June 2017

Yi Shun Lai

Stuck

By Yi Shun Lai

When not writing becomes a habit.

Features

When funny meets fate

By Keysha Whitaker

How best-selling author Phoebe Robinson achieved her comedy-writing dream life.

Take a writing vacation

By Linda Lappin

After a long, hard winter, any hint of warm weather triggers an urge to spend every waking moment outside. And why shouldn’t your writing follow? These 30+ writing exercises will keep the words flowing no matter where your travels take you.

Crafting the perfect essay collection

By Melissa Hart

Once relegated to English classes and admissions offices, this form is undergoing a literary revolution.

Balancing blocks

By Melissa Bowers

Read the first-place winner of our “Your Turn” essay contest.

Make it work

By Eliana Osborn

Essayist Catherine Newman does the writer hustle.

Build your tribe, one subscriber at a time

By Kerrie Flanagan

Harness the power of enewsletters to promote your work.

Shelf life

By Brian Feinblum

How to promote an older book.

Departments

OFF THE CUFF

Ponder your words

By Gail Radley

How to wield the power of language.

WRITING ESSENTIALS

Don’t go slumming

By Joni B. Cole

Where (not) to look for meaningful material.

LITERARY SPOTLIGHT

Humanity in print

By Melissa Hart

The Wax Paper is on the hunt for empathy and artful observation.

CLASS ACTION

Write in paradise

By Jeff Tamarkin

Six workshops that combine gorgeous settings with serious learning.

CONFERENCE INSIDER

Make ‘em laugh

By Melissa Hart

The Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop celebrates humor writing in all forms.

Also in Every Issue

From the editor

Yi Shun Lai, Olivia Laing, and more.

Take Note

Markets

How I Write

Ken Pisani: “If I’m just writing jokes, that’s not very gratifying. I want to find human truths.”