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  • Freelance Writer, Article Writing
Freelance writing
Freelance Writing

Building Your Freelance Writing Career: Just Say Yes

In this WD article from Nov/Dec 2016, Jeff Somers shares the best way to advance your freelance writing career: Just Say Yes. His advice still stands.

  • By Jeff Somers
    Dec 17, 2019
Aysha Akhtar Our Sympathy With Animals
Writing Techniques

How I Interviewed a Serial Killer and Stayed Sane

Talking to a serial killer for research, Dr. Aysha Akhtar, MD, MPH, reveals the planning that went into her interviews and how she stayed sane through the process.

  • By Aysha Akhtar
    Jun 28, 2019
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Writing Genres

The WD Interview: Susan Orlean on The Library Book and Finding the Red-Hot Center of the Story

Susan Orlean talks to WD about the challenges of researching and writing The Library Book, and how libraries are meeting the needs of 21st century patrons.

  • By Don Vaughan
    May 8, 2019
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The Writer's Life

How to Make Yourself Look Good Without Lying

How should talented, upcoming writers present themselves to editors when pitching articles? Freelance professional Katherine Swarts has a few tips.

  • By Katherine Swarts
    Apr 18, 2019
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Writing Goal

Reddit for Writers: 47 Writing Subreddits to Explore

This supplement to the 2019 edition of our 101 Best Websites provides a guide to writing subreddits — destinations across Reddit where writers can find useful information, community and resources.

  • By Jess Zafarris
    Mar 22, 2019
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Writing Articles

20 Ways to Generate Article Ideas in 20 Minutes or Less

Are you looking for new ways to generate fresh article ideas? Here are 20 you can accomplish in fewer than 20 minutes each.

  • By Mridu Khullar Relph
    Dec 26, 2018
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WD Magazine Online Exclusives

Journo Jargon: "On the Record" vs. "Off the Record" vs. "On Background"

In the February 2019 Writer’s Digest, Roger Morris asks award-winning reporters how they convince sources to reveal explosive information. To add context to that piece, here he breaks down the difference between “on the record,” “off the record” and “on background” in this glossary refresher.

  • By Cassandra Lipp
    Dec 21, 2018
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Writing Articles

Immersive Nonfiction & Idea Generation with 'The Fifth Risk' Author Michael Lewis

Author Michael Lewis of The Big Short, Moneyball and his latest, The Fifth Risk, lays out his formula for immersive nonfiction in this extended Writer's Digest interview.

  • By Carten Cordell
    Nov 20, 2018
 Original cover, Writer's Digest November 1947
Vintage WD

Stan Lee's 1947 Guide to Writing and Selling Comics

In 1947, when comics legend Stan Lee was in his mid-20s and was just rising to notoriety, he contributed an article to Writer's Digest called "There's Money in Comics!" Read the article here.

  • By Jess Zafarris
    Nov 12, 2018
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Articles

Expert Express: How to Find and Leverage Experts When Writing Articles

Quotes from voices of authority can lend credibility and depth when writing articles. Learn how enhance your freelance writing by incorporating expert input.

  • By Kimberly A. Edwards
    Nov 6, 2018
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Interviews/Journalism

Bob Woodward Gets to the Bottom of Things: Timeless Investigative Journalism Techniques (from Writer's Digest 1996)

Given the buzz surrounding the explosive book Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward, we dug out a surprisingly timeless article from the August 1996 issue of Writer's Digest about Mr. Woodward's investigative journalism techniques.

  • By Jess Zafarris
    Sep 6, 2018
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Writing Articles

indieLAB—a New Event for Entrepreneurial 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.

  • By The Editors of Writer's Digest
    Aug 28, 2018
 This article is excerpted from Susan Shapiro's new book, The Byline Bible: Get Published in Five Weeks © 2018 from Writer's Digest Books.
Writing Articles

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!

  • By Susan Shapiro
    Aug 21, 2018
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Writing Articles

18 Ways to Write Funnier Fast

We're not all comedy writers, but many of us want to write a funny story or incorporate funny scenes into a novel. In this excerpt from The Byline Bible, Susan Shapiro offers 18 quick and easy ways to improve at eliciting laughs from your readers.

  • By Susan Shapiro
    Jul 26, 2018
 Critical New Legal Issues for Writers
Contracts and Legal Considerations

The Lowdown on Libel: Understanding What Libel Means for Writers

When contemplating whether to pen something potentially controversial, your best defense is knowing when your work is protected and when it crosses the line. While libel laws vary from state to state, there are general principles you can rely upon.

  • By Guest Column
    Jun 21, 2018
 Writer's Digest Guide to Magazine Article Writing: A Practical Guide to Selling Your Pitches, Crafting Strong Articles, & Earning More Bylines
Publishing Insights

Writing for Magazines: How to Land a Magazine Assignment

Writing for magazines is a lot like catching a fish. It requires the right bait, understanding the conditions, finesse with timing and most of all, persistence. When it all comes together, the time and effort are worth it when you net the big one.

  • By Kerrie Flanagan
    Jun 11, 2018
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Writing Articles

13 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Sign That Book Contract or Take That Freelance Writing Job

In a competitive industry, it’s easy to feel like publishers hold all the power. But the truth is they need good content—and writers have a right to not be fleeced. Here are some situations when the best option just might be to walk away from that book contract or that freelance writing job.

  • By Jeff Somers
    Apr 21, 2018
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There Are No Rules Blog by the Editors of Writer's Digest

Freelance Writers Workshop: Submitting Personal Essays

Submitting personal essays might just be your best way to break into freelance writing.

  • By Tyler Moss
    Mar 7, 2017
John Peragine featured
Writing Articles

Ghostwriting: A Business Blueprint You Need to Succeed

There’s a big difference between landing one or two gigs and making a career of ghostwriting—or any kind of writing, for that matter. Use this plan for long-term, full-time success.

  • By Guest Column
    Feb 10, 2017
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Revising & Editing

The Copy Editing and Proofreading Checklist All Writers Need

Here are 26 important items you should check when copy editing and proofreading your manuscript.

  • By Guest Column
    Dec 12, 2016
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Articles

The 8 Perks of Writing a Column

Editors are always looking for knowledgeable, entertaining, dependable freelance columnists to fill their ever-recurring white space. Become one and enjoy these potential perks.

  • By Guest Column
    Jun 26, 2016
featured-noelle-sterne-author
Articles

Want to Write a Column? Here are 7 Key Tips You Need to Know

A quality column takes consistent effort, thought, and much rewriting. My experience writing several columns and the advice of several column writers I interviewed pinpoint seven of the most important and challenging considerations.

  • By Guest Column
    Mar 17, 2016
don-vaughan-featured
Market Spotlight

5 Reasons You Should Pitch Your Writing to Smaller Markets

Small-circulation publications are often overlooked, but they offer big perks to writers who are willing to reach out.

  • By Guest Column
    Feb 18, 2016
Scott Allen Morrison_300dpi-featured
Articles

How Being a Journalist Can Help You Write a Novel

Whenever I pitched my book to an agent, I was always quick to point out I’d been a reporter for almost two decades. They’d have to take me somewhat seriously because everyone knows journalists can write. Right? If only that were true.

  • By Guest Column
    Jan 15, 2016
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