Resources
From Category: Advice for Writers
Fixing the One-Dimensional Protagonist
Managing Editor's Blog: 10 reasons your main character may be too bland, and how to fix that
FlashFiction.net
Updated daily, this site features short craft essays on writing and marketing your flash fiction | Visit source
Four Hidden Dangers of Writing Groups
Publishing expert looks at pitfalls of group input in the creative process | Visit source
From Page to Pixels: The Evolution of Online Journals
In this article from the May/June 2009 Poets & Writers Magazine, award-winning poet Sandra Beasley discusses the growing prestige of online publication and the advantages it offers for disseminating your work | Visit source
George Saunders on Storytelling
Video by acclaimed short story writer | Visit source
How Novelty Ruined the Novel
Current Affairs essay on worn-out postmodernist tricks | Visit source
How to Be a Good Beta Reader
Quick tips for giving useful manuscript critiques | Visit source
How to Do a Killer Reading from Your Work
Author and teacher Lev Raphael gives tips for a professional performance | Visit source
How to Find the Poetry Contest that is Best for You
By Jendi Reiter
How to Respond to Criticism of Your Poetry
By Tracy Koretsky
How to Write a Killer Fairy Tale Retelling
Timeless Tales Magazine editor shares advice for an original twist on classic stories | Visit source
How to Write a Memoir
Journalist and nonfiction writer William Zinsser's advice on memoir structure and audience | Visit source
How to Write in 700 Easy Lessons
In this essay from The Atlantic's 2010 fiction issue, novelist Richard Bausch argues that writers' manuals are a poor substitute for honing one's aesthetic sense through immersion in great literature | Visit source
How to Write Your First Comic Book
Genre basics from Jude Ellison S. Doyle, author of the horror comic MAW | Visit source
Industry Interview: Talking Book Cover Design with Laura Duffy of Laura Duffy Design
In this industry interview, Winning Writers managing editor Annie Mydla speaks with book cover designer, former Random House art director, and North Street Book Prize co-sponsor Laura Duffy about designing covers for indie authors | Visit source
Industry Interview: Talking Book Structure with Jendi Reiter, Editor of Winning Writers and Author of Origin Story
In this video, Winning Writers managing editor Annie Mydla discusses book structure with Jendi Reiter, editor of Winning Writers, North Street Book Prize judge, and author of the upcoming Origin Story | Visit source
Ingrid Wendt: “The Unknown Good in Our Enemies”
This essay honoring the poet William Stafford reflects on how literature can foster mutual understanding and empathy in order to break the cycle of violence | Visit source
Interviews with Practicing Writers by Erika Dreifus
Fiction writer Erika Dreifus publishes the Practicing Writer e-newsletter, a monthly roundup of markets, contests, and writing advice, in which these interviews first appeared | Visit source
Jane Friedman’s Writing Advice Links
Archive of articles by publishing expert | Visit source
Jeff Goins, Writer
This literary blog features profound reflections on creativity and spirituality, along with more practical advice about good writing habits and marketing your work | Visit source
Kate Greenstreet’s Poetry Interviews Blog
Poet Kate Greenstreet blogs at Every Other Day, where she's compiled an archive of over 100 interviews with contemporary poets about the road to first-book publication and how it changed their life (or not) | Visit source
Layering Place: In Ourselves, in Our Writing
Craft essay by Catherine Hervey | Visit source
Lemon Hound
Poet Sina Queyras runs this blog about the theory and practice of poetry criticism | Visit source
Literary Citizenship
Creative writing teacher Cathy Day's principles for contributing to a stronger literary community | Visit source
Making Manuscripts: An Irregularly Braided Conversation
Poets Lisa Gluskin Stonestreet and Annie Kim discuss methods for ordering poems in a manuscript | Visit source
Manuscript Tips
How to prepare a manuscript that looks professional
May I Have Several Hours of Your Time?
Poet and professor Karen Craigo talks strategies for balancing writing and mentoring | Visit source
Modern Manuscript Format Guide
Sci-fi author William Shunn demonstrates the elements of a professional-looking manuscript | Visit source
Moves in Contemporary Poetry
Craft essay in the journal HTMLgiant catalogues some popular techniques in 21st-century poetry | Visit source
Mythcreants
Fantasy and sci-fi storytelling advice blog | Visit source
Necessary Fiction
Online journal publishes original fiction, book reviews, essays on writing | Visit source
New Plays and the Destructive Cult of Virginity
Feminist playwright Carolyn Gage questions the first-publication rule | Visit source
Now What? The Creative Writer’s Guide to Success After the MFA
Book and companion website on opportunities for professional writers | Visit source
Older Writers and Finding Success
Managing Editor's Blog: What to say when older writers ask me, "Am I wasting my time?"
On (Not) Tracking Movement
Fiction writer and teacher Mike Goodwin advises eliminating mundane action from your narrative | Visit source
On Building a Poetry Manuscript for Publication
Structural advice from poet and editor Sean Cho A. | Visit source
On Making the Poetry Manuscript: Advice from Tupelo Press Editor Jeffrey Levine
Jeffrey Levine, editor of the prestigious independent publisher Tupelo Press, offers solid advice on collecting your poems into a coherent manuscript and presenting them to best advantage | Visit source
On Not Noticing
How selective perception distinguishes your fictional characters | Visit source
On the Idea of Order: Manuscript Advice from Tupelo Press Editor Jeffrey Levine
In this blog series, the editor of prestigious literary publisher Tupelo Press offers advice on the ordering and editing of a poetry manuscript | Visit source
On Writing Fat Characters
Fiction writer Christopher Gonzalez on respectful and nuanced portrayals of body diversity | Visit source
Poetic Asides by Robert Lee Brewer
Poetry blog on the Writer's Digest website features interviews with contemporary authors, writing prompts, advice on the craft, and introductions to exotic poetic forms | Visit source
Poetry Debates & Manifestos
Thirty-one younger American poets take on some of the great debates and literary manifestos from the history of modern poetry | Visit source
Poetry’s Perilous Popularity
From Slate, A.O. Scott and Katha Pollitt probe the gap between 'official' poetry and poetry's stealth bestsellers, and the challenge of teaching classic work without scaring students away | Visit source
Poets & Writers: A Frequent Winner’s Advice
In this interview with Poets & Writers Magazine from January 2009, award-winning poet Cynthia Lowen offers tips for maximizing your success with writing contests | Visit source
Purity and Nonsense
Brian Brodeur's essay on the aesthetics of nonsense verse | Visit source
Q&A With Amy King from VIDA, Feminist Watchdog
Tracking gender disparities in publishing and reviewing | Visit source
Readerly Privilege and Textual Violence: An Ethics of Engagement
Poet/critic Kristina Marie Darling analyzes the ethics and politics of book reviewing | Visit source
Recovering the Lost Joy of Poetry Games
This essay by poet Marcus Goodyear from the magazine Books & Culture celebrates the playful spirit in poetry and contends that it can be a necessary leaven for poems that address difficult themes | Visit source
Representation Matters: A Literary Call to Arms
Tips and resources for writing non-stereotypical characters with diverse identities | Visit source
Resources for Organizing a Poetry Manuscript
Links to books and articles about structuring a poetry collection | Visit source
