Innholdsfortegnelse for Writer's Yearbook 2026 i Writer's Digest

This year has been defined by disruption layered on growth. Book sales surged in romance and darker genres, with Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros setting a historic sales record. But the business also showed cracks: NaNoWriMo shut down, major arts funding was withdrawn from authors and publishers, and mass-market paperbacks are disappearing from retail. Most noteworthy of all, AI copyright rulings have introduced uncertainty for years to come. The year highlights the paradoxes of today’s market: Readers are buying more than ever, but the foundations that sustain publishing are shifting underfoot. Onyx Storm Becomes Fastest-Selling Adult Title in History Onyx Storm, the latest installment in Rebecca Yarros’ romantasy series, sold 1,288,300 hardcovers, including both deluxe and standard editions, during its first week on sale, based on Circana BookScan figures. That’s…

I started college in an art conservatory, but after a string of straight Cs, quickly learned that life wasn’t for me. In search of a new calling, I decided I wanted to write novels. But instead of creative writing, I switched my major to journalism. Because, I figured, that’s where the real money was. (If you find it hard to trust anything I say at this point, I wouldn’t blame you.) I got my degree, and after college got a job at a local paper, chasing calls on the cop scanner. I didn’t make much money—but it taught me a number of things suited for a career writing novels: how to meet a deadline, how to work quickly, how to collaborate, how to navigate a crime scene, how to be less…

Many freelance writers, especially those at the beginning of their careers, tend to place almost all of their professional focus on one specific component: craft. They work extra hard to master the basics of effective nonfiction writing because they understand how important they are to success in this very competitive field. And they’re right. A mastery of Craft is a key component to success as a freelance writer. But it is not the only one; equally important are the Art and Business of freelance writing. Together, these components are as stable as a three-legged stool. But ignore one or more, and instability is sure to follow. A: Nonfiction as Art Art is a subjective term, and sometimes difficult to define. In writing, works of literary fiction are most commonly designated…

As a journalist and the author of two young adult novels, I’m always curious about how writers start in a new genre. The journalist in me follows my curiosities because there’s often a good story to uncover. When two books came across my desk to review, I thought the authors would be perfect to ask about switching genres. First, I spoke with Emiko Jean, whose debut adult thriller The Return of Ellie Black garnered a rave review from the master himself, Stephen King, but who started out in the YA space. I also chatted with TV writer and screenwriter Yulin Kuang, who penned her debut romance novel How to End a Love Story, to understand how a writer can make jumping genres seem seamless. For Jean, the idea for The…

As an acquiring editor in Big Five publishing houses for more than three decades, and now as an independent editor, I have worked on many successful memoirs. Here are some takeaways that may be helpful as you are considering your manuscript: 1. TIMESPAN: Keep in mind that, unlike autobiography, memoir does not encompass birth to one’s current age. (Autobiography is more appropriate for former presidents, retired founders of major companies, or famous actors and musicians.) Memoir covers a specific time period in the author’s life; typically, one in which important growth and change occurred. Examples include Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, in which she writes about her journey hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail; or H Is for Hawk, Helen Macdonald’s account of adopting a goshawk while grieving for her father. 2.…

For the 27th year, Writer’s Digest is shining a light on 101 websites with a goal of helping writers in a variety of ways. From getting a boost of creativity when you need it to specific writing advice, from finding an agent to query to pinpointing the trusted resources that weed out scams, this list offers the best places for you to start, no matter your experience level or writing goals. This year, you’ll also find 15 listings new to this feature. As always, we try to ensure the resources are accessible, no matter your financial situation. So, while many of the listings here do have a paid version, you’ll also find that the majority of these sites have ample free resources as well. This way, you can give them…

As traditional publishing has condensed down into an ever-larger monolith, known as The Big Five (Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan) publishing channels may start to feel narrower than ever. While authors often chase the historically larger advances, clout, and name recognition of deals with these big publishers, smaller, independent publishers are filling in the gaps and offering newer writers with smaller platforms a home. Here are some of the benefits and innovations of small publishers and why authors who feel discouraged on the path to a Big Five might consider a smaller “home” for their book instead. Types of Small Presses The term small press can be a little confusing in an era where there are more vanity presses and hybrid presses than…

Every once in a while, I encounter an author whose writing style vibes with my own, and I feel a deep, almost spiritual connection with that author. A few years ago, I was reading a novel by Michael Crichton and found myself really connecting with his writing style. One night while writing my novel, I came to a tricky cliffhanger. I wondered what Crichton would have thought about it and how he would’ve handled it. Later that night, while reading, I encountered a similar cliffhanger in his novel that was almost identical to the one in my novel, and it answered my question! Crichton handled the situation gracefully, with a technique that I wouldn’t have thought to use. The experience taught me that mega-bestselling authors operate on a completely different…

Oh, my goodness, how writing income has changed in only a few years. Once upon a time, a writer simply found the masthead of a magazine and emailed the editor, or sent letters of introduction to a company with a few clips. Today, there are job boards galore, and quite reputable ones. What’s even better is that gig managers and employers know how to use these sites now. A recent difference is sites incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their job-seeking equation. AI initially reviews many writing résumés to match need to talent, and the dynamic seems to work. Many of those jobs expect a writer to understand AI as well. And social media? Between LinkedIn and X, Reddit and Facebook, one can’t not find writing jobs. And freelance job announcement…

Story is king when it comes to freelance writing, and supporting details beyond the basic facts help keep story on the throne. Specifics bring life to prose, add color and context, and inform the reader along the way, enhancing the reading experience. The use of specifics to enhance an article may sound like Freelance Writing 101, but it can be problematic for many writers. A reliance on generalities is both a cheat and disrespectful to the reader, who is denied the factual tidbits that can turn a good read into a great one. I became a writer because I have a strong interest in the world around me. I want to know everything about everything, well beyond the basics. If something is really old, I want to know exactly how…

Wonder isn’t just for children or fiction; it’s a powerful tool in nonfiction that pulls readers into a universe of awe and amazement. From the mysteries of the cosmos to the intricacies of human DNA, infusing your books and articles with a sense of wonder can transform dry facts into a riveting read. Whether you’re detailing technological marvels or the unsung heroes of history, here are ways to pick topics that thrill, spin narratives that engage, and choose words that awe. Let’s uncover the art of making readers wonder—and keep them coming back for more. Selecting Your Subject Think of wonder as the secret sauce that turns routine writing into a page-turner. Subjects that drip with inherent interest—like the mysteries of space exploration, the alien world of deep-sea phenomena, and…

I like this proposal,” the editor said, “but can you draw out the lessons a bit more?” As a ghostwriter who specializes in memoirs, I became accustomed to this request. A client would come to me wanting to tell a personal story, and agents and editors would kick it back to us with the note that it would be more marketable if we could root it in something else: self-help, history, leadership … Fifteen years ago, pure memoirs were easier to place. Noncelebrities with uniquely interesting or relatable life stories had a reasonable shot of finding homes with publishers. But nowadays, for marketability’s sake, it’s much more common for editors to ask for memoirs to have a second genre element—what I’m calling “memoir plus.” And that can be good news…

Even before social media, publishers assessed “author platform.” Did the writer have existing recognition from celebrity, journalism, or their career that would help sell books? But as local newspapers and nationwide print book reviews have diminished, it’s become harder for publishers to create word of mouth. They’ve turned to authors to make up the difference, telling us “You need a platform.” And yes, we do. Nonfiction and memoir writers with an established audience have more appeal to agents and publishers, and can better support sales after publication. For novelists, the writing and story sell most manuscripts—but reaching readers before and after publication still matters. For self-publishers, platform is even more important: Who is your audience, and how will you reach them? Writing what we love feels good—knowing we’ve changed someone…

When a story isn’t working—when you know it’s not quite coming together, when beta readers and critique partners confirm your fears but can’t put a finger on why, or you’re not getting offers from agents or publishers—savvy authors start trying to diagnose the issue by examining its component parts, like characterization, plot, and stakes. But often, the problem is both more intrinsic and overarching than any one storytelling element; authors get lost in the trees and can’t quite get a grip on the forest. If you know your story lacks something, the problem may be a missing, vague, or undefined central story question. What a Story Question Is (and Isn’t) The simplest way to think of your story question is as the main unknown that readers are reading to find…

Backstory is vital for adding depth to a world and its characters, and not just because it provides an origin story that sets up a potential prequel. Describing the nature, nurture, or events shaping characters up to a certain point explains how they affect present decisions and perceptions. So, in addition to giving some idea of what’s happened until now, backstory especially impacts the why of everything that happens next. In short, backstory is context. Bear in mind, backstory differs by genre. Certain genres intentionally withhold backstory to heighten thrill, mystery, or suspense. Auto/biography is entirely backstory, digging into the past to influence present opinion according to how far someone’s come or who someone’s become. Historical context reminds us that behaviors and norms are influenced by time, not just regarding…

In my 28 years editing children’s books, I’ve learned that publishing exists at the intersection of art and commerce. Both are equally important for successful authors. If you write something you love that’s not particularly salable, it may never be published. If you create a project that checks commercial boxes and makes it out into the world but you’re not proud of it, that isn’t really a win either. Ideally, you want to craft meaningful literature for young readers that both delights kids and attracts an editor who’ll make you an offer. Here are tips to help you leap into that Venn diagram overlap of loveable and marketable. 1. Know your category. Many beginning children’s authors are inspired by their favorite books from decades past, not realizing how much the…

Between the continued integration and disruptions due to AI, tariffs increasing, and a shift away from traditional advances, it’s like the past few years have been dedicated to our industry keeping us on our toes. But with great changes come great opportunities, and the increased focus on writer-audience engagement is a wide-open door for freelancers to tackle subjects that excite them—and put some money in their bank accounts. In this article, we’ve included some basic information: What a publication wants, how to submit, and what their payment might look like. Please keep in mind that changes to these details could come at any time—be sure to utilize the URLs in this article to check out the most updated writer’s guidelines for each publication. Animal Animal Wellness (AnimalWellnessMagazine.com) Animal Wellness is…

The craft of writing has its own set of commandments. Like, say: Thou shalt show, not tell. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s prose. Thou shalt put thy butt in thy chair and write. And, well, this one, which always struck me as particularly odd among the more obvious proscriptions: Thou shalt never include song lyrics in thy fiction, nonfiction, or poetry in any fashion, lest thou find thouself destined immediately and permanently for the void of literary oblivion and general financial ruin. Years ago, I was an editor at Writer’s Digest. When you’re an editor at WD, you tend to learn in real time from publishing’s foremost pros, shortly before copy editing that knowledge and passing it on to readers. And right from the outset of the gig,…

To give you a boost of inspiration, consider the following questions for your work-in-progress. WHAT IF you explored one of your story’s themes more thoroughly? WHAT IF you took a scene with very little emotional resonance and made it more central to your plot? WHAT IF one of your side characters had something to hide? WHAT IF a character’s personality quirk was given more importance on the page? WHAT IF the characters have to return to somewhere they’ve already left? WHAT IF something happens to strengthen a character’s relationship? WHAT IF one of your characters was forced to leave their home? WHAT IF your character lost something critical to their existence or survival (i.e. their wallet, phone, passport, or the like)? WHAT IF your character was forced to rely on…