May 2016

Dennis L. Peterson

The beloved country

By Dennis L. Peterson

If you’re stuck on the page, go  back to your people.

MAY: The publishing issue 

Features

Protect what you love

By Melissa Hart

Middle grade and YA authors embrace environmental topics to create stories, activism and stewardship among young readers.

Pub Crawl

By Jack Smith

The fate of literary novels may be in the hands of smaller presses, with an eye toward excellence and craft. But editors and publishers say you'll need patience and persistence to unlock the doors.

Savior of literature

By Megan Kaplon

The NEA is on a mission to keep excellence in writing a national priority.

Honoring Harper Lee

By Roy Peter Clark

Consider the craft behind the beloved author's most famous work.

Departments

Off the Cuff

Forced mindset

By Katie Lewis

Lose a job. Gain a writing life.

Writing Essentials

Different strokes

By Bharti Kirchner

How can you broaden your story and your readership?

Writer at Work

Show me the money

By Dorit Sasson

Crowdfund your next book with these campaign tips.

Freelance Success

Get noticed

By Pete Croatto

Snag the attention of editors by following these eight steps.

Conference Insider

Culture, identity and literature

By Meredith Quinn

A one-day workshop explores heritage.

Class Action

Crystalizing creativity

By Meredith Quinn

Workshops provide mentors and models – and possibility.

Literary Spotlight

Who'd've thunk it?

By Melissa Hart

Don't dismiss esoteric work as unpublishable.

Also in Every Issue

Take Note

Téa Obreht, The Bloggess, agent Jane Dystel and more.

Markets

Contests

Classified advertising

How I Write

Wil Haygood: "Book editors expect you to dance a little bit. They expect you to climb the darkest side of the mountain at midnight."