Writer's Digest May/June2013 (PDF)

Your Guide to Pain-Free Revision

FEATURES

The 5 Biggest Fiction Writing Mistakes + How to Fix Them

Start your revision by addressing these, and you'll immediately change your story for the better.

by James Scott Bell

Clearing Out the Clutter

Most manuscripts start out a little messy. Try these thoughtful approaches to polishing your prose

by David Corbett

10 Things Your Freelance Editor Might Not Tell You,But Should

Thinking of hiring an editor before you submit or self-publish? Here's how to get the most for your money

by Tanya Egan Gibson

The Freelance Writer's Guide to Avoiding Revisions & Rewrites

Getting assignments right the first time is key to a successful freelance career. Here are 10 ways to satisfy editors from the start

by Roger Morris

The WD Interview: Hugh Howey

It's not just an amazing success story, it's a new precedent for authors everywhere: Thanks to Hugh Howey, you don't have to choose between the allure of self-publishing and your dreams of big book deals. You can have both.

by Rachel Randall

101 Best Websites for Writers

Our 15th annual list, culled from thousands of reader nominations, offers a wealth of resources for writers of all types.

by Tiffany Luckey, with Ophelia Thomas

A Knockout Story

The champion of the annual WD Popular Fiction Awards scored a big win with the boxing tale “Forfeit."

by Marielle Murphy

WRITER'S WORKBOOK: Dialect & Slang

by Tom Chiarella

Breaking Bad: Using Profanity And Other Raw Talk In Your Fiction

by Elizabeth Sims

INKWELL

No Reservations

Personal writing might feel too private to publish,but documenting your low points can rocket your byline to the top.

by Susan Shapiro

PLUS:

• Questions & Quandaries: Splitting Infinitives
• Check, Please
• 5-Minute Memoir: True Fiction
• Top Shelf
• Poetic Asides: Rondel

COLUMNS

MEET THE AGENT: Michael Bourret, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management

by Kara Gebhart Uhl

BREAKING IN: Debut Author Spotlight

by Chuck Sambuchino

FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK: Querying by Calendar; Defining Historical Fiction; When to Throw in the Towel

by Barbara Poelle

YOUR STORY: First Things First, Contest #46

STANDOUT MARKETS: Apex Magazine; Mother Jones; Soft Skull Press

by Tiffany Luckey

CONFERENCE SCENE: Clarksville, Tenn.; Teen Writers; The Writers' League of Texas

by Linda Formichelli

REJECT A HIT: Burning Down My Masters' House by Jayson Blair

Spoof-Rejected By Marc Allan

PLUS:

• ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
• EDITOR'S LETTER
• CONTRIBUTORS
• READER MAIL