» A Guest Author

The Writing Project That Took a Quarter of a Century to Complete

By Lorraine Horsley I was 26 with a toddler at my toes when I sent off my first manuscript to a publisher. It was a fun picture book and I pitched it to the publisher that published the cute picture books that stood at the checkout of my local Woolworths store. It was rejected. This…

Issue Four Hundred Seventy

Reasons You Should Outline Your Novel (Even If You’re Not a Plotter)

By Ashley Taylor Clark If you’ve ever interacted with the online writing community, you’ve likely heard the terms “plotter,” “pantser,” and “plantser” thrown around. These shorthand terms group writers into categories based on one crucial part of their writing process — namely, whether or not they outline their novel before drafting. Regardless of which group…

Issue Four Hundred Sixty Nine Special Feature

Why You Should Find A Writing Partner, Where To Get One, And How To Make It Work

By Nicole Bloomfield As writers, we get used to producing work under no one’s watchful eyes other than our own. It is a solitary hobby, but one that we greatly enjoy (for some, the seclusion may even be part of the appeal). However, that doesn’t mean we always need to be alone in our journey….

Issue Four Hundred Sixty Eight

Tips to Consider When Searching for Beta Readers

By Aliya Hall Beta readers are an integral part of the editing process. Their critiques help writers determine what sections work and what sections need more attention, but not every beta reader can provide the exact feedback you’re looking for. When you’re putting together a beta reading team, you’re trying to find readers that offer…

Issue Four Hundred Eighty Two

Fellowships, Residencies and Writing Scholarships for May 2022

by NmaHassan Muhammad The following opportunities all have varying deadlines, most fast approaching. Altman Writers of Color Scholarship The Hudson Valley Writers Center is dedicated to supporting the voices of writers of color. The Center encourages all writers of color based in the U.S. to apply for a scholarship to courses they feel will advance…

Issue Four Hundred Sixty Seven Special Feature

Pursue That Grant

By Elaine Russell As a little girl I was drawn to stories. I didn’t care if my teacher was reading them to me or if my dad was. I was always captured in the imaginary tales recited to me. So naturally, I was always making up little stories for school as a kid. Truly, most…

Issue Four Hundred Sixty Seven

5 Ways to Increase Your Poem’s Chance of Publication

By Stephanie Katz Writing a poem can feel magical. An idea may pop into your mind as you shop for groceries, and suddenly you’re tucked away in the cereal aisle, furiously typing a note on your phone. Or you may be wiping your kitchen counter when an old grief sneaks up on you, and you…

Special Issue

Case Study: How I Published My Debut Book – Into the Dragon’s Lair: A Supernatural History of Wales

By Chris Saunders I’ll always remember the expression on the teacher’s face when I told him I wanted to be a writer. It was a look of amusement and mild shock, with maybe a touch of sympathy. Years later, it dawned on me that he probably thought I was being sarcastic. I wasn’t. I was…

Case Studies Issue Four Hundred Sixty Five Special Feature

How to Use YouTube to Promote Your Writing

By Esther Muchene When people think about social media to promote their businesses, usually the last thing that comes to mind is YouTube. The thought of being in front of a camera is not everyone’s cup of tea and understandably so. I mean, you probably write to stay behind the scenes, not be in front…

Issue Four Hundred Sixty Four

A Short Course in Finding the Right Publication for Short Fiction

By DL Shirey Short prose can offer big challenges. Those who haven’t tried writing microfiction sometimes balk at the craft, often thinking it’s no big deal to dash off a couple hundred words. Yet, the hardest part may not be composing a complete, engaging story using minimal word count. Finding a publisher for your 50-word…

Issue Four Hundred Sixty Three

9 Literary Scholarships And Fellowships for Writers – April 2022

by NmaHassan Muhammad The following are opportunities for creative writers that are open this April and beyond. Some have fast approaching deadlines and others have more time. The list is organized according to deadlines. So the further down the list you go, the more time you have to apply. Some of these opportunities are open…

Issue Four Hundred Sixty Three

3 Ways to Make Your Writing Unforgettable

By Abdulraheem Jameel Ango Writing that comes to life engages the hearts and minds of readers. Giving your writing life is one way to register it as a relatable, even unforgettable, piece in the minds of readers. Here are three elements that can help bring your writing to life. Figures of Speech If your writing…

Issue Four Hundred Seventy Four

Compelling Fiction: How Does a Writer Find the Magic Potion?

By JoAnneh Nagler For this article, I thought I’d give myself the very assignment we’re going to talk about: writing a piece of fiction that draws the reader in, right off the top, in a compelling way. When I was writing my new book of short stories, Stay with Me, Wisconsin, that challenge came up…

Issue Four Hundred Sixty Two

Launching Your Book at a Farmer’s Market

By Emily-Jane Hills Orford Tired of the usual book signing event at the big box bookstore? Tired of sitting around waiting for an avid reader to show some interest in your display and perhaps even purchase an autographed copy of your book? Perhaps the big box bookstores aren’t the best option for launching your books….

Issue Four Hundred Sixty One

How Teaching Writing Made Me a Better Writer

By Emily-Jane Hills Orford How many times have you heard that old adage: “He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches.” It’s from George Bernard Shaw’s Maxims for Revolutionists, which is usually published with his play, Man and Superman. Nothing could be further from the truth; teachers are not losers. In fact, there are a…

Issue Four Hundred Sixty Special Feature

Articles by A Guest Author