Finding an Agent

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Writer's Little Instruction Book: Getting Published

The best time to identify a prospective agent is before you need one.

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I met my agent, Rita Rosenkranz, at the 2000 Columbus Writer's Conference. Though I was not seeking representation at the time, I was screening prospective agents. I attended Rita's sessions and was impressed with her no-nonsense approach. Three years later when I needed an agent, I called Rita.

Well before you've finished your book, attend conferences, publishing luncheons—anywhere an agent will be speaking. After a couple of sessions, you'll get an idea of what you want in an agent, and you can gauge a prospective agent's passion for your type of writing—and the agent's receptivity to developing writers—by hearing the agent respond to questions.

The time to start the process is now.

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Writing Habits and Practices

Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Relying on Perfect Conditions to Write

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 relying on perfect conditions to write.

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Resources

WD Presents: Contest Deadline Announcement and a Flash Fiction Challenge

This week, we’re excited to announce the deadline for our Self-Published Book Awards, the guidelines for the upcoming Flash Fiction Challenge, and more!

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Travel Writing

For the Travel and Nature Writer: Keeping Your Mind Sharp and Words Insightful

Dr. Caitlin O'Connell shares some insight for travel and nature writers, including how travel helps keep your mind sharp and words insightful, whether you're writing fiction, nonfiction, sports, politics, or something else entirely.

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Writing Techniques

Olga Grushin: The No Man's Land Between Genres

Award-winning author Olga Grushin discusses what it meant to wade into a new genre and how she put her spin on the fairy tale retelling.

Poetic Forms
Irish Poetic Forms

Rannaigecht Mor Gairit: Poetic Forms

Poetic Form Fridays are made to share various poetic forms. This week, we look at the rannaigecht mor gairit, a variant form of the rannaigecht.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.