New WDB webiste is live!

Please visit our new and improved Writer’s Digest Books site.

http://www.writersdigest.com/books

There you’ll find:
Featured Books
WDB Author Profiles
Events
Book Giveaways
Writing Tips and more!

Enjoy!

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WD Editors (week ending 06/08/07)

Will Allison Speaks About His Days at Story

Will Allison, whose debut novel is now available at a bookstore near you, recently divulged details of his days at Story magazine, once published by our parent company, F+W Publications.

I did have some trouble getting up to speed, though. Having only recently left the world of MFA creative-writing workshops, I was used to dutifully, painstakingly giving each and every manuscript its full due. Lois didn't play that. If a story failed to hook her by the first page or two, she was on to the next. I was struck by her ability (and Laurie's) to plow through a bin of manuscripts in a couple of hours, emerging with only a handful of stories requiring closer attention. It wasn't just that she read with great confidence — in her taste, in her ability to recognize quality — but also with great impatience. How dare an unworthy story waste her time!

The annual "Writer's Market" book alone has always been worth the price of admission for freelancers trying to find markets for their work, particularly for those at the beginning of their careers who could use the advice on query letters, simultaneous submissions, and so on as well. The extent to which the book has grown over the years amazes me; if it was worth it seven or eight years ago when it contained a fraction of the listings it does now, it's certainly worth it now.

Several dozen agents and editors were taking pitches at Wednesday's "pitch-slam" at the end of a one-day seminar that also included workshops on writing the perfect book proposal.

"Don't feel like you're a failure if you don't come out of here with a contract," Lauren Mosko, editor of writers' guide "Novel & Short Story Writer's Market," told her workshop.

Analyzing a pitch for a book of women's letters about lessons learned in adversity, she said: "It sounds like a really 'nice' book but there's nothing that really grabs me emotionally."

Among the other pitches were a memoir of raising kids in the "hotbed of commercial sex" that is Bangkok, a novel about Internet geeks, a memoir of police corruption, an expose of the adoption system and a parody of Fox cable show "The O'Reilly Factor."

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WD Editors (week ending 5/18/07)

Review of The Pirate Primer



The Pirate Primer received a glowing review on the Web site "Pirates of the Caribbean, in fact and fiction" (http://blindkat.hegewisch.net/pirates/pirates.html), written by Tobias Gibson. Here's a little of what Tobias had to say:

George Choundas and the folks at Writers Digest Books have published a handsomely bound book that should grace the shelves in your pirate library. The look and feel of this book is absolutely fabulous. ... [I]n discovering the language; you do learn something of the pirate life, both in fact and fiction. Choundas does not limit himself to the language of actual pirates but tackles the language as presented in works of literature, motion picture and television. ... And like a late night TV ad, I have to say "but wait, there's more!." The book goes into great detail on how to form a pirate sentence, the use of adverbs and adjectives, positioning verbs, the use of transitive verbs, and other grammar rules as they apply to pirates. Choundas actually covers the language as an English teacher would but the difference is you'll actually enjoy this textbook. ... All in all, the entire book is a joy to read and joy to look at.

engage readers quickly and aggressively

demonstrate that you know what you're doing and where you're going

establish a good conversation with the reader

lay a foundation

excite the writer (that's you!)

If you keep these things in mind as you begin your life story, you are sure to create something that you are proud of and that your children, grandchildren, family, and friends will love to read.

Read an Excerpt!

Learn about how to get started writing your life story. Click here to view or download an excerpt from Chapter 9: Strategies for a Good Start.



WDB Bestseller (Week Ending 5.6.07)




One of our newest Spring 2007 titles, The Pirate Primer by George Choundas, was the best-selling title in the trade through the week ending May 6. Click on the cover to read more about this title, and also to download an excerpt.

Visit the official site at http://pirate.fwpublications.com.



MediaBistro Interview

Jane was recently interviewed by MediaBistro about what Writer's Digest Books and other F+W imprints are looking for.

What makes a given book stand out for you, and, conversely, what makes you immediately reject a manuscript?
In the writing line, nearly every topic has been done to death and exists in some form on our backlist. Some potential authors tackle this challenge by coming up with a topic we don't have on our backlist. But, there's a reason we don't have a book on creating supernatural heroes or plotting your spy novel -- it's far too narrow and doesn't have wide enough appeal. However, we do take on esoteric topics once in a while; examples include A Writer's Paris by Eric Maisel and Sun Signs for Writers by Bev Walton-Porter.



Review of A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words




Our Spring 2007 title, A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words, received a nice little review over at inthecompanyofwriters.com.

I am rarely as tickled by a How-To book as I am this one. It's a delightfully conceived book on stimulation for writers and it's fun. Perhaps the best thing about it is that while it's full of great stuff, it also causes one to look at almost every other mundane thing with fresh eyes.

Full review here.



For more information visit www.wdeditors.com

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WD Editors (week ending 4/27/07)

Writers on the Rise -- new dual format!




Writers on the Rise (run by WDB author Christina Katz) has a new dual format. Now, instead of being an online zine, it is a blog and a zine. In other words, readers can choose to either read a blog every other day(and RSS subscribe) at http://writersontherise.wordpress.com

... OR ...

receive a round-up of recent posts in their inbox as an html zine. A subscription button/box is available at the new blog and old site: www.writersontherise.com.



Cap'n Choundas at PyrateCon '07!


Our very own Cap'n George Choundas, author of The Pirate Primer, was one of the featured speakers at the first annual PyrateCon in New Orleans over the weekend. Cap'n Choundas offered these words and photos to recap his fantastic experience in The Big Easy:

"I had a great time. The presentation I gave was on five or six topics in the book, selected as much for their proximity to entertaining anecdotes and riffs (of which there were many) as anything else. Definitely a discussion of 'arrgh.' You can't leave that out, of course. I also threw in three foreign words every pirate should know. The talk was very well attended and, fortunately, preceded rather than followed the extremely amusing presentation by the founders of Talk Like a Pirate Day themselves. The Barnes & Noble on-site vendor reported that the Primer had been one of their best sellers, and they sold out by Saturday mid-afternoon. Conference Director Rudy Arceo was so pleased by the success of this year's event that he feels next year's event, held in the heart of the French Quarter, should be even more heavily attended. He kindly invited me to come to next year's event as well. And New Orleans is still the most beautiful place on earth, flood or no flood.

I had an interview chat on Thursday, such that we caught the following excellent coverage, which was picked up by both CNN and MSN, at least.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/21/pirate.convention.ap/index.html

Also gave a radio interview to BilgeMonkey, which will be airing both excerpts from the interview and excerpts/highlights from the presentation itself from time to time.

Finally, attached are a couple of photos from the presentation. (Apologies for the blurriness of the crowd photo!)"





For more information visit www.wdeditors.com

WD Editors (week ending 4/20/07)

Writers on the Rise -- new dual format!




Writers on the Rise (run by WDB author Christina Katz) has a new dual format. Now, instead of being an online zine, it is a blog and a zine. In other words, readers can choose to either read a blog every other day(and RSS subscribe) at http://writersontherise.wordpress.com

... OR ...

receive a round-up of recent posts in their inbox as an html zine. A subscription button/box is available at the new blog and old site: www.writersontherise.com.



Review of By Cunning & Craft





The Frustrated Writer has posted a review of By Cunning & Craft.

While this book is essential reading (and studying) for beginning writers, the advice that he proffers throughout this book is such that you can, and should, reread it often. Each time you do, you find some new tidbit of information that can be applied to your writing. In addition, the more you write you'll find that the information in this book takes on new dimensions, allowing you to continually draw sustenance from its pages.

The juxtaposition of poetry and music is undeniable, and Flynn's book is an ideal introduction to the study of this edifying subject. In addition, this book also serves as a poetry primer that will teach you not only the mechanics of poetry writing, but how to find your inner voice and to create dynamic poems.

Whether it's his seemingly natural ability to create strong characters—"My characters are generally cartoons of various types of Americans"—or his remarkable modesty—"I certainly didn't expect to succeed to the extent I have. I mean, it's not phenomenal, but I certainly didn't expect to amount to much,"—generations of writers continue to try to follow in Vonnegut's legendary footsteps. And to these aspiring writers, Vonnegut offers simple advice:

"Don't worry about getting into the profession. Write anyway to make your soul grow. That's what the practice of any art is, it isn't to make a living, it's to make your soul grow."

And what of the best advice he's received? "Quit," he says. "It's such a relief."

But he didn't. "No, I didn't—I'm still pooping along somewhere."

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WD Editors (week ending 4/13/07)

Interviews With Peter Selgin




Peter Selgin, author of our new fiction writing guide, By Cunning & Craft, has been interviewed recently in two publications.

PIF Magazine Interview: Peter says, "I wanted to be a writer, but I had nothing to write about; well, I didn't think I had anything. I was greedy for experience, but also still highly susceptible to cliché, as most young writers are. So I succumbed to the 'geography equals drama' cliché and 'hit the road.' I crossed the country four times, and wound up at some point living in New Orleans, in the French Quarter, where I shared a Queen-sized bed with a homosexual drunk, Don, who lived fully to my notion of a 'colorful character' --i.e, he, too, was a cliché."

Brooklyn Rail: Peter says, "There may be a place for the ego somewhere in the process, but the ego is not a good self-critic or editor, or a good writer. What we need to write is not ego but character, personality. That's what the reader wants when he opens a book. What I want to see in that very first line—and what I think editors and publishers are looking for—is a human being. That human being may have a lush style or one that's pared to the bone, but what is essential is an authentic voice. I'm not trying to get my students to clean up their style, but to see the difference between a style that's superficial and one that's forced. Ego writing strains for effect and flings thesaurus words. Stronger writing balances fearlessness with the kind of rigor that sees, for instance, that most adverbs and adjectives are to nouns and verbs what packing noodles are to mail-order goods."



Review of On Writing Romance




The Frustrated Writer has a nice review of On Writing Romance.

Michaels effortlessly guides you through the ins and outs of the romance world from describing exactly what a romance novel is, and the varied forms it can take from Chick-lit novels to Time-travel romances and some categories you might never have heard of! Michaels also offers practical how-to advice that covers all the essentials from researching your book to marketing your finished novels. In-between, Michaels provides the reader with an excellent, short-course on the mechanics of writing a romance, including how to start your story, how to create sexual tension between your characters, writing dialogue, fine-tuning your plot line, and other necessary skills.

Writer Mama is a wonderful resource, both as a writer's reference and as an inspirational book that will help you get your writing career on track - and keep it there. While the primary audience for this book is women who are writers and raising children, this book will also be a boon to work-at-home writer dads, as well as anyone looking for some succinct and practical advice on writing.

How did such a magazine come into being?

"It just kind of evolved," Licitra says, speaking by telephone from the couple's condo in the Bronx, N.Y. "I had experience in writing about food and Peter, through his writing and teaching, had a lot of dealings with literary publications."

The couple began to notice that, occasionally, a literary magazine would have an issue devoted to food.

"We said, 'Why not put out a literary journal that is devoted to food all the time?'" Licitra says.

Writer's Digest publishing Keith Flynn is like a car dealer begetting a violin virtuoso. The parents must wonder at what they've wrought.

Flynn is the prodigious poet-rocker-savant who edits the world-renowned "Asheville Poetry Review," and edifies audiences at schools, seminars and colleges. Writer's Digest issues the invaluable annual, "Writer's Market," as well as a slew of such titles as, "You Can Write a Novel" and "Guerilla Marketing for Writers."

Flynn's book bears the title "The Rhythm Method, Razzmatazz, and Memory: How to Make Your Poetry Swing." It is not really a how-to book. There's a chapter that provides 15 very good "Rules to Write By" — but, for the most part, "Razzmatazz" is an initiation into poet-hood via a highly charged and musical tour of the art.

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WD Editors (week ending 4/06/07)

WDB Bestseller (Week Ending 4.1.06)




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 April 1. Click on the cover to read more about this title.

P.S. Our second best-selling title was Writer Mama.



Review of Sun Signs for Writers




Sun Signs for Writers received a great review on The Astrology Page.

I found a great book that answers these questions and many more. Sun Signs for Writers by Bev Walton-Porter is a unique book, and it's not just for astrologers. You won't find another book like this one.

This is a fun, informative book, and you don't have to be an astrologer to get something out of it. Bev Walton-Porter has written in a style that is easy to understand, simple enough for a novice astrologer, or even someone who knows nothing about astrology. Advanced astrologers will find it useful as well.

Schading said the book was conceived to help writers get through some of the military jargon and to help explain it to the general public in plain English. Most people, unless they are in the military or closely connected, don't understand a lot about the Armed Forces, she said.

Even the families of those serving many times don't understand some of the terms, equipment or differences from one branch to the other.

Schading said her husband, Richard, a former Marine, cringes when he hears or reads stories about the military that are mistaken or that use incorrect terms.

"He gets mad when he reads a book and they get it wrong," she said.

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WD Editors (week ending 03/23/07)

There is now a crazy-fabulous song about the Dewey Decimal System. It was produced in an effort to win the RPM Challenge. (It's a little bit like National Novel Writing Month.)

A sample of the song can be found at MySpace. (Lyrics below.)

My Man Dewey
lyrics by Chuck Meyer

No I ain't goin' with you to the discotheque
Cuz I'd rather find my ladies at the bibliotek
Maryann, Peggy Sue -- What's knew with you?
Same ol' same ol'. Is that perfume new?

Now I don't mess with the gals at the reference desk
they're just doing ther job, so just give 'em a rest
plus I owe them one cuz they first introduced me
To my number one hombre, my man Dewey.

See Dewey's gotta system and Dewey's gotta plan
That's what makes him the ultimate wing man
Before you ya conquer ya gotta categorize
Hell I bet he he even sorted his french fries by size

He had a keen mind for organization
As you'll soon find out through my demonstration
The system's designed to create conversation
'cuz the girl is combined with the proper location

You're skeptical now, but soon you'll see threw me
The tricks of the trade of my man Melvin Dewey.

811s full up with the sensitive girls
and I got the rhymed couplets to rock their worlds
I'll compare her to a rose and then I'll pluck her
my pentameter's iambic like a motherfucker

The 812s are a stage that I've risen above
'cuz the play is the thing that I got plenty of
I respect their emotions, I admire their passion
But all the dramatics send me the other direction

The 700s are art and I stay away
The girls are all moody and usually gay
Except 794.8's not lame
Cuz that's for all the books about video games

641.5 is where the cookbooks are
If I find a girl there, then I know I won't starve
And if my rides broke and the bus is too far
629.28 girls all got cars

And if I strike out on every damn shelf
Then I'll hit the 150s for a bit of self-help

Soma my boys thinks I'ma little bit screwy
But they can't hold a candle to my man Dewey


WDBC Member Spotlight




Writer's Digest Book Club member Ron Gould is one busy guy. He owns the largest florist business in Texas's Ft. Bend County, volunteers as the "official" Santa Claus for the town of Rosenberg and still finds time to pursue his goal of finishing his first science fiction novel. "My dad nurtured my desire to write and be published," Ron says. "He met author Marion Zimmer Bradley (Mists of Avalon) when they were both at Hardin Simmons University and she inspired him to write."

But family obligations took Ron's father away from writing until nearly the end of his life. "By then, dad had lost his stories and didn't have the energy to start over. I've always thought that was one of the saddest things I've ever heard," Ron says, vowing he will never lose his stories. "I'll get them written even if my goal to publish never happens."

Ron successfully balances several writing projects at once and has learned the value of reading, researching, and writing rough outlines. He recommends his WDB favorites Writing Fiction Step By Step by Josip Novakovich and The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference by the editors of Writer's Digest Books.



WDB Bestseller (Week Ending 3.18.06)




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 March 18. Click on the cover to read more about this title.



Win Pirate Treasure!




Our Spring 2007 title, The Pirate Primer, will soon set sail for a bookstore near you. In its pages you'll find clues to winning $1,000 worth of authentic pirate treasure. To find out more about the pirate contest, visit the book's official site at http://pirate.fwpublications.com/



A New Spamasterpiece

This one comes exclusively from the spam found in Jane's inbox this morning.

Prepare Yourself for This
Summer is almost here, be ready
Become fit and happy again
Become immune to the passage of time!
Be exhumation, it shameful
Hmm might be helpful to me
Could I Be Wrong?
IT HAS HAPPENED!

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WD Editors (week ending 03/16/07)

Review of Sun Signs for Writers



The February 2007 issue of writer2writer.com has a great review of Sun Signs for Writers.

Walton-Porter's book is more than new-age stuff. She's created a dynamic text with a balance of fun, insight and practical exercises for writers regardless if you're an earth, water, air or fire sign. If you're not interested in discovering more about yourself and your writing style through your zodiac sign, check it out for background information on creating dynamic characters.

You're interested in writing horror fiction? Then read everything here. Yes, even the sections that you think you've got no interest in. Because these essays are a treasure trove of great ideas, from characters you can use anywhere (regardless of subgenre) to how best to pimp out your beautiful brand-spankin'-new novel. So just read. You'll learn something, and you'll like it.

UNFORTUNATE ENGLISH draws some important connections between the older meanings of words and their modern usage, covering both literary and social history in the process. Lively chapters provide informative yet fun histories of selected words and their evolution, from the Old English meaning of 'pretty' as 'artful, clever' to the misinterpretation of 'corsage' today, UNFORTUNATE ENGLISH is a fun way of absorbing the changing histories and meanings of words.

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WD Editors (week ending 03/09/07)

WDB BESTSELLER (week ending 03/04/07)



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 March 4. Click on the cover to read more about this title.



Download an Excerpt From On Writing Romance


In On Writing Romance, award-winning romance novelist Leigh Michaels breaks down the key components of a good romance novel and shows you how to write your own classic tale. First, it's important to understand exactly what a romance novel is and how it differs from other genres. According to Michaels:

In a romance novel, the core story is the developing relationship between a man and a woman. The other events in the story line, though important, are secondary to that relationship. If you were to take out the love story, the rest of the book would be reduced in both significance and interest to the reader to the point that it really wouldn't be much of a story at all.

• a hero and a heroine
  
• a problem that creates tension between them and threatens to keep them apart
  
• a developing love that is so special it comes about only once in a lifetime
  
• a resolution in which the problem is solved and the couple is united
  

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