Writer's Digest

Writer's Digest magazine is a comprehensive source of writing instruction for writers. Each issue provides advice and insider tips on writing and selling fiction, nonfiction, poetry and scripts.

FROM OUR READERS

Writer's Digest

A Turning Point

CONTRIBUTORS

I Think This Is Real • Author and essayist Sloane Crosley talks about her new novel, Cult Classic, writing with humor, and the tangled romance of friendship.

Worth a Thousand Words

The Necessity of Professionalism • Three editors offer advice for freelancers about the dos and don’ts of maintaining professional working relationships.

Poetic asides • No matter what you write, a bit of poetic license can be a valuable asset to any writer’s arsenal.

Lessons From Book Two

Creating Your Story Frame • New rules. New strategies. New paths to success.

Nikesha Elise Williams

How Do You Know You’re in the Wrong Writing Group? • Making sense of the publishing world.

Kirthana Ramisetti

Liz Parker • VERVE TALENT & LITERARY

BREAKING IN • Debut authors: How they did it, what they learned, and why you can do it, too.

The Tyranny of the Verb To Be • Writers are often told to remove passive verbs from their writing. Tobias S. Buckell considers the history of that advice and why careful attention to passive verbs can be rewarding.

7 Tips to Rev a Stalling Story • When you’ve hit a writing rut but the outline isn’t helping, try one of these tricks for pushing your characters to their limits and giving your draft a clear direction.

Find Your Creative FLOW • How do writers find the sometimes elusive “flow” they often talk about? Gabriela Pereira of DIY MFA has a framework for finding and maintaining creative flow, no matter your goals.

11 Writing-Career Crossroads • Writers will face numerous career-altering decisions during their writing lives. Here’s one author’s advice for navigating those choices.

MORE FOR THE JOURNEY

So You Want to Quit Your Day Job • Writing frequently starts as a second job or hobby for many authors, but with planning and preparation, you can create a game plan to write full-time.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia • The bestselling author of Mexican Gothic shares her approach to world-building, character development, and what she’s learned about the business of writing.

Time, That Gentleman Caller • Julie Novak-McSweeney, winner of the 16th Annual Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards, shares the story behind her winning poem, “The Old Ones.”

Facilitating Progress • THE CHALLENGE: Write a short story of 650 words or fewer based on the photo below.

➜ ENTER YOUR STORY

5 LESSONS FICTION WRITERS CAN LEARN FROM PLAYWRITING • WRITING TIPS FROM MASTER OF FINE ARTS PROGRAMS AND CANDIDATES

FUNNYYOU SHOULDASK • A literary agent’s mostly serious answers to your mostly serious questions.

ALL ABOUT THE PITCH • Covering the tips, tricks, and tactics for capturing the attention of an assigning editor so you don’t get ghosted.

The Biggest Surprises and Learning Moments of the Publishing Process

4 EDITOR SHOUT-OUTS

Managing Point of View (Part 3 of 3): The Distance of Time • Advice and tips to boost your writing skills.

Some Thoughts on Designing Cities • Tips for making your story concrete.

Tips for Writing Captivating Historical Middle-Grade Fiction • Writing and publishing advice for picture books, middle-grade, and young adult storytelling.

CONFERENCE SCENE • Events to advance your craft, connections, and career.

Preparing for the New Normal

CONFERENCE GUIDE

POTPOURRI FOR THE PEN • An aromatic blend of writerly diversions.