 [Larger view] | Writers Digest
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 Are you trying to learn how to write? | |
| I would say the best this magazine can do is point aspiring writers toward information on writing. It has maybe two or three articles on writing and two inspirational articles, and a lot of adds for products designed for writing and publishers (which can be helpful, but don't teach writing). If you want to learn about writing take a look at some of the books sold here on Amazon there are some really great ones like (for fiction) Self Editing for Fiction writers and Writers Workshop, and writer's digest has a lot of excellent books that I believe they published and you can buy here too. | |
 Essential Writer's Tool | |
| If you are a new writer, this is one publication well worth the investment. I started out, back in my college years, reading back issues in the library. then I got my own subscription, and that probably dates back to maybe 1978-79. I may have missed a year here or there, but I've enjoyed Writer's Digest (WD) for 20 plus years. Becoming a writer can be a daunting process with plenty of moments when you are ready to give up. If you're a subscriber to WD, then every month you get fresh ideas, techniques, tips and inspiration as well as plenty of leads on fresh markets where you can send your freelance writing, both fiction and non-fiction. It helped me to develop to confidence, skills and motivation to go on to sell articles to local Philly publications, then OMNI, Success, Family Health, the National Enquirer (medical and science, no gossip) and eventually, even wrote a cover article for.... you guessed it... Writer's Digest. Okay, so I have some bias. But it was this publication that gave me so much motivation. If you are getting started, or want to give a gift to someone who has shown potential or interest in being a Writer, this is a great publication. I don't think that most experienced writers will have read this far into this review because they all know about Writer's Digest. Yes they do have plenty of advertising. That's usually a sign of a strong publication. The one thing I'd like to see more of is openness to more freelance contributions, since recently, they've moved towards depending for a larger percentage of their content being provided by regular columnists. Since freelancing is so much a part of the entry process for writers, it would make sense for a publication for writers to walk the talk and support freelancers. On the other hand, WD has been around a long time and any business has a right to try out different strategies for success. I imagine the columnist approach allows for a more reliable and homogeneous content. | |
 Each month, I can't wait for the mailman to bring the next | |
| I've subscribed to this magazine for a little over two years. The first year was very good, but WD changed the magazine's format in Jan 2004, and believe it or not it's even better! Last year they offered a Christmas "renew & get one free gift subscription". My niece is a serious writer/poet, and she loved the gift!!! My only gripe about the new format: they eliminated the monthly writing prompts calendar. The prompts are still available on their website, but I liked them in the magazine better. Well worth the money. |
