Magazines for Writers

Do you subscribe to a writing magazine?

I don’t—but oh how I want to.

Until last year, I thought magazines were filled with news or gossip or clothes. Imagine my surprise when I discovered a whole section titled “Literature and Writing.” I squealed, I jumped, I poked my sister; and after shooing away the stares and waving aside embarrassed groans, I threw myself at the magazines, fingers curling and itching for the wisdom I was sure to find. There was only one problem: I couldn’t decide.

Should I pick up The Writer’s Digest? Or The Writer? I couldn’t forget Poets&Writers or Creative Screenwriting. But what about the scrumptious looking WLT or the intriguing Publishers Weekly or those sweet-smelling literary journals?

Oh gosh. I felt like a computer downloading, upgrading, and running multiple applications all at once! I was going to explode; already I could see the ones and zeros flying. I think I whimpered. Luckily, my sister saved me from such a catastrophe by shoving a random magazine on me. And that, my friends, is how a courtship between me and The Writer began.

I have six issues. Not much, I admit. (I buy one when I can resist a book’s siren calls or when my ‘Guilty Pleasure’ stash can afford it.) But I have enough to know the monthly magazine is a good resource to go to. Their articles are usually informative and entertaining, the topics ranging from transitions to research methods to outlines (or lack of outlines) to “turning one article into multiple sales” (May 2007) to “the inside track on novel writing, agent queries, contests, conferences, short stories, and writer’s block” (April 2008). They have interviews with or articles written by or pieces about people stationed throughout the publishing and writing world: agents, authors, writing coaches, editors, etc.

I like how they don’t limit themselves to one category; some issues include insight for freelancing, poetry, how-to, and the ever-growing online writing. The Writer not only provides articles about writing, but also direct their readers to other possibly-helpful resources like books (by providing reviews) and web sites (such as those that can “stimulate your writing” (April 2008)). They provide wonderful market, contest, and conference listings, usually with one review of a literary journal. As a great plus, they don’t rain ads throughout the magazine.

The Writer’s online site provides more articles, more resources, more listings, and a forum. But to access most of it, you need to be a subscriber. Because I’m not one, I was only able to access a few sections like “Writing Resources.” I’m not complaining—the contest listings are fun to look at.

If you really want to read good articles online, I suggest The Writer’s Digest. I go to their website often; I love the information and the resources they provide. They cover a wide range and they provide communities, prompts, competitions, blogs, links, and reviews. It’s a wonderful online resource. I highly recommend paying a visit. You can also try reading through their magazine. Unfortunately, I can’t provide my thoughts on it since I have not read any of their issues thoroughly.

Besides The Writer, I proudly own one issue of Creative Screenwriting. I love it. Having the November/December 2007 issue, I read about the “widening world of webisode writing,” the “Anatomy of a Spec Sale,” the screenwriting craft, screenwriting resources, and adapting literary material. I found the information well-written and helpful. The magazine also offers a great resource in its articles about screenwriter’s and their screenplays. I extremely enjoyed reading about Diablo Cody and Juno; Christopher Hampton and Atonement; David Benioff and The Kite Runner; Steven Zaillian and American Gangster. Their experiences can shed light for us budding writers.

Creative Screenwriting also has a site. I just checked it out and it seems pretty good. They have resources like “How to Write a Screenplay” and “Screenplay Format” and a list of contests. Some parts are under construction though. The issue I have said they offer podcasts of interviews with screenwriters; I haven’t found that yet. It might be under construction too. Overall, I think it’s worth to check out, especially the magazine.

I don’t own or read many other writing magazines. I would like to check out Publishers Weekly. I heard writers should know about the publishing world and the happenings in it. I agree, I think it can give us a better chance to published.  You can find their website here.

The next time I go to the bookstore, I’ll look through it and other magazine and literary journals. I might find a gem. =)

[Listening to: Dave Matthews Band]