Writer's Digest - Writer's Digest April 2008

Writer's Digest April 2008

Item No. #WD0408

>SPOTLIGHT: POPULAR FICTION

The Popular Fiction Report
by Michael J. Vaughn
What's hot in mystery/crime, romance, horror, thriller/suspense and science fiction/fantasy? Find out in our comprehensive genre-by-genre market report. PLUS: Essays from bestselling novelists Debbie Macomber, Ramsey Campbell, Ridley Pearson and Terry Brooks.

[FEATURES]

The WD Interview: Laurell K. Hamilton
by Maria Schneider
With two series that defy categorizing, this popular-fiction author has forged a hugely successful writing career by going her own way.

Acting Up
by Jordan E. Rosenfeld
After a Hollywood career, Harley Jane Kozak, author of Dating Dead Men, took the lessons of the screen with her to build a behind-the-scenes career as a mystery novelist.

Publish Your First Book after 50
by Scott Hoffman
Who says publishing is a young person's game? Here are an agent's tips for writing and publishing well into your golden years.

Writing Another Life
by Marion Elizabeth Rodgers
The biographer's task can be overwhelming. Here's how one biographer learned to breathe new life into her subject.

Seeing Green
by Margaret Russo
Author Norma Lehmeier Hartie's independent spirit and environmental streak create a winning book and take home the grand prize in the Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards. PLUS: A complete listing of first-place winners and honorable mentions.

[COLUMNS]

Questions & Quandaries
by Brian A. Klems
Formatting tips, interview advice and a prologue primer.

On the Edge: Religious Wars
by Kara Gebhart Uhl
A battle of faith fought on bookshelves and bestseller lists.

The Sentence Sleuth: In Search of Lost Readers
by Bonnie Trenga
Bring them back with sentences that are the perfect length.

First Impressions: Hospital Drama
by Jordan E. Rosenfeld
A doctor-turned-novelist pens a new medical series for the "Grey's Anatomy" set. PLUS: More notable debuts.

This Writer's Life: No Longer So Awkward
by Kevin Alexander
He thought his first attempt at a memoir was a masterpiece. One MFA later, he's embarrassed to admit he wrote that.

Ask the Pro: Revamping an Icon
by Jordan E. Rosenfeld
Philip Gourevitch took over the reins of The Paris Review from George Plimpton and has won a new audience.

Your Story: The Oldest One
by Tess Whitehurst
The winning entry of contest #9. PLUS: Contest #11 prompt.

The Conference Scene: New York Round Table Writers' Conference
by Linda Formichelli
Focus on the business of writing. PLUS: More great writing conferences.

Postscript: Evolution
by Brock Clarke
Grow your writing through reading.

InkWell
FRESH IDEAS, TIPS, NEWS AND INSPIRATION FOR LIVING THE WRITING LIFE

The Long and the Shorts of Amazon
Save Your Rejections
Back Up Your Work for Free
2008 BEA/Writer's Digest Books Writers' Conference
Pawns, Rooks, Queens and … Mark Twain?
The Roeder Report

Writer's Workbook
QUICK LESSONS AND TIPS FOR WORKING ON SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF YOUR WRITING

Fiction: attributive clauses
Nonfiction: personal essays
Poetry: concrete poetry
Marketing: platforms

PLUS:
CONTRIBUTORS
EDITOR'S LETTER
READER MAIL