that list, but first, I’d like to share specific iPhone apps … Read more
