However, brand—at least in the writing and publishing environment—is really nothing more than expectation: what readers expect from the author based on countless signals. Since readers inevitably form expectations, it is better for the author to shape them deliberately rather than let the brand develop by accident.

In this live webinar by longtime publishing industry expert Jane Friedman, she will show you how building a brand is ultimately a creative exercise that often involves telling a story about yourself. And fortunately, brand is not a static thing, just like your career is not a static thing (or let’s hope not). It is organic, evolving, and even unpredictable.

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If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.

Listen to the Newest Episode of “Writer’s Digest Presents” Now!

In this episode of “Writer’s Digest Presents,” Michael Woodson chats with interior designer and author Alexandra Gater about the process of writing her how-to book, Own Your Space, where she offers advice for other professionals looking to write their own books, the importance of the proposal in nonfiction writing, her literary agent experience, and more.

Call for 28th Annual 101 Best Websites for Writers Nominations!

Since 1998, Writer’s Digest has created its 101 Best Websites for Writers list. Separated into categories like creativity, agents, writing advice, indie publishing, genre-specific categories, and more, this list aims to help writers find additional reputable resources for every part of their writing journey.

Click here for more information.

Click here to nominate a website.

Join Writer’s Digest in Tuscany!

Escape to the peaceful Tuscan countryside to spend a week dedicated to making time for writing, improving your craft, and learning from publishing professionals, all while enjoying a taste of Italy!

Click here for more information and to register.

The post Get Your Author Brand in Order appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Writer’s Digest University is pleased to present an exclusive virtual conference for novel writers! On January 30 – February 1, our Novel Writing Virtual Conference will provide expert insights from SEVEN award-winning and bestselling authors on the finer points of how to write a novel. Spend the weekend learning techniques for honing your craft skills, refining your characters, exploring the future of publishing, and getting the tools you need to advance your career as a writer from seven different published authors, then (if you choose) pitch your novel via query letter to a literary agent. The agent will provide you with a personalized critique of your query—and maybe ask to see more.

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If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.

Get The Writer’s Yearbook 2026!

The 2026 Writer’s Yearbook, presented by Writer’s Digest, is a comprehensive resource for writers who need a boost to finish the year on a strong note or start planning their new years’ writing goals. Featuring the top websites and markets for writers, plus articles on freelancing, creativity, writing book-length works, and attracting an agent, this special publication has something for any writer looking to get their work published.

Click for more information and to order yours today.

Catch Up On “Writer’s Digest Presents” Now!

The new episode of “Writer’s Digest Presents” drops this Tuesday—so listen to the latest episodes now before it’s too late!

The post Expert Advice To Help Write Your Novel appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Order a print copy (while supplies last) from the Writer’s Digest Shop.

Order a PDF copy to start reading now.

What’s Inside:

2025: The Year in Publishing: Publishing expert Jane Friedman explains the most important publishing topics of the year, and how they affect you. By Jane Friedman

Preparation & Progress

• Imaginary Mentorship: Unlock writing secrets from literary titans to inspire and boost your work. By Michael La Ronn
• What Is Your Story Question: When your story isn’t quite coming together right, identifying and clarifying your story question (i.e. what readers are trying to find out) could help solve the problem. By Tiffany Yates Martin
• Use Journalism Tools: Use the tools of journalism to sharpen your research skills when writing fiction. By Rob Hart

Freelancer’s Workshop

• How Much Should I Charge? The creator of Funds for Writers shares an entirely revised and updated chart of rates freelancers of all types should charge for their services. By C. Hope Clark
• ABCs of Freelance Success: There’s more to freelance success than just being a good writer. Freelancer of 50 years Don Vaughan explains. By Don Vaughan
• Details Matter: Understanding the importance of specificity when writing nonfiction. By Don Vaughan

Book Building

• From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Unveil the hidden beauty in the facts and transform your nonfiction with the power of wonder. By Ryan Van Cleave
• The Story Behind the Backstory: What is backstory and how to use it effectively in your novel. By E.L. Tenenbaum
• How to Write in Different Genres: Emiko Jean and Yulin Kuang share tips and strategies for how they successfully write in different genres and mediums. By Jennifer Chen
• Memoir Plus: Add a bonus to your personal narrative for a marketing boost. By Jenna Glatzer
• 9 Suggestions for Improving Your Memoir: Former acquiring editor at a Big 5 publisher and current independent editor Leslie Wells shares tips from more than three decades in the business. By Leslie Wells
• 10 Surefire Ways to Sell Your Children’s Book: Executive editor at Farrar, Straus & Giroux Books for Young Readers Joy Peskin offers key advice for giving your children’s book the best shot at publication. By Joy Peskin

For Your Reference

• The 27^th Annual 101 Best Websites for Writers by The Editors of WD
• Top 100 Markets for Writers: A list of print and online publications looking for freelancers to contribute their knowledge on everything from pet care to finance and beyond. By Moriah Richard and Hannah Spicer
• Small But Mighty: Why small presses might be the perfect home for your book. by Jordan Rosenfeld
• Comp Authors: Building a Platform That Actually Sells Books: What are authors like you doing to connect with their audiences and communities? Don’t agonize about “platform”—your literary role models already drew the map. By Allison K Williams
• Face the Music: Like a broken record, you’ve been told time and again never to use song lyrics in your writing. Scratch that. Here’s how to actually pull it off. By Zachary Petit

The post Cover Reveal: Writer’s Yearbook 2026 appeared first on Writer's Digest.

This intensive and information-filled 120-minute live webinar helps you think like an industry insider who makes decisions every day on what work merits print publication. You’ll get practical advice and tools to help you develop strong pitch letters and proposal materials for both fiction and nonfiction-plus back-door methods for networking with agents and editors.

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If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.

Enter the Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards!

Writer’s Digest is celebrating our 20th Annual Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards with new categories and prizes. We’re looking for your best poems of 32 lines or fewer or un-published chapbooks 25 pages or fewer. Any form of poetry is eligible including epic, free verse, odes, pantoums, sonnets, villanelles, and even haiku. This is the only Writer’s Digest competition exclusively for poets. Win cash and an article about you in the July/August issue of Writer’s Digest.

Deadline: December 1, 2025. New Categories and Prizes!

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Join Writer’s Digest VIP Membership!

Regardless of where you are on your writer’s journey, Writer’s Digest can help you achieve your goals. Writer’s Digest VIP Membership is a treasure trove of writing resources designed to inspire and empower you at every stage of your journey. It’s the one-stop destination for information, online learning, in-depth resources, and a unique writing community. VIP membership equips you to develop your craft, hone personal skills and publishing acumen, and achieve your goals.

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The post Land a Book Deal in 2026 appeared first on Writer's Digest.

This 90-minute workshop will show you what you need to know to determine what kind of edit you need; how to find reputable, experienced professionals; how to pick the right editor for you and what you can expect of your working relationship; as well as other options if hiring an editor isn’t in your budget right now.

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If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.

Last Chance: Register for the Media Savvy Author Boot Camp!

In this two-week bootcamp, Emmy Award–winning media strategist and bestselling author Paula Rizzo will help you assess your current platform, imagine what’s possible, and develop a plan that fits your life and goals.

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The 2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge Has Started!

Announcing the guidelines for the 18th annual November PAD (Poem-A-Day) Chapbook Challenge! Join other poets to write and collect poems!

Click here for the guidelines.

Join Writer’s Digest VIP Membership!

Regardless of where you are on your writer’s journey, Writer’s Digest can help you achieve your goals. Writer’s Digest VIP Membership is a treasure trove of writing resources designed to inspire and empower you at every stage of your journey. It’s the one-stop destination for information, online learning, in-depth resources, and a unique writing community. VIP membership equips you to develop your craft, hone personal skills and publishing acumen, and achieve your goals.

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The post Get it Edited: When to Call in the Pros appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Whether your website is one day old or 10 years old, you want to make sure the time and energy that you’ve put into your website will pay off with more opportunities for you and your writing. This two-hour live webinar will address best practices for any author website—whether you’re published or unpublished—with simple tips and tricks you can put to work immediately.

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If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.

Don’t Miss the 4th Annual Horror Writing Virtual Conference!

Writer’s Digest University is pleased to present a one-of-a-kind online event for horror writers! On October 18, 2025, our annual Horror Writing Virtual Conference will provide expert insights from bestselling horror authors. Spend the day learning techniques for honing your craft, then optionally receive a personalized critique of your query letter from a participating literary agent.

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Join Writer’s Digest VIP Membership!

Regardless of where you are on your writer’s journey, Writer’s Digest can help you achieve your goals. Writer’s Digest VIP Membership is a treasure trove of writing resources designed to inspire and empower you at every stage of your journey. It’s the one-stop destination for information, online learning, in-depth resources, and a unique writing community. VIP membership equips you to develop your craft, hone personal skills and publishing acumen, and achieve your goals.

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Enter the Personal Essay Awards!

ENTER NOW! Writer’s Digest’s newest competition, the Personal Essay Awards, is currently accepting entries. Winners of the competition are announced annually in our May/June issue of Writer’s Digest! Deadline to enter is October 1!

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The post How To Improve Your Author Website appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Someone will tell you to NEVER start your novel with a character getting out of bed, but then someone will tell you that’s exactly how they got their big book deal! This live webinar will help you sort out what’s a myth and what’s not, how to figure out what advice is right for you, and how to stop letting all your misconceptions about publishing hold you back.

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If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.

Vote For Your Favorite Story!

Writers were prompted to write a short story of 650 words or fewer based on the photo prompt above—now it’s your turn to choose your favorite!

Vote for your favorite by using the comments section at this link.

Join Writer’s Digest VIP Membership!

Regardless of where you are on your writer’s journey, Writer’s Digest can help you achieve your goals. Writer’s Digest VIP Membership is a treasure trove of writing resources designed to inspire and empower you at every stage of your journey. It’s the one-stop destination for information, online learning, in-depth resources, and a unique writing community. VIP membership equips you to develop your craft, hone personal skills and publishing acumen, and achieve your goals.

Click to continue.

The post Publishing & Writing Myths That are Getting in the Way of Your Success appeared first on Writer's Digest.

In this live webinar you’ll learn foundational principles of crime and mystery writing that will help you ramp up the intrigue, suspense, and thrill of your next project – whether short story, novel, film, or other media! This webinar focuses primarily structure, creating better tension, deeper character development, and building successful and suspenseful evidence trails. Suggested prerequisite viewing: Prisoners & Stranger Things

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If you want more online education, see the full list of WDU courses here.

Catch Up On “Writer’s Digest Presents” Before the Next Episode!

Join Writer’s Digest In England!

Tour Dates

September 12-20, 2025

Tour Includes

• 4-star hotels
• All breakfasts and dinners, 1 lunch
• Coach transportation from London to Bath and back to the London
• Admission to all museums and gardens performance at Globe Theatre
• Friendly and knowledgeable local tour guide
• Dedicated writing time in a scenic English manor house with your Writer’s Digest hosts

Itinerary

At A Glance

• Friday, September 12: Arrive in London and the Hotel RIU Plaza London Victoria. Group Dinner.
• Saturday, September 13: British Library, Blue Circle walking tour in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia. Group dinner.
• Sunday, September 14: Sherlock Holmes Museum, tour of Regent’s Park plus writing time. Group dinner and evening performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
• Monday, September 15: Westminster Abbey tour (including Poet’s Corner). Trafalgar Square with tour of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. Time to explore Cecil Court (aka Bookseller’s Lane). Group dinner.
• Tuesday, September 16: Travel to Chawton for a tour of the Jane Austen House Museum and Chawton House Library. Picnic lunch in Chawton House Garden. Continue to town of Bath and Bailbrook House Hotel. Group dinner.
• Wednesday, September 17: Tour of Jane Austen Centre. Dedicated writing time at Bailbrook House. Group dinner.
• Thursday, September 18: Dedicated writing time at Bailbrook House. Group dinner.
• Friday, September 19: Free time to explore and/or write in Bath. Travel to London and Hotel RIU Plaza London. Group dinner.
• Saturday, September 20: Travel to airport on your own and departure, or continue your travels on your own.

Click here to learn more and to register today.

The post Anatomy of a Mystery: Crafting Better Crime Fiction appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Tour Dates

September 12-20, 2025

Tour Includes

• 4-star hotels
• All breakfasts and dinners, 1 lunch
• Coach transportation from London to Bath and back to the London
• Admission to all museums and gardens performance at Globe Theatre
• Friendly and knowledgeable local tour guide
• Dedicated writing time in a scenic English manor house with your Writer’s Digest hosts

Itinerary

At A Glance

• Friday, September 12: Arrive in London and the Hotel RIU Plaza London Victoria. Group Dinner.
• Saturday, September 13: British Library, Blue Circle walking tour in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia. Group dinner.
• Sunday, September 14: Sherlock Holmes Museum, tour of Regent’s Park plus writing time. Group dinner and evening performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
• Monday, September 15: Westminster Abbey tour (including Poet’s Corner). Trafalgar Square with tour of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. Time to explore Cecil Court (aka Bookseller’s Lane). Group dinner.
• Tuesday, September 16: Travel to Chawton for a tour of the Jane Austen House Museum and Chawton House Library. Picnic lunch in Chawton House Garden. Continue to town of Bath and Bailbrook House Hotel. Group dinner.
• Wednesday, September 17: Tour of Jane Austen Centre. Dedicated writing time at Bailbrook House. Group dinner.
• Thursday, September 18: Dedicated writing time at Bailbrook House. Group dinner.
• Friday, September 19: Free time to explore and/or write in Bath. Travel to London and Hotel RIU Plaza London. Group dinner.
• Saturday, September 20: Travel to airport on your own and departure, or continue your travels on your own.

Click here to learn more and to register today.

Click here for more information from literary agent Amy Collins.

Click here for England-inspired book recommendations from managing editor Moriah Richard.

Join Our Agent One-on-One Boot Camp!

In this invaluable event, you’ll get to work with an agent to review and refine the first ten pages of your novel or nonfiction book.

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Enter the Self-Published Book Awards!

Whether you’re a professional writer, a part-time freelancer or a self-starting student, here’s your chance to enter the premier self-published competition exclusively for self-published books. Writer’s Digest hosts the 33rd annual self-published competition—the Annual Self-Published Book Awards. This self-published competition spotlights today’s self-published works and honors self-published authors. EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE: APRIL 1, 2025.

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The post What To Know About the Writer’s Digest Writing Retreat in England appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Let’s get this out of the way: I’m not here to debate politics.

It’s simply a fact that publishing is an ecosystem and that disruptions in the ecosystem affect all of us, whether you’re an aspiring author, a bestseller, an editor, an agent, or a publisher. With the new administration targeting DEI initiatives across the board, now more than ever, we need to continue fighting for representation at every single level of our industry. When we lift one group up, we all rise.

[How a Reading Audit Can Elevate Your Writing]

What is DEI?

If you’re not familiar with the term, DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. At it’s most base, this is DEI means according to Merriam-Webster:

“1: a set of values and related policies and practices focused on establishing a group culture of equitable and inclusive treatment and on attracting and retaining a diverse group of participants, including people who have historically been excluded or discriminated against.

2: the state of having a diverse group of participants as well as policies and norms that are equitable and inclusive.”

Essentially, DEI programs are focused on making sure that as many people as possible can feel seen, heard, and respected, regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, religion, disability, etc. When these programs are in place, they uplift the historically marginalized, but they also do things like protect straight, cis-gendered women from harassment and discrimination.

Everyone benefits from DEI initiatives. Full stop.

[Courageous Discomfort: Thoughts on How To Have Important Conversations About Race and Racism for Writers, Readers, and Other Human Beings]

Importance to Publishing

In the last few years, we’ve seen an explosion of conversation around diversity in publishing, from the statistics of white authors being published and marketed at higher rates than non-white authors to authors releasing information about the advances that they were offered by publishers.

At its base level, publishing needs diversity in order to survive. People get tired of reading the same story, seeing the same faces, looking at the same tropes. By reading works by authors who don’t share the same identity as yourself, you open your creative world to new and dynamic ideas, story structures, conversations, and characters. It makes you look at yourself and your writing in a new, exciting light. You find ways to enhance your authorial voice, discuss difficult topics and themes, and create memorable characters. It’s why we have a course at Writer’s Digest University called Read Like a Writer; there’s a lot to learn by studying the works of others!

The way we get this diversity is by giving all authors a fair chance at having their work published and marketed so that they find their audience and have the chance to keep writing and publishing.

But it’s an enormous task that will not—cannot—happen overnight. It’s a process that we need to take on one step at a time.

Resources for Getting Started

There are a ton of great resources out there for writers and other industry professionals, but I know it’s overwhelming. If you don’t know where to start, I encourage you to check out some of these resources. They can get you started thinking about how you can effect change in our industry, and how you can become a great literary citizen, uplifting others and keeping our ecosystem alive and healthy.

Language Guides

These kinds of guides are helpful to get you thinking critically about the language you use and how it can possibly affect your work. Here are some of my go-to’s:

• Conscious Style Guide
• Disability Language Style Guide
• The Diversity Style Guide
• The Trans Journalists Association’s Stylebook and Coverage Guide

Networking

These networking sites are helpful for those who are seeking mentorship, connection, and resources within a specific community.

• Latinx in Publishing
• People of Color in Publishing
• Equity Directory
• Disability in Publishing
• We Need Diverse Books
• Indigenous Journalists Association
• National Association of Black Journalists
• National Association of Hispanic Journalists
• Crime Writers of Color

Databases

These databases are wonderful resources for people who are looking to hire editors and writers.

• Editors of Color Database
• Black Editors and Proofreaders
• Disabled Writers Database
• Writers of Color

Change starts on the individual level. It’s up to us to create a healthy, harmonious writing and publishing ecosystem. Hopefully these resources give you a jumping-off point to develop your literary citizenship! 

The post DEI Resources for Writers, Editors, and Agents, and More appeared first on Writer's Digest.