Le rire mécanique
By Alicia AnsteadEach winter, I’m part of a group that puts on an arts festival in a university setting. Most of the events are student-driven and showcase considerable undergraduate skill in the visual, performing and literary arts. Additionally, I’m part of a creative team that writes a spoof performance to both highlight student talents and comically entertain audiences. In addition to understanding what goes into a high-level production, the single most important quality for our team is a sense of humor in the writing.
Features
A funny environment
By Melissa HartCan writers move beyond grim when it comes to serious issues about the Earth?
The abundant life
By Julie Krug"The Artist's Way" author Julia Cameron says stay true to your work to find success.
Staying alive
By Megan KaplonEntrepreneurs blaze ahead in a new publishing world.
The Writer Interview
By Alicia AnsteadOur editor talks craft with "New Yorker" essayist Jaime Joyce.
Departments
Criminal Law 101
By Keenan PowellA legal cheat sheet builds your case.
All aboard
By Valentine J. BrkichA DIY writer’s residency hits the rails.
Shakespeare in the house
By Melissa HartA family of writers finds inspiration and solidarity in the bard.
Barbara Neely: June 1993
By Nicki PorterA part-time novelist shares her secrets.
Drummer, cue the sting!
By Meredith QuinnGo from punny to funny with a crash course in humor writing.
Have faith
By Linda K. WertheimerTen best practices can make your religion stories more believable.
Big-sky inspiration
By Meredith QuinnStretch yourself at this writing-conference-yoga-retreat hybrid.
Tendency to laugh
By Melissa HartAn online journal goes for quirky, funny and smart.
Also in Every Issue
Take Note
Using contractions, Greek comedy, how to be funny, Bo Kaprall and more.
Markets listings
Literary journals
Classified advertising
How I Write
Mary Norris: “The writer has a built-in editor, and you have to ignore that editor while you’re first generating the writing.”