INKWELL
Reading as a lost art • successful habits of debut authors • Your Assignment #189

WRITE BETTER
Pull It Together
By James Scott Bell
Not sure where your story should go? Try one of these blueprints for tried-and-true fiction plots and see if it can set you in the right direction.

Fiction Essentials
By James Scott Bell
Dig deeper in your writing by using poetry to pump up your prose.

Writing Clinic
By Gloria Kempton
Keep first-person fiction engaging and stay in the moment.

Niches: Writing for Kids
By Kathryn Lay
Weave the various types of humor into your children's stories with these tips.

The Last Word
By Jack Clemens
Barbara Kingsolver's use of multiple narrators infuses The Poisonwood Bible with depth and force.

GET PUBLISHED
Hello, Neighbor
By Jenna Glatzer
Shorter pieces are usually the easiest way in the door of the big mags. We tell you exactly what kinds of stories they're looking for and where to find the perfect little ideas to pitch. PLUS: Markets for your real-person stories.

The Rock-solid Submission Package
By Blythe Camenson and Marshal J. Cook
Here's a point-by-point look at how to nail every element of your novel's submission package, from cover letter and synopsis to sample chapters and format.

This Writer's Life
By Kevin Alexander
Writing conferences are an ideal opportunity to impress agents with your book pitch.

WORK SMARTER
Taking his Humor Career Seriously
By Chuck Sambuchino
Meet the winner of this year's Best Writer's Web Site contest and learn what he did to earn the crown.

The Six-Figure Writer
By Robert W. Bly
Avoid these 10 common business errors that can hurt your freelance income.

Questions & Quandaries
By Brian A. Klems
Accurate word counts, "people" vs. "persons" and more.

STAY INSPIRED
Waiting Out a Dark Cloud
By Dawn Simonds
Philip Beard gathered more than 30 "glowing rejections" before deciding to self-publish his coming-of-age tale, which, at the last minute, prompted a six-figure offer.

The Wd Interview: James Rollins
Two Genres, No Waiting
By Maria Schneider
James Rollins publishes two books per year—one fantasy, one thriller—and finds his latest book garnering comparisons to .

PLUS …
Editor's Letter
Reader Mail

THE MARKETS
Don't give up on that killed article. Breathe new life into it.

Breaking In: Spill your secrets in personal essays and earn money and a byline while you're at it.

5 Questions for: John Mowbray, editor of "Racing Fan" magazine.

October Markets
37 listings for book publishers, agents, contests and consumer and trade magazines.