Publications / 323 posts found
2022 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 8
For today’s prompt, let’s write about the grim reaper. Remember: As mentioned yesterday, these prompts are just starting points; you have the freedom to go wherever your flash of inspiration takes you. (Note: If you happen to run into any issues posting, please just send me an e-mail at mrichard@aimmedia.com with the subject line: Flash Fiction Challenge Commenting Issue.) Here’s my attempt at writing about the grim reaper: Not Today She’s laying on the couch tonight. It’s late. Dark. The reflection of the TV makes her eyes look wet, though they’re blank. I take my usual spot on the floor […]
Writing for Successful Franchises (From Script)
In this week’s round up brought to us by Script magazine, read exclusive interviews with Spider-Man: No Way Home screenwriters Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, and the latest Scream screenwriters James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick. Plus, an interview with NAACP Image Awards nominee Monique Matthews about her filmmaking journey, and more! Carrying the Weight of the Multiverse: An Interview with Spider-Man: No Way Home Screenwriters Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers Sony Pictures Entertainment Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers talk to Script magazine about their journey as screenwriters, the weight of making choices during the writing […]
Reader’s Digest: Market Spotlight
Established in 1922, Reader’s Digest began with a simple, yet powerful, mission: to collect condensed versions of the most important stories found in other magazines each month. In other words, it was a magazine built around curating content. (The Iowa Review: Market Spotlight.) The editors say, “Reader’s Digest unites its readers and their families like no other brand through the simplest of acts: sharing stories, laughs, and great advice. Heading into its 100th anniversary, Reader’s Digest is America’s fourth largest-circulation magazine brand, standing out more than ever in today’s cultural landscape due to its themes of optimism, faith, heroism, trust, humor, […]
Writing Dark Fiction
People seem to like their content with a healthy side of darkness if you go by the books that linger at the top of bestseller lists and the TV shows that consistently draw big audiences. Personally, I am way too soft for actual horror (no thank you Stephen King or Stranger Things,) but I am attracted to stories that have an undercurrent of something frightening or shocking and, possibly, just a bit evil—especially if there are real people involved. Devil In the White City, The Girls, Dr. Death. (5 Tips for Writing a Domestic Thriller) When I first told the […]
2022 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 7
Yesterday, we focused on character. Today, let’s focus on plot. For today’s prompt, write about a workplace drama. Remember: As mentioned yesterday, these prompts are just starting points; you have the freedom to go wherever your flash of inspiration takes you. (Note: If you happen to run into any issues posting, please just send me an e-mail at mrichard@aimmedia.com with the subject line: Flash Fiction Challenge Commenting Issue.) Here’s my attempt at writing a workplace drama: Reconciliation “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.” I can’t remember my first confession. It’s not totally unusual—when you get to be my age, […]
Alana Quintana Albertson: On Giving a Tragedy a Happy Ending
Alana Quintana Albertson has written 30 romance novels, rescued 500 death-row shelter dogs, and danced 1,000 rumbas. She lives with her husband in sunny San Diego with her two sons and too many pets. Most days, she can be found writing her next heart book in a beachfront café while sipping an oat-milk Mexican mocha or gardening with her children in their backyard orchard and snacking on a juicy blood orange. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Alana Quintana Albertson © Berkley Jove (TR) 2021 In this post, Alana discusses how she reimagined Romeo and Juliet with a happy […]
WD Presents: A Literary Agent Boot Camp, 6 WDU Courses, and More!
There’s always so much happening in the Writer’s Digest universe that even staff members have trouble keeping up. As a result, we decided to start collecting what’s on the horizon to make it easier for everyone to know what’s happening and when. This week, we’re excited to announce a literary agent boot camp, six new courses starting this week, and more! **** Literary Agent Boot Camp: Perfecting Submission Materials! This live Writers Digest boot camp will teach you how to put together a dynamic yet professional submission package that will show agents you take your potential author career seriously and […]
2022 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 6
For today’s prompt, let’s focus on character and character motivations. This past fall, our Editor, Michael Woodson, wrote a wonderful article about the pitfall of the characterless character. This got me thinking about character motivations; and when you only have a maximum of 1,500 words, it’s important that those motivations are clear to the reader if you’re writing a character-driven piece. For today’s prompt, write about a character attempting to be heartfelt. Remember: As mentioned yesterday, these prompts are just starting points; you have the freedom to go wherever your flash of inspiration takes you. (Note: If you happen to […]
Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts: On Intentional Expressions of Black Joy
Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts is the author of 18 books, and the host of the podcast HeARTtalk with Tracey Michae’l. Her writing has appeared in a variety of publications, including The Washington Post, Essence, Oprah Daily, and more. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts Photo by MaKayla Simone In this post, Tracey discusses how exploring personal joy led her to write her new essay collection, Black Joy, how the writing process for this changed how she’ll approach future projects, and more! Name: Tracey Michae’l Lewis-GiggettsLiterary agent: Cait HoytBook title: Black JoyPublisher: Gallery BooksExpected release date: February 1, […]
Try One More Thing: An Award-Winning Fairytale
Once upon a time, there was a writer staring at computer screen and an open email message for the Sisters In Crime Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Emerging Writers of Color selection committee. (Rachel Howzell Hall and Alex Segura Discuss the Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Emerging Writers of Color Award.) A million thoughts went through the writer’s mind. What was she doing? Why was she sending this email? Did she really think she could win? No, she didn’t think she would win because until now, every attempt she’d made to query her story about a Ghanaian female assassin—really a […]