7 Ways to Turbocharge Your Ebook Marketing
Smart ebook marketing works like a magnet to bridge the gap between readers’ unmet desires and your book’s ability to satisfy those desires. Here are seven proven ebook marketing strategies you can implement immediately, at no cost.
20 Things to Consider When Building Fantasy Worlds
New York Times Bestselling Author Sara Raasch shares her list of 20 considerations you should work through when building fantasy worlds.
Is Social Media Changing How We Write?
What if, in relying so much on social media platforms not only to maintain relationships but to promote our work, we’ve become impatient during the genesis of it?
The Difference Between an Author-Author and an Author-Entrepreneur and Why You Need to Know
There are two types of authors: “author-authors” and author-entrepreneurs. The main difference is that the author-entrepreneur owns a business that their book is tied to and they make a living off of their business, which is partially fed by their book. Here's why that matters.
The Perception Gap: Using Character Perspective to Propel Your Plot
Your characters’ views of the world can do much more than simply define who they are. Here’s how to use character perspective to propel your plot.
How Much Should I Say? Choosing What to Include in a Memoir About a Sensitive Topic
Choosing what to include in a memoir can be challenging—and doubly so when the topic of the memoir is particularly sensitive. Susan Burrowes, who wrote a book about her family's struggle with her teen daughter's addition, discusses her process and decisions.
The Self-Publishing Path: It’s Often Anything But “Self”
As with so many things in the publishing world, the best approach to self-publishing depends on your goals and available resources. Here are key considerations authors must make when deciding on the right self-publishing path for them.
Choose Your Own Adventure at indieLAB, a New Interactive Event for Writers
If you're an author, aspiring novelist, freelance writer or small publisher who wants to expand your readership, improve your business prospects and earn more from your writing, join us this September at indieLAB, an all-new event from Writer's Digest.
What Starting a Business and Launching a Book Have in Common: It’s All About the Investment
When launching a book, your job is to find readers, engage with readers, write good books, and sell the heck out of said book(s). Here are a few rules from the business world that will make the investment of time and energy worth your while.
Who Ya Gonna Call? Writing Paranormal and Supernatural Phenomena Realistically and Authentically
Given the popularity and depictions of "paranormal and supernatural phenomena" in movies and TV, one of the world's foremost scientific experts on writing paranormal and supernatural phenomena explains how his expertise assists writers and filmmakers.
6 Book Publicity Ideas for Today’s Author
Realistic time goals and manageable tasks are the key to staying motivated and keeping on trucking with book publicity. Here are some tips for promoting your book.
With a Little Help From Our (Writing) Friends: How to Cultivate a Writing Community
Writing is something we do on our own, but finding success requires a supportive writing community. Here's how to find and cultivate that community.
The 12 Best and Worst Things That Could Happen After Your Freelance Article Is Accepted
The newspaper, magazine or web editor loves the freelance article you submitted and says “Yes!” Before you jump up and down and share the news to your 10,000 social media friends, beware the worst that has happened to more than one freelance writer—but also be hopeful for the best things too!
The Power of Theme: Turning Books Into Movies
Books to Movies: Barri Evins reveals how to harness the power of theme to entice publishers, captivate readers, and attract the film and television industry.
100 Writing & Publishing Tips from the 2018 Writer’s Digest Annual Conference
In case you didn't make it to the 2018 Writer's Digest Annual Conference, or you didn't manage to catch a session you were dying to attend, we've selected 100 of the greatest writing and publishing tips from the speakers who graced us with their knowledge and experiences.
5 Tips for Incorporating Real-World Politics into a Futuristic Narrative
Many authors seek to incorporate contemporary themes and issues into novels that are set in the future. Here, Jay Schiffman offers five ideas to get your started if you're interested in incorporating real-world politics into a futuristic narrative.
The Three Types of Book Cover Design Every Author Should Know
Here, Reedsy dips into the business end of book cover design, looking at the three basic categories of cover design, what types of books they’re good for, and how much they cost.
Bestseller Walter Mosley on Characterization and the Legacy of Devil in a Blue Dress
In a conversation with WD, Easy Rawlins author Walter Mosley reflects on the passion and craft that informs his bestselling novels.
Why I’ll Never Tell Anyone They Can’t Write
Think you can't write? That's not the case—anyone can write, as William Kenower learned in a writing class when one student took a blunt and brutal critique and used it to transform her clumsy writing into a powerful story.
Cara Black: Passion for Paris
In her setting-centric novels, bestselling mystery author Cara Black shows the seamier side of the City of Light.
4 Benefits of Joining a Writing Group
As a preview of their Writer's Digest Annual Conference panel, a thriving writing group composed of of Kimmery Martin, Bess Kercher, Trish Rohr and Tracy Curtis offer their thoughts about how the power of connection can propel your writing career, and the role a writing group can play in your journey.
Curtis Sittenfeld on Choosing Beta Readers, Outlining and Creating Complex Characters
Bestselling author Curtis Sittenfeld (Eligible) explains how her characters keep it “real,” and why plumbing the awkward and uncomfortable can lead to the richest social commentary.
Adding Dimension to Characters: 10 Sly Character Development Techniques
These underhanded character development techniques are designed to relax your “thinky” brain and to draw instead on your curiosity, intuition and slightly devious sense of play in order to help your characters reveal their own inner workings.
11 Authors Discuss the Road to Getting a Literary Agent
Finding an agent who will take a chance on your book can be a challenge, and a lengthy one at that. If you’re struggling, here are some words of wisdom from celebrated authors—including Helen Hoang, Robyn Harding, Elyssa Friedland and more—to motivate you to keep working toward your goal of getting a literary...