Reviews For Writer's Digest Magazine

This magazine is no longer is as much use to me as it once was. But that is not due to its content--it is just that I have learned so much from it. I no longer consider myself a novice, which is what I feel this magazine caters to. I find that I mostly just read the market information--in other words, who is buying what.

The magazine still has a great variety of topics. There is usually at least one article on some aspect of fiction writing. There is also a regular poetry feature and an article on non-fiction techniques. Other topics rotate through the magazine such as script-writing or family tree research. Sometimes there are articles on a particular fiction genre such as science fiction. There are often articles that feature interviews with a famous writer. The articles are usually timely with what the market seems to be producing, and they are easy to understand. Sometimes the articles forget to follow their own advice, however; they contain LONG paragraphs unbroken by white space, bullets, headings, or anything to make the pace of reading go faster.

The magazine also recognizes the electronic marketplace. It often features articles on software that has been specifically developed for writers and advises based on what their own research has found. The writers discuss how to use the internet for research and frequently list informative URLs for writer information. Articles on the future and advantages/disadvantages of e-books are also regularly discussed. After the marketplace section, this is the area that I also still pay attention to.

There are also some articles related to the business of writing such as copyright/trademark protection. These are very interesting and sometimes humorous what people will go to court over. There are articles about tax deductions for home businesses and how to find agents or how to decide if you even want one.

Overall, I feel this magazine is the best one around for helping and encouraging those who want to write. It has helped me become a better writer and to be more confident about what I write. It has given me lots of ideas on what I might write about. Now if I could just find the time to write.


Recommended:
Yes

Accepts Freelance Submissions: Yes

I have been reading Writer's Digest for more than a year and I've enjoyed it immensely. The magazine is full of ideas, examples, and wonderful ways of making more money and getting more enjoyment out of your writing. Of course, there is a problem with reading about writing. All the words in the world can only provide you with a road map, they can't get you there and they certainly can't help you find your style. One real drawback, to me at least, is the reformatting of the magazine. The new layout makes everything run together. Every article looks the same. Another problem is that some issues are balanced more heavily toward genres that you may not have much interest in. Still, the magazine is enjoyable for those who already write, and those who stand around and do a lot of thinking about writing. Unfortunately, I fall into the latter category.


Recommended:
Yes

Accepts Freelance Submissions: Yes
Primary Reason for Buying: Articles

Need a voice when writers block kicks in? Need to hone your query skills? Need to know what a query is? Then Writer's Digest is for you. Along with countless special issues designed and developed with a specific topic in mind, the magazine itself is so broadbased that no matter what your niche is, you will have it covered.

Writer's Digest has many interviews with published authors. Not too long ago they interviewed Jack Canfield on his Chicken Soup series. It was informative as a layperson, as well as someone that is in the journalistic business.

Specials inside the standard Writer's Digest include the 50 best markets for Short Stories, with some issues having dibs on Fiction, Non-fiction, etc... It is a wonderful way to have an at-a-glance look at the top markets and query them.

Which leads me to queries. In case you don't know, a query is a brief overview of what you want to write, how you would write it, and when you could have it written by. This is sent to the magazine, book publisher, etc., so that he can see if it fits into the schedule of the formatted subjects. If so, they get in touch with you to write it. Writers Digest gets your query in tip-top shape where the editors clammer for more.

Writer's Digest, a wonderful read for the writer within.


Recommended:
Yes

I have been a subscriber to Writer's Digest for several years. It really is worth the money. They give tips on improving your writing skills, location of markets for your work, and other helpful resources. Even if you don't have time to read it from cover to cover, the magazine is conveniently laid out so that you can skim through the articles and find just the information you need. It's money well spent. I can always expect to find several articles in each issue that help me in some way. If you're into screenwriting, there are other magazines that I read such as the WGA's Written By. They have articles on writing, but tend to focus more on the industry of writing for the silver screen.

Recommended:
Yes

Primary Reason for Buying: Articles
Accepts Freelance Submissions: Yes

"Writer's Digest" is a wonderful and informative magazine about the world of writing. It's a very helpful tool for those who are writers or for people who want to know more about the writing process itself. Filled with interviews, publishing markets, tips, pros and cons of the writing world, and much more, this proves to be a very interesting read.

I've been getting the magazine for two years now, and it's very easy for me to say that I am pretty pleased with it. I find the interviews interesting and informative. I also like how they post certain markets that are accepting a variety of writing submissions (and they even list the criteria for them, as well). There are some ads for self publishing organizations for those who are curious about establishing themselves in the self-publishing world. The articles are very well written and straight to the point.

If I could make a suggestion to "Writer's Digest," it'd be to include more writing excersises. I think this would be an extremely helpful addition to the magazine should they ever decide to take it under consideration. Other than that, I don't have too many complaints about this magazine, as I said in the beginning that I am pretty happy with the overall product.

I highly recommend this magazine to those who are looking for tips and ways to improve their writing, as well as people who are curious to learn more about the craft. I assure you that the reading is not wasted time by any means. If you love writing and the world of writing, then this is something that you should really look into. "Writer's Digest" is a great tool filled with numerous sources of information. -Michael Crane

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.

I've been subscribed to Writer's Digest for almost three years. It has a good amount of advice for beginner and Pro writers alike ranging from first time author interviews, how to create characters with emotion, non-fiction and fiction advice, writing contests, and so on. Unfortunately, within the three years I've been receiving it, there has been a lot of repeat articles/advice with just different wording. As the title says, they just recently changed some of their format providing better content, and so far no repeats. One of there newest contests is viewing a photo they added and writing an opening line for a novel. The creativity is endless!

Simply put, I renewed my subscription for Writer's Digest for my daughter, after asking her if "it was worth it". A resounding YES,Mom! (She is an adult daughter, by the way,looking into a new avenue for her career!) She gave the articles a positive, saying "there is always something in each magazine that helps me toward my goal!"

This came in the promised time period. However I had ordered it as a gift subscription. It was being delivered to me not the intended. Can when ordering gift subscriptions, a way that the magazine will get sent to the right address from the start. Can that part of the ordering process be made simpler & clearer? This happened on two magazines. The isusse is now corrected, but it took a couple issues to change.

I decided to try a year's subscription to Writer's Digest magazine. It's very well-known, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's the best-selling writer's magazine out there. Or at least one of the top ones.

Articles

I do like the articles in this magazine. They have question & answer sessions on both fiction and non-fiction that answer reader-sent questions. I find them quite useful. I've even recognized a few of the author names (I love Nancy Kress' books!).

They have interviews with leading authors, such as Margaret Atwood, author of "The Handmaid's Tale."

They have other interesting articles, such as how to write newsletters that people will find interesting and worthwhile. The last issue had an article on writing plays for kids, and another on breaking into the food magazine market.

They cover all sorts of writing, from novel-writing to freelance writing, from journalism to horror, from newsletters to plays.

From that perspective, this is a fantastic magazine. I do have a couple of negatives, however.

First, I often feel that the articles don't go into enough depth. Most of them are pretty short. They'll go surface-level into things, without ever getting into the nitty-gritty detail.

Second, there's little to distinguish the information in here from things that you can find for free on the web. Perhaps if they went into more depth, I would feel differently. Or if each issue felt like a coherent whole, instead of having a short article each on very different topics. But as it is, I feel as though there's one short article in each issue that I end up wanting to read, and that isn't necessarily worth the price of a whole subscription.

The Advertisements

Beware the advertisements. Many of them look like obvious scams. There are very few advertisements in an issue of Writer's Digest that I would feel safe answering. In fact, in many writers' circles, the ads in this magazine are a running joke. (As in, "that's as trustworthy as the ads in Writer's Digest!")

For that reason, if you don't have enough experience in the writing business to be able to recognize a probable scam, either don't buy this magazine or make yourself a promise not to answer any of the ads. Maybe they aren't as bad as they look, but I wouldn't place any bets.

Overall

I won't be renewing my subscription. It was a hard decision to make, honestly. I do get some use out of some of the articles. But is it enough use to justify a full subscription price? Probably not. Is there enough information in here that I can't find for free elsewhere to justify the price? Probably not. And then there's that icky feeling in the pit of my stomach every time I run across the ads - and there are a lot of ads in Writer's Digest. Maybe I'll subscribe again some day when I have money to throw around. But right now, it isn't worth it.

This magazine is useful. But you'll have to decide for yourself whether it's useful enough.


Recommended:
Yes

Accepts Freelance Submissions: Not sure
Primary Reason for Buying: Articles