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.

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“O Villain!”

WRITER'S DIGEST

CONTRIBUTORS

Bad Advice Boogie • If you think you must follow all the writing advice you’ve heard thus far, think again. Sometimes it’s OK to break the rules of writing—the trick is knowing when to go against the grain.

Worth a Thousand Words

Delightful Observation • The Book of Delights author and National Book Award finalist shares stream-of-consciousness secrets and tells how optimism can improve writing.

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

Sing the Solitary Sunrise

Welcome to My Country

Rachel Sussman • CHALBERG & SUSSMAN

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

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

SINISTER, YET SYMPATHETIC • The key to a great story is a villain that readers can relate to. Thriller author Sam Boush gathered tips from international bestsellers Robert Dugoni, Karin Slaughter, Andy Weir, David Baldacci, Lois Lowry, Caroline Kepnes and Emily St. John Mandel on how to enchant readers with the sinister.

PACKING THE PUNCH • A poorly written fight scene can take any reader out of an otherwise great story. An author trained in the martial arts gives her guide to designing brawls that readers will remember.

YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY • There are no villains in memoir—unless you count yourself. Understand the ways in which you act as a character so you can tell your story as its writer.

FURTHER READING

THE HORRORS OF BEING A GHOST • A ghostwriting agency pro reveals how ghostwriters can spot nightmare clients and take steps to avoid them when seeking work.

I’M NOT THE BAD GUY • Editors are often thought of as the writer’s adversary in getting their work published. To help clear the fog surrounding the editorial process, a WD editor provides insight into the reasons your pitches might be rejected, and why your words are edited before publication.

THE WD INTERVIEW Susan Orlean • The bestselling author talks about The Library Book, her love affair with libraries and finding the “red-hot center” of a story.

Willful Disorientation • Learn the secrets to getting lost in your imagination from the winner of the 19th Annual Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition.

Winner’s Spotlight

The Short Short Winners List

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

The Last Time I Saw Billy • THE CHALLENGE: Write a short story of 650 words or fewer based on the photo below.

ENTER YOUR STORY

THE VILLAIN IN MYSTERIES AND THRILLERS

CHARACTER, KNOW THYSELF: THE ESSENTIALS OF CHARACTER AWARENESS

Now You

Crafting Unforgettable Characters

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

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

THE DOS AND DON’TS WHEN MEETING WITH AGENTS

CONFERENCE GUIDE

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