Writer's Digest Presents

In 2021, author Zenda Walker won grand prize in Writer's Digest's 29th Annual Self-Published Book Awards for her picture book, Zara's Wash Day. Since then, she landed a two-book traditional book deal, republishing her award-winning book with a new foreword from Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o, plus a follow-up book, Zion's Crown.

Editor-in-chief Amy Jones and content editor Michael Woodson sit down with Zenda to discuss transitioning from self-publishing author to traditionally published author, what she has coming up next, and more!

The prevalence of book influencers on social media has taken the publishing industry by storm. What is the role of a Bookstagrammer or BookToker? Has is their influence impacting publishing? And should writers and authors build relationships and friendships with these social media influencers?

Content editor Michael Woodson sits down to chat with three book influencers about the work they do, the pros and cons of social media influencing, and more!

Writer's Digest is headed to Italy! Join editor-in-chief Amy Jones and senior editor Robert Lee Brewer this September 26 – October 3, 2024, for an Italian getaway to inspire your stories, learn from writers, and finish that manuscript!

Listen as Amy and Robert discuss the itinerary, what to expect, what to look forward to, and more!

You've heard the old adage: Don't judge a book by its cover. Well, we all know that a gorgeous cover is hard to pass by, and those of us in the publishing industry know that a good book cover can be the difference between a reader picking it up or leaving it behind.

In this episode of "Writer's Digest Presents," editor-in-chief Amy Jones and content editor Michael Woodson are joined by designer Charlotte Strick and writer Zachary Petit to discuss all things book design and book covers!

When you think of "emotion" with regards to your writing, what comes to mind? Is it your own emotion when you're writing, the emotional quality of the work itself, or is it the emotion you hope readers feel as they read? In this episode of "Writer's Digest Presents," content editor Michael Woodson leads a roundtable with editor-in-chief Amy Jones, managing editor Moriah Richard, and senior editor Robert Lee Brewer about emotion and conflict in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry—plus stick around for book recommendations at the end of the episode!

In Waubgeshig Rice's series of novels Moon of the Crusted Snow and Moon of the Turning Leaves, the author sets up a world in the midst of the apocalypse and more than a decade after the end. But readers are left with the lingering question: What exactly happened? Editor-in-chief Amy Jones and content editor Michael Woodson sit down for a chat with the author about his journey with these stories, the speculative quality of unanswered questions, and more.

In March 2022, managing editor Moriah Richard held a roundtable with three debut authors in our debut authors episode—one of those authors was Mazey Eddings. Now, Eddings is set to publish Late Bloomer, her fifth book in two years; an impressive feat for any author!

Here, editor-in-chief Amy Jones and managing editor Moriah Richard catch up with Eddings two years into her publishing career to discuss how her writing has changed, how her perspective on publishing has changed, and her advice for other authors!

More than half of what we see in the theaters or watch on TV are adapted from books, graphic novels, video games, and more. Which begs the question: What makes an adaptation good? Is it being 100% faithful to the source material? Is it making necessary updates to literary classics? Is it including the author in the adapting process?

In this episode, WD's editor-in-chief Amy Jones and content editor Michael Woodson sit down for a chat with Script magazine's editor-in-chief Sadie Dean about what makes a good adaptation, what makes a bad one, and the times when the adaptation was better than the book.

New year, new goals! With the start of the new year, people across the world have stated new resolutions and goals for themselves. Writers are no different, and often we set lofty goals at the start of the year in the hopes that they come to fruition by the end of the year. We want to help you on the right track by looking back at some of the best writing advice we received from authors, editors, and publishing experts last year.

How to write a dramedy is more than simply mixing jokes with the tear-jerking moments. Combining comedy and drama is a tight-rope act that, if done wrong, can lead to tonal disparity within your story. But done right and you'll have your readers going from crying to laughing (and crying laughing) page after page.

Editor-in-chief Amy Jones and content editor Michael Woodson sit down with bestselling author Byron Lane (A Star Is Bored, Big Gay Wedding) to chat all about how to write a dramedy.