Writer’s Digest University
by the Editors of Writer’s Digest
Writer's Digest Books, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1-59963-137-0
ISBN-10: 1-59963-137-7
$39.99 paperback, 528 pages
Read an Excerpt!
Find out more about this book’s unique features and benefits in Jane Friedman’s introduction—and learn the 3 key ideas to publication You’ll get everything you need to write and sell your work.
About the Book
This is the ultimate crash course in writing and publishing! Inside you’ll find comprehensive instruction, up-to-date market listings, a DVD featuring recorded live webinars with industry professionals, an all-access pass to WritersMarket.com, and more. Writer’s Digest University is the perfect resource for you, no matter your experience level. This one-stop resource contains:
• Quick and comprehensive answers to common writing questions including: “How do I write a successful novel?” and “How do I know if self-publishing is right for me?”
• Instruction and examples for formatting and submitting fiction, nonfiction, articles, children’s writing, scripts, and verse.
• Advanced instruction on business-related issues like marketing and publicity, using social media, freelancing for corporations, keeping finances in order, and setting the right price for your work.
• A detailed look at what agents want and how to get one that best fits your needs.
• Market listings for publishers and agents open to unsolicited work and new writers, contests and awards, and conferences and workshops.
• A DVD with recordings of 4 popular WD webinars: How Do I Get My Book Published?, How to Land a Literary Agent, How Writers Can Succeed in the Future of Digital Publishing, and Freelance Basics.
• A scratch-off code that gives you a one-year subscription to WritersMarket.com and a discount on the Writer’s Digest University online course of your choice.
Get started now with everything you need to build a thriving writing career. Whether you’re starting from scratch or have a bit of experience, you’ll find the tools you need for success.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION by Jane Friedman, WD Contributor and former Director of Content & Community Development
PART I
GETTING STARTED: HOW DO I …
1. How do I know if I have what it takes?
2. How do I get published?
3. How do I write a successful novel?
4. How do I sell my nonfiction book
5. How do I write and sell my articles
6. How do I write and sell short fiction
7. How do I publish my poetry?
8. How do I break in to children’s writing?
9. How do I market my scripts?
10. How do I start a freelance writing career?
11. How do I conduct effective research?
12. How do I conduct a strong interview?
13. How do I revise?
14. How do I know if self-publishing is right for me?
PART II
FORMATTING & SUBMITTING YOUR WORK
15. Articles
16. Nonfiction Books
17. Short Stories
18. Novels
19. Children’s
Picture Books
Middle Grade and Young Adult
Children’s Magazines
20. Scripts
Screenplays
Television Scripts
Play Scripts
21. Poetry
PART III
MINDING YOUR BUSINESS
22. Expanding Your Options: Freelancing for Corporations
23. A Crash Course in Marking & Publicity
24. Websites, Blogs, Podcasts, & Social Networking
25. Finances for Freelancers
26. The Price Is Right: What to Charge for Your Work
PART IV
EVERYTHING AGENTS
27. What Agents Don’t Want to See in Chapter 1
28. How Not to Get an Agent
29. Wheeling & Dealing at a Writers’ Conference
30. Researching Your Options & Looking Out for
31. Negotiating Your Contract
32. So You Have an Agent … Now What?
PART V
LISTINGS
33. Agents Open to Unsolicited Work
34. Publishers Open to Unsolicited Work
Fiction Publishers
Nonfiction Publishers
Children’s Publishers
35. Contests & Awards
Fiction
Nonfiction
Writing for Children & Young Adults
Poetry
36. Conferences & Workshops
APPENDIX
Glossary of Publishing, Printing, & Production Terms
Fiction Genre Descriptions
Professional Organizations
Word-Count Guidelines
