The Best New Advice for Getting Published
You can always tell when it’s officially springtime here at the WD offices. Everyone is smiling because of the sunshine. Everyone is sneezing because of the pollen. And everyone is…
You can always tell when it’s officially springtime here at the WD offices. Everyone is smiling because of the sunshine. Everyone is sneezing because of the pollen. And everyone is buzzing about the release of our most popular annual list: The 101 Best Websites for Writers. (There are also some unruly Canadian geese who take our parking lot hostage every April, but that’s another story.)
Our May/June issue hits newsstands this week, andit’s been exciting to see this year’s list already drawing some great early feedback on Twitter, reader blogs, and elsewhere on the Web. Culled from nearly 4,500 nominations from WD readers and the writing community at large, this year’s roundup really is our best yet—and a must-have for every writer, no matter what kind of writing you do. (In fact, the buzz has been so good that I’ve decided to give away a free copy of this issue to one commenter on this blog post—details below!)
But that’s not the only thing worth buzzing about in our latest issue. A lineup of top-notch contributors lent their expertise to our spotlight feature package: “Publishing Today: What Every Writer Needs to Know,” and really zeroed in on that word today—aiming to offer you smart, informed and realistic approaches to meeting the unique challenges of getting published (and/or self-publishing an e-book and/or print book) in an industry that’s evolving faster than we can keep up. We cover the whole trifecta of publishing options—Traditional Publishing, Digital Publishing, and Self-Publishing—and offer up strategies to help you make the best choices for you and your work. Here’s a sneak peek.
Want more? Get More! - How to Publish a Book: 7 Tips From the Pros
Get Published: Your Guide to Surviving—& Thriving!—in Publishing Today
• “The Basics of DIY E-Book Publishing”: Digital media expert Jane Friedman covers everything (and I do mean everything) you’ve been wanting to know about how to publish an e-book on your own, step by simple step. We’ve also included a helpful chart that breaks down the terms and capabilities of the leading e-publishing services, outlining their fees, formats accepted, and distribution channels supported.
• “The New Era of Publishing: Making It Work for You”: Self-proclaimed “literary change agent and author advocate” April Eberhardt shares a literary agent’s best advice for navigating the latest evolutions affecting publisher-seeking writers, established writers, and indie authors alike. One memorable quote: “Try to let go of the idea that only traditionally published books are ‘real.’ Forward-thinking writers are best equipped to face the challenges that lie ahead on every publishing route."
• “Today’s Best Strategies for Savvy Self-Publishers”: Well-respected self-publishing consultant Joel Friedlander (whose own site, thebookdesigner.com, debuts on our 101 Best Websites for Writers list this year) guides you through the complicated decision-making process that faces any author who decides to move ahead without a publisher. Not only his article full of great ideas, it also offers up links to more than 20 resources to help you on your way.
This is just a taste of what this issue has to offer for aspiring writers looking to get published, career writers reevaluating their best moves forward, and indie authors alike—so if you like what you see, be sure to stop by your newsstand (or our online shop) to find these complete articles, alongside plenty more great advice to help you ecome a better writer. You can also download the whole issue instantly here.
Free Issue Giveaway!
Leave a comment—any comment!—below to be entered to win a free copy of the hot-off-the-press May/June 2012 issue of Writer's Digest, featuring our "101 Best Websites for Writers" and "Publishing Today: What Every Writer Needs to Know" by 8:00 a.m. EST on Monday, April 23. We'll announce the winner next week right here, so be sure to check back to see if you've won!
Jessica Strawser
Editor, Writer’s Digest
Follow me on Twitter: @jessicastrawser
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Jessica Strawser is editor-at-large for Writer's Digest and former editor-in-chief. She's also the author of several novels, including Not That I Could Tell and Almost Missed You.
