WOW! Women On Writing

Issue 48- January-February 2012: A Writer's Action Plan

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:08 -0800

Issue 48 - A Writer's Action Plan - Sage Cohen, Diane Albright, Kerrie Flanagan, Victoria Ipri MORE >>

Editor's Desk: Welcome: A Writer's Action Plan

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:10 -0800

his issue, we provide you with ideas, inspiration, and actionable steps for taking control of your writing career and steering it in the right direction. Whether it’s organizing your home office so you can have peace of mind or figuring out where to spend your hard-earned dollars, the experts in this issue will help you develop the fundamentals you need to ensure long-term success. Those fundamentals include developing daily writing habits, learning how to start a writing business, and getting the most out of LinkedIn. We also chat with authors who share their best tips on how to promote your book and help you figure out how to start revising that 50,000 word mess--er, NaNoWriMo manuscript... MORE >>

Feature: Fall 2011 Flash Fiction Contest Winners!

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:15 -0800

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Andrea Hurst, president of Andrea Hurst & Associates Literary Management, has made her final decisions. Read the winning stories of the 750 words or less open prompt Fall ’11 Flash Fiction Contest... MORE >>

Feature: Get Organized! Expert Tips for Tackling the Messy Files and Piles (and more!) that Make Writers Stress Out

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:16 -0800

Quick! Where is that receipt for the conference you just attended? And how about the interview that you finished last week for an article you need to write today? Writers can easily find themselves lost in a sea of papers or searching through electronic folders if they've let their office and organizing system slip into despair. If you have a severe case of "clutter" or a minor "messy" situation, today is the day you can start to tackle those untidy areas of your writing life and put yourself on the path to a neater and more organized you. With the help of Diane Albright, a nationally recognized expert in the field of organization and productivity, Janine Boldrin shows you how to plan your approach, tackle the mess, get organized, and keep going. She also chats with Sage Cohen, author of The Productive Writer, and Justine Ickes, writer and instructional designer, who share their best tips for cleaning career clutter--like goal creep and time wasters... MORE >>

Feature: Investing in Your Writing Career: How to Spend Your Money Wisely

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:17 -0800

Navigating the road to publication for a new writer can be daunting and even expensive. Between writers’ conferences, classes, resources, retreats, online services, and professional organizations, it can be difficult to figure out how and where to spend your hard-earned dollars. Writers should constantly be thinking about how these investments will help them propel their writing careers. But for those new in the field, this can be overwhelming. By asking the right questions and knowing what to look for, writers will be better equipped to make good decisions with their money and in turn, find greater success in writing... MORE >>

Feature: A Writer's Fitness Plan: How to Work Writing into Your Daily Life

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:17 -0800

You try to write. Really, you do. But something always gets in your way, whether it’s your family schedule, a plumbing emergency, or just the busy-ness of errands and phone calls. When you finally do manage to fall into your desk chair, the words simply refuse to flow. You stare at the blank screen. You check your Facebook account. You build fancy what-nots out of paperclips. What you don’t do is write... Whether your goal is to write a novel or draft an article, writing doesn't just happen. It’s like exercise that way. A personal trainer can help you meet your workout goals. Fortunately, you have WOW! Women on Writing and the Writer’s Fitness Plan to help you get into topnotch writing shape. Adopt each of these writing habits, one at a time, and find yourself laying words on the page like never before... MORE >>

Feature: Using Linkedin Effectively: An Interview With Victoria Ipri

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:18 -0800

Social media, it seems, is here to stay. Writers should excel at social media--after all, we have the gift of words; but this is often not the case. There are inevitably questions about which platform to use, how to gain a following, and what to say to your audience--once you have one. Even the early adopters, those writers who bravely climbed aboard the social media train first, can still be caught wondering if social networking even provides anything more than a welcome respite from the blank page. Of the variety of social platforms available, the one most ensconced in mystery--not only for writers but for the public in general--seems to be LinkedIn. For copywriter, turned social media guru Victoria Ipri, LinkedIn is not only her greatest marketing platform, but also one she’s most passionate about helping others get a handle on. Find out how to get started on LinkedIn, optimize your profile, connect with others, and get the most out of groups... MORE >>

Feature: How to Start a Writing Business Right

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:19 -0800

Starting a business centered on your talent for writing has similarities and differences to opening any type of business. As you embark on a new year, now might be the right time to finally start the business you've been dreaming of or to re-evaluate your writing business to ensure that you’re doing it the right way. From the type of business entity to establish, setting up your office, and writing a business plan to marketing, working with clients, and establishing repeat business, you can learn the tips, tricks, and advice that work for those writers who have paved the path of success before you... MORE >>

20 Answers: How Do You Promote Your Book?

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:19 -0800

As an author, writing your book and getting it published are just the beginning of the process. You also need to get your book into the hands of as many readers as possible. So, what things should you be doing to promote your work and sell as many book copies as possible? Luckily, writers are a generous bunch, and many were willing to share their secrets, author-to-author. We chose the most useful, innovative, and doable marketing ideas that they revealed to us and we offer them below for your benefit. From press releases and podcast interviews to a few interesting ways of using Facebook and other online tools (plus so much more!), these authors tell you how to make your book known... MORE>>

How To Revise Your Manuscript After NanoWriMo

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:20 -0800

Non-writer friends might have thought your sanity was in question when you told them you were writing an entire novel in one month--especially the month that holds Thanksgiving and the biggest shopping day of the year. But you knew what you were doing all along. You were letting go of all the structure and technique that gives writers anxiety and just writing--freely and quickly and getting a first draft down on paper. Now, it’s there, and you’re wondering, what do I do next? How do I possibly turn this freeing, supportive, and positive experience of NaNoWriMo into a publishable document without going insane? Never fear--you don’t have to go crazy during the revision process. Just follow along as we take your 50,000 plus words to a whole new level... MORE >>

Review: The Music vs. The Muse

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:44:01 -0800

Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what do you listen to? Does it help your writing? Are there certain types of beats that boost your brainpower? What about soundtracks? In this article, C. Hope Clark pits music against muse and surveys over three hundred writers to come up with the answers to these questions and more... MORE >>

Resources For Writers

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:01:58 -0800

Resources on the 'net - everything you need to get your writing career in gear.

Author Sites, Books for Writers, Character Research, Contests Critique Groups, Editorial Services, Grammar Style and Usage, Literary Agencies, Literary Guilds/Book Clubs, Newsletters Organizations. Prompts. Writer Retreats. and Writing Sites.

Articles

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:02:07 -0800

WOW! Women On Writing highlights a Woman Writer, Literary Agent, or Publisher each month in our articles page. Recent updates on craft of writing and freelance writing articles from Jenna Glatzer, Sheri McConnell, literary agent Wendy Keller, Christina Katz, Lisa Silverman, Sandy Tritt, and much more!

The Muffin Blog: Fresh news daily from the bakers of Wow-WomenOnWriting.com

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:25 -0800

Never stale! The Muffin provides daily writing tips, inspiration and updates from the bakers of WOW!

WOW! on Twitter

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:28 -0800

Check us out on Twitter!
Find out what happens behind the scenes and keep an eye out for special giveaways!

WOW! on Facebook

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:29 -0800

Check us out on Facebook!
Find out what happens behind the scenes and keep an eye out for special giveaways!

WOW! Classes

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:57:30 -0800

Whether you are looking to increase your income or work on your craft, we know that education is an important part of a writer’s career. That’s why WOW! Women On Writing handpicks qualified instructors and targeted classes that women writers will benefit from. The instructors are women we've worked with on a professional level, and these ladies offer high quality courses with one-on-one feedback.

Contest: Winter 2012 Flash Fiction Contest Announcement

Fri, 2 Dec 2011 16:02:09 -0800

WOW! hosts a (quarterly) writing contest every three months. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, communication, and well-rewarded recognition to contestants. The contest is open globally; age is of no matter; and entries must be in English. We are open to all styles of writing, although we do encourage you to take a close look at our guest judge for the season and the flavor of our sponsor, if you are serious about winning. We love creativity, originality, and light-hearted reads. That's not to say that our guest judge will feel the same... so go wild! Express yourself, and most of all, let's have some fun!

OPEN PROMPT! That’s right, this is your chance to shine, and get creative. You can write about anything, as long as it’s within the word count and fiction. So, dig out those stories you started way back when and tailor them to the word count. We’re open to any style and genre. From horror to romance! So, get creative, and most of all, have fun.

WINTER: December - February 29th, Midnight (Pacific Time) - NOW OPEN!... MORE >>

Contest: Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest Winners!

Fri, 2 Dec 2011 16:02:00 -0800

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Kim Lionetti, has made her final decisions. Read the winning stories of the 750 words or less open prompt Summer ’11 Flash Fiction Contest... MORE >>

Contest: Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contest Winners!

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 04:03:37 -0700

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Sarah Lapolla of the Curtis Brown agency, has made her final decisions. Read the winning stories of the 750 words or less open prompt Spring ‘11 Flash Fiction Contest... MORE >>

Contest: Winter 2011 Flash Fiction Contest Winners!

Fri, 20 May 2011 20:19:49 -0700

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Elaine Spencer of The Knight Agency, has made her final decisions. Read the winning stories of the 750 words or less open prompt Winter ‘11 Flash Fiction Contest... MORE >>

Contest: Fall 2010 Flash Fiction Contest Winners!

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 03:11:44 -0700

Contest: Summer 2010 Flash Fiction Contest Winners!

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:35:25 -0800

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Kathleen Ortiz, has made her final decisions. Read the winning stories of the 750 words or less open prompt Summer ’10 Flash Fiction Contest... MORE >>

Contest: Spring 2010 Flash Fiction Contest Winners!

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 13:09:15 -0700

The results are in! WOW! Women On Writing announces the winners of the Spring 2010 Flash Fiction Contest with guest judge literary agent Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency ... MORE >>

Contest: Winter 2010 Flash Fiction Contest Winners!

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:35:32 -0700

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Elise Capron, has made her final decisions. Read the winning stories of the 750 words or less open prompt Winter ‘10 Flash Fiction Contest ... MORE >>

Contest: Fall 2009 Flash Fiction Contest Winners!

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:45:03 -0800

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Noah Lukeman, has made his final decisions. Read the winning stories of the 750 words or less open prompt Fall ’09 Flash Fiction Contest ... MORE >>

Contest: Summer 2009 Flash Fiction Contest Winners!

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:01:48 -0800

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Melissa Jeglinski, of The Knight Agency, has made her final decisions. Read the winning entries of the 750 words or less open prompt Summer ’09 Flash Fiction Contest... MORE >>

Contest: Spring 2009 Flash Fiction Contest Winners!

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 10:37:07 -0700

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Wendy Sherman, has made her final decisions. Read the winning entries of the open prompt Spring ’09 Flash Fiction Contest... MORE >>

Issue 47- September-October 2011: Carving Out Your Writing Niche

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:43:50 -0800

Issue 47 - Carving Out Your Niche - Kelly James Enger, Christina Katz, Libbie Summers MORE >>

Issue 46- July-August 2011: The E-Publishing Revolution

Fri, 2 Sep 2011 18:34:53 -0700

Issue 46 - The E-Publishing Revolution - Karen McQuestion, Bella Andre and H.P. Mallory... MORE >>

Issue 45- May-June 2011: Girls Just Want to Have Fun...Writing!

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:59:51 -0700

Issue 45 - Girls Just Want to Have Fun ... Writing - Elin Hilderbrand, Claire Cook and Lisa Jackson... MORE >>

Issue 44- March-April 2011: Personal Writing - Memoir, Personal Essay, Journaling

Fri, 20 May 2011 22:46:45 -0700

Issue 44
Do you want to know a secret? The best writing is personal. What goes on between a writer who gets personal and the reader is like an intimate friendship, where you exchange secrets, share emotions, and feel your friendship growing. It comes from somewhere inside, a certain vulnerability that you expose on the page. Once you learn how to write this way, you can apply it to any genre and achieve success. In this issue we explore journaling, from the history of journal writing to journaling for health and happiness. We also explore forms of memoir writing in depth, from personal essay writing and writing for Chicken Soup for the Soul to beginning your memoir and creating your narrative arc to bringing people in your memoir to life... MORE >>

Issue 43- January-February 2011: Physical Fitness for Writers

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:06:19 -0800

Issue 43
If you’re anything like me, there are two resolutions I make every year: to get in great shape through diet and exercise and to be a more productive writer. This issue, we take those resolutions, combine them, and explore the theme, "Physical Fitness for Writers," both literally and figuratively. You're going to learn how to put muscle into a marketing plan, trim fat from your manuscript, make the leap into full-time writing, recover from the injury of a rejection letter, and more! We also interview Jillian Michaels, Cami Ostman, and literary agent Sarah Lapolla... MORE >>

Issue 42- November-December 2010: Freelancing Freedom

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:06:51 -0800

Issue 42
Have you tapped into your inner entrepreneur? I know the word "entrepreneur" can conjure images of gray business suits, massive speaking engagements, and stuffy corporate meetings, but that's not always the case. Today's entrepreneur is a regular woman, just like you or me, sitting behind a computer screen in her home office. Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities on the Web for writers to carve out their niche and make a steady living as a freelance writer. And women writers are not only making a living beyond their expectations, they are exploring new paths, forging new identities, and loving the freedom that freelancing brings. In this issue, we explore many opportunities we haven't covered in previous issues--everything from ghostwriting to keyword writing to expat writing to writing for the educational market to taking a blog from start to sold... MORE >>

Issue 41- September-October 2010: Creativity Carnival for Writers

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 18:06:40 -0800

Issue 41
When it comes to creativity, it's a carnival of possibilities for writers. There are so many different ways we can express ourselves and tap into the core of our creativity. Even the process of creating a new piece of work can be a wild ride. Turn your muse loose on this issue and she’ll be just as excited as a child at her first carnival. We have great interviews with the top creativity experts in the field and articles that take every colorful turn in the creativity kaleidoscope including brainstorming techniques, creating a vision board, sources for prompts and exercises, tips to break through writer’s block, ideas on how to take your creativity on a much-needed retreat, and even ways you can give your home-office space a creative boost using Feng Shui... MORE >>

Issue 40- July-August 2010: The Fiction Writer's Toolkit

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 13:09:21 -0700

Issue 40
When we compiled this issue, we had one goal in mind: to create a virtual reference library full of free information that fiction writers can use right now. A toolkit filled with techniques, exercises, and how-to advice for almost every aspect of fiction writing. So, we picked out the very best articles we could find to bring to you! This issue covers writing strong fiction, creating scenes, setting and description, voice, dialogue tags, pacing, plot and plotholes, using law in your story, self-editing, and writing flash fiction... MORE >>

Issue 39- May-June 2010: The Big Picture: Book to Film

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:53:35 -0700

Issue 39
Would you like to see your book, short story, or article as a movie? For many authors this is a dream come true, but how does it happen? In this issue, we talk to screenwriters, directors, producers, filmmakers, script consultants, literary managers, film rights agents, and authors to cover every angle of the adaptation process. We also cover book trailer basics and how to format a screenplay..... MORE >>

Issue 38- March-April 2010: YA Authors, Writing for Teens

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:34:21 -0800

Issue 38
Are you interested in young adult literature? Do you write for teens? This issue explores the much-debated topic of YA censorship, how to use social networking to build a teen audience, using your past to write teen fiction, and when to use technology references in your YA fiction. Interviews with YA authors Ellen Hopkins, Carla McClafferty, Pam Munoz Ryan, and Liz Rosenberg. Expert advice from Bree Despain, Melissa Marr, Maureen Johnson, Lisa Schroeder, Alice Pope, danah boyd, Greg Pincus, Mary Kole, Esther Hershenhorn, Jenny Meyerhoff, Laura Ruby, and Stacy Cantor..... MORE >>

Issue 37- February 2010: Fall in Love with Romance Writing

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:34:50 -0800

Issue 37
Are you in the mood for love? February's issue is dedicated to the fastest-growing genre out there--romance! Featuring interviews with Nalini Singh, Louisa Edwards, Shannon K. Butcher, Shirley Jump, Simone Elkeles, Debbie Macomber, and Binnie Klein. Articles on Boomer Lit, and How to Dissect Romance Novels and Create Rules for Writing.... MORE >>

Issue 36- January 2010: New Beginnings

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:25:42 -0800

Issue 36
January's issue is about new beginnings and fresh starts. Articles include Beginning After NaNoWriMo, How to Plan a Writing Conference, The DIY Guide to Self-Syndication, How to Run a DIY Writers' Retreat, and One Writer's Home Office Makeover. Interviews with Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, and Holly Sherburne, editor and publisher of Downeast Dog News, a niche newspaper... MORE >>

Issue 35- December 2009: Agents and Authors

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:40:50 -0800

Issue 35
Are you looking for a literary agent to represent your manuscript? In this issue of WOW! we interview literary agents Noah Lukeman, Melissa Jeglinski of The Knight Agency, Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency, and Kim Lionetti of BookEnds Literary Agency. We also show you how to pitch to a literary agent at a writers’ conference, and interview authors Julie Powell, Anita Shreve, and Marcia Muller...... MORE >>

Issue 34- November 2009: Writing the Web

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:01:47 -0800

Issue 34
Writers depend on the Web for research, resources, work, networking, and self-promotion. Some savvy writers use the Internet as their sole source of income--whether through freelance writing, blogging, podcasting, or website ownership. So how do we tap into this resource and utilize it to our advantage as a writer? That’s what we explore in this month’s issue..... MORE >>

Issue 33 - September-October 2009: Follow the Leader

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:26:08 -0800

Issue 33
Some of the best writing advice I’ve received over the years has been from interviewees. There’s something about sitting down and engaging in an intimate chat with a fellow writer that can’t be replicated in any other form. So in celebration of our three-year anniversary, we’re doing what we do best: chatting with successful women authors!.... MORE >>

Issue 32 - August 2009: The Wings of Self-Promotion

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 09:43:06 -0700

Issue 32
With the growth of online media and the current economic climate, many publishers have begun to cut costs, and one of the first things to go is an author’s marketing budget. This means authors and authors-in-waiting are expected to do the lion’s share of their book promotion. This issue explores ways to promote yourself and your book through branding, social networking, Twitter, teaching, websites, email lists, and online marketing.... MORE >>

Issue 31 - July 2009: The Process

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:33:55 -0700

Issue 31
"The creative process is a process of surrender, not control." ~ Julia Cameron. No matter what type of writing you do, there is a process involved. It can be a step-by-step process of creating something - from seed to fruition - or it can be a small, but necessary, part of a bigger picture-like communicating with an editor. This issue examines various processes of writing... MORE >>

Issue 30 - May-June 2009: Finding Your Genre

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 03:23:02 -0700

Issue 30
Do you ever wonder exactly where your genre fiction falls? In this issue, we explore many of the genres we haven’t tackled yet (Horror, Southern Gothic, Magic Realism, Fantasy, Mystery/Thriller, Historical Fiction) and break down their subgenres. The experts in this issue also provide you with the tools you need to write for these genres and market your work. Winter Flash Fiction Contest Winners are also announced! ... MORE >>

Issue 29 - April 2009: Money Matters for Writers

Wed, 20 May 2009 16:57:24 -0700

Issue 29
This issue tackles many of the tough money questions many aspiring and professional writers need answered. How do you set up a retirement plan? What about health insurance? What are some of the mistakes other writers make when planning a fulltime career? What are some of the tax issues to consider as a freelance writer? How can you survive as a writer during a recession? What is the best way to make money online? ... MORE >>

Issue 28 - March 2009: What's Romance Got To Do With It?

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 02:05:16 -0700

Issue 28
Romance is the wide brushstroke under which a colorful palette of subgenres lie. Suspense, Paranormal, Historical, Inspirational, Chick-Lit -- that’s some of the rainbow. Considering the flexibility of the genre, it’s not surprising that Harlequin’s North American retail group had their strongest year, despite the economy and the news of other publishers biting the dust. It appears that readers want to escape and fall in love. The thing is, most of the authors in this issue don’t even consider themselves "romance writers." So what’s romance got to do with it? That’s what we’re going to explore ... MORE >>

Issue 27 - February 2009: Picture Perfect Children's Books

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:39:58 -0800

Issue 27
Picture books were our first experience with the printed word. They introduced us to delightful new adventures and taught us to read. It’s not too surprising that, even as adults, we still remember some of our favorites. Even if you’ve never had the inkling to write for children, this issue will change your outlook and provide you with solid take-away tips... MORE >>

Issue 26 - January 2009: It's About Time

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 23:51:43 -0800

Issue 26
Happy 2009! The start of a new year provides us with the wonderful opportunity to reevaluate ourselves and reinvent our lives. Remember that any goals you set can be realistic, but they must come with an action plan for success. These include organization, time management, balancing your life and your career, and setting deadlines... MORE >>