The 2017 Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards Winners
Writer’s Digest would like to congratulate the winning poems from the 2017 WD Poetry Awards. See the full list of winning poems here.
Creativity Exercises: 3 Ways to Awaken Your Mind to Poetic Thinking
Guggenheim Fellow and poet Jane Hirshfield explains, “Poetry’s work is the clarification and magnification of being.” Here are some creativity exercises to help awaken your mind to poetic thinking, and to clarify and magnify your poetry writing.
Langston Hughes, Singing America: Thoughts on Authorship and the Importance of Black History Month
Citing a poem by Langston Hughes, Aaron Bauer reflects on Black History Month as an impetus to search out black authors whose poetry and prose will stick with readers long after February ends.
Reprints for Creative Shorts: How and Where to Sell a Poem, Personal Essay or Short Story a Second Time
The reprint market isn’t just for nonfiction articles. If you're looking to sell a short story, personal essay or a poem that's already been published, there’s a good chance you can sell it again. Learn how.
Submitting Your Short Fiction and Poetry: 5 FAQs from a Magazine Editor
For writers of short form literature, submitting your work can mean a variety of positive things. Here are important questions (and answers) you need to know about the process.
Why I Write Poetry: J.lynn Sheridan
A couple weeks ago, I posted about “Why I Write Poetry” and encouraged others to share their thoughts, stories, and experiences for future guest posts. I’ve already received so many, and I hope they keep coming in. Thank you! Today’s “Why I Write Poetry” post comes from J.lynn Sheridan. J.lynn Sheridan...
Why I Write Poetry: Nurit Israeli
Last week, I posted about “Why I Write Poetry” and encouraged others to share their thoughts, stories, and experiences for future guest posts. I’ve already received several, and I hope they keep coming in. Thank you! Today’s “Why I Write Poetry” post comes from Nurit Israeli. Nurit Israeli holds a doctorate...
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 396
For today’s prompt, write a historical persona poem. This means to write a poem in the voice of someone from history. Could be ancient history or somewhat recent history, but it shouldn’t be the future (though I suppose you could write one of those for extra credit). Not a requirement, but...
10 Best Poetry Podcasts for Poets
For a little over a year now, I’ve been a co-host of the WritersMarket.com podcast with Brian A. Klems (listen here). While we cover business and marketing topics for writers, I want to share some of the best poetry podcasts for poets of which I’m aware (in no particular order). If...
Poetry Hickory: Poetry Spotlight
For this week’s poetry spotlight, we’re going to go off the beaten path a bit and focus on Scott Owens’ monthly Poetry Hickory events. As always, I appreciate the poetry spotlight ideas people send my way. Keep them coming at robert.brewer@fwmedia.com with the subject line: Poetry Spotlight Idea. ***** Order the...
3 Things I Learned About Writing: Analyzing Claudia Rankine’s CITIZEN: AN AMERICAN LYRIC
3. Be deliberate. “Neither you nor your friend bothers to ask who is making her feel uncomfortable” (69).
Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards: Behind the Scenes of a Writing Competition
Have you ever wondered what goes through judges’ minds when they read entries submitted to a writing competition? Now you no longer have to wonder. The judges of the Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards discuss the competition, common pitfalls, and what it takes to make your poem stand out.
Dorothy Parker’s Lessons in Self-Doubt
BY ELLEN MEISTER When my adult writing students confess their struggles with self-doubt, they usually look panicked. I can’t possibly be a real writer, their eyes seem to say. I’m just never sure what I’m doing is right. That’s when I explain that self-doubt is the fuel that drives us forward....
Editing Poetry: “Say It or Don’t Say It”
As poet and Pulitzer nominee Clifford Brooks states below, “…just as it is crucial that a writer creates his or her own voice, the way we edit is also a matter of self-discovery.” I couldn’t agree more. I’m a true believer in the idea that no two poets create or edit...
82nd Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition Winners
Writer’s Digest would like to congratulate the 101 winners of the 82nd Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition! Grand Prize Dan J. Fiore Pittsburgh, PA Children’s/Young Adult Fiction 1st Julia Byers Troy, MI 2nd Andie Newton Richland, WA 3rd Laurie Alloway San Diego, CA 4th Jack Winn Green Bay, WI 5th Carolyn...
Should I Self-Publish? – Part Two
In the previous post in this series, I discussed how we each have a great project buried in our computers, notebooks, or desk drawers that would make for a fun self-publishing project as opposed to a traditionally published book. Some things just weren’t meant for Random House. And while the small...
Should I Self-Publish? – Part One
The big dream since childhood—shared by so many fellow writers of all ages—was to walk into a bookstore (perhaps a bookstore that I owned—bonus dream!) and find a novel with my name on the cover gracing a column of shelves with eager hands reaching upward to pluck a copy and buy...
2012 Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition Winners
Writer’s Digest would like to congratulate the 101 winners of the 81st Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition! Grand Prize Jacob Appel New York, NY Children’s/Young Adult Fiction 1st Brooke Hartman Chugiak, AK 2nd Heather Sappenfield Vail, CO 3rd Kim Tomsic Boulder, CO 4th Charity Tahmaseb Minnetonka, MN 5th Athena Franco Great...
Spotlight On: Object Poems
Are you interested in writing poetry? There are many different types of poetry, but today’s writing tip spotlights object poems. Discover what an object poem is and see examples of object poems from The Poetry Dictionary, written by John Drury. What is an Object Poem? A poem about an inanimate object....
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 167 (Risk Poems)
For this week’s prompt, write a risk poem. That is, write a poem in which either the narrator, a character, or whatever takes a risk, or in which risk is involved. For those who like board games, yes, you can finally write that game about Risk that you’ve always wanted to...
Historical Fiction Spotlight: Paula McLain
Paula McLain’s latest book is the bestselling The Paris Wife, a fictional account of Ernest Hemingway’s first marriage and upstart years in 1920s Paris, told from the point of view of his wife, Hadley. The author of two poetry collections, a memoir and an earlier novel, McLain holds a Master of...
Writer’s Digest Annual Competition
For 80 years, the Annual Writer’s Digest Competition has rewarded writers just like you for their finest work. We continue the tradition by giving away more than $30,000 in cash and prizes! Win a trip to the Writer's Digest Conference in New York City !
How to Organize and Develop Ideas for Your Novel
With so many great ideas, how do you organize them into some sort of coherent outline that will guide your writing? Here's how.
by Laura Whitcomb
by Laura Whitcomb
How to Improve Your Writing Style in 10 Minutes or Fewer
Everyone can benefit from the occasional reminder of the principles of strong writing. Below are 10 tips and exercises designed to make your writing more clear and concise. Think of them as a 10-minute refresher course.
by Brandon Royal
by Brandon Royal