Current Issue

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. Here’s what’s in our current issue.

The 33 The-ses

By M. Thomas Gammarino

An article on an underappreciated article.

Features

Supercharge your creativity

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Writers share their best tips for breaking down blocks and brainstorming new ideas.

The lords and ladies of LOL

By Keysha Whitaker

An inside look at the gatekeepers of contemporary American humor.

Writing with handcuffs

By Melissa Hart

Self-imposed writing restrictions can break down blocks, sharpen skills, and take your writing to places you’d never find otherwise.

The tree of black humor

By Yi Shun Lai

A handy reference chart for the many forms of dark comedy.

Departments

WRITER AT WORK

Untangling threads

By Jen Glantz

The art of finding and separating stories within stories.

WRITING ESSENTIALS

Expectations ≠ results

By Jack Smith

Understanding irony in fiction.

FREELANCE SUCCESS

Making mistakes

By Pete Croatto

Every writer’s worst nightmare is finding an error in print…but it happens, often, and to the very best of us. Here’s how to cope.

LITERARY SPOTLIGHT

Ravishly

By Melissa Hart

This feminist-forward online magazine seeks smart takes on modern issues.

CONFERENCE INSIDER

The Cabins Collaborative Retreat

By Melissa Hart

All creative disciplines come together for a harmonious weekend of learning, growth, and inspiration at this welcoming four-day conference.

Also in Every Issue

From the Editor

Take Note

Featuring M. Thomas Gammarino, Benjamin Kunkel, funny writing products, and more.

Markets

How I Write

Rachel Khong: “What compels me are the books that can seamlessly balance humor with sadness. I think each sharpens the other.”