The Writer

Since 1887 The Writer has provided the motivation, writing techniques, expert tips and compelling author insights that turn good writing into great writing. We’ll help you become a better writer, find markets for your work, understand the business of writing, follow industry news and trends, reach your goals, and more!

The Writer

Prologue

An End to Solitude

2022 500-Word Essay Contest • Beverly Rose (second place) and Maureen Sauvain O’Connor (third place) join contest Michelle Y. Green (published in the May issue) as winners in our 2022 short-essay contest.

Into the Light • Great new summer reads — hot off of small literary presses — that may be energizing the trends of tomorrow.

Broadening the Bookshelves • This month, we’re focusing on literature of incarcerated populations.

Lessons Learned

Getting to Know: Literature from Incarcerated Populations

The Nightstand

Writing World • A dispatch from the 2023 AWP Conference & Bookfair.

The COMPLETE GUIDE to WRITING CONFERENCES • Everything you need to know about finding the best writing conference for you — and getting the most out of it.

What a writer needs • Got talent? That’s great. But to develop a measure of true, enduring success, three vital lessons apply.

How to Write a (Really Good) Book in Five Weeks • Jesse Q. Sutanto produces amazing novels at an amazingly productive pace. She shares her secrets to fast writing and switching genres.

Postscript

THE MONTH AHEAD

Fail Better