Reviewers & Critics: Walton Muyumba
The critic on the importance of respecting the artist’s labor, reviewing books published by independent houses, and more.
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Article Archive: The Practical Writer
Articles from Poet & Writers Magazine include material from the print edition plus exclusive online-only material.
Agent Advice: Jade Wong-Baxter of Frances Goldin Literary Agency
The agent representing Chris Belcher, Kate Broad, Delia Cai, Duy Doan, and others offers advice about working with a coauthor, changing a memoir to fiction, why agents don’t consider previously published work, and how to become an agent.
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The Savvy Self-Publisher: Nikki Peoples
Nikki Peoples describes how she self-published her sci-fi novel, The Station. An editor and a publicist give their advice on reaching more readers, leveraging the power of social media, and finding the right team of publishing professionals.
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Agent Advice: Amy Elizabeth Bishop of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
The literary agent answers questions about how to seek representation as a self-published author, break into the agenting business, and more.
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Reviewers & Critics: Jennifer Szalai of the New York Times
The critic on how she began writing reviews, how she and the Times staff pick books to cover, and how social media affects her work.
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Words Matter: Copyediting as a Process for (or Against) Social Change
Copy editors are adapting to increasing cultural awareness of racial injustice and new approaches to representing identity on the page. How can their work can help or hinder social change?
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Agent Advice: Iwalani Kim of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates
The literary agent answers questions about submitting story collections, getting an agent’s attention, and querying two agents at the same agency.
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Order Out of Chaos: Revising Your Poetry Manuscript
An author suggests several strategies for ordering a poetry collection that can help poets generate new poems to make a stronger, more cohesive book.
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Reviewers & Critics: Ismail Muhammad
The critic on combining book reviews and cultural criticism, exposing readers to challenging views, and reading multiple books at once.
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Reviewers & Critics: Maris Kreizman
The freelance critic on her path to becoming a critic, her reading process, and her favorite publications.
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Reviewers & Critics: David Canfield of Entertainment Weekly
The books editor of Entertainment Weekly discusses how he picks which titles to review and what he thinks books coverage will look like in ten years.
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The Savvy Self-Publisher: Marlen Suyapa Bodden
Marlen Suyapa Bodden describes self-publishing her historical novel Arrows of Fire and hiring editorial and publishing professionals during the process. A publisher and a marketer weigh in with additional advice for engaging with readers.
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Inside Publishing: The Book Marketer
In the latest installment of a yearlong series on publishing professionals, four book marketers explain how they use advertising, social media, and other platforms to boost awareness about their titles.
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Inside Publishing: The Book Publicist
In the second installment in a yearlong series on publishing professionals, four publicists describe the challenges of their job in the digital age.
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Reviewers & Critics: Bethanne Patrick
The critic discusses her reading process, the perfect pan, and the popular Twitter hashtag she created, #FridayReads.
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Inside Publishing: The Literary Agent Assistant
In the first installment of a yearlong series on publishing professionals, three literary agent assistants in New York City reveal the inner workings of a literary agency.
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Reviewers & Critics: Carlos Lozada of the Washington Post
Carlos Lozada, a Pulitzer Prize–winning critic at the Washington Post, on his reading process, the role of social media in his work, and more.
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Reviewers & Critics: Daniel Mendelsohn of the New York Review of Books
One of the most prominent and liveliest critics in the United States discusses whether or not literary criticism can be taught, the value of negative criticism, and more.
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The Savvy Self-Publisher: Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard
A historical novelist discusses her experiences in self-publishing; an editor and publicist weigh in.
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Agent Advice: Jody Kahn of Brandt & Hochman
A literary agent answers questions from writers about genre, age, costs, and client lists.
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Reviewers & Critics: Maureen Corrigan of NPR’s Fresh Air
In this continuing series, a book critic discusses the unique challenges of reviewing for radio and how she picks the books that make it on the air.
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Reviewers & Critics: Laurie Hertzel of the Star Tribune
In this continuing series, a book critic discusses Minnesota’s thriving literary community and the importance of reviewing small-press titles.
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Agent Advice: Priya Doraswamy of Lotus Lane Literary
An agent answers questions on obtaining the copyright of a self-published novel and seeking a U.S. publisher from abroad.
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Agent Advice: Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency
An agent answers questions on referrals, pitching a self-published book, and what to do if you’re dropped by an agency.
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Reviewers & Critics: Sam Sacks of the Wall Street Journal
In this continuing series, a book reviewer discusses the art of literary criticism—from the value of negative reviews to critics he admires.
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