4 Tips for Planning a Series
There’s a lot to consider when planning a series, author Jamie K. Schmidt shares her tips for planning your next successful book series.
It’s a Date: Wooing the Muse
The Muse won’t always turn up, but she is much more likely to put in an appearance if you put in the effort. Here’s how to attract and hold her attention.
The Energy of Groups: Group Writing
The support and energy of group writing can often spur writers to accomplish more than when writing on their own.
How to Write a Novel in Only 15 Minutes a Day | IFW
IFW Instructor Kristin Wolden Nitz shares the secrets for how to write a novel in only 15 minutes a day.
Making Money as a Writer: Passive Income-IFW Writing Contest
Author Jamie K. Schmidt explores opportunities for writers to get some extra cash in their bank account through passive income streams.
Making Money as a Writer: Audio Books
Author Jamie K. Schmidt encourages us to consider audio books when looking for ways for making money as a writer.
The Best Christmas on Mars
What can you hope to gain by entering a writing contest? IFW Instructor and contest judge Lynn Smith shares why entering a contest can improve your work.
Lights! Camera! Action! Creating Dramatic Action Scenes
IFW Instructor Kris Franklin illustrates how to build more tension in your story by showing and not telling.
Types and Topics: Nonfiction That Doesn’t Get Old | IFW
A look at magazines published one, five, ten, and twenty or more years ago will reveal the same categories of nonfiction and many of the same topics. Why? Because they address universal needs and aim to help readers improve their lives.
Planning Ahead for Timely Submissions
What’s (Going to Be) Happening? Victoria Sherrow helps us plan ahead for timely submissions.
Building Your Author Press Kit
Kelli Panique gives tips for what to include your author press kit to make it easy on you and your contacts.
Getting the Most Out of a Writer’s Conference Part 2 | IFW
Karen Hammond offers tips and tricks for getting back in the swing of attending writing conferences.
Getting the Most Out of a Writer’s Conference Part 1| IFW
Karen Hammond is getting us in tip-top shape for a return to in-person writing conferences.
Writing About Painful Subjects
Facebook Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > Pandemic. Who hasn’t heard that word by now? Since early 2020, news about the global spread of the deadly virus known as COVID-19 has dominated the news. We’ve heard about millions of deaths and watched grieving people share…
Six Tips for Writing Tantalizing Titles
Facebook Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > When you think about all of the writing elements that need to come together to make a successful magazine story or article, it might seem as if the title is the least of your worries. After all, it’s…
Focus and Slant: Key Elements for Nonfiction Success
Facebook Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > It was early spring, and I was thinking about articles for January. As freelancers know, most publications plan issues months ahead, so we need to submit our queries and articles with that in mind. I decided to write…
What Should You Write? Choosing Your Best Nonfiction Ideas
Facebook Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > Nonfiction ideas truly are everywhere, and writers who focus on nonfiction need never say, “There’s nothing to write about.” We can delve into biography, history, science, sports, astronomy, autobiography, memoir, geography, technology, travel, pop culture, religion, health and…
Magazine Sleuth: What to Study Before You Write | IFW
Facebook Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > When people think of writing, they might picture themselves with their hands eagerly curled over the keyboard waiting for inspiration to strike. Then, once the frenzy of inspiration has passed, they hit the save button, and wonder what…
Sci-Fi Characters Help Your Readers Stay Afloat | IFW
If readers believe in your human sci-fi characters, they’ll believe every other aspect of your story, no matter how weird or alien or out of this world. Readers will follow you anywhere, even to the ends of the universe.
Conventional Structures for Unconventional stories | IFW
Facebook Twitter We teach our students how to write and get published! View our Course Catalog > Conventional Structures for Unconventional stories What is it that you love about science fiction? The out-of-this-world settings? The nifty gadgets? The weird aliens? As unconventional as science fiction can get, it almost always follows a conventional structure. Take…