How to Overcome Rejection by 200 Literary Agents (& Still Land a Book Deal)

Plus writing tips from the musical Hamilton, new agent alerts and more. [Web Version »]( [header]( [rejections]( [How to Overcome Rejection by 200 Literary Agents (& Still Land a Book Deal)]( [Loretta Ellsworth ]( Loretta Ellsworth shares her story of finding an agent to represent her historical fiction-including rejection by more than 200 literary agents. [Read More...]( [Limited Seats] LIVE 3-Hour Copywriting Crash Course Start earning $2,000… $5,000… even $10,000 per project, plus royalties. These are industry-standard rates. People hiring for this type of writing project expect to pay them. Learn everything during a 3-hour live training with Rebecca Matter & Katie Yeakle. Because this is a LIVE event, participation is limited. [Click here to learn all about it.]( [What Fiction Writers Can Learn From Hamilton's Character Flaws]( [hamilton]( Without flaws, our characters will be lopsided, uneven. They feel sanguine and Pollyanna-ish; they might even read as smug. Without flaws, our characters have no hope of emulating humanity. Here are four ways that Hamilton's flaws make him a distinctive, memorable character: [Read More...]( [( The Stephens College Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts in TV and Screenwriting: Come to Hollywood twice a year and learn from working writers. Our mission: To get more women writing for film and television. [Click here for more information.]( [New Literary Agent Alert: John Bowers of the Bent Agency]( [John]( John is seeking Southern Gothic and Southern-influenced literary fiction along the lines of Ron Rash, Cormac McCarthy, and anything in the tradition of titans like Flannery O'Connor. He would also love to see idea-driven science fiction, such as Ursula K. Le Guin's THE DISPOSSESSED, dystopian fiction such as Nick Harkaway's THE GONE-AWAY WORLD, and stories that make the world feel dystopian, like Kurt Vonnegut's classic SLAUGHTERHOUSE-5. Learn how submit your query to him here: [Read More...]( [Live Webinar: Write an Attention Grabbing First Chapter]( [boot camp]( In this live webinar, literary agent Sarah LaPolla will share insights and tips on creating a first chapter agents will want to keep reading. She'll also discuss what to avoid, how to balance a novel's tone with the narrator's voice, and how a great first chapter should set up the rest of the novel. Plus, she'll critique all registrants first 1,200 words for a critique. By attending this online event you'll learn: - What agents look for in a first chapter - How to grab-and keep-their attention beyond the first line - How to avoid cliché, mundane, or overused beginnings - Why "beginning with the action" doesn't have to mean car chases and explosions - The appropriate length and tone of a first chapter - How to introduce your narrator's voice in the most effective way - Whether your novel is beginning in the right place - How to incorporate back-story and when to delete it [Learn more and register here...]( [3rd Annual Science Fiction & Fantasy Online Writing Conference]( [boot camp]( Writer's Digest University is pleased to present a one-of-a-kind online event for science fiction and fantasy writers! On April 1st and 2nd, our 3rd Annual Science Fiction & Fantasy Online Writing Conference will provide expert insights from SIX award-winning and bestselling authors on the finer points of how to write within the science fiction and fantasy genres. Spend the weekend learning techniques for honing your craft from six different published authors*, then (if you choose) pitch your novel via query letter to a literary agent specifically looking for material in these genres. The agent will provide you with a personalized critique of your query - and maybe ask to see more. All participants will benefit from: [Read More...]( [Working With Objects to Create Emotion in Characters]( [Nancy Peacock]( Emotional talismans in fiction are objects imbued with emotion. Learn the importance of triggering feelings and memories in characters and eliciting an emotional response in readers through the use of objects. [Read More...]( [Brainstorm New Ideas Value Pack]( [Your Weekly Writing Prompt]( [prompt]( This Isn't a Drill You're sitting in your office when the fire alarm goes off. As you start to exit the building with other coworkers in an orderly fashion, as you've been trained, you hear screaming coming from the corner office. Instinctively, you rush to that office to see smoke and fire all around the door. What do you do? Write this scene. [Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments here ....]( [New Podcast: How to Succeed at a Freelance Writing Career]( [podcast]( Robert Lee Brewer and Brian A. Klems chat with successful freelancer Jessica McCann on what credentials you need, how to build freelance connections (and keep them), how to make more money and more. Also, if you have any suggestions for topics you'd love to hear us cover, email us at robert.brewer@fwmedia.com. [Listen here ...]( Missed an episode? Here's a recap of some of our most popular podcasts: - [How to be a Children's Book Author & Illustrator]( - [From Day Job to Full-Time Freelance Writing Career]( - [How to Talk to a Literary Agent]( - [Building a Freelance Writing Career]( - [How to Start Freelance Writing]( - [Oprah Book Club's First Author Gives Writing & Publishing Advice]( [klems]( Brian A. Klems Follow [@BrianKlems]( Brian A. Klems is the senior online editor of Writer's Digest and author of the popular gift book [Oh Boy, You're Having a Girl: A Dad's Survival Guide to Raising Daughters](. This email was sent to: {EMAIL} by: F+W, 10151 Carver Road, Suite 200 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA [Unsubscribe or Manage Subscriptions]( | [Update Profile]( | [Web Version »]( We respect your right to privacy. [View our policy.](