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...
Funny You Should Ask: Why don’t literary agents invest in long-term talent instead of manuscripts they love?
Funny You Should Ask is a humorous and handy column by literary agent Barbara Poelle. In this edition, she answers a reader's question about the struggle of finding an agent who falls head-over-heels for your manuscript, and why literary agents don't approach their profession more like Hollywood agents do.
3 Amazon Secrets Every Author Needs to Know
Rob Eagar offers up three essential Amazon secrets and hacks for authors, including how to change the marketing text for your book, getting email subscribers through Kindle Direct Publishing, and identifying your target audience.
Pitching Articles: 5 Tips for a Successful Freelance Writing Pitch
If you want to make a living writing for your favorite publications, you need to perfect your freelance writing pitch. Here are a few things to keep in mind when pitching articles for magazines, newspapers and the web.
Funny You Should Ask: What are the best times to query a literary agent?
Funny You Should Ask is a humorous and handy column by literary agent Barbara Poelle. In this edition, she answers a reader's question about the best times to query a literary agent.
So Close, and Yet…
Writing Prompt: You have nearly arrived at your dream destination. Thus far, the trip has been uneventful, and there's only an hour's drive left between you and vacation bliss—when suddenly the vehicle breaks down, leaving you stranded. Where are you, and what do you do?
An Illustrated Guide to Book Expo 2018
Bob Eckstein illustrated the happenings at the reimagined Book Expo 2018. Explore his observations here.
Funny You Should Ask: How strict are word counts for writing contests and book submissions?
Funny You Should Ask is a humorous and handy column by literary agent Barbara Poelle. In this edition, she answers a reader's question about word counts for writing contests, book submissions and short story calls.
From ER Doctor to Novelist: Meet Kimmery Martin, Author of The Queen of Hearts
An emergency medicine doctor-turned-novelist, Kimmery Martin, author of The Queen of Hearts, discusses her writing journey, what she's learned about writing and publishing, and what's up next.
Get Smart: How to Tell Good Publishing Contracts From Bad
Publishing contracts are as varied as book genres. It’s easy for an author hungry to be published to be blinded by any contract’s lure, to the potential detriment of their career and their hard-fought creative work. Here are three things to look out for.
Shifting Gears: Publishing a Book Outside Your Usual Genre
No matter how varied we try to make a career, how much we try to think outside the box, the marketplace will seek to pigeonhole us. Here, Tim Wendel offers tips for publishing outside your usual genre.
3 Writing Tips From Bestseller Sloane Crosley
Sloane Crosley can coax humor from the unlikeliest of depths, whether it’s a good line from your locksmith or avenging a childhood slight during a pride parade.
The 3 Questions That Will Solve Every “Plot Problem” You’ll Ever Have
Whether you're an outliner or an organic writer (a plotter or a pantser), the solution to almost every plot problem can be found by answering three simple questions.
13 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Sign That Book Contract or Take That Freelance Writing Job
In a competitive industry, it’s easy to feel like publishers hold all the power. But the truth is they need good content—and writers have a right to not be fleeced. Here are some situations when the best option just might be to walk away from that book contract or that freelance...
What to Do When You’re a Memoirist and Memory Fails
For writers—particularly those who write memoirs—memory can be the medium and ultimately also the message when a story, event or feeling emerges from the darkness into the light of conscious knowing. But what happens when a memoirist can't remember?
Bodies, Blind Spots and Quirks: 5 Key Questions to Ask When Developing Characters
When developing characters, we must learn everything we can about the external world in which they live, and what circumstances, just or unjust, are wrought upon them. Equally, or more so, we have to know how they react, or fail to, in conjunction with events.
Script Classics: Life In The Movie Industry – How To Sell A Pitch In Only 10 Years
While working the front desk at Miramax, Dave Pullano created the fictional exec, Jay Flannick, to field unwanted and overly persistent pitches. Ironically enough, through a series of adventures, Pullano found himself in Hong Kong, sitting on an old mattress ... and pitching his own script to Jackie Chan.
Establishing a Successful Relationship With Your Muse
Some call it The Muse; others their imagination. Some call it their spirit guides or God or Source Energy. The word’s not important. What is important is to understand your role in the creative relationship with whatever joins you at the desk.
Writing Great Historical Fiction: Lessons Learned 300 Years After Blackbeard’s Death
This year marks the 300th anniversary of the death of Edward Thache, the notorious privateer-turned-pirate known as Blackbeard. Here, historical fiction author Samuel Marquis, great-grandson of Captain William Kidd and author of a new book on Blackbeard, offers his best advice for writing great historical fiction.
Literary Agent Interview: Mark Gottlieb of Trident Media Group
Mark Gottlieb grew up surrounded by literary genius. He is now a top selling literary agent who is actively building his client list at Trident Media Group. Here Mark offers publishing insight and advice to aspiring authors.
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.
5 Things to Look Out for at the London Book Fair 2018
The London Book Fair 2018 is the UK’s biggest gathering of international publishers and agents and this year runs from 10th to 12th April at the Olympia conference centre in central London. Here are 5 things to look out for at the fair this year.
Literary Lunacy: Vote in a March Madness Bracket for Book Lovers (Championship Round!)
Welcome to Writer’s Digest Literary Lunacy — a March Madness bracket for lovers of classic fiction. We want to know: Which of these classic books is the greatest? That’s up to you. Vote here until March 28 at noon. The book with the most cumulative votes will be crowned champion.
Literary Lunacy: Vote in a March Madness Bracket for Book Lovers (Round 3)
Welcome to Writer’s Digest Literary Lunacy — a March Madness bracket for lovers of classic fiction. We want to know: Which of these classic books is the greatest? That’s up to you. Vote here until March 24 at noon. The book with the most cumulative votes will be crowned champion.