May 2014

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.

Alicia Anstead

Not long ago, I was sitting in the rush line

By Alicia Anstead

I got into the show, and as I waited for the lights to come up, it struck me – not for the first time – that stories are utterly ubiquitous in the world. Sit down in the lobby of a theater – or a train depot, doctor’s office or coffee shop – and listen. The stories are there.

Features

Dig in

By Christine Clark

After years as a food writer, magazine editor and memoirist, Ruth Reichl cooks up her first novel.

Making waves

By Julie Krug

Novelist Chris Crutcher pushes against convention with his young adult novels.

Someone from outside

By Melissa Hart

Hire the right independent publicist to connect your work with readers.

Writing historical novels

By Jack Smith

Strike the balance between research and writing, fact and fiction.

Douglas Whynott: Waiting for sugar

By Megan Kaplon

An immersion journalist explains how to turn an obsession into a book deal.

Departments

Breakthrough

Dumbest guy in the room

By Jack Hamann

Enhance interviews by starting from scratch.

Writing Essentials

Steps to believability

By Allison Futterman

Mitchell Zuckoff offers tips for transforming research into a powerful narrative.

Off the Cuff

Swat team

By Harvey Rachlin

Learn to capture great ideas before they float away.

Market Focus

The influential blogger

By Callie Gisler

Time and research can build strong brand relationships.

Conference Insider

Mindful meditation

By Hillary Casavant

Novelist Ruth Ozeki brings Buddhist practices to workshops.

Literary Spotlight

Alarming stories

By Melissa Hart

theNewerYork turns experimental short fiction into bold art.

Lasting Effect

May 1985

By Hillary Casavant

Rumer Godden on how to master craft with patience and persistence.

Also in Every Issue

Take Note

Writing apps for your electronics, a neighborhood of authors and advice from songwriters. Also: Rick Moody on writing and tips for character-driven stories.

Markets

Classified advertising

How I Write

Soman Chainani: “You have to have a big idea.”