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Writer's Digest

November/December 2020
Magazine

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 • We posted the question to readers on our blog, What is your favorite Writer’s Digest memory? Readers responded:

A Love Letter

Writer’s Digest

CONTRIBUTORS

How Writer’s Digest Began • A former publisher gives an overview of how the magazine began in this article from the January 1970 50th Anniversary issue.

Worth a Thousand Words

Tools of the Trade • How has the art of storytelling evolved? Here’s a look at the evolution of how the earliest writers shared their ideas to the tools bestselling authors use for their work.

Becoming a Professional

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

100 Years of Writer’s Digest • In celebration of our 100th anniversary, WD is selecting the best past articles to showcase again.

Bryan Washington MEMORIAL & LOT

INDIELAB • New rules. New strategies. New paths to success.

Patrice Caldwell NEW LEAF LITERARY & MEDIA

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

100 Years of Writing Inspiration • WD has published countless writing tips throughout the past century. Here’s some of our favorite advice from authors over the years.

100 Ways to Buff Your Book • Does your manuscript need a little more definition, but you’re not sure where to begin? Try these 100 tips to give your words more power.

A Brief History of How Writers Earn a Living • … And How Publications Like Writer’s Digest Came to Exist.

Mastering Story Structure • More than just organizing your plot, the right structure can also enhance the stakes of your story. Here’s a guide to choosing the format that’s best for your work.

LIMINAL SPACES • WD gives a peek at the daily routine of Erik Larson and the writing process behind his bestselling narrative nonfiction.

CELESTE NG • The former WD reader talks about creating dynamic characters and outlining her sensation, Little Fires Everywhere.

Nick Laird and Zadie Smith • The literary duo talk about how teaching affects their writing, craft insights they’ve discovered, and how staying off Twitter has made them better writers.

Arctic Explorer • The winner of the 89th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition talks about the elements of groundbreaking environmental journalism.

THE WINNERS • Congratulations to all of the winners of the 89th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition!

Anne Lamott • Take a lesson from the author who believes “perfectionism is the oppressor … just let yourself write whatever comes out.”

FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK • A literary agent’s mostly serious answers to your mostly serious questions.

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

IT’S MY OPINION • EXERCISES AND TIPS FOR HONING SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF YOUR WRITING

TAKE TWO • Lessons from the world of screenwriting to inform, inspire, and incite action!

NOTES FROM THE MARGINS

PUBLISHING INSIGHTS • 100 Publishing Insights for the First 100 Years

How to Make the Most of a Virtual Writing Conference • Writing in the Time of COVID-19

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


Expand title description text

Formats

OverDrive Magazine

Languages

English

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 • We posted the question to readers on our blog, What is your favorite Writer’s Digest memory? Readers responded:

A Love Letter

Writer’s Digest

CONTRIBUTORS

How Writer’s Digest Began • A former publisher gives an overview of how the magazine began in this article from the January 1970 50th Anniversary issue.

Worth a Thousand Words

Tools of the Trade • How has the art of storytelling evolved? Here’s a look at the evolution of how the earliest writers shared their ideas to the tools bestselling authors use for their work.

Becoming a Professional

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

100 Years of Writer’s Digest • In celebration of our 100th anniversary, WD is selecting the best past articles to showcase again.

Bryan Washington MEMORIAL & LOT

INDIELAB • New rules. New strategies. New paths to success.

Patrice Caldwell NEW LEAF LITERARY & MEDIA

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

100 Years of Writing Inspiration • WD has published countless writing tips throughout the past century. Here’s some of our favorite advice from authors over the years.

100 Ways to Buff Your Book • Does your manuscript need a little more definition, but you’re not sure where to begin? Try these 100 tips to give your words more power.

A Brief History of How Writers Earn a Living • … And How Publications Like Writer’s Digest Came to Exist.

Mastering Story Structure • More than just organizing your plot, the right structure can also enhance the stakes of your story. Here’s a guide to choosing the format that’s best for your work.

LIMINAL SPACES • WD gives a peek at the daily routine of Erik Larson and the writing process behind his bestselling narrative nonfiction.

CELESTE NG • The former WD reader talks about creating dynamic characters and outlining her sensation, Little Fires Everywhere.

Nick Laird and Zadie Smith • The literary duo talk about how teaching affects their writing, craft insights they’ve discovered, and how staying off Twitter has made them better writers.

Arctic Explorer • The winner of the 89th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition talks about the elements of groundbreaking environmental journalism.

THE WINNERS • Congratulations to all of the winners of the 89th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition!

Anne Lamott • Take a lesson from the author who believes “perfectionism is the oppressor … just let yourself write whatever comes out.”

FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK • A literary agent’s mostly serious answers to your mostly serious questions.

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

IT’S MY OPINION • EXERCISES AND TIPS FOR HONING SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF YOUR WRITING

TAKE TWO • Lessons from the world of screenwriting to inform, inspire, and incite action!

NOTES FROM THE MARGINS

PUBLISHING INSIGHTS • 100 Publishing Insights for the First 100 Years

How to Make the Most of a Virtual Writing Conference • Writing in the Time of COVID-19

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


Expand title description text