WD Presents: The May/June 2021 Issue, a Chance at Publication, 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 that the May/June 2021 “Curiosity” issue is now live in the WD shop, there’s still time to have your From Our Reader’s response selected for publication in the July/August 2021 “Bravery” issue, and more!
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May/June Issue of Writer’s Digest Out Now!
Writer's Digest May/June 2021 Cover
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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There’s Still Time to Post Your Answer for the July/August 2021 From Our Readers Column!
From Our Readers: A New Question in Each Issue!
Deadline: April 21, 2021
This post announces our latest From Our Readers ask: Describe a time when you found the courage to write. Comment for a chance at publication in a future issue of Writer's Digest.
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Your Story #112
Write the opening line to a story based on the photo prompt in this article for a chance to see it published in a future 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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Five Online Writing Courses Start This Week
Five new online writing courses start this week, including Sell Books on a Shoestring Budget, Writing the Picture Book, and more. Click here to check out the Writer's Digest University calendar.
Sell Books on a Shoestring Budget
It's possible to sell a lot of books—even on a shoestring budget. Like any author, you want to sell enough books to entertain or educate a lot of readers. You want to make enough money to write another book—maybe pay off some bills or take an extra vacation. You want your writing to become sustainable.
Fundamentals of Fiction
Fundamentals of Fiction
Have an amazing story idea, but need to learn the basics of how to write a book? Creating a story that is dynamic and engaging takes a lot more than just setting aside an hour every day to write.
This workshop will take you through all of the basics of writing a novel, including how important it is to choose a great setting, how to build characters, what point of view you should choose, how to write great dialogue, and more.
Learn the ins and outs of how to write a book with our workshop and get your story to jump off the page!
Writing the Personal Essay 101: Fundamentals
This course guides beginning and intermediate writers through elements of how to write a personal essay, helping them identify values expressed in their stories and bring readers into the experiences described. Writers learn how to avoid the dreaded responses of “so what?" and “I guess you had to be there" by utilizing sensory details, learning to trust their writing intuitions, and developing a skilled internal editor to help with revision.
Writing the Picture Book
Writing the Picture Book
Writer's Digest University
Picture books are one of the most delightful—and important—genres in all of literature.
In this course, you'll learn how to write a winning picture book narrative, envision it with illustrations, and put together a picture package that a publisher will really notice.
Plus, you'll receive feedback on each assignment from your instructor and have the chance to participate in the peer critique section of the workshop with other classmates.
Form and Composition
Proper grammar, punctuation, and mechanics make your writing correct. In order to truly write well, you must also master the art of form and composition. From sentence structure to polishing your prose, this workshop will enhance your writing, no matter what type of writing you do.
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Upcoming Webinars!
Agent One-on-One: How to Craft Query Letters & Other Submission Materials That Get Noticed Boot Camp
APRIL 20, 2021 – APRIL 23, 2021
When your submission materials – a query letter, synopsis, manuscript, or book proposal – arrive in an agent's inbox, they land among hundreds of others. At that point, one of two things will happen. Either the agent (or the agent’s assistant) will like the submission and request more materials, or they will reply with a rejection.
Authors who get rejected tend to fall in one of two categories when submitting materials: they try too hard, or not enough. This Writer’s Digest Boot Camp is designed to help you streamline your submission materials to stand out in a good way.
Writing & Selling the Historical Novel: From Idea to Publication
APRIL 29, 2021
Writing a successful historical novel is challenging, especially in today's market! In order to appeal to the modern reader, you must be aware of changing expectations, keep an eye on social awareness, and develop a keen ear for dialogue. Mastering these aspects, while staying true to your time period, requires extensive study and skill.
Writing and Selling the Historical Novel is a crash course jam-packed with advice from the start of your novel to the finish, from picking a concept with immediate appeal to pitching your finished product to the agents and editors who will take it to publication.
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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.
