Writer's Digest

With details of courses and more, here are the latest Writer's Digest newsletters:

Make NaNoWriMo a Success this Year! Yes, you can write a draft of your book in a month! Don’t let limited time, busy lives, or other obstacles get in your way of writing the book that is in you. A manuscript in 30 days requires thoughtful preparation, strategic planning, a strong sense of discipline and loads of enthusiasm—and this live webinar will give you the concrete tools to achieve your goal. If the only thing that’s holding you back from getting words on the page is no plan, this webinar has all the answers.   Literary agent Carly Watters has been coaching authors through first drafts for a decade and she’ll present a comprehensive strategy to writing a 50,000+ word draft in 30 days. This webinar is all about volume and getting 1,667+ words written per day. Whether you’ll be joining a “5am Writers’ Club,” writing during your lunch breaks at work, or after your kids have gone to sleep—it’s possible for everyone. The webinar will focus on character sketches, detailed storyboarding, realistic schedules, and tips to keep up your momentum through the full month of daily writing.   There will be roadblocks, but you’ll be better positioned to succeed with the more preparation you can do in advance.   How to create an overview for your month of writing How to create an engaging premise, well-paced plot, and comprehensive character sketches in advance of writing How to stick to a daily word count Which chapters to flag for future revision and when to forge on to the next chapter Ways to overcome complicated life stuff, writers’ block and sluggish writing days And much more! Writers thinking about participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) Writers scheduled to participate in NaNoWriMo this November Writers who are writing their first manuscript ever Writers who have written a book, but are looking for a faster-paced schedule this time around Writers who are “pantsers” but want to become “plotters” “Plotters” who want to refine their habits   October 22, 1:00 PM EDT LEARN MORE   Instructor: Carly Watters   Carly Watters began her publishing career in London at the Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency. She has a BA in English Literature from Queen’s University and an MA in Publishing Studies from City University London. Since joining PSLA in 2010 Carly has had great success launching new authors domestically and abroad. Never without a book on hand she reads across categories which is reflected in the genres she represents at PSLA. Representing debuts and bestsellers, Carly is drawn to: emotional, well-paced fiction with a great voice and characters that readers can get invested in, and platform-driven non-fiction.     | Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301

This Week's Webinar   How to Hook an Agent Querying can be a thrilling experience. From the first day you send out your first batch of queries, to your first requests, to some valuable feedback, and then to finally a match made! Join agent Katie Shea Boutillier as she explores exactly what agents are looking for in clients. This Thursday! October 8, 1:00 PM EDT LEARN MORE!   Kit Sale Save an Extra $10 This Week Only! Are you ready for NaNoWriMo? Writer's Digest has you covered with this kit that includes everything you need to prepare for next month's writing endeavors. Save an Extra $10 This Week! Use Code NANOWRIMO   SAVE NOW! This Month's Boot Camp   How to Find and Keep a Literary Agent How do you hook an agent right away, keep them hooked, and make the most of your new publishing relationship? In this boot camp, you'll learn how to get a literary agent’s attention through a great submission as well as how to work with them successfully. October 20-23, 2020 LEARN MORE!   Upcoming Webinar How to Write a First Draft in a Month NaNoWriMo is coming up and yes, you can write a draft of your book in a month! This live webinar will give you the concrete tools you need to help you achieve your goal. October 22, 1:00 PM EDT   LEARN MORE! Featured Resources     September/October 2020 Issue   2nd Draft Manuscript Critique Service     New! Horror Writing Kit   Write Your Novel in 30 Days Special Issue     Explore More Resources   | Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301

75 Grammar Rules for Writers If you're anything like me, you have a love-hate relationship with grammar. On one hand, grammar rules are necessary for greater understanding and more effective communication. On the other hand, there are just so many rules (and so many exceptions to the rules). It can be overwhelming. (21 authors share one piece of advice for writers.) But fear not! We are here to share a plethora of grammar rules for writers that we've tackled over the years. If you have a question, we may have the answer. And if we don't, be sure to share your question in the comments below. So let's dig into these grammar rules together. Read the full article... SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS.  CONNECT WITH YOUR CRAFT. DO GOOD. WRITING SUCCESS SERIES webinars with Donald Maass, Lisa Cron, Christopher Vogler, and other industry experts. A portion of proceeds benefit World Central Kitchen. Just $39 per session. Or use code WDFX10 for 10% off the entire series. Learn more Plot Twist Story Prompts: Release the Monster For this week's prompt, release a monster into the story. If you enter "release the" into Google, you're likely to see autofill results of "release the kraken" and "release the hounds." These are monsters in those contexts, but there are so many other monsters a writer could release. For instance, the monster could be a virus, whether biological or technological. The monster could be a person. Or vampires. Or zombies. Maybe the monsters are a group of adults (or 4-year-olds) who didn't have their lunch. So yeah, don't forget that monsters can mean humor as much as it can lead to horror. (5 Ways to Surprise Your Reader Without It Feeling Like a Trick.) Speaking of zombies, any Night of the Living Dead fan knows that the most interesting thing about the living dead is not the zombies but the actions and reactions of the main characters. Do they band together? Do they tear each other apart? Monsters are great for exposing the best and worst of humanity. Read More... This Week in Writing 10/7—Edgar Allan Poe died 1849 (10 Edgar Allan Poe quotes) 10/7—William Zinsser born 1922 10/8—Frank Herbert born 1920 10/8—R.L. Stine born 1943 (4 lessons on writing horror from R.L. Stine) 10/9—John Lennon born 1940 10/10—Nora Roberts born 1950 (5 Nora Roberts quotes for writers) 10/10—Orson Welles died 1985 10/11—Elmore Leonard born 1925 Robert Lee Brewer Robert Lee Brewer is a senior editor for Writer's Digest and former editor of the Writer's Market book series. He is also the author of Smash Poetry Journal and Solving the World's Problems. Find him on Twitter at @RobertLeeBrewer | Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301

Writer's Digest online writing workshops cover every aspect of writing, from how to get started all the way to getting your project published -- all from the comfort of your home! Click here to view the full course calendar >>   This Week's Webinar:   How to Hook an Agent: Queries and Beyond! with Katie Shea Boutillier Thursday, October 8, 1:00 PM EDT Querying can be a thrilling experience. From the first day you send out your first batch of queries, to your first requests, to some valuable feedback, and then to finally a match made! Join agent Katie Shea Boutillier as she explores exactly what agents are looking for in clients.   Courses Starting This Week:  Copyediting Certificate Program Instructor: Kim Catanzarite This workshop will provide training for aspiring copy editors in order to give them practical and marketable workplace skills. If you complete all the assignments and pass the comprehensive test, you will receive documentation from Writer's Digest of your completion of the Copyediting Certificate Program.   Advanced Poetry Writing Instructor: Kristina Marie Darling Build your poetry writing skills by working with a highly accomplished poet! You will leave this workshop with a folio of six polished poems, ideal for magazine and literary journal submissions, as well as personalized recommendations for publication and professional development.   Form and Composition Instructor: Kelly Boyer Sagert Proper grammar, punctuation, and mechanics make your writing correct. In order to truly write well, you must also master the art of form and composition. From sentence structure to polishing your prose, this workshop will enhance your writing, no matter what type of writing you do.   Freelance Writing for Stay at Home Moms (and Dads) Instructor: Terri Valentine Have you wanted to become a writer, but let your busy life get in the way of writing? Here’s your chance to launch a freelance writing career – and complete writing jobs from home.   How to Blog a Book Instructor: Nina Amir In this course, successful blogger and published author Nina Amir will give you step-by-step instructions on turning a blog (new or existing) into a marketable, and publishable, ebook.   Grammar and Mechanics Instructor: Kelly Boyer Sagert Do you remember the difference between the 8 parts of speech and how to use them? Are you comfortable with punctuation and mechanics? 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.   Getting Started in Writing Instructor: Gloria Kempton Have you always wanted to be a writer? Don't let doubt or fear get the best of you—take a chance and learn how to start writing a book, novel, short story, memoir, or essay. When you take this online writing workshop, you'll discover your voice, learn the basics of grammar, and examine the different types of writing.   October Boot Camp: How to Find and Keep a Literary Agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency October 20-23, 2020 How do you hook an agent right away, keep them hooked, and make the most of your new publishing relationship? In this boot camp, you'll learn how to get a literary agent’s attention through a great submission as well as how to work with them successfully. Agent feedback on your first five pages and query letter is included!   Upcoming Webinar:   How to Write a First Draft in a Month with Carly Watters Thursday, October 22, 1:00 PM EDT NaNoWriMo is coming up and yes, you can write a draft of your book in a month! Don’t let limited time, busy lives, or other obstacles get in the way. A manuscript in 30 days requires thoughtful preparation, strategic planning, a strong sense of discipline and loads of enthusiasm. This live webinar will give you the concrete tools to achieve your goal.   View Full Course Calendar   Hate being tied to a schedule? Our Self-Paced Courses are Now Only $19.99! EXPERT INSTRUCTORS | CONVENIENT ACCESS INVALUABLE FEEDBACK   | Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301 The #NWC20 program is complete!     The Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference stands alone among writing events because it’s designed to meet your unique needs. Backed by the expertise of Writer’s Digest’s 100 years of experience and fortified by the insights of successful authors and publishing experts—with many New York Times bestsellers and industry professionals among them—you won’t find better mentors and allies for your writing journey. Hear from three fantastic keynotes: Jasmine Guillory, Maaza Mengiste, and Viet Thanh Nguyen. Participate in a WD trivia game and network with fellow attendees to earn points for a chance to win great prizes! If you’ve been on the fence, now is the time to commit and focus on building the best possible program—yours. Want content on more than just novel writing? Writer’s Digest Annual Conference is for you! You’ll enjoy four tracks of information including a nonfiction and inspiration track. And don’t forget about the virtual pitch slam! You must register by October 21 in order to add the pitch slam. Time is running out, register today! 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Save an Extra $10! One Week Only Use Code NANOWRIMO     Are you ready for NaNoWriMo? Writer's Digest has you covered with a new kit that includes everything you need to prepare for next month's writing endeavors. In this kit, award-winning authors and instructors share practical techniques for developing plots, staying motivated, and managing competing priorities during the novel writing process.   You will have a lot of writing to do so don't go in unprepared! Make sure you are armed with every tool you need to get creativity flowing, stay motivated, and complete your first draft in only 30 days! The Collection Contains:  Unleash Your Story: 30 Days to a Finished First Draft OnDemand Webinar How to Pre-Plot & Complete a Novel or Memoir in a Month OnDemand Webinar A Book in a Month: Essential Tips on How to Write a Novel in 30 Days OnDemand Webinar Write Your Novel in 30 Days Special Digital Issue First Draft Outline Video Tutorial   $226.96 $52.99 $42.99   SAVE NOW >>   *Use code NANOWRIMO during checkout to save an extra $10. Coupon expires October 9, 2020 at 11:59 PM CDT. Not valid with other offers or products.   | Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301     Feedback and Advice from the Best Editors Available   Before you submit your manuscript to an agent, editor, or competition, get professional feedback from 2nd Draft Critique Services. Our critique services provide 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.  What Happy Customers Are Saying:   "As a new writer, I was dying for some professional advice after finishing my first novel. The critique I received was invaluable."  "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."    View a sample critique >>   BROWSE CRITIQUE SERVICES   Popular Services: Line Edit Service Manuscript Critique   Developmental Editing Service Proofreading Service Agent Plot Critique Picture Book Critique   VIEW ALL 2ND DRAFT SERVICES | Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301 A Special Offer from our Trusted Partner   Write better stories faster with Campfire Blaze Are you struggling to finish your manuscript?   It's easy to get bogged down by word counts, plotting in notebooks, and trying to keep track of all the details in your head. Jason Louro, founder of Campfire Technology, had that problem too. So he set out to create the ultimate writing software. Over the last two years, Jason juggled his college courses and stayed up late creating the perfect tool for writers.   And it's finally here.     Plan. Write. Repeat.   Campfire Blaze is a browser-based suite of tools to help you keep your writing organized. Collaborate with friends in real-time or by yourself to flesh out every facet of your story. Develop your manuscript in Blaze’s word processor, create characters, design your plot, and worldbuild without restrictions. When you’re done, easily share your story with your friends and fans.   Blaze is completely free to use during the month of October, so check it out! There's no credit card required and no risk.     Blaze is in beta right now, but we're building the following tools into Campfire Blaze for its November 1st release: A word processor Character sheets Relationship webs Endless timelines Corkboard maps Character arc tracking Wiki-style encyclopedias Research storage And more!     Keep up with the next generation of writers that are ditching napkin scribbles and disorganized spreadsheets by upgrading to Campfire Blaze. You deserve a writing software that can visually organize the most complex plots you can dream up. Write better stories faster with Campfire Blaze.       Remember, it’s free during October’s open beta, so check it out today!     - The Campfire Team (Jason, Jackson, Levi, Liv, Hannah, Bryce, and Cole)    Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301

A Special Offer from our Trusted Partner Hello Writer’s Digest Subscriber, If you’re a good writer, you should be paid well (very well) for your services … You have a rare natural talent. Not everyone can do what you do … and not everyone wants to. So rather than accepting $5, $50, or even $100 for your time and talent, you should be writing for the thousands of companies who expect to pay you more … I’m talking about $250 … $500 … $1,000 … even $2,000+ per assignment. Like I said, there are thousands of companies looking to hire good writers today. You just need to know what the projects are … I cover 9 of the best in my report: And you can get a copy of it free, right now, simply by clicking here. In it, you’ll discover the top 9 unique opportunities for writers … the standard project fees … the types of companies and projects you’ll be able to write for … and exactly how to get started. That’s NINE different ways to turn your incredible talent into a legitimate and lucrative freelance writing career. Getting paid well to write is not a far-off dream. (The writers you’ll meet in the report are proof of that.) If you’re ready to see what your talent is really worth … and position yourself to start writing from home, in your spare time, whenever and wherever you want … Simply click here, and I’ll send your FREE 9 Ways special report immediately. To your success, Rebecca Matter President, American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI)  Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301

In this issue, we look at 39 query letters that worked for writers in multiple writing genres, what type of books writers should write, the thin line between fact and fiction, and more!  39 Queries That Worked for Writers Whether trying to hook a literary agent or editor at a book publishing company, writers need to master the art of writing effective query letters. The reason queries carry so much weight is simple: Time—and the fact that most agents and editors don't have much of it. (20 literary agents actively seeking writers and their writing.) The mission of your query letter is to convince an editor or agent that they want to invest time in you and your writing project. In that sense, a query letter is the first impression you make in what will hopefully blossom into a much longer professional relationship. No pressure. In this post, I've attempted to share tips on what needs to go into a query letter and provide links to several queries (across several writing genres) that were successful. Read the full article... SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS. CONNECT WITH YOUR CRAFT. DO GOOD. WRITING SUCCESS SERIES webinars with Donald Maass, Lisa Cron, Christopher Vogler, and other industry experts. A portion of proceeds benefit World Central Kitchen. Just $39 per session. Or use code WDFX10 for 10% off the entire series. www.free-expressions.com Craft & Business of Writing Write the Book You Want to Read "The biggest and best surprise is how much I fell in love with the writing of this book. Writing is—as we all know—fraught with difficulty, confusion, disappointment. But every once in a while you hit the sweet spot with a project where the challenge and the joy of the work are equally matched, and you look forward to opening the document every morning, and you delight in imagining events for your plot. You smile on the bus when you think about the story you are building." Read More... The Thin Line Between Fabricated Fact and Real Fiction When does a memoir stop being a memoir? There is no definitive answer since many memoir authors (Memoirist? Memorialist? Nope, sounds wrong.) acknowledge filling in the gaps with fictitious dialogue and details. But, there comes a tipping point, when too much inventive narrative creates a book of fiction. While Chasing North Star is officially a novel, when asked if I wrote a memoir, the answer is a hesitant, "Kinda." Read More... Plot Twist Story Prompts: Divine Act For today's prompt, have something unexpected and uncontrollable happen. Some may call this an act of God or a divine act. In ironic cases, it may be dubbed cosmic irony. But whatever you call this thing that happens, it should be unexpected and something outside the control of the main characters. For instance, a couple is enjoying a nice walk together on a trail with the sun out and no wind...when a tree suddenly falls. Maybe it lands on one of them. Or the tree could take out a bridge they needed to cross to get back to civilization. If not a tree, maybe the bridge just collapses when no one is on it, or there's a landslide. You know, just something random. (5 Ways to Surprise Your Reader Without It Feeling Like a Trick.) I had this happen in my life once when I was driving on a sunny day through a neighborhood and a utility pole fell across the road...right...in...front...of...me. Like if it had waited a few more seconds (or I'd driven a mile over the speed limit), I'd have been a goner. Super random. Read More... Send Your Work to 2nd Draft Critique Services! No matter your style or genre, Writer's Digest Shop offers a high-level view of your writing. After an evaluation of your submission, one of the professional 2nd Draft critiquers will provide feedback and advice. You’ll not only learn what’s working in your writing, but what's not, and—most important—how to fix it. Gain a critique of your manuscript, query letter, synopsis, and more! Click to continue. Writing the Personal and Profound Novel "Publishing is perhaps a little too focused on genre, forgetting that many of its customers read widely and eclectically. As a reader, I am as likely to read a Jodi Picoult as a Karin Slaughter, so as a writer, why shouldn't I slide between the two? It's been a relief, but also a surprise, to see that switching genres for After the End hasn't been an issue with retailers or with readers." Read More... Robert Lee Brewer Robert Lee Brewer is a senior editor for Writer's Digest and former editor of the Writer's Market book series. He is also the author of Smash Poetry Journal and Solving the World's Problems. Find him on Twitter at @RobertLeeBrewer  Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301

 

View in browser   Submit Your First Five Pages & Query for Critique! Querying can be a thrilling experience. From the first day you send out your first batch of queries, to your first requests, to some valuable feedback, and then to finally a match made! No matter what you've experienced, your goal is to hook a fantastic agent who adores your project, and someone who will work hard for you and fight for your special place in the literary market. Join agent Katie Shea Boutillier as she explores exactly what agents are looking for in clients. From the query letter to the book concept to the author's brand, and to overall career expectations/goals. It's good to know what to expect as you begin your relationship with your agent. To gain trust in each other and to see out your ultimate goal.   About the Critique: All registrants are invited to submit your query and the first five pages of your manuscript. All submitted queries and the first five pages are guaranteed a written critique by Katie Shea Boutillier. Even if you can't attend the live webinar, registering for this live version will enable you to receive the OnDemand webinar and a personal critique of your material.   What is important in a query letter The querying process - what agents expect to see How to create an outstanding hook How to create a fantastic setting that invites us in immediately Your brand - where you fit in your industry And much more! First-time writers who are querying - looking for an agent Writers who are looking for a new agent First-time writers currently working on a project - and has not started querying Anyone interested in what agents are looking for Anyone who is looking for advice in industry expectations   October 8, 1:00 PM EDT LEARN MORE   Instructor: Katie Shea Boutillier   Katie Shea Boutillier joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2011. She is the agency’s Rights Director handling translation, audio, and selected film/TV rights. In addition, Katie focuses on commercial adult fiction and young adult fiction. She is always on the hunt for upmarket women’s fiction, psychological suspense and has a soft spot for coming-of-age young adult fiction. She loves books that present big hooks, imperfect characters, and strong voices. Katie is committed to help achieve her clients’ long-term career goals. You can follow her on Twitter: @AgentShea     You are currently subscribed as kl.naylor@btinternet.com Update Your Preferences | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301 To unsubscribe from all AIM emails, click HERE

Submit Your First Five Pages & Query for Critique! Querying can be a thrilling experience. From the first day you send out your first batch of queries, to your first requests, to some valuable feedback, and then to finally a match made! No matter what you've experienced, your goal is to hook a fantastic agent who adores your project, and someone who will work hard for you and fight for your special place in the literary market. Join agent Katie Shea Boutillier as she explores exactly what agents are looking for in clients. From the query letter to the book concept to the author's brand, and to overall career expectations/goals. It's good to know what to expect as you begin your relationship with your agent. To gain trust in each other and to see out your ultimate goal.   About the Critique: All registrants are invited to submit your query and the first five pages of your manuscript. All submitted queries and the first five pages are guaranteed a written critique by Katie Shea Boutillier. Even if you can't attend the live webinar, registering for this live version will enable you to receive the OnDemand webinar and a personal critique of your material.   What is important in a query letter The querying process - what agents expect to see How to create an outstanding hook How to create a fantastic setting that invites us in immediately Your brand - where you fit in your industry And much more! First-time writers who are querying - looking for an agent Writers who are looking for a new agent First-time writers currently working on a project - and has not started querying Anyone interested in what agents are looking for Anyone who is looking for advice in industry expectations   October 8, 1:00 PM EDT LEARN MORE   Instructor: Katie Shea Boutillier   Katie Shea Boutillier joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2011. She is the agency’s Rights Director handling translation, audio, and selected film/TV rights. In addition, Katie focuses on commercial adult fiction and young adult fiction. She is always on the hunt for upmarket women’s fiction, psychological suspense and has a soft spot for coming-of-age young adult fiction. She loves books that present big hooks, imperfect characters, and strong voices. Katie is committed to help achieve her clients’ long-term career goals. You can follow her on Twitter: @AgentShea      Privacy Policy Writer's Digest an Active Interest Media company 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, Colorado 80301