Free E-Book on Building Readership by Cory Doctorow

Author:
Publish date:
Image placeholder title

Portrait by Jonathan Worth

My most popular post (so far) this year, 5 Free E-Books Every Writer Needs, could've benefited from one more addition:

The Problem Isn't Piracy, The Problem Is Obscurity by Cory Doctorow

This e-book gathers some of Doctorow's best essays and rants on why authors should give their work away, stop sweating copyright, and focus on building a community of readers.

I've long been a fan of Doctorow. Even if you don't agree with everything he says, he's essential reading for all forward-thinking authors.

Click here to download.

Also, if you didn't know, Writer's Digest magazine from September 2009 features an interview with Doctorow—he's even on the cover! Go check it out.

Weinstein_1:21
Overcoming Writer's Block

The Writer, The Inner Critic, & The Slacker

Author and writing professor Alexander Weinstein explains the three parts of a writer's psyche, how they can work against the writer, and how to utilize them for success.

Stottlemyre_1:21
Interviews

Todd Stottlemyre: On Mixing and Bending Genres

Author Todd Stottlemyre explains how he combined fiction and nonfiction in his latest book and what it meant as a writer to share his personal experiences.

plot_twist_story_prompts_take_a_trip_robert_lee_brewer
Writing Prompts

Plot Twist Story Prompts: Take a Trip

Every good story needs a nice (or not so nice) turn or two to keep it interesting. This week, have a character take a trip somewhere.

Probst_1:20
Writing Techniques

Making the Switch from Romance to Women’s Fiction

In this article, author Jennifer Probst explains the differences between romance and women's fiction, the importance of both, and how you can make the genre switch.

Wrobel_1:20
Interviews

Stephanie Wrobel: On Writing an Unusual Hero

Author Stephanie Wrobel explains how she came to write about mental illness and how it affects familial relationships, as well as getting inside the head of an unusual character.

who_are_the_inaugural_poets_for_united_states_presidents_robert_lee_brewer
Poetry FAQs

Who Are the Inaugural Poets for United States Presidents?

Here is a list of the inaugural poets for United States Presidential Inauguration Days from Robert Frost to Amanda Gorman. This post also touches on who an inaugural poet is and which presidents have had them at their inaugurations.

precedent_vs_president_grammar_rules_robert_lee_brewer
Grammar

Precedent vs. President (Grammar Rules)

Learn when to use precedent vs. president with Grammar Rules from the Writer's Digest editors, including a few examples of correct usages.

Poetry Prompt
Wednesday Poetry Prompts

Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 554

Every Wednesday, Robert Lee Brewer shares a prompt and an example poem to get things started on the Poetic Asides blog. This week, write a future poem.

new_agent_alert_tasneem_motala_the_rights_factory
Young Adult Agents

New Agent Alert: Tasneem Motala of The Rights Factory

New literary agent alerts (with this spotlight featuring Tasneem Motala of The Rights Factory) are golden opportunities for new writers because each one is a literary agent who is likely building his or her client list.