5 Tips for Incorporating Real-World Politics into a Futuristic Narrative
Many authors seek to incorporate contemporary themes and issues into novels that are set in the future. Here, Jay Schiffman offers five ideas to get your started if you're interested in incorporating real-world politics into a futuristic narrative.
Writer’s Digest Selected as Two-Time Finalist in the 2018 Eddie and Ozzie Awards
The Folio: Eddie and Ozzie Awards are basically the Oscars of the magazine, blogging, newswriting and design worlds. This year, Writer's Digest entered two categories—Full Issue and Profile/Q&A—and was named a finalist in both.
When Should You Hire an Editor? 3 Professional Editors Weigh In
Want to write the best possible book? You need an editor. They are critical for making your writing “tight” and immersive. But before you do, you need to understand when to hire an editor.
Bestseller Walter Mosley on Characterization and the Legacy of Devil in a Blue Dress
In a conversation with WD, Easy Rawlins author Walter Mosley reflects on the passion and craft that informs his bestselling novels.
Why I’ll Never Tell Anyone They Can’t Write
Think you can't write? That's not the case—anyone can write, as William Kenower learned in a writing class when one student took a blunt and brutal critique and used it to transform her clumsy writing into a powerful story.
Meet the Future of Science Fiction: The Teen Scribes of the Octavia Project
The Octavia Project, WD’s inaugural charity partner for the 2018 Annual Conference, offers young women and trans, gender non-conforming, or questioning youth the chance to participate in free interdisciplinary workshops that encourage critical thinking, build confidence, and develop skills in a myriad of subjects.
The Writer’s Digest Podcast, Episode 7: Ask the Agent — Interview with Barbara Poelle
In this episode of the Writer’s Digest Podcast, Gabriela Pereira talks with literary agent Barbara Poelle, and shares an inside look at the weird and wonderful relationship between author and agent. In this interview, they discuss how to write a query letter that gets agents wanting you, what questions you should...
Cara Black: Passion for Paris
In her setting-centric novels, bestselling mystery author Cara Black shows the seamier side of the City of Light.
4 Benefits of Joining a Writing Group
As a preview of their Writer's Digest Annual Conference panel, a thriving writing group composed of of Kimmery Martin, Bess Kercher, Trish Rohr and Tracy Curtis offer their thoughts about how the power of connection can propel your writing career, and the role a writing group can play in your journey.
Adding Dimension to Characters: 10 Sly Character Development Techniques
These underhanded character development techniques are designed to relax your “thinky” brain and to draw instead on your curiosity, intuition and slightly devious sense of play in order to help your characters reveal their own inner workings.
18 Ways to Write Funnier Fast
We're not all comedy writers, but many of us want to write a funny story or incorporate funny scenes into a novel. In this excerpt from The Byline Bible, Susan Shapiro offers 18 quick and easy ways to improve at eliciting laughs from your readers.
How to Prep for Pitch Slam
For some valuable inside info for those going to the upcoming Writer’s Digest Annual Conference we interviewed agent Joy Tutela, and editor Diana Pho of Toro, who will actually be on hand at Pitch Slam.
Reading Laura Ingalls Wilder While Black
In the wake of debate surrounding the recently renamed Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, an African-American author considers her relationship with the beloved children’s series.
The Novel in the Drawer
For many writers, when can't get their first novel published, they put it in a drawer and write a second one. Here, Gayle Abrams discusses the decision to put that first novel in the drawer and move on to book two, or to persevere with the first.
Sunny Author Jason Reynolds on Writing, Publishing and Advice for New Writers
Award-winning YA novelist Jason Reynolds has cemented his place in literary history with titles like When I Was the Greatest, The Boy in the Black Suit and Long Way Down. Here we talk to Jason about writing, publishing and his advice for new authors.
Keeping the Writing Faith: 6 Ways to Keep Your Novel on Track With a Process Journal
Jennifer Haupt discusses six strategies for using a process journal to stay motivated, conquer writer's block, and keep making progress on your novel.
Crypto, Sci-Fi, Soldiers, Spies (and Disasters): 5 Varieties Within the Technothriller Genre
The technothriller genre may be slated to become one of the most popular of the 21st century, and as such, it's a hot area in which writers can experiment. If you're looking to write a technothriller (or read one), here are five different varieties you'll find within the genre.
11 Web Comics for Writers: Inspiration and Motivation
Sometimes we have to look outside of our usual medium to find the motivation we need to get the words on the page—or to just feel like someone else “gets it.” These web comics for writers perfectly illustrate what it feels like to be a writer, from the moment of inspiration...
How I Stopped Sabotaging My Writing Goals: Confessions of a Late Bloomer
Despite long-standing aspirations of writing a book, initial successes with short stories and essays, and a healthy career in publishing, Andrea Jarrell published her first book at age 55. But of course, she got through it. Here, she shares her experiences and offers principles for achieving your writing goals.
Does Your Book Have a Billboard on Amazon?
Authors can leverage ads and Book Detail pages on Amazon to make them work like a "billboard" of sorts. But in order for your Amazon billboards to help sell more books, they must display certain characteristics.
State of Wonder: Annihilation and Wonderbook Author Jeff VanderMeer Imparts His Best Tips for Cultivating Creativity from the World Around You
For Jeff VanderMeer, the act of writing is only a component of the process—to him, experiences are vital to storytelling. Here, he shares his best tips for discovering the wonder in the world around you.
Writing and Publishing Graphic Novels from Start to Finish
Comics and graphic novels have seen impressive growth over the past three years, which means this category is ripe for experimentation by new authors.
Publishing Tips for Indie Authors: How to Get Your Book Into Libraries
Libraries spent more than you might expect on expanding their collection each year. But how can indie authors rise to the top and grab the attention of librarians? Find out here.
Productive Procrastination: 7 Creative Activities to Distract Yourself from Writing
Procrastination can be a writer's worst enemy. But here, Jenna Blum rethinks her approach to self-distraction and shares seven creative ways writers can productively procrastinate.