Writer's Digest November/December 2020 Digital Edition
Writer's Digest officially turns 100! In this special double issue, WD celebrates 100 years of helping writers improve their craft and getting published with advice from some of the biggest industry professionals and authors publishing today. We'll look back on how writing has changed over time, the founding of WD, and much more. This issue's articles include:
+ Writers on Writing: Bryan Washington, the multiple-award winning author of Lot and a new novel titled Memorial (Oct. 2020, Riverhead Books), is the first guest author of this new column in which writers will consider a topic important to them, offer advice, or lessons learned. By Bryan Washington
+ The WD Interview with Celeste Ng: Former WD editor Tyler Moss interviewed the bestselling author of Everything I Never Told You and Little Fires Everywhere. Their wide-ranging conversation covers everything from outlining and editing, to establishing theme and the importance of uplifting other writers. By Tyler Moss
+ WD Profile: Erik Larson: Just before the launch of his newest book, The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz, Erik Larson sat down with Zac Petit for an in-depth profile from his New York City apartment. Larson shares about the roles that both chance and research play in his bestselling books, all while Petit tries to uncover the secret of the question, How does Erik Larson do it? Featuring exclusive photos of Larson in his workspace. By Zac Petit
+ The Bonus WD Interview with Nick Laird and Zadie Smith: In this dual interview with the literary powerhouse couple, poet/novelist Nick Laird and novelist/essayist Zadie Smith talk about the impact teaching has had on their writing, writing in multiple forms/genres, and what their lack of social media usage means for their ability to stay creative. By Amy Jones
+ Mastering Story Structure: Two time Agatha-Award winning author Jane K. Cleland breaks down some of the most common types of story structure to help you decide which is right for your story. She offers examples of each style, and when and how to use them, which might just offer the ah-ha moment you've been looking for. By Jane K. Cleland
+ 100 Ways to Buff Your Book: WD contributing editor Elizabeth Sims offers bite-sized bits of advice to improve your writing. From practical to aspirational, these 100 quick tips stand the test of time and will help make your novel ready for the world. By Elizabeth Sims
+ How Writers Make Their Living, Past, Present and Future: Former WD publisher and creator of The Hot Sheet, Jane Friedman offers an in depth look at the many ways writers have earned a living in the past, and how they will continue to do so in the future. By Jane Friedman
+ 100 Years of Writing Inspiration (A collection of 3 articles): First, we'll re-run a 1970 article by Richard Rosenthal, former publisher and son of the founder of Writer's Digest, in which he shares how and why WD got started. This article will also feature some of the best and most amusing covers from WD's 100 years. Second, current editor-in-chief Amy Jones scoured the WD archives for the best writing advice and inspiration handed down over the years. Finally, we offer a little amusement with WD trivia in Potpourri for the Pen.
In addition, readers will be treated to an essay on writing methods and devices uses over the centuries (by Simon Van Booy), as well as a special Writer's Workbook on writing opinion pieces (by Susan Shapiro, perfect for post-election season). This issue also includes the latest regular columns from WD editors, “Notes from the Margins," by Amy Jones, a behind-the-scenes look at the book publishing industry; and “Publishing Insights," from Robert Brewer, on hot writing markets. This issue also contains all the regular columns and departments readers know and love, like Take Two on screenwriting, IndieLab for self-published authors, Conference Scene, Poetic Asides, Meet the Agent, Funny You Should Ask, and more.
