In her latest book, Francine Prose instructs writers on the art of close reading, showing how writers must read not only for pleasure, but for "an eye and a memory ... Read More

I found this exercise years ago in an excellent book called "The Practice of Poetry," edited by Robin Behn and Chase Twichell, while teaching creative writing to teenagers. Though obviously ... Read More

Though many aspects of writing style develop over time -- a mysterious amalgam of a writer's habits of reading and writing and his or her personality, but some things can ... Read More

Deadlines are coming up for essayists (Sept. 20) and NYC novelists (Sept. 22). If you have an essay of 8,000 words or less or a promising first chapter, click through ... Read More

The big yearly event for mystery writers is coming up September 28-October 1 in Madison, WI. I wanted to blog and urge all you mystery writers out there to attend, ... Read More

Two different people today sent me notices about the new Sobol Award, which recognizes unagented authors with cash prizes: $100,000 for the top prize and 9 lesser prizes, totaling $42,000. ... Read More

The judging panel for this year's Man Booker Prize named the six finalists today: Kiran Desai (The Inheritance of Loss), Kate Grenville (The Secret River), M J Hyland (Carry Me ... Read More

Check out information for these upcoming opportunities: the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture Hiett Prize in the Humanities (Sept. 15), Greensboro Review Literary Awards (Sept. 15), Literal Latte Essay ... Read More

Both a writer and a writing teacher, Alix Ohlin had a lot to say on the topic of craft, especially with regard to plot: "When I'm writing I often think ... Read More

According the the NY Times, in April the publishing house Hyperion plans to launch Voice, a new imprint that will only publish books with a "resolutely anti-chick-lit bent" by women ... Read More