Submissions & Proposals
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Not Submitting Your Work
The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so we started this series to help identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's writing mistake is not submitting your work.
8 Easy Steps for Writing a Stellar Pitch Letter to Market Your Book After It’s Accepted
When the drafts are done, writers must wear a different hat in order to get our stories in front of our intended audiences. Here, writer Aileen Weintraub shares 8 steps for writing a pitch letter to market your book after it’s accepted.
An Idiot's Tale: Or How One Writer Found Publishing Success
Debut novelist Adam Oyebanji shares how the narrative arc of a writer's life can often resemble a tale told by an idiot, even when the ultimate result is publishing success.
3 Ways To Manage Pitch Panic
Pitch anxiety is very real for all writers. Here, co-authors Peter Desberg and Jeffrey Davis offer three ways to manage your pitch panic.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Correcting Submissions Before You Hear Back
The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so this series helps identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's mistake is trying to correct errors in your submission before hearing back.
4 Ways Pitch Wars Can Help Writers Find Publishing Success
While the road to publication has many routes, getting on the right path can feel daunting. Here, author Kerry Rea shares her experience and offers 4 ways Pitch Wars can help other writers find publishing success.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Chasing Trends
The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so this series helps identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's writing mistake is chasing trends in writing and publishing.
What Does Over the Transom Mean in Publishing?
Find out what the phrase "over the transom" means when it comes to publishing and what it means for writers.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Putting Off Submissions
The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so we started this series to help identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's writing mistake is putting off submissions.
Praying to the Red String and Other Publishing Strategies
Award-winning author R.L. Maizes discusses her publishing journey and gives writers some insights on what she learned about writing and publishing.
What Are Multiple Submissions in Writing and Publishing?
Learn what multiple submissions in writing and publishing are from editor Robert Lee Brewer, including when writers should make them (if ever) and why they should care.
What Are Simultaneous Submissions in Writing and Publishing?
Learn what simultaneous submissions in writing and publishing are from editor Robert Lee Brewer, including when writers should make them (if ever) and why they should care.
What Is the Slush Pile?
What is the slush pile? It's a term often used in the writing and publishing communities, but what does it mean? Is it a good or bad thing? And what does it mean for writers? We answer those questions here.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Worrying About What Happens When You Make It Big
The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so we started this series to help identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's writing mistake writers make is worrying about what happens when you make it big.
The #1 Way to Bulletproof Your Story Idea and Logline to Make Sure It Sparks Interest in the Industry
Alex Bloom, founder of the Script Reader Pro screenplay consultancy, explains how to bulletproof your story idea and logline using one simple template.
How to Pitch a Picture Book: Secrets for Breaking Into a Growing but Competitive Market
Want to know how to pitch a picture book? We've got you covered. Break into this competitive and growing market with the help of writing tips and inside observations from a leading literary agent.
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.
How and Why to Pitch Agents at Pitching Events
Many writers are paralyzed at the prospect of pitching their stories, but Script's editor, Jeanne Veillette Bowerman, wants to push you past those fears with concrete tips on how to successfully pitch agents at pitching events.
Why Finding a Literary Agent Is So Similar to Dating
In this back and forth, author Ricki Schultz and literary agent Barbara Poelle dish on the similarities between courting a mate and courting an agent.
10 Ways to Make Your Novel Submission Stand Out in the Slush Pile
Literary agents receive thousands of solicited and unsolicited novel submissions in their respective query inboxes. As a writer, follow these 10 tips give yourself (and your book) the best chance of standing out in the slush pile.
How Hearing “No” From Agents and Publishers Can Lead You to “Yes”
After facing rejection, here's how one writer found a path forward with her work. Also, she shares three examples of how hearing “no” can lead you to a “yes.”
Agent Pet Peeves: Review These 34 Submission No-No's Before You Query
Learn common pet peeves of literary agents in this post featuring 34 submission no-no's for writers to avoid before querying for their books.
What To Know Before You Submit Your Writing: 28 Great Tips From Literary Agents for Writers
Here are 28 great tips from literary agents for writers on what to know before you submit your writing to agents and editors.
Which Sample Chapters Should You Send to Agents?
When agents ask for sample chapters, which chapters should you include? If your strongest chapters fall in the middle, is it OK if I send those? The answer is different for fiction and nonfiction.