WD Presents: Exciting Opportunity for MFA Students and Teachers and More!
This week, we’re excited to announce information on how MFA students can get published in our print magazine, a new From Our Readers question, and more!
There's always so much happening in the Writer's Digest universe that even staff members have trouble keeping up. As a result, we decided to start collecting what's on the horizon to make it easier for everyone to know what's happening and when.
This week, we’re excited to announce information on how MFA students can get published in our print magazine, a deadline announcement for the Self-Published Ebook Awards, and more!
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MFA Workbook
Beginning with the March/April 2021 issue, the Writer’s Workbook column became the MFA Workbook. Rather than sharing excerpts from WD books, this column is written by a different MFA student or teacher each issue. These articles should be about 1,600 words and will serve a few purposes: 1) to provide an opportunity for MFA candidates to get bylines in a national publication, 2) to offer MFA-type instruction/tips to writers who may not be able to afford that degree, and 3) to offer a glimpse at the type of education someone might receive at your MFA program. Some accepted articles have been about switching genres, the benefits of writing book reviews, how to give helpful feedback, and finding point of view in memoir.
Generally craft-focused with an emphasis on writing exercises, this column may occasionally include a business-based column if it’s connected to what’s learned in an MFA program (for example, successful networking). For submission guidelines, please review this section of our website: https://www.writersdigest.com/resources/submission-guidelines
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What Is the First Story You Remember That Made an Impact on You?: From Our Readers (Comment for a Chance at Publication)
Our upcoming September/October issue is focused on storytelling. So, we would love to know about the first story you remember having an impact on you—whether it was a published work or a family tale.
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Upcoming Webinars!
Fearless Writing LIVE! How to Create Boldly and Write with Confidence
June 9, 2021
If you love to write and have a story you want to tell, the only thing that can truly stand between you and the success you’re seeking isn’t craft, or a good agent, or enough Facebook friends and Twitter followers, but fear. Fear that you aren’t good enough, or fear the market is too crowded, or fear no one wants to hear from you.
Fortunately, you can’t write and be afraid simultaneously. The question is whether you will write fearlessly on purpose. In this workshop we’ll look at several techniques you can use to keep yourself in the creative flow and out of the trouble and misery fear always causes.
Create an Author Website in 24 Hours or Less
June 10, 2021
Every professional author needs their own website, and the best time to start is when you’re not under pressure to get one up in time for an important event or book launch. Even if you haven’t published anything yet, establishing a website before you really need it forces you to think through important questions for your early career: What should your bio say? What do you want readers to know about you? What belongs in your website tagline? And what kind of site aesthetic best represents your work?
An author website also connects the dots among the many things you do online. Social media platforms come and go, but your website stays with you for as long as you write and publish. It’s a cornerstone for building a strong author platform; fielding requests from the media, fellow authors, and industry professionals; and engaging new readers who want to know more about you.
In this live two-hour intensive webinar, digital media and publishing expert Jane Friedman will teach you how to use WordPress to get a basic website up and running in a day or less—often in one evening! If you have a neglected or abandoned website (or dusty blog), you’ll get inspired to revisit it and ensure you’re getting the most out of it.
Publishing Your Children's Book: How to Write and Pitch Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Picture Book Manuscripts
June 22-25, 2021
In this Writer's Digest Boot Camp starting June 22, the agents of P.S. Literary Agency will show you how to make your submission stand out. How do you write a children's book with commercial appeal? How do you decide what category and genre your book belongs in? How do you find agents and publishers to submit your manuscript to? How can you attract both child and adult readers (and buyers)? The agent instructors will answer these questions—and more! They will also critique your work and answer any questions you have about writing and selling books for children.
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Upcoming Virtual Conference!
WDU Annual Science Fiction & Fantasy Virtual Conference
Writer’s Digest University is pleased to present a one-of-a-kind online event for science fiction and fantasy writers! On August 28 and 29, our WDU Annual Science Fiction & Fantasy Virtual Conference will provide expert insights from SIX award-winning and bestselling authors on the finer points of how to write within the science fiction and fantasy genres. Spend the weekend learning techniques for honing your craft from six different published authors*, then (if you choose) pitch your novel via query letter to a literary agent specifically looking for material in these genres. The agent will provide you with a personalized critique of your query—and maybe ask to see more.
Experience the education, camaraderie, and opportunities provided by a live writing conference without ever having to leave your home!
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Upcoming Competition Deadlines
Annual Writing Competition
NEW DEADLINE: June 7, 2021
Writer’s Digest has been shining a spotlight on up-and-coming writers in all genres through its Annual Writing Competition for 90 years. Enter our 90th Annual Writing Competition for your chance to win and have your work be seen by editors and agents! Almost 500 winners will be chosen.
Self-Published Ebook Awards
EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: August 16, 2021
Writer’s Digest’s 9th Annual Self-Published E-book Awards honors the best self-published e-book(s) in eight of the most popular categories with $5,000 in cash, a featured interview in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to the ever-popular Writer’s Digest Annual Conference in New York City.
In addition to $13,000 in total cash prizes, all entrants will receive a brief review of their book from one of Writer’s Digest’s competition readers.
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Your Story
Your Story #111: Vote Now!
Out of nearly 200 entries, WD editors chose the following 5 finalists. Vote for your favorite story using the poll at the bottom of the page. The winning story will be published in the November/December 2021 issue of WD.
Your Story #112
DEADLINE: June 28, 2021
Write the opening line to a story based on the photo prompt in this article for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of Writer’s Digest. (One sentence only.) You can be poignant, funny, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story.
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Six Online Writing Courses Start This Week
Six new online writing courses start this week, including 12 Weeks to First Draft, Business Writing, and more. Click here to check out the Writer's Digest University calendar.
12 Weeks to a First Draft
Dive into the world of writing and learn all 12 steps needed to complete a first draft. In this writing workshop you will tackle the steps to writing a book, learn effective writing techniques along the way, and of course, begin writing your first draft.
Breaking into Copywriting 101
Writing is your passion. Why not make it your day job, too? Whether you’re an aspiring screenwriter, novelist or playwright, or even just an avid reader, you can turn your love for words into a lucrative career as a professional copywriter. Learn how to become a copywriter by building your portfolio and marketing your services through this online workshop.
Business Writing
If you aspire to be a professional writer, you must know the basics of communication. When you take this business writing workshop, you'll develop the skills necessary to survive in the business world as a writer. You will study Wilma Davidson's Business Writing: What Works, What Won't and discover practical advice for writing memos, business letters, reports, and other kinds of business documents. Enroll in Essentials of Business Writing today and get business writing tips that will help you succeed.
Writing Women's Fiction
You’re not sure how to describe women’s fiction, but when you read it, you know that’s the kind of novel you want to write. They’re the stories you relate to, that grab your heart and your imagination. They make you feel as if you know the characters, as if you’re sharing the journey. But how can you be sure that the story you write fits into the genre you love and captures and keeps your reader’s attention?
Travel Writing
When you take this six-week workshop, you'll discover how to become a travel writer by exploring the different types of articles you can write and developing your writing style. You'll learn travel writing tips such as how to take your own photographs. Use this workshop to draft an article that keeps readers captivated and garners interest from travel editors.
Grammar and Mechanics
Do you remember the difference between the 8 parts of speech and how to use them? Are you comfortable with punctuation and mechanics?
No matter what type of writing you do, mastering the fundamentals of grammar and mechanics is an important first step to having a successful writing career.
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May/June Issue of Writer’s Digest Out Now!
When you get down to it, most writing begins with curiosity, whether the source is a spark of interest in the mind of the person writing or whether a writer is answering the calls of curious readers. In the May/June 2021 issue of Writer’s Digest, we aim to do both as well: answer questions about topics that pique writers’ curiosity and provide resources that will enable curiosity to be a force of inspiration for your work.
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Writer’s Digest Annual Conference Information!
JULY 22-25, 2021
Writer's Digest Annual Conference is hopeful we will be able to meet in person this July. There is still a lot of COVID-related uncertainty in 2021, and WD wants to take the proper steps to ensure all of our speakers, attendees, exhibitors, and staff are as safe as possible. That includes creating and thinking about a contingency plan for our in-person event. Be sure to check our website for the latest information.
