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Publishing FAQs

Who Is Your Target Audience? Use This Simple Trick to Figure Out If They Actually Exist

A major conundrum that trips up many new writers is defining your target audience before you have any actual readers. Dana Sitar explains how to identify them.

  • By Guest Column
    Feb 6, 2019
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Publishing Insights

How to Crowdfund Your Writing With Patreon

Patreon offers creatives a more sustainable model for crowdfunding—ongoing micro-payments from interested benefactors.

  • By Lucy A. Snyder
    Dec 22, 2018
Writer's Digest Annual Conference
Business of Writing

The Difference Between an Author-Author and an Author-Entrepreneur and Why You Need to Know

If you want to write a book, for whatever reason, it’s important to know what kind of author you actually want to be so you know what strategy to use to sell books. Vickie Gould explains the difference and why it matters.

  • By Guest Column
    Aug 30, 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
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Writing Articles

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.

  • By Guest Column
    Aug 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
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WD Magazine Online Exclusives

Risky Business: Taking Big Risks in Your Writing Career—and How They Can Pay Off

Here, we talk with writers who have taken big writing career risks and how those risks paid off—along with what they learned along the way.

  • By Karen Krumpak
    Jun 20, 2018
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Publishing FAQs

The Pros and Cons of Getting Published

Do you ever worry that getting published—that worrying about the business of writing—might sully the purity of your artistic expression and dampen your passion for the craft? Many writers struggle with the concessions required of the publication process, but you needn't fear them; it's all part of the experience.

  • By William Kenower
    Jun 13, 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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WD Podcasts

Tune In: 23 Best Podcasts for Writers

This year, to accompany our annual list of 101 Best Websites for Writers, we decided to put together a list of what we think are the best podcasts for writers. Here are our favorites—let us know if you have any additional suggestions!

  • By Karen Krumpak
    Mar 20, 2018
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The Writer's Life

The Art of Collaboration: 10 Tips for Writing Success

How do individual writers, with unique styles and voices, come together to produce a cohesive novel with seamless prose? Here are 10 things you need to know when attempting to write collaboratively.

  • By Guest Column
    Oct 4, 2017
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Publishing Insights

A Surprising Plan for Drafting Your Book Proposal

Industry veterans Jody Rein and Michael Larsen share an excerpt from their new book, How to Write a Book Proposal 5th Edition, about the preferred order for drafting a book proposal.

  • By Guest Column
    Sep 5, 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
Kendra Levin-featured
Writing Habits and Practices

How to Create an Inspiring Work Space (for under $20)

With a few simple, inexpensive tricks, you can turn any area—no matter how small, and even if you write in a coffee shop or other public place—into a crucible for creativity.

  • By Guest Column
    Nov 10, 2016
Connie Hertzberg Mayo-featured
Social Media

Why Facebook Is My Dream Publicist

Like a dream book publicist, Facebook has helped me in many ways. Here's how it can help you as a writer.

  • By Guest Column
    Jul 15, 2016
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Marketing

9 Tips and Strategies for Promoting Your Book Locally

There are so many ways to get the word out about your book starting with your own community. Here are a number of strategies for you to use to promote your book.

  • By Guest Column
    Jun 13, 2016
WendyVogel
Publishing FAQs

What It’s Like to Land a Book Deal

From the moment you touch fingers to keyboard or pen to paper, you dream of this moment. Here's what it's like when it finally happens.

  • By Guest Column
    May 19, 2016
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Write My Query

How to Write the Perfect Query Letter

A literary agent shares a real-life novel pitch that ultimately led to a book deal—and shows you how to query your own work with success.

  • By Mary Kole
    Mar 21, 2016
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Submissions & Proposals

Should You Grant an Exclusive Read of Your Novel to an Agent?

If a literary agent asks for a six-week exclusive window to look at your manuscript, should you grant it? Here's what you should consider.

  • By Brian A. Klems
    Mar 10, 2016
Osmund Photo-featured
Marketing

Free E-book Promotions—Are They Right for You?

  • By Brian A. Klems
    Mar 4, 2016
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Publishing FAQs

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
    Jan 22, 2016
Tracey Barnes Priestley - featured
Submissions & Proposals

5 Important Tips on How to Pitch a Literary Agent In Person

Writing conferences offer valuable chances to meet face-to-face with agents—but in the heat of the moment, nerves can get the best of even the most confident writers. Here are 5 steps to coming out on top.

  • By Guest Column
    May 25, 2015
What's New

How to See Your Work Through an Agent or Publisher’s Eyes

Query letter writing is no doubt one of the hardest forms of writing to master. Here's what agents and publishers need to see from you when you pitch your work.

  • By Jon James Miller
    Jul 18, 2012
What's New

How to Sell Your Manuscript Without an Agent

First-time author Diane Kelly offers 4 strategies to connect with editors and sell your manuscript—without an agent.

  • By Diane Kelly
    May 11, 2012
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