Writer's Digest May/June 2010 (Print)

MASTER YOUR GENRE

101 Best Websites for Writers
Check out our 12th annual list for everything you need to help advance your writing.
BY BRIAN A. KLEMS AND THE WRITER'S DIGEST STAFF

Romancing the Publishing Industry
Why romance is hotter than ever—and what you need to know to make it in the genre today.
BY BRENDA NOVAK

YA Today
Agents and editors in the young adult genre tell you what's hot, what's not, and what you need to know to break in.
COMPILED BY JESSICA STRAWSER

Write This, Not That
Forget formulaic junk-food mysteries. Infuseyour story with all the ingredients of savory suspense.
BY ELIZABETH SIMS

The Dos & Don'ts of Combining Genres
Historifiction-YA-Paranormal-Bromance? Yikes. Here's how to mix elements of different genres in your novel the right way.
BY JOANNA STAMPFEL-VOLPE

He Said/She Said
Understanding gender differences can improve your writing in any genre. Here's how.
BY LEIGH ANNE JASHEWAY

THE WD INTERVIEW: Anne Lamott
For decades, writers have been turning to the words of Anne Lamott for guidance, inspiration and courage. Now she's back with a new novel—and a lot more to say about a writing life well lived.
BY DIANA PAGE JORDAN

Message in a Bottle
The winner of WD's 10th Annual Short Short Story Competition proves that even confined spaces can hold the most powerful of messages.
BY ZACHARY PETIT

COLUMNS/DEPARTMENTS

BREAKING IN: Debut Author Spotlight
BY CHUCK SAMBUCHINO

MFA INSIDER: Necessary Confusions
BY DAN BEACHY-QUICK

ASK THE PRO: Kate Schafer Testerman, Agent With KT Literary
BY KARA GEBHART UHL

QUESTIONS & QUANDARIES: Sneaky Terms; Fee-Charging Agents; Style Advice
BY BRIAN A. KLEMS

YOUR STORY: The Gift
BY SARAH T. SCHWAB

STANDOUT MARKETS: Wild Child Publishing & Freya's Bower; Fringe Magazine
BY VANESSA WIELAND

CONFERENCE SCENE: Genre Events
BY LINDA FORMICHELLI

INKWELL
EDITED BY ZACHARY PETIT

• The Location-Independent Writer
  
• Bob, The Column
  
• Video + Book = Vook
  
• Maeve Binchy: On Editors
  
• In Memoriam
  
• Poetic Asides

WRITER'S WORKBOOK: Genre Fiction

4 STORY STRUCTURES FOR SCI-FI, FANTASY & MORE
BY ORSON SCOTT CARD

5 TIPS FOR CREATING CHARACTERS FOR KIDS
BY ANN WHITFORD PAUL

3 TECHNIQUES FOR CRAFTING YOUR VILLAIN
BY HALLIE EPHRON

PLUS:

• CONTRIBUTORS
  
• EDITOR'S LETTER
  
• ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
  
• READER MAIL