Writer's Digest newsletters

 Here are the latest Writer's Digest newsletters, including Publishing Insights, for my followers to peruse:

In this issue, dive into 25 publishing FAQs for writers, how to publish a book, 9 tips on writing query letters, nominations for the best writing websites, and more!  25 Publishing FAQs for Writers After more than 20 years of working with writers and other publishing professionals, I've learned a thing or two about how the industry works. But I've also learned a thing or two about which questions writers frequently have about writing and publishing. Because they ask me at live events, on social media, or via email.  (Common publishing terms.) As such, I thought it would be a great idea to start answering those questions in individual posts. Then, it occurred to me that another great idea would be to collect those posts in one spot that makes it easy for writers to find answers to common publishing questions. Read the full article... From certificate to terminal degree, Spalding’s School of Creative and Professional Writing low-residency model offers intellectual rigor, emotional support, affordability, flexibility, and community with a diverse, socially engaged faculty of publishing, prize-winning mentors with a wide range of writing styles and professional experience. Flexible, affordable, compassionate. https://spalding.edu/schoolofwriting Craft & Business of Writing Tessa Arlen: On Polite Editorial Tussles "Always write the book you want to read. Don't think about what is on the bestseller lists for fiction at the moment. Publishers take forever to get your book out into the world, and all will have changed by then." Read More... 7 Tips How to Publish a Book (Free Download) At some point in the writing process the thoughts of how to publish a book will inevitably arise. The answer can be complicated, but there are a number of things you can do to help you be more successful. We begin with seven key tips to keep in mind as you progress along the path to publication. Though simple, it's amazing how many of these we might overlook or not be prepared for. We're also offering up this free download, Your Step-By-Step Guide to the Publishing Process, to help you learn how the publishing industry works, why you need to know about it, and how you can play an influential role in your writing career and your book's success. Read More... Nominate Your Favorite Writing Website Each year in our May/June issue, Writer's Digest publishes the 101 Best Websites for Writers. 2021 will be our 23rd year doing so and we want your nominations! Use the form below to tell us what your favorite websites for writers are and they just might be included in our next roundup. 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. 9 Tips on Writing Query Letters If you're going to get your book traditionally published, you're going to need an effective query letter, whether you're submitting to literary agents or directly to publishers. Queries are tools for getting an agent or editor interested in requesting sample pages and/or setting them up to read your submission.  (How to write successful queries for any genre of writing.) Really great query letters are used to sell readers throughout the publishing process. So we've collected tips from publishing professionals on how to make your query letter the best it can be. 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 Active Interest Media 5710 Flatiron Parkway Suite A Boulder, Colorado, 80301 USA     This week, the WD team wrapped up our November PAD Chapbook Challenge and gave you ideas for what to wrap under your holiday trees!   2020 Creative Gift Ideas for Writers   This time of year is excellent for counting our blessings, thinking of others, and planning for the future. My children also remind me it's a great time for giving gifts, and they're right. If you're looking for some great gift ideas for a writer (and want to be more creative than cash-in-a-card), then we have some fun options below. Read the full article...     Don't Miss These!   Going Viral: Writing From the Hopeful Heart   Author Kitty O'Meara shares her experience of going viral online and how that led to some exciting publishing opportunities. Read More...   2020 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Next Steps   Here are the final steps for the 13th annual November PAD Chapbook Challenge! Use December and the beginning of January to revise and collect your poems into a chapbook manuscript. Here are some tips and guidelines. Read More...   Ripped From the Headlines   Writer's Digest Weekly Writing Prompt   Write a scene or story inspired by one of the following recent bizarre news stories listed in this article. Read More...   First Ten Pages Boot Camp   Hurry, Starts Tomorrow!   In this invaluable event, you'll get to work directly with an agent to review and refine the first ten pages of your novel. You'll learn what keeps an agent reading, what are the most common mistakes that make them stop, and the steps you need to take to correct them. Sign Up Now...     Qi Cheng Zhuan Jie (起承轉結): The Chinese Four-Act Screenplay Structure, Part 1   A Script Magazine Feature   Many Chinese feature film screenplays are based on the four-act structure. In this deep-dive, two-part series, Dimitri Vorontzov explains how exactly that model works, in what way is it different from Hollywood’s three acts, and what the functions are of each of the Chinese four acts in a movie script. Read More...   Writing the Memoir 101   Writer's Digest University   The goal of this course is to teach you how to structure your stories, develop your storytelling skills, and give you the tips, techniques, and knowledge to adapt your own life stories into a chronological memoir. Learn how to write a powerful memoir that will engage readers for years to come. Learn More...   Moriah Richard Moriah Richard is an editor at Writer’s Digest with a particular interest in discussing craft and genre. As a reader, she’s most interested in horror, fantasy, and romance, although she will read just about anything with a great hook. Find Moriah on Twitter @MoriahRichard93.       Active Interest Media 5710 Flatiron Parkway Suite A Boulder, Colorado, 80301 USA   This Week's Boot Camp   First Ten Pages Boot Camp As you may know, agents and editors won't give your work more than ten pages or so to make an impact. In this invaluable event, you'll get to work directly with an agent to review and refine the first ten pages of your novel. December 3-6, 2020 HURRY, SEATING IS LIMITED!   Upcoming Course Sell Books on a Shoestring Budget It's possible to sell a lot of books - even on a shoestring budget. Let Rob Eagar, one of the most accomplished book marketing experts in the industry, show you the way.   December 17 - January 14   LEARN MORE! Featured Resources     November/December 2020 Issue   2nd Draft Critique Service   Short Story Writing Kit   The Complete Guide of Poetic Forms   Explore More Resources   Active Interest Media 5710 Flatiron Parkway Suite A Boulder, Colorado, 80301 USA Creative Gift Ideas for Writers This time of year is excellent for counting our blessings, thinking of others, and planning for the future. My children also remind me it's a great time for giving gifts, and they're right. If you're looking for some great gift ideas for a writer (and want to be more creative than cash-in-a-card), then we have some fun options below. Read the full article... Plot Twist Story Prompts: An Invitation For this week's prompt, give a character an invitation. The invitation could be to a party. Or the invitation could be to a fight. Characters have been invited to all manner of gatherings. Sometimes they involve two people (the invitee and the invited); sometimes they involve scores of people. An invitation immediately prompts several questions your character(s) will have to answer. First, do they answer the invitation? If they do, do they say yes, no, or maybe? Is the invitation cause for excitement or trepidation? Also, is the invitation from a known person or organization? Or was it sent anonymously? And these questions are just for starters. (10 questions you need to ask your characters.) Your characters may not want to go, but they may feel they have to attend. Or they may want to attend, but they don't want anyone else to know they've been invited, especially if they're embarrassed or feel like others will feel left out. All these possibilities can spring from a simple little invite. Read More... This Week in Writing 11/30—Jonathan Swift born 1667 11/30—Mark Twain born 1835 11/30—Oscar Wilde died 1900 (15 Oscar Wilde Quotes for Writers) 12/1—Woody Allen born 1935 12/1—James Baldwin died 1987 12/2—Georges Seurat born 1859 12/2—Elizabeth Berg born 1948 12/2—George Saunders born 1958 (The WD Interview: George Saunders) 12/2—Ann Patchett born 1963 12/3—Joseph Conrad born 1857 12/3—Robert Louis Stevenson died 1894 12/3—Gwendolyn Brooks died 2000 (Golden Shovel Poetic Form) 12/4—Samuel Butler born 1836 12/4—Rainer Maria Rilke born 1875 12/5—Christina Rossetti born 1830 (10 Best Winter Poems) 12/5—Walt Disney born 1901 12/5—Joan Didion born 1934 12/6—Garth Stein born 1964 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 Active Interest Media 5710 Flatiron Parkway Suite A Boulder, Colorado, 80301 USA In this issue, discover why some authors cross out their name when signing books, one piece of advice from 21 authors, a new agent boot camp, and more!  Why Do Authors Cross Out Their Name When Signing Books? When I attended my first book signing (for the Market Book series), a fellow editor advised me to cross out my name when signing copies. It's a practice I've kept up since, and I've seen other authors do it as well, but I still wonder, "Why do authors cross out name when signing book?" Of course, like any well-connected editor, I knew how to get feedback on my question. I took to Facebook with the following query: "Authors! When you sign books, do you cross out the printed name in the book before signing your own? If so, why?" (21 Authors Share One Piece of Advice for Writers.) And then, the replies started piling in. Below are a few of the more interesting answers I received. Read the full article... Craft & Business of Writing Nominate Your Favorite Websites for Writers! Each year in our May/June issue, Writer's Digest publishes the 101 Best Websites for Writers. 2021 will be our 23rd year doing so and we want your nominations! Use the form below to tell us what your favorite websites for writers are and they just might be included in our next roundup.  Read More... How Long Should a Book Be? One of the more common questions we receive online and at in-person events is, "How long should my book be?" There are a variety of variables that can impact the answer, but we've nailed down what most agents and editors expect from debut authors here. Read More... Write Queries for Any Writing Genre 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. (Click here to learn how to find a literary agent.) 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. 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 here to learn more >> 25 Plot Twist Ideas and Prompts for Writers Writing is a tricky craft. Sometimes getting a story started is the hardest part. Other times, it's figuring out the grand finale. And then, there are all the twists and turns between the beginning and the end. That's where this post aims to help. (25 ways to start a story.) After all, that's where a majority of the writing and the reading is done. But most fun stories don't follow a simple Point A to Point B path even if the plot is as simple as a fellowship of characters delivering a ring from one place to another. In fact, most stories worth reading take more than a few side paths and alleyways on their way to the end. 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 Active Interest Media 5710 Flatiron Parkway Suite A Boulder, Colorado, 80301 USA     This week, authors of familial nonfiction, cozy mystery, and children's books share what makes their genres exciting.   Telling Our Family Stories: 4 Reasons Why It’s More Important Than Ever to Write Our Family Narratives   During these times of uncertainty, we are all looking for the courage, clues, and inspiration to keep on keeping on. The stories we tell ourselves about the world are more powerful than ever. We are searching, seeking stories that can touch us, move us, and make us feel a little better. We all have a primal need for belonging in our lives and that connection is built around our stories. Read the full article...   Unlock the potential of your manuscript! Helga Schier, PhD, published author and professional editor offers effective, personalized, constructive and comprehensive editorial services. Contact: helga@withpenandpaper.com   www.withpenandpaper.com  310.828.8421     What's New   5 Tips on How to Write a Cunning but Cozy Mystery Novel   Author Jennifer J. Chow shares her expertise on what makes a great cozy mystery novel engaging and thrilling. Read More...   Kristin Bair: Resilience and Inventiveness in the Face of Uncertainty   Author Kristin Bair shares how her latest novel changed structure during the writing process and what launching a book during a pandemic taught her about the publishing industry. Read More...   The Map Quest   Writer's Digest Weekly Writing Prompt   Write a scene or story that includes a character looking at a map. Read More...   Multi-Hyphenate Writer Tonia Kempler Shares Strategies for a Writing Career and Screenwriting Contest Success   A Script Magazine Feature   Screenwriter Tonia Kempler shares advice on navigating screenwriting contests, writing in multiple mediums, and creating a solid career strategy for your writing. Read More...   Agent One-on-One: First 10 Pages Boot Camp   Writer's Digest University   As you may know, agents and editors won't give your work more than ten pages or so to make an impact. In this invaluable event, you'll get to work directly with an agent to review and refine the first ten pages of your novel. You'll learn what keeps an agent reading, what are the most common mistakes that make them stop, and the steps you need to take to correct them. Sign Up Now...   Moriah Richard Moriah Richard is an editor at Writer’s Digest with a particular interest in discussing craft and genre. As a reader, she’s most interested in horror, fantasy, and romance, although she will read just about anything with a great hook. Find Moriah on Twitter @MoriahRichard93.         Active Interest Media 5710 Flatiron Parkway Suite A Boulder, Colorado, 80301 USA       Upcoming Boot Camp   First Ten Pages Boot Camp As you may know, agents and editors won't give your work more than ten pages or so to make an impact. In this invaluable event, you'll get to work directly with an agent to review and refine the first ten pages of your novel. December 3-6, 2020 HURRY, SEATING IS LIMITED!   New Kit Memoir Writing Kit Writing your life story may be one of the most rewarding writing endeavors you will undertake. With this kit from Writer's Digest, learn to write your life story or memoir in a way that will delight and engage readers for years to come. Save 86% on 6 Resources!   SAVE NOW! Featured Resources     November/December 2020 Issue   2nd Draft Critique Service   Short Story Writing Kit   The Complete Guide of Poetic Forms   Explore More Resources   Active Interest Media 5710 Flatiron Parkway Suite A Boulder, Colorado, 80301 USA Active Interest Media, 5710 Flatiron Parkway, Suite A, Boulder, Colorado 80301, USA   Show Us Your Shorts! For over 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 bold, brilliant and, most of all, brief. Think you can write a winning story in 1,500 words or less? 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 2021, and an interview for a feature article in our magazine. Ready to be the next writer we spotlight? Enter by December 14!   LEARN MORE Active Interest Media 5710 Flatiron Parkway Suite A Boulder, Colorado, 80301 USA