February 2008

The Writer

The essential resource for writers

Join thousands of successful writers when you subscribe to The Writer magazine. Each month The Writer is full of features you can use to improve your writing, including before-and-after examples of improved writing, more literary markets than ever before, practical solutions for writing problems, selected literary magazine profiles, tips from famous authors and hands-on advice.

Features

Writing from the heart

By Kathy Pohl

When tragedy strikes, friendship becomes a mixed blessing in Ann Packer's heartbreakingly poignant novels

pg. 18

Archive: My rules for writing

By Patricia Highsmith

An award-winning author of suspense novels offers tips on plot, pace, atmosphere and character--plus thoughts on the writing life

pg. 22

Step by Step: A sometimes annoying POV that sometimes works

By Susan Breen

First-person present tense may be overused and hard to do well, but it might also be just what your story needs

pg. 25

Get your self-published book noticed

By Jocelyn Maeve Kelley

Ready for a challenge? Here are some thoughts on how to generate publicity

pg. 27

Promotional services can ease some the self-marketing burden

By Barbara DeMarco-Barrett

For authors trying to get their name out there, here are some options that offer a cheaper 'middle ground'

pg. 28

Now is the time to write online

By Thom Didato

The editor of a respected literary journal on the Internet discusses some of the potential benefits of this growing publishing area

pg. 30

Writing like the Dickens

By Thomas C. Renzi

Use connotative words skillfully and you can get description to work on many levels--and make it a lot more than you say

pg. 34

Freelancing: Working the phone

By Christine L. Pollock

What one veteran of telephone interviews has learned about this task

pg. 37

Departments

Editor's Notes

Riding the Web wave

By Jeff Reich

pg. 6

Letters

Creative nonfiction, and other letters

By various contributors

pg. 7

Take Note

How presidential candidates shape language, and other stories

By Chuck Leddy, others

pg. 8

Get Started

Fill out your portfolio with corporate writing

By Jill Russell

pg. 13

Breakthrough

First an obstacle course, then publication

By Gail Lukasik

pg. 14

Poet to Poet

Play up art with a poetic approach

By Marilyn Taylor

Ekphrastic poetry responds to a work of art by deepening its meaning

pg. 15

Freelance Success

'How can I be a contributing editor?'

By Susan M. Brackney

Here's advice for getting on a masthead--and a look at the perks and drawbacks

pg. 40

WriteStuff

A screenwriter's tips on storytelling

By Chuck Leddy, Steve Weinberg

Reviews of The Anatomy of Story by John Truby and The Memoir and the Memoirist by Thomas Larson

pg. 43

Market Focus

Break into local arts reviewing

By Linda Simon

Here are tips for freelancers writing about theater, dance, music or visual art

pg. 45

Literary Spotlight

McSweeney's

By Gregg Rosenblum

Magazine blends quirky content and edgy design

pg. 48

Markets

Associations, business, career development, syndicates, and trade/technical

By Compiled by Martha Lundin

pg. 49

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