Readings That Work for You and Your Listeners
Public readings of your written work—published or not yet published—are a great way to gain exposure for your writing and to build your author platform. Here are 16 rules to follow.
Writing with Wonder: Weaving Time and Place with Story in Historical Fiction
Dana Chamblee Carpenter recalls a panel on which Anne Perry tossed aside the idea that the historical fiction writer had a responsibility to get everything “right.” We’re storytellers, after all, not historians.
11 Ways to Write More Scientific Fiction: Lessons from Michael Crichton
Few authors have better embedded believable and/or accurate scientific information within an engrossing story like Michael Crichton. This article explores the tactics Crichton used to craft realistic science fiction within one of his most popular novels, Sphere.
Surprise vs. Suspense and How to Pair Them in Your Writing
What's the difference between suspense and surprise, and how is each one powerful? Jane Cleland explains how to pair these two elements in your writing.
Meet the Agent: Quressa Robinson of Nelson Literary Agency
Quressa Robinson, literary agent at Nelson Literary Agency, talks about what types of submissions she'd like to see more of, common misconceptions authors have about literary agents, and what makes a query stand out.
Reading, Breathing and the Long Sentence: How to Write Horror That Frightens Readers
Learn how to write horror that will chill your readers to the bone using these techniques from Phil Athans' all-new Advanced Horror Workshop.
The Writer’s Digest Podcast, Episode 9: Using Your Words for the Power of Good — Interview with Heather Graham
In this episode of the Writer's Digest Podcast, Heather Graham shares: Why writers need editors and editors need writers, tips to carve out time for your writing in your already busy life, the benefits of writing groups, and more.
Fired Up: Robert Crais on Passion, Process and Plot Twists
Robert Crais, master of crime writing, makes modern classics the old-fashioned way—with a heartfelt passion, a fine-tuned process and, naturally, a twist.
The Anatomy of a Book Cover: A Guide for Authors
Knowing and understanding the constituent parts of a book cover will help you make the best marketing decisions when you design or commission your own.
10 Screenwriting Techniques Every Writer Can Employ
Applying these screenwriting techniques to your fiction can offer benefits like sharper dialogue, improved pacing and stronger characters.
Using Kids and Parents as Beta Readers for Children’s Fiction
After writing two very different manuscripts, Marie Unanue sent them out to kids and their parents, who acted as beta readers, along with a survey. The process resulted in her final early reader chapter book.
Literature as a Lifeline: How Stories and Genetic Testing Can Save Lives from Mental Illness
Literature comforts in a way clinical definitions and diagnoses cannot. It can help people recognize the symptoms of mental illness in themselves long before the predator of suicide pounces. Kristen Davis Schwandes explains why it is vitally important for writers to accurately portray the thought processes involved in mental illness.
“Go Your Own Way”: James Patterson on Supporting Childhood Literacy, Generating Novel Ideas, and Writing with Bill Clinton
After more than four decades in publishing, record-breaking bestseller James Patterson has this to say: You can go your own way. Discover an exclusive extended interview with Patterson below.
How to Sell an Essay or Article: 21 Tips for Writing a Winning Cover Letter
Wondering how to sell an essay? Writing a cover letter that's short and perfect to introduce your pages will sell a piece faster than submitting an excellent article or essay with an uninspired note.
Planning To Write Something Today? Tips for Setting Writing Goals that Work
Lynn Dickinson shares tips to help writers honestly examine their writing routines to make the changes necessary to achieve their writing goals.
Insider Secrets for Indie Authors and Small Presses from Amy Collins of New Shelves Books
Amy Collins of New Shelves Books shares insider secrets about book sales and marketing tips for indie authors and small publishers, as well as small and indie publishing trends.
How to Never Be a Writing “Failure”
Dealing with rejection doesn't have to be a discouraging experience. Here, P.S. Hoffman offers five ways to fail smarter and set yourself up for success, even after you've been rejected by a publisher or an agent.
5 Things to Consider When Structuring Your Memoir
Memoir structure is as crucial as structure in fiction and no good memoir will be able to stand tall without it. Several ingredients can be used to create a structure that works for your book.
Tobias S. Buckell Discusses Successful Writing Collaborations and the Elements of Powerful Sci-Fi
We had the pleasure of talking with Tobias S. Buckell ahead of his keynote at indieLAB. Read on to discover his thoughts on what it takes to write powerful sci-fi, the process of writing with a co-author, and what's next for his career.
Superhero Sauce: Blending Pop Culture & Academic Disciplines in Nonfiction (+ a Quiz!)
In his book 'Superhero Ethics,' Travis Smith blended his knowledge of political philosophy with superhero mythos. By outlining his writing process and what he learned, he demonstrates how combining pop culture topics with academic disciplines can make for fun and accessible nonfiction books.
What a Coincidence: 7 Clever Strategies for Harnessing Coincidences in Fiction
Well-timed coincidences can catapult a story forward, but a poorly planned one can bring your readers to a dead stop. Use these 7 strategies to harness the power of this storytelling tool while steering clear of common missteps.
The Writer’s Digest Podcast, Episode 8: Interview with NaNoWriMo Executive Director Grant Faulkner
In this episode of the Writer’s Digest Podcast, we talk with author and Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month Grant Faulkner, who shares an inside look at the NaNoWriMo writing challenge and discusses how to overcome some of the main obstacles to creativity, techniques to help you prepare to write...
Bob Woodward Gets to the Bottom of Things: Timeless Investigative Journalism Techniques (from Writer’s Digest 1996)
Given the buzz surrounding the explosive book Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward, we dug out a surprisingly timeless article from the August 1996 issue of Writer's Digest about Mr. Woodward's investigative journalism techniques.
Zetta Elliott on Starting Her Own Imprint & Character Development in Children’s Fiction
Zetta Elliott discusses addressing complex topics in children's fiction, starting her own imprint, Rosetta Press, and what she'll address in her upcoming keynote at indieLAB.