by: Kathleen Zamboni McCormick I recall being a relatively happy child of the sixties, until we discovered I was “exceptional.” Testing occurred in third grade, and they said they’d never seen scores like mine. My parents were contacted and told I was outstanding, possibly a genius. Apparently, Father’s first reaction…
Students in Southern New Hampshire University’s online liberal arts programs were invited to participate in the W.R.I.T.E. Challenge, an 8-week experiential learning program, working in groups to research and write a resource article related to writing. Beyond the challenge itself, the groups competed to be published in The Penmen Review….
By Amber E. Box There is nothing more frustrating to a writer than the infamous rejection (except maybe writer’s block…or running out of coffee). Here are some of the most common reasons that editors reject manuscripts and query letters, and how you can avoid them. 1. Not following submission guidelines:…
By Warren Adler I’ve spent the best part of my life writing, thinking about writing and publishing, and, lately, more and more about the dramatic, revolutionary changes that are taking place in the way we communicate with each other and how it impacts on our future as writers. The fact…
by John Wells It’s a conversation I’ve had with almost every writer I know: does it ever make sense to self-publish work? Despite the miracle of electronic submissions, it’s still a months-long process, submitting and waiting for word on your poem, your story, your essay. For the publishing of a…
by Cassie Premo Steele, Ph.D. My earliest writing was done near a window. During my childhood in Minnesota, it was often too snowy to go outside, but my second-floor bedroom window was near a tree, and I sat by that tree like some devotees sit near their guru. As a…
by Lou Gaglia The time between the conception of a story and the drafting of it is the fun time for some writers. When a memory, an image, a place, an event, or a character presses itself in the writer’s mind, he is wise to let it all swim around…
by Gabbi Hall Writer and adventurista, Janice Holly Booth, had her first book, “Only Pack What You Can Carry,” published by National Geographic in 2011. Since then, she released a non-fiction novel, “A Voice out of Nowhere: Inside the mind of a mass murderer,” and taught many creative writing workshops for…
by Pamme Boutselis While technology now offers writers far more convenient ways to submit manuscripts, articles, poetry and other types of writing to publications, one thing that hasn’t changed in the least is the need for respectful, professional follow-up on a submission. Save Casual Communication for Your Friends Email, texting…
If you’re a writer that thrives on feedback, a writing group might be just what you’re looking for. However, that’s often easier said than done if you don’t feel connected to other writers locally. Here’s a good video on how to create an online writing group that will allow you…
Bestselling author Stephen King discusses the art of writing short stories and short fiction in this video interview, and speaks about how many new writers forgo writing short stories to focus on writing a novel, sometimes before they are ready to navigate “the quagmire of the novel.”