May/June2013 Issue
May/June Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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There Are No Rules Blog by the Editors of Writer’s Digest
Get on the cutting edge of today’s publishing trends and how authors can succeed in a world of fast-paced technological change, guided by the editors of Writer’s Digest. You’ll get an inside look at the work, play, and passion of the publishing business and find practical tools for success.
Zen in the Art of a Kiss and a Dream
Today’s guest post is from everyone’s favorite regular contributor, Darrelyn Saloom. Follow her on Twitter. Nineteen years ago, I read the nine essays of Ray Bradbury’s Zen in the Art of Writing … Read more
Back from Alaska Round-Up (3 Tips)
I just returned from my 1-week adventure in Alaska. It is certainly the most foreign place I’ve ever been within the United States. You can check out photos here. Here are 3 … Read more
Monthly News from Glimmer Train
Glimmer Train has just selected the 50 winning entries for their first Best Start competition. Each wins $50 and makes Glimmer Train’s Best Start list. This competition is held quarterly and is … Read more
Can I Query Before I Finish My Novel?
Q: I’m currently writing my first novel and am about halfway finished, but I have completed an outline and synopsis. Can I start querying agents now? A: Being a first-time novelist, it’s … Read more
If Your Goal is to Get an Agent…
…the September issue of WD–which hit newsstands just last week–is tailor-made for you. We began working on this annual issue devoted to all things agent back in the spring with a lot … Read more
"Thought Virus" Protection for Writers
Jane kindly invited me to guest blog here on There Are No Rules while she’s enjoying some R&R this week, and I happily agreed. You may recall that the last time I posted … Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 8/21/09)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Friday or Saturday (or Sunday!) for the week’s best Tweets. If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments. Always … Read more
Pain & Struggle: A Fundamental Part of Writing
Nearly one year ago, I came across the following passage on Galleycat: Reflect on this philosophical dispute submitted by one poetry-devoted reader: “The book was a collection of love poems by William … Read more
5 Questions for Those Who Don't Have Time to Market/Promote
(Pictured above: Writer’s Digest and HOW editors/designers, promoting “Art of Manliness” project) “The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his … Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 8/14/09)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Friday or Saturday (or Sunday!) for the week’s best Tweets. If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments. Always … Read more
Figuring Out Your Facebook Strategy: 3 Essential Tips
In May 2006, after reading this article in the New Yorker, I joined Facebook, which at that time was primarily used by students. Not being a student, I found very few people … Read more
Hiring a Professional Editor vs. Getting Amateur Critiques
Today I gave a live online class on The First Five Pages—how editors evaluate your manuscript in an instant. It is one of my favorite classes to teach because in one page, … Read more
5 Reasons Pitches Can Be Detrimental Rather Than Helpful
I’ve read and listened to hundreds if not thousands of pitches during my decade in book publishing. And while I think it’s important for writers to get out there and interact with … Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 8/7/09)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Friday or Saturday (or Sunday!) for the week’s best Tweets. (If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments, or … Read more
The Voice of Truth and Lies
Today’s guest post is from regular contributor Darrelyn Saloom. Follow this most lovely writer on Twitter. The photo above is of Darrelyn’s grandmother Ara Coleman Wilkerson (1900-1929). I’ve written about feeding The … Read more
The Art of Live Pitching (3 Rules)
Today I arrived in Portland, Oregon, to participate in the Willamette Writers Conference. I first came here in 2004 to hear pitches and take appointments, and I often return to Cincinnati with … Read more
Want a Crystal Ball to See the Future of Publishing? You Have One.
I’m often asked by writers what the future of publishing looks like. Will print survive? (Yes.) Will newspapers survive? (A few.) Will book publishing become a do-it-yourself free for all? (For some.) … Read more
Keep Your Career Alive by Following the Reader
Today I had a wonderful conversation with Mr. Media (Bob Andelman) about Writer’s Digest, the writing/publishing community, and the future ahead for writers. You can listen to the recording of the live … Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 7/31/09)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Friday or Saturday (or Sunday!) for the week’s best Tweets. (If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments, or … Read more
Are You Too Ambitious for Your Own Good?
Ira Glass has some of the best advice I’ve ever read for writers, at least in relation to great storytelling. He’s said that you have to be willing to be bad at … Read more
The Four Stages of Marketing & Promotion (and MWW Recap)
This past weekend, I spoke at the Midwest Writers Workshop in Muncie, Ind. It was my seventh year speaking there, and remains one of my favorite conferences. (Read my three recaps from … Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 7/24/09)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Friday or Saturday (or Sunday!) for the week’s best Tweets. (If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments, or … Read more
Your Protagonist Must Have a Goal (Plot-Protagonist Secret #3)
Today’s guest post is the final installment of a three parter, and comes from the experienced Jim Adam, who I met at a recent Writer’s Digest Editors’ Intensive. Visit his homepage, or … Read more
Does Your Novel Fall Victim to the Protagonist/Goal Switcheroo? (Plot-Protagonist Secret #2)
Today’s guest post is the second installment of a three parter (ending Friday), and comes from the wise Jim Adam, who I met at a recent Writer’s Digest Editors’ Intensive. Visit his … Read more
How to Prevent Reader Boredom in Your Novel (Plot-Protagonist Secret #1)
Today’s guest post is a three parter (ending Friday), and comes from the inimitable Jim Adam, who I met at a recent Writer’s Digest Editors’ Intensive. Visit his homepage, or follow him … Read more
