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 • WD posed the question to readers on our website: “What book or short story with a sinister tone has had a lasting impact on you as a reader or writer?” Readers responded:

Writer’s Digest

It Was a Calm, Wintery Night

CONTRIBUTORS

Words Always Come First • Ursula Vernon (who also writes as T. Kingfisher) shares the impetus for her two author personas, her approach to writing for children, and what writing a webcomic taught her.

Worth a Thousand Words

Top 10 Survival Tips for Publishing • Poignant advice from some of the funniest people in publishing.

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

Improvising Techniques

Estate Planning for Authors • Five Simple Tips to Build Your Legacy

Jeff Adams

What a Copy Editor Does—and How to Find a Good One • Making sense of the publishing world.

Alex R. Kahler, AKA K. R. Alexander

Karen Brailsford • AEVITAS CREATIVE MANAGEMENT

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

WRITER’S DIGEST 2022 ANNUAL LITERARY AGENT ROUNDUP • Looking for literary representation? Here are 20+ agents open to queries and their tips for making the best first impression.

IS IT LEGIT? • How to protect yourself publishing scams.

WRITING BITE-SIZE HORROR • Horror stories don’t have to be long to create a solid scare. Here are 9 tips for writing sinister microfiction.

IT’S NOT ME, IT’S YOU • Dealing With Guilt by Association

Tiffany D. Jackson

A MUCH DARKER TURN • Emmett Knowlton, first-place winner of the 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Awards, shares a coming-of-age story with a twist and a brief Q&A.

Aisle Six • THE CHALLENGE: Write the opening line to a story based on the photo prompt below.

HORROR FICTION FOR LITERARY WRITERS

FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK • 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.

PUBLISHING INSIGHTS • 4 Sports Magazines

LEVEL UP YOUR WRITING (LIFE) • Advice and tips to boost your writing skills.

BUILDING BETTER WORLDS • Tips for making your story concrete.

Rhyme Time • Writing and publishing advice for picture books, middle-grade, and young adult storytelling.

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

CONFERENCE GUIDE

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