Storyville: Ten Ways to Evaluate Fiction Markets
Here are ten ways to evaluate fiction markets, so you can place your stories with confidence.
Storyville: Why Write Short Stories At All?
Why should you even bother with stories, novels are where it's at, right? No--walk before you can run.
Storyville: 20 Things I've Learned About Writing
Over the past five years I've learned a lot of things about writing — here are 20 of them.
Storyville: Ten Ways to Avoid Cliches and Stereotypes
Ten tips to avoid clichés and stereotypes in your fiction.
On Writer's Constipation, The Sophomore Slump and Zombies
By Dana Fredsti
Author Dana Fredsti talks about the trials and tribulations of writing the sequel to her hit book, 'Plague Town,' and all the anxiety and lessons that came with it.
Storyville: Dissecting "Fireflies"
In:
Analysis, Character, Dissection, Plot, POV, Research, Setting, Short Stories, Storyville, Structure
Dissecting my story, "Fireflies," I shine a light on my first attempt at magical realism — craft, process, and structure.
Storyville: Top Ten Things Literary Journals Need to Do. NOW.
There needs to be a symbiosis between the journal and the author. Here are some ways that we can make that happen.
Storyville: Researching The Best American Short Stories Anthology
When you are looking to do research on literary short fiction, start with the Best American Short Stories anthology.
Storyville: Where to Send Your Stories
No idea where to send your writing? Consult this list of the most common genre markets, as well as Richard's BIG LIST, five years in the making.
Why Netflix Makes You a Better Writer
By Rob D. Young
Today's world of online streaming technology provides a powerful learning environment for hopeful writers. This article explores ways Netflix can educate writers and why you should care.
Seven Badass Authors And Their Potentially Deadly Research Methods
In:
Hunter S. Thompson, Immersion journalism, John Howard Griffin, List, Nellie Bly, Research, Sudhir Venkatesh, Ted Conover, Tobias Schneebaum
New rule: You can't call the research for your book "grueling" unless it involves a gun to your head, beatings from Hells Angels members, feigning madness, or eating someone in the jungles of Peru.
Some Practical Writing Advice From Douglas Coupland
The Bestselling author of "Generation X" and "Girlfriend In A Coma" gives some simple advice picked up during his 25 years as a writer.
Storyville: Promotion
In this column, we talk about some of the ways you can promote your writing, for little or no money.
World Book and Copyright Day –The Best Holiday You Never Heard Of
In:
Book Day, Cervantes, Research, Shakespeare, UNESCO, Vladimir Nabokov, William Wordsworth, World Book and Copyright Day
Books are the best! So let's celebrate them today--a day marked by literary history!
Storyville: Revealing Character
Here are some tips on how to reveal character through showing, not telling.
Ten Obvious Truths About Fiction
Ten obvious truths about fiction and its relationship with your readers.
Getting It Right: Accuracy, Truth, and the Fudge Factor
By Ed Sikov
A guide to the responsibilities of biographical writing and how to get around them.
Storyville: How to Get An Agent
The brutal truth about trying to land an agent.
The Long & Winding Road: Part 1- Writing The Novel
The 1st in a series chronicling my experiences with my novel, including finding an agent and submitting to publishers. Part 1 details writing my novel and my first partial request from "ideal agent"
Get Off The Dang Computer: The Benefits Of Hands-On Research
By Rob W. Hart
The internet is a great resource--but it's not the best one. To really understand how the world works, you have to get out there and experience it for yourself. That's what produces good writing.
Change the World: Write Your Manifesto
You are a writer— an artiste! A creator of beauty and meaning. A cultural commentator. A revolutionary!
It's about damn time you wrote your manifesto!
Write What You Don’t Know
Of all the rules that apply to fiction writing, perhaps none is more misleading than the common, banal adage that you should “write what you know.”
Storyville: Research and Duotrope
An in-depth analysis of Duotrope.com, one of the best websites for submitting and tracking your writing.
Storyville: The Journey
The journey of a single short story can be a difficult one. Track "Rudy" on his epic voyage.
Stocking Stuffers: 13 Writing Tips From Chuck Palahniuk
Christmas comes early today! In this essay Chuck provides a grab-bag of incredibly useful ideas that don't require too much individual elaboration. From delineating the three types of speech, to simple maxims for the writing life.




















