Genre
Lessons Learned From Self-Publishing My Picture Book
Author Dawn Secord shares her journey toward self-publishing a picture book featuring her Irish Setter named Bling.
Lest We Forget These Brave Women: On Choosing Characters for Historical Fiction
Bestselling author Natasha Lester (The Paris Orphan and The Riviera House) shares stories about a few of the women she's written about in her historical fiction to help writers appreciate these women and choose interesting characters for their own historical fiction.
Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Inaccurate Genre Labels
The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many writing mistakes over the years, so we started this series to help identify them for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's writing mistake is labeling your book with an inaccurate genre.
Stephen Graham Jones: On Paying Homage to Horror
New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones discusses how his new horror novel, My Heart is a Chainsaw, is his love letter to the slasher films of his youth.
Stephan Pastis: On the Importance of Humor in Middle Grade Fiction
New York Times bestselling Stephan Pastis discuss the process of creating his very first graphic novel for middle grade readers, Trubble Town: Squirrel Do Bad.
Sasha Peyton Smith: On Exploring Grief in Young Adult Fiction
Debut author Sasha Peyton Smith discusses how exploring her own grief led to the first draft of her young adult historical fantasy novel, The Witch Haven.
3 Ideas for Increasing the Diversity of Children's Home Libraries
Sailaja Joshi, the founder of Mango & Marigold Press, shares a few thoughts on how to increase the diversity of children's home libraries to help expand their perspectives.
6 Things Writers Should Know About the Middle Ages
Knowing what is myth is important in writing historical fiction, but so is knowing what isn't. Author Cait Stevenson shares 6 things writers should know about the Middle Ages to help enrich their historical fiction stories.
Writer's Digest's Best Genre/Niche Websites 2021
Here are the top genre and niche websites as identified in the 23rd Annual 101 Best Websites from the May/June 2021 issue of Writer's Digest.
Writer's Digest September/October 2021 Cover Reveal
Get a sneak peek of the Sept/Oct 2021 issue of Writer's Digest featuring our Annual Literary Agent Roundup and an interview with National Book Award-winner Elizabeth Acevedo.
Gregg Olsen: On Returning to Favorite Characters
New York Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen discusses jumping a decade in time with one of his favorite characters in his new thriller, Snow Creek.
Cait Stevenson: On Bringing the Middle Ages to Life
Debut author Cait Stevenson discusses how regret led her to write her debut historical fantasy novel, How to Slay a Dragon, and what she hopes readers learn about the Middle Ages.
R.A. Salvatore: On Building Worlds in Fantasy Fiction
New York Times bestseller R.A. Salvatore discusses the process of writing his new fantasy novel, Starlight Enclave.
Utilizing Independent Filmmaking to Tell Stories That Move Audiences and Your Career (From Script)
In this week’s round up brought to us by ScriptMag.com, learn from independent filmmakers about navigating the industry, making stories that entertain and how to push your career forward.
Where Are the Toxic Families in Children's Books?
Christina Wyman discusses how for children who suffer difficult family dynamics, seeing their experiences reflected in books is few and far between.
Approaching Comedy from a Personal Perspective and Tapping into Your Unique Writer’s Voice (From Script)
In this week’s round up brought to us by ScriptMag.com, interviews with masters of comedy, screenwriter Tim Long ('The Simpsons') and writer-director Dan Mazer (Borat Subsequent Movie) about their collaboration on their film 'The Exchange', and filmmaker Trent O’Donnell on his new film 'Ride the Eagle' co-written with actor Jake Johnson ('New Girl'). Plus, tips on how to tap into your unique voice and more!
5 Ways to Add a Refrain to Your Picture Books (and Why You Should)
Children's author Christine Evans shares how repetition is good for growing readers and gives you the tools to write your story's perfect refrain.
Brian Freeman: On "Rebooting" Another Writer's Legacy
In this article, Brian Freeman, author of Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Treachery, discusses how he took up the mantle of a great series and made it his own.
When Is Historical Accuracy Inaccurate?
Writers of historical fiction must always ride the line between factual and fictitious. Here, author Terry Roberts discusses how to navigate that line.
A Change in Entertainment Business Currency and Disrupting Storytelling with Historical Significance (From Script)
In this week’s round up brought to us by ScriptMag.com, learn about how crypto currency is making a wave in the entertainment business, what percentages really mean in film financing, the pros and cons of writing partnerships, an exclusive interview with three-time NAACP Image Awards nominee, co-creator and former showrunner of CBS’ 'S.W.A.T.' Aaron Rahsaan Thomas and more!
Essential Versus Non-Essential Mystery
What gets a reader to keep turning pages? Author Amanda Kabak seeks to answer that question here.
Caroline Beecham: On Organizing the Historical Fiction Novel
Historical fiction author Caroline Beecham discusses the trials of organizing her latest novel, When We Meet Again, and what she found that works.
Who's vs. Whos vs. Whose (Grammar Rules)
Learn when to use who's, Whos, and whose with Grammar Rules from the Writer's Digest editors, including a few examples of correct usages.
Writing and Rewriting History in Film & TV (From Script)
In this week’s round-up brought to us by ScriptMag.com, learn how the hit television series “24” was developed and soon influenced contemporary events in America and beyond. Plus, movie reviews, when to abandon a current work in progress to start a new idea, and how to handcraft theme.