INKWELL
The used-book market o punctuation quiz • one writer's sluch pile • dictionary software • Penguin's 70th birthday • successful habits of debut authors • Your Assignment #188

WRITE BETTER
So You Want to Be a Writer
By John Warner
Hilarious (and perhaps even helpful) tips on how to succeed as a writer.

In the Now
By Michael J. Vaughn
How to use present tense successfully to add immediacy to your novel.

A Series of Details
By April Henry
Here's how to develop a fictional character that you can hang an entire mystery series on. PLUS: Plot hooks to get you started.

Fiction Essentials
By Nancy Kress
Turn a basic story concept into a complex, fully formed novel by asking yourself these four key questions.

Freelancer's Workshop
By David A. Fryxell
Too much nuts-and-bolts information in an article makes
for dry narrative. Learn how to morph your facts into
captivating prose.

Writing Clinic
By Elizabeth Dearl
Remember to take readers along for the ride when writing a travel article.

Niches: Playwriting
By Christina Hamlett
Give your play the substance it needs to be a full-length
production by layering plot lines and characters.

GET PUBLISHED
What Editors Won't Tell You (But We Will)
By Jenna Glatzer
We asked magazine and book editors to share with us the deepest, darkest secrets of their trade—all under the cover of anonymity, of course. Their candor will help you get your queries and submissions read and accepted.

WORK SMARTER
Get Connected
By Anthony Head
We profile three great online writing groups and offer tips for finding your own.

Questions & Quandaries
By Brian A. Klems
Possessives, "that" vs. "who" and organizing clips.

STAY INSPIRED
The Simple Life
By Marnie Engel Hayutin
Read how charming author Amy Krouse Rosenthal found success by taking a unique approach to the memoir form.

After the Book Comes Out
By J.A. Konrath
His first book has hit the stores—now the real fun
begins. Follow our intrepid novelist as he braves BEA,
book-signings and his own ego.

This Writer's Life
By Kevin Alexander
On paper, they were perfect for each other—so why couldn't this agent immediately recognize our writer's genius?

The Last Word
By Jack Clemens
The narrators in Steven Millhauser's fiction are unpredictable, unreliable and inescapably fascinating.

PLUS …
Editor's Letter
Reader Mail

THE MARKETS
Make your manuscripts picture-perfect by including photographs with your submission.

Breaking In: Leave the sanctity of your home or office to write for outdoor magazines.

5 Questions for: Gary Luke, editorial director of Sasquatch Books.

September Markets: 56 listings for book publishers, agents, contests and consumer and trade magazines.