WOW! Women On Writing

Issue 55- March-April2013: Revision & Self-Editing - Joanna Penn, Kate Sullivan, Annette Rogers

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:07 -0700

Issue 55 - Revision & Self-Editing - Joanna Penn, Kate Sullivan, Annette Rogers MORE >>

Editor's Desk: Welcome: Revision & Self-Editing: The Two Most Important Tools in Your Writer's Toolbox

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:12 -0700

As the author of a weekly syndicated column, I routinely experience two things feared by most writers: a deadline and the need for expedited editing (there's an oxymoron). The notion of writing an article or short story and letting it sit for a few days or a week prior to editing is not going to fit with my real-life calendar--and probably not yours either. Over the years, I've developed a step-by-step approach I call "Warrior Editing." The steps can be completed quickly; I estimate a person experienced with the method can review a 750-word article in an hour--sans resting time. By Jill Pertler.
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Feature: Life As an Editing Warrior: Revising and Slashing to Win the Battle

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:13 -0700

Feature: The Layered Edit: A Step-By-Step Manuscript Editing Process

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:14 -0700

I'm always surprised when an aspiring writer finishes a draft, runs it through spell check, and sends it out. I'm not surprised when a writer gets a rejection. Revision is as vital as original writing. The first draft is about passion and creativity and flow. The edits give you the chance to work on structure, language usage, layer in settings and senses, and make the difference between a decent manuscript and a great one. Over the years, I've come up with a layered editing process that's served me well for short stories, plays, novellas, and novels. Now, I'm going to share the process with you. These steps are done after your initial draft, but before you show anything to a trusted reader. By Devon Ellington. MORE >>

Feature: Help! I've Frankenmonstered My Manuscript! What to do When Your Revision Techniques Need Revising

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:14 -0700

Many writers jump into revision with complete confidence only to find themselves alone in a dark room with their maniacal manuscript staring back via the eerie glare of a computer screen. It has happened to me (more than) once; and in fact, I was so desperate last year that I wrestled my manuscript into a suitcase and flew to New York in search of answers. Katherine Higgs-Coulthard chats with Kate Sullivan, editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and authors Jody Lamb, Barbara Shoup, and Cathy Day who share their best advice on how to tame your own Franken-novel. MORE >>

Feature: Shedding Light on the Role of the Beta Reader

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:15 -0700

Before you can get to the rewriting phase, you need to know exactly what needs to be rewritten. The answer to this question varies from author to author, depending on their path to publication, but typically includes some combination of editors, copy editors, and beta readers. The first two are pretty straightforward. Beta readers, on the other hand, are hard to put a finger on. Tiffany Jansen interviews authors Jody Hedlund, Stephen Leather, Joanna Penn, and Chuck Sambuchino to find out just what beta readers are and what they do. MORE >>

Feature: Revision, Rework, Rewrite: How to Get Your Work Back Out When Your Target Editor Says No

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:16 -0700

By the time a magazine editor rejects your article, you've been struck with another great idea. You can now either spend your time exploring a new idea or try to market the rejected piece. What would you choose? The drudgery of marketing or the rush of something new? When faced with marketing, even multi-published authors often choose to work on their latest piece, especially if they don't have a second market in mind for the rejected work. Drafts pile up. Instead of letting them gather electronic dust, why not take some of them to final? Sue Bradford Edwards shows you how to sell more of your work and get your existing pieces into circulation. MORE >>

10 Questions Answered by 2 Editors: Revising Your Manuscript Before You Submit

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:17 -0700

If one of your goals this year is seeing your name on a book cover, you have plenty of company. According to NaNoWriMo's website, the final word count for November's National Novel Writing Month was over three billion. How do you make your work stand out from the crowd? Elizabeth Maria Naranjo interviews Kelly Lynne from Book Editing Associates and Annette Rogers from Poisoned Pen Press, who chat about everything from writing in a particular genre to how a writer knows when it's time to stop revising and submit. Plus, if you are writing a mystery, you will want to read what Annette looks for when evaluating Poisoned Pen Press's manuscripts! MORE >>

Stairway to Heaven: The Three Steps to Starting Your Freelance Editing Business

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:17 -0700

Many writers have the natural ability to find mistakes in text, to make clarifications to syntax, and to perfect rough copy. But have you ever considered turning your natural editing talents into a side job or even a full-time freelance career? It's quite possible, and success is likely to come to those who can combine shrewd editing skills with a business mindset. Allena Tapia shares three steps to setting up your own freelance editing shop. MORE >>

How To Match Your Query With Your Manuscript

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:19 -0700

Your latest query, to your joy, gets accepted, and you're assigned the article. You negotiate a little with the editor, agree to the word count, and accept a nice fee. So filled with excitement, you plunge into writing. When you see the editor's reply, "Sorry, this isn't what we expected; we must retract our offer," you're puzzled and shocked. Many writers have had such experiences, especially novices. We think that an editor's acceptance of our query is license to spill. It isn't--it's an editor's declaration of belief that you will deliver what you teased. If you don't, your credibility with this editor is lost, and you've little chance of another assignment. Noelle Sterne shows you how to match your query with your manuscript--along with advice from expert freelancers Jenna Glatzer, Michelle Ruberg, and Erika Dreifus, and writer/editor/publisher Moira Allen. She also breaks down a query she wrote for The Writer magazine and shows us why it was successful. MORE >>

Writer’s Markets: Publishers Seeking Children’s And Young Adult Manuscripts

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:06:45 -0800

Once the rush of being a NaNoWriMo champion wears off, more often than not, panic sets in about the revision process. To help you keep your eye on the prize, Krissy Brady shares five publishing companies that accept children’s and young adult manuscripts. (Psst . . . they also accept unagented submissions from first-time authors!) Learn how to pitch to Dawn Publications, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Flashlight Press, Immedium, and Scarletta Press. Find out their writer’s guidelines, what to pitch, submission etiquette, editor’s tips, and more! MORE>>

Flash Fiction Contest Announcement: Spring 2013

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:22 -0700

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.

SPRING: March - May 31st, Midnight (Pacific Time) - NOW OPEN!... MORE >>

Fall 2012 Flash Fiction Contest Winners!

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:25 -0700

The results are in! After careful deliberation our honorable guest judge, literary agent Jessica Sinsheimer of the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency, has made her final decisions. Read the winning stories of the 750 words or less open prompt Fall 2012 Flash Fiction Contest. MORE >>

WOW! Classes

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:46:26 -0700

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.

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

Wed, 6 Jun 2012 17:55:13 -0700

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

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Wed, 6 Jun 2012 17:55:14 -0700

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Wed, 6 Jun 2012 17:55:15 -0700

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Issue 54- January-February 2013: The Gatekeepers: Agents and Editors - Jessica Sinsheimer, Lucia Macro, Stephany Evans

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:29:01 -0700

Issue 54 - The Gatekeepers: Agents and Editors - Jessica Sinsheimer, Lucia Macro, Stephany Evans MORE >>

Issue 53- November-December 2012: Blogging and Social Media - Claire Cook, Krista Canfield, Dana Lynn Smith

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:35:06 -0800

Issue 53 - Blogging and Social Media - Claire Cook, Krista Canfield, Dana Lynn Smith MORE >>

Issue 52- September-October 2012: Make Money as a Freelance Writer - Carol Tice, Kelly James-Enger and Allena Tapia

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 01:36:58 -0800

Issue 52 - Make Money as a Freelance Writer - Carol Tice, Kelly James-Enger and Allena Tapia MORE >>

Issue 51- July-August 2012: DIY Self Publishing Guide - Megg Jensen, Nina Amir, Bryan Chick and Ali Luke

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 02:20:09 -0700

Issue 51 - DIY Self Publishing Guide - Megg Jensen, Nina Amir, Bryan Chick and Ali Luke MORE >>

Issue 50- May-June 2012: The Portable Writer - Jo Parfitt, Diane Chamberlain and Lisa Napoli

Mon, 6 Aug 2012 23:22:06 -0700

Issue 50 - The Portable Writer - Jo Parfitt, Diane Chamberlain and Lisa Napoli MORE >>

Issue 49- March-April 2012: The Art of Storytelling

Wed, 6 Jun 2012 16:29:10 -0700

Issue 49 - The Art of Storytelling - Lisa See, Regina Brooks, Adrienne Sharp, Kate White MORE >>

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 >>

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 >>