September 2013

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.

Alicia Anstead

We’ve been thinking about structure

By Alicia Anstead

Here at the Boston office of The Writer, we’ve been thinking about structure. How do you structure a story, a pitch, a writer’s life?

Features

How to win a Pulitzer Prize

By Susan Kushner Resnick

Gilbert King thought the prestigious literary award was for other writers. He was wrong.

Your journey to hell and back

By Linda Lappin

When it comes to Greek myth and narrative, get ready for a trip to deeper, darker places.

Law and ardor

By Leslie Budewitz

So many legal stories. So little legal understanding. Ten common mistakes to avoid in legal fiction.

A big-city cop moves to a small coastal town…

By Jeff Lyons

Sound familiar? That’s the premise line for Jaws. Find out how a structured premise line can build an effective story.

The package deal

By Kristen Fischer

Sidebars and quizzes and graphs, oh my! Steps for adding value to a story pitch.

The words that matter

By Gabriel Packard

More plot? Sharper language? Novelist Colum McCann says it takes both. But choose your words carefully.

Departments

Writing Essentials

Upon these pillars

By Peter J. Fox

Five key elements of storytelling can bolster your screenplay.

Writing Essentials

Blurring genre

By Jack Smith

Authenticity, complexity and suspense draw a mash-up readership.

Breakthrough

Detour ahead

By Mary Ellen Collins

Take the writing road less traveled and discover a new world and market.

Off the Cuff

Beauty tips

By Melissa Hart

The power of literary estates can get you back to the home fires of imagination.

Freelance Success

See it, sell it

By Caitlin Kelly

Keep your eyes and ears open. Many stories are right under your nose.

Market Focus

In the house

By Ray Mark Rinaldi

A report on the lucrative religious book market.

Literary Spotlight

ZYZZYVA

By Melissa Hart

Where eccentricity and enchantment find a home.

Conference Insider

Festival frenzy

By Hillary Casavant

What do three prominent book festivals offer writers? Opportunity and inspiration.

Also in Every Issue

<a href="Take Note

Not for robots and A.M. Homes on writing

Markets

Classified advertising

How I Write

Alice Hoffman: “You can’t listen to everybody’s voice. You have to decide who you’re going to trust.”