Writer's Digest and Writer's Digest University newsletters

Here are the latest Writer's Digest newsletters with offers, competitions and more:

Take Your Readers on a Journey! Save 81% on the Premium Collection “Show, don’t tell,” might be the single most common piece of advice authors of fiction both give and receive. But what does this actually mean, and how can you apply the concept to your writing? The differences are usually not so easily spelled out. This kit is designed to break down the aspects of "showing" vs. "telling" so that you can create a convincing and believable world for your readers to explore. This collection contains four proven writing resources that will put your story on the path to success. Your Collection Contains:  Dynamic Dialogue: Techniques for Putting Dialogue to Work Show, Don't Tell: The Story Behind the Advice Video Download Engaging Your Readers Through Emotion, Description, and the Five Senses Developing Believable Characters OnDemand Webinar $210.94       $39.99 SEE WHAT'S INCLUDED >> *Price is as marked. Item is excluded from additional coupons and discounts.  Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301

Writer's Dig Publishing Insights WD University Not all writing advice can stand the test of time. But, as we were going through some of our oldest issues, we found an article about the importance of opening paragraphs and its advice is golden (and sometimes humorous!). You can read it below as well as an interview with our 88th Annual Competition winner, Jerry Slaff. -Amy Follow @AmyMJones_5 From the WD Archives The First Hundred Words Are the Hardest This article about the importance of the opening paragraph of your fiction writing first appeared in the October 1921 issue of The Writer's Digest, as it was then known. It was written by Arthur Leeds. If you’re familiar with the current “gag,” “The first hundred years are the hardest,” this being a certain humorist’s ironic “crack” at married life, you’ll know what inspired the above title. But, in all seriousness, for the beginner in fiction writing, the first hundred words or so—they may represent the first paragraph, or the first two or three paragraphs—undoubtedly are the hardest, or, at any rate, decidedly the most important in the entire story. “Rats!” remarks the “wise”—and slangy—beginner. He has read his O. Henry and all the other successful authors, and he knows much better than that. He is thinking of the hundred-and-one smashing, dramatic endings in stories he has enjoyed, and he is absolutely convinced that a bang-up, hit-’em-between-the-eyes “final curtain” is far and away the most important thing in any story, but especially in a short story. Well, live and learn, profit by experience, collect the rejection slips until you are able to see the light, and know the value of carefully-planned, “punchful” beginnings for your stories! Read the full article... What's New Call for 101 Best Websites for Writers Nominations For more than 20 years, Writer's Digest has assembled a "101 Best Websites for Writers" list. In fact, we're starting to think about the 22nd annual list for 2020 and need your help. This is our official call for nominations and recommendations. Read More... Writer's Digest 88th Annual Competition Winner Profile: Jerry Slaff Congratulations to Jerry Slaff, Grand Prize winner of the 88th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition! His play, Lies, stood out among nearly 7,000 total entries to the competition. In this winner profile, Slaff shares his playwriting and plotting secrets. Read More... Should I Write for Art? Or Commerce? A Script Magazine Feature Ray Morton shares guidelines on choosing if you should write a screenplay for art or for commerce. Read More... Acting Out of Character Writer's Digest Weekly Writing Prompt What makes a story interesting? The head cheerleader joining the chess club. The star family of the neighborhood association being arrested for an unsolved crime. A normally silent grandfather speaking up about events that became buried in the past... Write a scene or story in which someone acts outside of their normal behavior. Start Writing... Copyediting Certification Course Writer's Digest University Are you interested in becoming a copy editor? Making money doing what you love... writing! As a student in this certification course, you will progress from the fundamentals of grammar, form and composition to advanced copyediting skills. Register and Get Certified...  | Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301

Make it bold. Make is brilliant. And most important—make it brief! For 20 years, Writer’s Digest's Short Short Story Competition has been looking for and shining the light on amazing short fiction. It’s that time again—we’re looking for writing that's 1,500 words or fewer. Send us your best stories and you could win $3,000 in cash, a trip to New York City for the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, and an interview for a feature article in our magazine. Ready to be the next writer we spotlight? Enter by December 16! LEARN MORE | Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301

Hurry, Starts Thursday!  Are you interested in becoming a copy editor? Even better yet, have you already started work as a copy editor but are looking to perfect your workplace skills? Either way, this certification course will help you build your resume! This workshop will provide training for aspiring copy editors in order to give them practical and marketable workplace skills. As a student in this certification course, you will progress from the fundamentals of grammar, form and composition to advanced copyediting skills. Students who complete all the assignments and pass the comprehensive test will receive documentation from Writer's Digest of their completion of the Copyediting Certification Course. The lessons run for ten weeks and then there are an additional two weeks in which students have the chance to pass the final test. Fundamentals of punctuation and grammar Guidelines for form and composition How to write using style guides How to put grammar rules into action! Aspiring copy editors. Creative writers who want to learn the skills to self-edit. Teachers who want to brush up on their grammar skills. Businesspeople whose jobs require them to write documents and memos. "I would recommend this course for anyone pursuing either a writing or copyediting career." -DO "I feel much more prepared to seek work as a copy editor after taking this certification course!" -LR "This course was excellent" -KH This Thursday, December 12 - March 5, 2020 HURRY, COURSE STARTS THURSDAY Instructor: Kim Catanzarite Kim Catanzarite is a freelance copy editor who has over twenty years experience in the editorial field. Her client list includes Writer's Digest, Meredith Corporation, Ten Speed Press, and many other American book publishers, as well as individual writers. She has edited hundreds of nonfiction and fiction titles in a vast variety of genres from how-to to history to writing guides and commercial novels, as well as magazines and newspapers. . | Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301

Take Steps to Avoid Future Rejection Before you submit your manuscript to an agent, editor, or competition, get professional feedback from 2nd Draft Critique Services. These critique services give a high-level review of your writing, pointing out reasons your work may be getting rejected, or may not meet the standards of traditional publication. You'll not only learn what's working in your writing, but what's not, and—most important—how to fix it. See What Happy Customers Are Saying: "I was extremely pleased with the results I got from 2nd Draft...The critique I received was invaluable." -KC "2nd Draft offered me a professional pair of fresh eyes and the spit shine my manuscript needed. I can now submit my first three chapters without hesitation." -LM BROWSE CRITIQUE OPTIONS Popular Options: Short Story Critique After reading your submission, a professional critique editor will provide you with specific, detailed feedback and recommendations. They will comment on your story's plot, characterization, dialogue, setting, and story arc. LEARN MORE Manuscript Critique You'll love this manuscript critique service if you want to get an overall evaluation on your manuscript's strengths and weaknesses along with a clear idea of how to revise your work. LEARN MORE Agent Plot Critique Learn your plots strengths and weaknesses while gaining a clear idea of how to revise your plot to ensure the most compelling story business. LEARN MORE Proofreading Service Receive a professional proofreading service before you query an agent or editor. Ensure your manuscript is polished, error-free, and ready for an agent or editor's eyes. LEARN MORE 1 Page Query Letter Critique Our 2nd Draft Critique editors will evaluate your one-page query letter and provide the advice and feedback you need to improve your query letter. LEARN MORE Picture Book Critique Submit your completed picture book and you will get the specific, tailored advice you need to make your picture book publishing dreams reality. LEARN MORE 2-Page Synopsis If you have completed your manuscript you can submit a 2-page synopsis for critique. 2ndDraft Critique Service provides a high-level review of your work, pointing out reasons that an agent or publisher may not be interested after reading your synopsis. LEARN MORE Developmental Edit If you have at least 50 consecutive pages of your manuscript written and are looking for not only professional feedback but also a two-page synopsis for your manuscript, this critique service is perfect for you! LEARN MORE VIEW ALL 2ND DRAFT SERVICES View sample critique >> Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301

Writer’s Digest Annual Conference 2020 registration is now open!  The Writer’s Digest Annual Conference—August 13-16, 2020 in New York City—is your chance to acknowledge the importance of writing in your life. And whether writing is your passion or profession, a trip to the conference is a perfect—and purposeful—affirmation of your goals as you begin the New Year.  Registration is now open and we’re working on some exciting surprises for 2020. Be on the lookout for announcements starting in January and in the months to follow as we celebrate 100 years of Writer’s Digest at the event. What better way to celebrate than in person, with our writing family! Register today for the best price.  Register Now Information | Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301

Winter is in full swing, are you looking to fill your winter break up with productive activities? Well now is the perfect time to sign up for classes and start improving your writing! Writer's Digest online writing workshops cover every aspect of writing; from how to get started all the way to getting your project published. Writer's Digest University features classes for every type of writer, no matter your skill level. And our professional instructors are dedicated to helping you achieve your writing goals. Click here to view the full course schedule >>  And don't forget, there is always the option to gift courses to your fellow writing friends and family! Simply select the "Gift this course" option under the enrollment button.  Courses Starting This Week:  Advanced Novel Writing Instructor: Terri Valentine When you take this online workshop, you won't have weekly reading assignments or lectures. Instead, you'll get to focus solely on completing your novel. And by the end of this course, you will have the tools and know-how to write a great novel. Copyediting Certification Course Instructor: Kim Catanzarite his workshop will provide training for aspiring copy editors in order to give them practical and marketable workplace skills. Students who complete all the assignments and pass the comprehensive test will receive documentation from Writer's Digest of their completion. Getting Started in Writing Instructor: Gloria Kempton Not sure where to start? Than this is the course for you! When you take this online writing workshop, you'll discover your voice, learn the basics of grammar and examine the different types of writing. No matter what type of writing you're planning on crafting—nonfiction or fiction—you'll need guidance along the way. Grammar and Mechanics Instructor: Carolyn Walker No matter what type of writing you do, mastering the fundamentals of grammar and mechanics is an important first-step to having a successful writing career. Exclusive Upcoming Webinar:  How to Blog Meaningfully and Grow Your Audience Instructor: Jane Friedman This live webinar with professor Jane Friedman, covers the best practices of worthwhile blogging and how it can make a difference to the growth of your author career. You'll learn the secrets of shareable & spreadable content, the best ways to get new readers, and how to attract more opportunities (and improve your writing skills!) by posting great content. View Course Schedule Hate being tied to a schedule? Check out our affordable, Self-Paced Courses >>

EXPERT INSTRUCTORS | CONVENIENT ACCESS INVALUABLE FEEDBACK  | Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301