Yi Shun Lai teaches in the MFA program at Bay Path University and is the author of two books. Her next book, a YA historical novel, is due out in 2024 from Atheneum Books.
Yi Shun Lai on social media
As ever, this month’s topic challenged my assumptions. But this is the first time I’ve taken the time to look closely at how how I’m learning is affecting the way I’m thinking. I hope my learning encourages you to do the same.
We asked writer and author Cai Emmons to list her favorite authors who self-described as chronically disabled or chronically ill.
How powerful is health storytelling in the field of health care?
Must-read books from queer writers
Catching up with the journalist about her memoir, the weight of representation and her writing process
A literary agent sheds light on her experience struggling for equality with queer literature in the publishing world.
Sunisa Manning’s debut novel, A Good True Thai, is a sweeping book that takes us through portions of Thailand’s history that much of the English-speaking world does not know.
In this month’s column, we’re exploring Southeast Asian literature.
We asked essayist and communications strategist Jen Soriano to choose five must-read works by Southeast Asian writers.
We asked Vanessa Garcia to recommend five must-read books by Caribbean authors.
Exploring Caribbean literature, intersectionality, women’s studies, and so much more.
Catalleya Storm is a writer and activist. I found them through a website called Hearing Like Me, a lifestyle web site for deaf and hard-of-hearing (HOH) individuals, where they pen articles about culture, and that led me to Storm’s YouTube feed, where they posted regular videos about writing and activism.
We asked writer Priya A. Desai to recommend books that will help us to get to know the Desi culture.
The Kurdish writer Ava Homa is the author of Daughters of Smoke and Fire (Overlook/Abrams, 2020), a novel about a Kurdish girl’s creative and literal coming of age amidst oppression and statelessness. We asked her to recommend five works from Middle Eastern writers.
We sat down to talk with writer Ari Honarvar about her process, working from your past, and more.
In this month’s column, we’re focusing on Middle Eastern literature.
We sat down with author Rachel Howzell Hall to talk about her process, allyship in the business, and more.
In this month’s column, we’re exploring Black American literature.
In this month’s column, we’re exploring East Asian literature.
In this month’s Broadening the Bookshelves interview, we sat down with author Elissa Washuta to talk about her craft and the process of publishing into a world that doesn’t always know what to do with you.
In this month’s column, we’re exploring Native American literature. Join us, won’t you?
Daniel Olivas is an attorney and writer based out of Los Angeles. He’s interviewed dozens of Latinx writers over the years and reviewed their books, so we asked him to put together a list of six essential reads that he thought would contribute to any reader’s understanding of – and enjoyment of – Mexican culture.
Introducing a new column dedicated to expanding our notion of craft outside the white Western canon, from the books we read to the prompts we practice. Join us, won’t you?
In our first installment of our brand-new “Beyond the Bookshelves” column, we spoke to author and educator Myriam Gurba about titles, code-meshing, and much, much more.
Add to FavoritesIf you’re anything like me, you already know what kind of reader you are. You know you love young adult (YA), for instance, … Read More “From the Front Lines: Mirror works, window works”
Thoughts on writing to order.
Build on your strengths.
After reading 500 short stories three times a year, here’s some advice from this side of the editor’s desk.
Add to FavoritesThe first draft of my work-in-progress is 75% cat barf. I can practically hear all of you now, making soothing tut-tut noises designed … Read More “From the Front Lines: When is it time to stop researching and start writing?”
Add to FavoritesAs I write, we’re a year into pandemic measures in California, where I live, and we’re pretty close to a year around most … Read More “From the Front Lines: Tips for making the the most of a virtual writing conference”
Broadening a reader’s world and brightening any writer’s work.
Your home page is where your heart is.
Actionable tips for achieving all your writing goals in 2021.
A little shift in consciousness can create life-altering creativity.
Show, don’t tell (and tell and tell).
Paging Dr. Doolittle.
Writing can be great therapy. It just might not be for anyone else’s consumption.
Add to FavoritesIt happens just like this: You are sitting at your keyboard, a lot intimidated by the story or essay you want to write … Read More “From the Front Lines: When should an author write in the second person?”
I still don’t believe “write every day” is great advice. But it can teach you a few things.
Go ahead, tie yourself up in knots.
The joy of KonMari’ing your writerly expectations.
Make blind spots work for you (and your characters).
Why what you believe about yourself may be in your way.
The secret to good writing that never confuses, bores, or leads the reader astray? It’s all in the timing.
These five guidelines can help you improve your social media use.
Sometimes, good writing is about the pictures.
Boring readings don’t sell books. Here’s how to make the crowd hang on your every word.
A handy reference chart for the many forms of dark comedy.
How can writers tell when they’re too close to a subject to write about it?
Dull, flat characters make for boring narratives: here’s how to fix them and prevent your story from flatlining.
Three must-follow guidelines to ensure a successful writing conference.
Titles introduce your work to readers. Here’s how to give them the meaty role they deserve.
Add to FavoritesMy dad was a doctor for a really, really long time. He’s been retired for a few years now, but he can’t shake … Read More “How to send a message without annoying your readership”
Finding a rock on the beach reminds one editor of the importance of specificity and how it raises the emotional stakes.
Literary magazine editors discuss re-drawing the landscape and outline ways to get under-represented voices heard and read.
Introducing the art of loafing.
Sometimes it takes another set of eyes to see what your story is REALLY about.
Writing is hard. Writing a full-length manuscript is harder. How can authors stay motivated to reach the finish line?
Promoting your novel doesn’t have to be a soulless affair. This debut author hit the best-seller list with gratitude, generosity, and plenty of engagement.
What can a writer do when she loses her will to write?
