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Evoking emotion on
the page begins with the man or woman at the keyboard. Using the classic
novel Where the Red Fern
Grows, Dustin Grinnell
serves up seven straightforward tactics for writing tear-jerking tales that
will make your readers empathize with your characters.
In The Emotional Craft of Fiction, Donald Maass explains why characters draw in readers: "Although they are quite unlike me, they are like me in two ways: They have heart and they yearn. They feel deeply. They both want things and, we feel the ache of that yearning before we even know what they are yearning for." In the second chapter of Where the Red Fern Grows, we see Billy as a young boy who desperately wants two dogs to hunt racoons with, but his family is poor and hounds are expensive. "It's not easy for a young boy to want dogs and not to able to have one. It starts knocking on his heart; he gets all mixed up in his dreams. It gets worse and worse, until finally it becomes almost unbearable." The "dog-wanting disease" becomes overwhelming. He dreams of dogs and begs his parents. He tells his mother that he will buy her a dress and hats with money from the sale of racoon furs. His pleading makes his mother emotional, which in turn makes Billy sad. "That time I saw tears in her eyes. It made me feel empty inside and I cried a little, too." As readers, we may not be able to relate to a young boy from the Ozarks who wants two coonhounds, but we can empathize with his burning desire. Haven't we all wanted something so badly that we can't sleep? That we beg, plead, will do or say anything? Maass advises writers to create heroes and heroines who capture the idea of human longing that we can all feel. "The first task in building a compelling story is to create hope," Maass writes. "The stronger that hope, and the more we fear it will not be fulfilled, the greater will be the emotional relief when things finally do come out okay." Read More... |
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Steal These 31 Writing Prompts!
Writer's block? Get your creative juices flowing with 31 Writing Prompts to Inspire You Through the Month! These prompts are easy, fast, and fun. They'll help fire up your imagination and encourage you to dig deeper as you write. Plus, they'll prime your brain to become an idea-generating machine. Whenever you sit down to write, you'll jump right into the flow. Get your FREE 31 writing prompts here! |
Writing a book is, by necessity, a solitary
undertaking. At the same time, building a tribe is essential. Jennifer Haupt
discusses five strategies for finding a good balance between your vital alone
time and the benefits of participating in a writing community. Read More...
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Starting your book
promotion sooner can lead to more readers and more anticipation—all before
your book is even released. Promote then Publish walks through the
three steps you need to take to successfully reach your widest audience
possible.
Download this free guide from BookBaby and get started today! |
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. Read More...
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IngramSpark
is celebrating its 5th birthday with writers worldwide, including you!
Upload your print or ebook FREE until July 31, 2018, with code SPARK5. Let's
party!
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Many aspiring writers set out to craft the
next Great American Novel. The designation is, at best, amorphous and
extremely subjective, but at its core it refers to American-set novels by
American authors that have had some important historical impact. That said,
the history of the term is as interesting as the first book ever given that
title by John William De Forest in 1869. Can you guess which one it is? Read More...
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Unlock the potential of your manuscript! Helga Schier, PhD, published author and professional editor
offers effective, personalized, constructive and comprehensive editorial
services.
Contact: withpenandpaper@verizon.net, www.withpenandpaper.com, 310.828.8421 |
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We had the privilege of speaking with
short-form master and Lincoln
in the Bardo author George Saunders. In this video, sponsored by
Wild Photon, the globally acclaimed author discusses the inherent poetry of
dialogue, and how liberating that can be. Read More...
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In this episode of the Writer's Digest
Podcast, literary power couple Jeff VanderMeer and Ann VanderMeer discuss the
benefits of existing between the literary and genre fiction divide, the art
and science of deep reading, and their own processes to craft and edit an
anthology big or small.
Read More...
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Bowdlerized: Write about a situation involving an attempt to explain
something illegal, outrageous or lewd to someone who might find it offensive,
disturbing or problematic.
Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments here ... |
Jess Zafarris
Follow @jesszafarris Jess Zafarris is an energetic multimedia journalist with more than 7 years of experience writing and editing, and the content director of Writer's Digest. |
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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Pitching Articles: 5 Tips for a Successful
Freelance Writing Pitch
|
If you're a
freelance journalist or blogger eager to earn income from writing and
reporting, learning to create an engaging pitch is crucial. Many writers
complain, "I have a great story. How do I get the editors interested in
it?"
The answer is simple: Perfect your writing pitch. Here are some tips to help you master the art of pitching articles and getting an editor's attention: First, Do Your Homework. Find the appropriate editor of a good target publication online. Try a Twitter search. For example, in Twitter's search bar, you could search for "Refinery29" "editor." From there, you get a listing of accounts whose bios match those search terms. Many of the people listed will have email addresses and contact info in their bios, as well. Look for email formatting clues. For example, Buzzfeed uses the firstname.lastname [at] buzzfeed [dot] com formula. With that, you can figure out any editor's email address. Once you find the email address of the editor to whom you want to pitch, address them by name in your email (and, for goodness's sake, spell their name correctly!). Familiarize yourself with the publication that you're pitching to, so that you're sure they show an interest in the type of story you want them to publish. For example, Writer's Digest would have no interest in a story about deer hunting. Read more tips here... |
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When considering the best topic for a work
of historical nonfiction, you must consider your reasearch, your target
audience, and what you seek to accomplish. Author Cory Taylor discusses what
goes into this process, and how to pitch the work once it's complete. Read More...
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In this episode of the Writer's Digest
Podcast, literary power couple Jeff VanderMeer and Ann VanderMeer discuss the
benefits of existing between the literary and genre fiction divide, the art
and science of deep reading, and their own processes to craft and edit an
anthology big or small.
Read More...
|
Literary agent Kiana Nguyen of Donald Maass
Literary Agency is seeking submissions! Learn about her here, discover what
she's seeking, and find out how to submit. Read More...
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Jess Zafarris
Follow @jesszafarris Jess Zafarris is an energetic multimedia journalist with more than 7 years of experience writing and editing, and the content director of Writer's Digest. |
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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You’ve chosen the
independent route and self-published your ebook, now take the next step and
be recognized for your great work.
Submit your
self-published ebook(s) in the Writer’s Digest’s 6th Annual
Self-Published Ebook Awards for a chance to win $5,000 in cash, a
featured interview and excerpt in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid
trip to the ever-popular Writer’s Digest Annual Conference in New York City.
In addition to
$13,000 in total cash prizes, all entrants will receive a brief commentary on
their work from one of Writer’s Digest’s judges.
If your ebook
deserves special recognition, submit it to Writer’s Digest’s Self-Published
Ebook Awards today!
|
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
 |
|
 |
 |
If you want to get a
literary agent, you have to hook them quickly with your submission materials.
And the two most important items during your initial agent inquiry are the
all-important query letter and first pages of your story. This Writer’s
Digest Boot Camp will teach how to do create an amazing agent submission.
Writing a strong query letter requires a great hook and clear premise. The first sentence should immediately catch the reader’s attention, while the ending should leave the reader wanting to dive into the pages of the manuscript. Your first pages should work similarly—you want the person reading to find it absolutely unputdownable. But this takes practice, patience, and an eye for detail. Which is why we’re here: to discuss what to do and not to do and to make your query and first pages as stand-out as possible. Suzie Townsend and JL Stermer are currently building their lists at New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. and understand what information will help prospective authors weigh all of their options before choosing an agent. Don't miss your chance to register. The boot camp starts this Tuesday! |
|
Here's How it Works:
|
On July 10, 2018,
you will gain access to an all-new special 111-minute online tutorial via the
course system: "How
to Catch an Agent's Interest with Your Query and First Pages”
presented by literary agents of New Leaf Literary.
After listening to the presentation, attendees will spend the next two days revising materials as necessary. After viewing the tutorial, writers will have two days in which to log onto the course system and ask assigned agent critiquers questions related to revising materials. The agents will be available on the course system from 1-3 p.m. (EDT) on both Wednesday, July 11and Thursday, July 12. No later than Friday, July 13, attendees will submit a query and the first five manuscript or proposal pages for critique. The submissions will receive feedback directly from the boot camp literary agents. The agents will spend up to three weeks reviewing all assigned critiques and provide feedback to help attendees. (The agents reserve the right to request more materials if they feel a strong connection to the work and want to read more; note that multiple agents have signed writers after reading their work as part of WD boot camps.) Join the boot camp today! |
|
Agent:
Suzie Townsend
Prior to joining New Leaf, Suzie Townsend graduated film school, earned her Masters of Education, taught high school English, and coached a swim team. In her spare time, she read everything she could, which prompted her move to publishing. As a literary agent, she represents all brands of children’s and adult fiction. |
Agent:
JL Stermer
is adding to her non-fiction list in both YA and adult categories with smart pop-culture, comedy/satire, fashion, health & wellness, self-help, and memoir. She’s also growing her fiction list (a bit more selectively) and is looking for adult and some YA coming-of-age, humor, dark and edgy stories, and new and original voices in commercial and upmarket. |
EXPERT INSTRUCTORS | CONVENIENT ACCESS
INVALUABLE FEEDBACK |
|
F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
|
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|
 |
Today, Amazon sells
nearly 50% of all print books and over 70% of all e-books in America. If you
want to sell more books, and hit a bestseller list in the future, you must
learn how to sell more books through Amazon.
It doesn’t matter if you’re self-published or traditionally-published. It doesn’t matter if you write fiction or non-fiction. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time author or an experienced veteran. Success for every author hinges upon selling more books on Amazon. Mastering Amazon for Authors is the premiere online video course designed to help you increase book sales at the world’s largest retailer. This self-paced course provides in-depth instruction for authors at any level. Marketing expert, Rob Eagar, takes the guesswork out of promoting your books on Amazon and explains how to:
Watch the videos and go behind the scenes into Amazon’s
system. Discover how to increase your book sales, no matter your genre or
experience level. In addition, Rob Eagar, will be available to answer your
questions during the course to help you make progress.
|
Here's How it Works:
|
On August 9, 2018, you
will gain access to 11 video sessions that will guide you through selling
books on Amazon from start to finish. You will also gain access to discussion
boards, unique to each session, that will allow you to ask Rob questions and
interact with your fellow students. As you work through the course discussion
boards will remain live for your reference. When the course closes on September 13, 2018,
access to post on the discussion boards will be removed, so be sure to ask
questions before the course closes. You will have access to the videos and
past discussions until
December 31, 2018.
Here's one of the best parts: Get your Amazon questions answered by an expert. Students of this course can send questions directly to instructor, Rob Eagar. |
Endorsements for Rob Eagar:
|
“I recommend Rob Eagar to any author looking
to take their book campaign to a higher level.”
Dr. Gray Chapman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The 5 Love Languages "I give Rob Eagar my highest recommendation. If you want to increase your book sales, make him the first person you hire.” Lysa TerKeurst, 4-time New York Times bestselling author |
|
Instructor: Rob
Eagar
Learn from one of the most accomplished book marketing experts in America. For over 10 years, Rob Eagar has coached more than 450 authors, consulted with numerous publishing houses, and helped clients hit the New York Times bestseller list three different ways, including new fiction, new non-fiction, and backlist non-fiction. He even helped a book become a New York Times bestseller after 20 years in print! |
EXPERT INSTRUCTORS | CONVENIENT ACCESS
INVALUABLE FEEDBACK |
*Must use code EARLYBIRD for discount to
apply. Coupon expires 7/19/18.
|
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
|
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 |
The Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference is
returning to Pasadena, Calif., with a transformative lineup of sessions and
speakers designed exclusively for the needs and wants of novelists—whether
you’re working on your first or have already published a few.
Registration is now live, and you’ll lock in your best rate when you register by July 24. WHAT IT IS: If you’d like to learn how to write a tightly crafted novel that agents, editors and readers are all looking for, WD’s Novel Writing Conference is the event you’ve been waiting for. Discover expert-led sessions from mentors who understand the process of bringing a book to market, because they’ve been there. And they’ll help you get there, too. You’ll choose between four different tracks dedicated to Craft, Character, Genre, and Beyond (i.e., everything that happens after you finish writing—from revision to promotion). Mix and match sessions to build your perfect weekend! WHO IT'S FOR: Whether you’re an aspiring novelist seeking to publish traditionally, or a self-published author seeking a wider audience, you’ll find in-depth sessions offering up information you need to know. And unlike so many other writing conferences, this one is focused solely on the novel. WHY YOU SHOULD GO: We’ve locked in a pair of New York Times bestsellers for the first two keynotes: Robert Crais and Curtis Sittenfeld. The keynote sessions are always must-attends—novelists who’ve “been there” and “done that” sharing their experiences and inspirational stories. More sessions, more speakers and more fun are all in the works, but right now is the best time to reserve your moment in the California sun—best pricing ends July 24. |
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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In this 58-minute tutorial, learn how to
make readers want to be in the story and crave the story to advance to the
speaking parts. Learn how dialogue is the heart of a story, regardless how
good the plot.
Read More...
|
Writer's
Digest Tutorials Members enjoy full access to all tutorials featured in this
newsletter, as well as every tutorial on the site. For only $199 you gain access to all Writer's Digest's
writing tutorials for an entire year. That means you have access
to all 350+ current tutorials and all the new tutorials created throughout
the year.
|
New Releases
|
|
|
 |
Writer's Digest Membership Options
|
350+ WD Tutorials are immediately available
for viewing, and at least one new tutorial is added weekly.
|
Sue Johnson
Sue is an Instructional Designer for Writer's Digest. She lives with her Corgi/Dachshund (Dorgi), Dori, and three kitties. Follow her on Twitter @sueajohnsonco. |
|
F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
|
|
|
|
If you want to get a
literary agent, you have to hook them quickly with your submission materials.
And the two most important items during your initial agent inquiry are the
all-important query letter and first pages of your story. This Writer’s
Digest Boot Camp will teach how to do create an amazing agent submission.
Writing a strong query letter requires a great hook and clear premise. The first sentence should immediately catch the reader’s attention, while the ending should leave the reader wanting to dive into the pages of the manuscript. Your first pages should work similarly—you want the person reading to find it absolutely unputdownable. But this takes practice, patience, and an eye for detail. Which is why we’re here: to discuss what to do and not to do and to make your query and first pages as stand-out as possible. Suzie Townsend and JL Stermer are currently building their lists at New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. and understand what information will help prospective authors weigh all of their options before choosing an agent. |
|
Here's How it Works:
|
On July 10, 2018,
you will gain access to an all-new special 111-minute online tutorial via the
course system: "How
to Catch an Agent's Interest with Your Query and First Pages”
presented by literary agents of New Leaf Literary.
After listening to the presentation, attendees will spend the next two days revising materials as necessary. After viewing the tutorial, writers will have two days in which to log onto the course system and ask assigned agent critiquers questions related to revising materials. The agents will be available on the course system from 1-3 p.m. (EDT) on both Wednesday, July 11and Thursday, July 12. No later than Friday, July 13, attendees will submit a query and the first five manuscript or proposal pages for critique. The submissions will receive feedback directly from the boot camp literary agents. The agents will spend up to three weeks reviewing all assigned critiques and provide feedback to help attendees. (The agents reserve the right to request more materials if they feel a strong connection to the work and want to read more; note that multiple agents have signed writers after reading their work as part of WD boot camps.) Join the Boot Camp Today! |
|
Agent:
Suzie Townsend
Prior to joining New Leaf, Suzie Townsend graduated film school, earned her Masters of Education, taught high school English, and coached a swim team. In her spare time, she read everything she could, which prompted her move to publishing. As a literary agent, she represents all brands of children’s and adult fiction. |
Agent:
JL Stermer
is adding to her non-fiction list in both YA and adult categories with smart pop-culture, comedy/satire, fashion, health & wellness, self-help, and memoir. She’s also growing her fiction list (a bit more selectively) and is looking for adult and some YA coming-of-age, humor, dark and edgy stories, and new and original voices in commercial and upmarket. |
EXPERT INSTRUCTORS | CONVENIENT ACCESS
INVALUABLE FEEDBACK |
|
F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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Over the last
decade, the publishing industry has undergone tremendous evolution due to the
growth of online retail and digital books, as well as the power of any author
to publish and distribute their work at the click of a button. But which path
is right for you and your book—and how do you sift through the increasing
number of hybrid publishers and services that make a lot of promises, but
cost you a lot upfront?
Jane Friedman discusses everything you need to know about how book publishing operates today, in plain English, to help you understand the pros and cons of every major publishing path available. She'll cover New York traditional publishing and what projects are well-suited to being represented by literary agents; the capabilities of mid-size publishers and independent publishers; how to evaluate small presses, micro-presses, and digital-only presses; what "hybrid" publishing is (or thinks it is) and how to evaluate such companies; and all forms of self-publishing and e-publishing practiced today. Register today! |
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Instructor:
Jane Friedman
Jane Friedman is a full-time entrepreneur (since 2014) and has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. In addition to being a columnist with Publishers Weekly and a professor with The Great Courses, Jane maintains an award-winning blog for writers at JaneFriedman.com. |
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
|
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Writers today have myriad options to get
paid for their work—including traditional and self-publishing; journalism,
copywriting and content marketing; education and public speaking—and no one
is better equipped than Writer’s Digest to teach you how to take full advantage
of those abundant opportunities.
Are you a published author? If you’ve successfully published a book or three, traditionally or independently, and you’re looking to grow your readership, improve your marketing or start publishing other authors, indieLAB is the conference you’ve been looking for. Are you a freelance writer? If you’re tired of hustling and being paid in “exposure” and are looking for ways to turn your expertise and social-media following into a steady living, learn more about the publishing industry or self-publish your own book, indieLAB is the conference you’ve been looking for. Are you a small independent publisher? If your books or literary journals have a modest audience and you’d like to grow your readership, explore alternative revenue models, or expand into print and/or physical bookstore/library distribution, indieLAB is the conference you’ve been looking for. Are you an aspiring novelist? If you’re confident in your craft and are ready to explore self-publishing options, or are looking for ways to earn a living with your writing beyond book sales, indieLAB is the conference you’ve been looking for. indieLAB—the newest conference from Writer's Digest—is curated especially for entrepreneurial authors, freelance writers and independent publishers seeking to develop a publishing strategy, build a platform, grow an audience and get paid for their work. If you’re ready to move beyond the hustle and start publishing smarter, join us in our hometown of Cincinnati on September 29–30 for an insightful weekend of innovative strategies, actionable insights and invaluable networking. Learn more at WritersDigest.com/indieLAB |
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Upon completion of a
novel, many writers think that's it; it's done, time to query! But the
reality is, there's still a long road to submission. Agents and editors don't
see your manuscript until multiple drafts after the first THE END. So, what
are the real next steps?
As both agent and freelance editor, Kaitlyn Johnson has had years of experience helping writers learn editing techniques and writing strategies to propel their pages to the "ready for readers" mark. From spelling and grammar to plot holes and pacing, this brand new live webinar will help clarify how self-editing targets common errors and pitfalls in first draft pages, as well as instruct what elements to focus on to strengthen the big picture. Learn how to identify key areas of your novel that lack clarity, consistency, voice and apply practices that ready the story for beta readers, critique partners, or even the query trenches. |
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Instructor:
Kaitlyn Johnson
As well as being a junior agent for Corvisiero Literary Agency, Kaitlyn is also a freelance editor at her own company, K. Johnson Editorial, and has worked as a copyeditor for academic publisher codeMantra, a YA editor for Accent Press, and a Conference Assistant for GrubStreet, Boston. She has written various articles for Writer's Digest and has had a flash fiction story published in the anthology A Box of Stars Beneath the Bed. |
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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Whether you are just
getting started or want to hone your craft, Writer’s Digest can help with
proven tips on how to get and stay inspired, how to make time for writing,
master essential writing techniques, and how to get published. Your
subscription includes:
Subscribe now and
get a FREE INSTANT GIFT - Writer's
Yearbook: Your Annual Guide for Writing Success. This annual
review includes 100 book and magazine markets for writers, the top writer
websites to know, insider tips and what authors need to know about the
industry this year.
|
Save 82% plus get the 2018 Writer's Yearbook
free!
|
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F+W, 10151 Carver
Road, Suite 300 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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In this 38-minute tutorial, bestselling
author Joe Hart provides examples and tactics to meld complicated science
concepts into gripping storylines that sell. Read More...
|
Writer's
Digest Tutorials Members enjoy full access to all tutorials featured in this
newsletter, as well as every tutorial on the site. For only $199 you gain access to all Writer's Digest's
writing tutorials for an entire year. That means you have access
to all 350+ current tutorials and all the new tutorials created throughout
the year.
|
New Releases
|
|
|
|
Writer's Digest Membership Options
|
350+ WD Tutorials are immediately available
for viewing, and at least one new tutorial is added weekly.
|
Sue Johnson
Sue is an Instructional Designer for Writer's Digest. She lives with her Corgi/Dachshund (Dorgi), Dori, and three kitties. Follow her on Twitter @sueajohnsonco. |
|
F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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