“How do you get into writing comics? Write a comic.” Eisner-Nominated Alex de Campi Talks Comics, Prose & Multidisciplinary Creative Work
Acclaimed comic book and graphic novel writer, columnist, and filmmaker Alex de Campi shares her secrets for getting into writing comics, working with comics artists, tackling multidisciplinary creative projects, and more.
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.
How To Design a Professional Ebook for Free
Discover the three major steps and a slew of free tools to help you format and design an ebook from start to finish, no design skills necessary.
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.
Day Job Jumble Quiz: Can You Guess the Day Jobs of These Famous Authors?
The Potpourri for the Pen column in the September 2018 issue of Writer’s Digest featured a game in which you had to match the famous authors to their unexpected day jobs. Take the quiz here (and find the answers from the magazine).
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 441
For today’s prompt, write a notice poem. A notice could be a warning about something. Or it could just be an informational type of notice. Or perhaps, you just noticed a person, place, or thing for the first time. ***** Get Published With Poet’s Market! The 2018 Poet’s Market, edited by...
The WD Interview: Bestseller Jacqueline Woodson on Confronting Controversial Subjects & Writing Across Age Categories
In this exclusive extended interview with National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Jacqueline Woodson, the Newbery Honored author talks character building, diversity movements, and the real-world importance of books for kids and teens.
3 Steps to Social Media Domination for Writers
Author and social media afficionado Jeff Somers shares his three steps for social-media success.
Debut Author Interview: Helen Hoang, Author of The Kiss Quotient
We spoke to Helen Hoang about her debut romance, The Kiss Quotient, in our September issue and since the novel’s release, it’s generated buzz from The New York Times, Bustle, NPR, Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly and more. Read an interview with Hoang.
On Writing and Skinny Dipping: The Importance of Writing Personal and Realistic Fiction
Debut novelist Helen Hoang discusses the importance of writing personal and realistic fiction.
Funny You Should Ask: What are the best times to query a literary agent?
Funny You Should Ask is a humorous and handy column by literary agent Barbara Poelle. In this edition, she answers a reader's question about the best times to query a literary agent.
Learn from The Incredibles: How to Write Super Characters
The Incredibles 2, the sequel to Pixar's iconic superhero film, offers writers the oportunity to enhance our understanding of effective character development. Here are a few lessons from the movie that you can apply in your fiction.
Why Writers Should Consider Including Safer Sex in Fiction
Citing rising public health issues and a previous example of fiction influencing real-world behaviors, Phyllis Zimbler Miller advocates for including references to safer sex in fiction in order to culturally normalize healthier intimate practices.
Maximize Your Setting: Bringing Locations, Eras and Worlds to Life on the Page
When the reader can feel as if they are physically in your story's setting, they will be more inclined to let themselves experience what the characters are seeing and hearing. Here, author Curt Eriksen offers considerations for bringing the locations and eras in your fiction to life.
Case Study: How Self-Publishing Led Author Jonathan French to Hybrid Success
Jonathan French's approach to self-publishing played an important role in how editors and agents perceived his book, and persuaded French to reevaluate his perspective on how authors can, and should, break into print.
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.
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 440
For today’s prompt, write a generation poem. A generation poem could be about the X-generation or the baby boomers, sure, but it could also be about generating poems and/or power. Or re-generation of limbs. Or any number of other topics you wish to generate. ***** Get Published With Poet’s Market! The...
New Literary Agent Alert: Tara Gelsomino of One Track Literary Agency, Inc.
New literary agents (with this spotlight featuring Tara Gelsomino of One Track Literary Agency, Inc.) are golden opportunities for new writers because each one is a literary agent who is likely building his or her client list.
WD Poetic Form Challenge: Rhupunt Winner
Here are the results of the Writer’s Digest Poetic Form Challenge for the rhupunt. And yes, I also selected a Top 10 list. Read all of them here. Here is the winning rhupunt: Non-Domestic Goddess, by Tracy Davidson I want to make our wedding cake but I can’t bake to save...
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.
Screenwriting Tips & Insights from Michael Zam, Writer of the Emmy-Winning Series Feud: Bette and Joan
In this interview, screenwriter Michael Zam offers screenwriting tips for beginners and veterans, and discusses his success with the Emmy award-winning FX series Feud: Bette and Joan, starring Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange, Stanley Tucci and more.
Keeping the Writing Faith: How to STOP Writing
Jennifer Haupt discusses why it's sometimes beneficial to stop writing—that is, to step back from your work-in-progress in order to maintain your motivation and find a more productive path forward.
The Writer’s Digest Podcast, Episode 5: Children’s Literature and Diversity in Publishing — Interview with Patrice Caldwell
In this episode of the Writer’s Digest Podcast, hear from author, editor, and founder of People of Color in Publishing Patrice Caldwell, who shares an inside look at the importance of diversity in publishing today, the relevance of the mirrors and windows concept to literature, the reason people of color leave...
The Writer’s Digest Annual Conference: 4 Sessions to Help Refresh and Rejuvenate Your Writing
Tap into the wisdom of professionals and get inspired with Writer’s Reserve, a brand new writing track at the Writer’s Digest Conference to help you find inspiration and rejuvenate your writing. The latest addition to our other offerings at the Writer’s Digest Conference, our new Writer’s Reserve track is meant to inspire you—whether you’re...