WD Editors

Check out the new Writer’s Digest blog, Questions & Quandaries, by our very own Brian Klems, associate editor at the magazine.

The first question he tackles:
Q: Recently, a source for an article that I wrote asked if she could read it before I submitted it. I said no. She insisted it was her right to read any direct quotes I’d attributed to her before submitting the article. After the article was published, she was displeased that the editor had cut out some of what she considered “important information.” Did I do the right thing?—Meg Charendoff

Click on the link above for the answer!

Welcome back to Agents on the Web, our post series featuring Web sites that provide great information about agents.

This installment of AOTW features our first in-house addition. Each year, Writer’s Digest publishes an article showcasing agents that both consider new writers and are actively building their client list. This year, it’s exciting to say that the list is a special online feature for all to see.

With 23 agencies seeking new work, the agent list is a mélange of representatives - with agents who represent fiction, nonfiction, juvenile, textbooks and screenplays.

The updated list means that no prospective author can continue to make excuses about how agents only take on published writers or how their work never gets a fair read. These agents are willing to give you a shot. Now, just make sure your manuscript/proposal is as good as it can be, and send it to the agent(s) who best fits your needs.

To get tips on submitting and see the list of agents, read the entire article online at WritersDigest.com.

Thanks and best,
Chuck Sambuchino, Editor
Guide to Literary Agents

We’ve just now finalized the schedule for our BEA/WDB Writers Conference, in New York City, on May 30, 2007. We hope you can join us! Click here to view the schedule and details on how to register!

One of our most popular backlist books, Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell, was the best-selling title in the trade through the week ending Feb 18. Click on the cover to read more about this title.

A Seton Hill University professor has assigned I’m an English Major, Now What as required reading in his English course. The students in his class have individual blogs, where they post comments about what they’re reading.

Click on each of the links on the following page to see their posts:
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/DennisJerz/EL150/018146.php

WDB is releasing Writer Mama this March, which is the first ever writing how-to book geared toward stay-at-home moms. For a free preview of what’s inside, explore these options!

Chapter 2: Identify Your Audiences
Download as PDF file.
Click here for plain text version.

Chapter 5: Tackle the Clips Catch-22
Download as PDF file.
Click here for the plain text version.

Also:
Read the excerpt published in Writer’s Digest magazine!

One of our most popular backlist books, Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell, was the best-selling title in the trade through the week ending Feb 11. Click on the cover to read more about this title.

One of our most popular backlist books, Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell, was the best-selling title in the trade through the week ending Feb 4. Click on the cover to read more about this title.

The Thinking Mother recently discovered Heather Sellers’ Chapter After Chapter. She wonderfully sums up its wisdom. Here is a small bit:

Sellers writes in a very frank and direct manner and just tells it like it is. Her writing comes across like a friend chatting and giving advice, it is very easy to read. The frankness is about what exactly it takes to write a book and to get it published. Some of this I did not want to hear, such as that a reader and lover of books does not always make a good writer of books and that some people should just enjoy being a reader and a book lover and they should stop thinking about writing a book if they are unwilling to do what it takes to make it happen (make time in their life for it, mainly). I also realized on my own that while I do think that I do have some talent for writing I don’t know if I have the time, energy or desire necessary to write a whole BOOK, let alone to edit the manuscript and to peddle it for publication.

The February issue of Writers on the Rise (run by WDB author Christina Katz) is now posted. Great how-to information for writers, especially freelancers.