The Ninth Day of Poetry spotlights the 2015 Poet’s Market

On the ninth day of poetry my true love gave to me the 2015 Poet’s Market by Robert Lee Brewer (Content Editor). Many of you sent me a message inquiring about a resource for poetry publishing. So instead of waiting until the last day of the 12 Days of Poetry, I decided to move this post up to today’s spotlight. I’m sure many who are reading this post already know about the Poet’s Market, but for those of you who don’t, let me quickly update you on the content.

Poet’s Market, published by Writer’s Digest includes hundreds of publishing opportunities specifically for poets. This resource guide offers listings for book/chapbook publishers, poetry publications and contests, along with contact information, submission preferences, insider tips and so much more. You will also find articles on the craft, business and promotion of poetry. There are oodles of tips to help you form and become a highly productive poet. You can find a copy of this guide at your local book store, BarnesandNoble.com or Amazon.com.

As an added bonus, if you are a writer looking for similar opportunities, then you can check out the 2015 Writer’s Market. You can also find a copy of this guide at your local book store, BarnesandNoble.com or Amazon.com. If you’re in search of a writing helpmate for your favorite writer or poet, or if you simply want a writing resource guide for yourself, then either one of these guides will be a great addition to any writer’s library.

Writer’s Digest: 8 Reasons Books Fail

How to Publish Successfully

Three years ago, Writer’s Digest came out with some excellent tips on the reasons why so many authors fail with their self-published books. This is a must read for those of you who either have self-published books or contemplating on getting a book published. These are some very valuable tips worth reading about again.

Click here: 8 Reasons Books Fail

Manuscript Rules

As I read various questions posed by novice and veteran writers, questions regarding manuscript rules are more readily asked. I received this article from Writer’s Digest, “9 Must-Follow Manuscript Rules” written by Editor Mrose Rissi that has some excellent, helpful advice on what editors look for.

9 Must-Follow Manuscript Rules

September 28, 2010
by Anica Mrose Rissi

Here’s Editor Anica Mrose Rissi’s list of what you can do to increase your book’s chances of making it out of the slush pile and into the spotlight.

1. Revise, revise, revise! I don’t want to read your first draft, ever. (Tip: Your novel isn’t ready to send to me until you can describe it in one sentence.)

2. Start with conflict and tension to raise questions, arouse curiosity and (like musical dissonance) create the need for resolution.

3. Start with the story you’re telling, not with the backstory. Throw the reader directly into a conflict and let her get to know your characters through their actions. (Yes, this is another way of saying, “Show, don’t tell.”)

4. Give the reader something to wonder about and a sense of where the story is going—of what’s at stake.

5. Avoid explaining too much too soon. And, don’t be obvious. Trust your readers. Trust your characters. Trust your writing. If you find that chunks of your story need to include long explanations, go back in and write those chunks better, until the story explains itself.

6. Make sure your story has both a plot arc and an emotional arc. Cross internal conflict with external conflict. Give your characters moral dilemmas, and force them to deal with the consequences of their choices.

7. Read your dialogue out loud. When revising, ask yourself, “What is the point of this dialogue?” (Just as you should be asking, “What is the point of this sentence? What is the point of this scene?”)

8. Use adjectives, adverbs and dialogue tags only sparingly. (See “trust your readers,” above.)

9. Make sure your details matter.

http://writersdigest.com/article/before-you-submit