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{{Short description|American magazine}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox magazine
{{Infobox magazine
| title = Writer's Digest
| image_file = <!-- cover.jpg (omit the "file: prefix -->
| image_file = <!-- cover.jpg (omit the "file: prefix -->
| image_size = <!-- 220px (the default if no size is stated) -->
| image_size = <!-- 220px (the default if no size is stated) -->
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_caption =
| editor = Tyler Moss, January 2018
| editor = Ericka McIntyre, January 2019
| editor_title =
| editor_title =
| previous_editor =
| previous_editor =
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| circulation =
| circulation =
| category = Articles
| category = Articles
| company = [[F+W|F+W Media]]
| company = [[Active Interest Media]]
| publisher =
| publisher =
| firstdate = <!-- {{Start date|1920|December}} -->
| firstdate = {{Start date|1920|December}}
| country = [[United States]]
| country = [[United States]]
| based = [[Cincinnati, Ohio]]
| based = [[Cincinnati, Ohio]]
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| issn = 0043-9525
| issn = 0043-9525
}}
}}

'''''Writer's Digest''''' is an American magazine aimed at beginning and established [[writer]]s. It contains [[interview]]s, market listings, calls for [[manuscript]]s, and how-to articles.
'''''Writer's Digest''''' is an American magazine aimed at beginning and established [[writer]]s. It contains [[interview]]s, market listings, calls for [[manuscript]]s, and how-to articles.


⚫
==History==
''Writer's Digest'' WAS owned by [[F+W|F+W Media]], which publishes the annual edition of ''[[Writer's Market]]'', a guide containing a list of paying markets &mdash; magazines, [[publisher|publishing houses]], and [[competition|contest]]s &mdash; as well as an index and tips for beginning writers. The magazine is published eight times per year.
⚫
[[File:TheFaulknerPortable.jpg|200px|right|thumb|A copy of the 1939 edition of [[Novel & Short Story Writer's Market|''Writer's Market'']], published by Writer's Digest Books rests next to [[William Faulkner|William Faulkner's]] [[Underwood Typewriter Company|Underwood]] Universal Portable typewriter in his office at his home, [[Rowan Oak]], which is now maintained by the [[University of Mississippi]] in [[Oxford, Mississippi|Oxford]] as a museum.]]


⚫
''Writer's Digest'' was first published in December 1920 under the name ''Successful Writing''. It changed name to ''Writer's Digest'' with the March 1921 issue. By the late 1920s, it shifted emphasis more from literary-quality writing to the rapidly growing [[pulp magazine]] field, which offered the widest opportunities to freelance writers. Its most important competitor was ''[[The Author & Journalist]]''. An important feature in WD from 1933 forward was the New York Market Letter, edited by [[Harriet Bradfield]], which gave timely updates on editor needs in the magazine field. As the pulp field collapsed in the 1950s, ''Writer's Digest'' shifted emphasis to famous writers and quality fiction.<ref>Locke, John; editor. ''Pulp Fictioneers: Adventures in the Storytelling Business'', Adventure House, 2004. {{ISBN|978-1-886937-83-3}}.</ref><ref>Sexton, Philip; editor. ''Legends of Literature: The Best Essays, Interviews and Articles from the Archives of Writer's Digest Magazine'', Writer's Digest Books, 2007. {{ISBN|1-58297-473-X}}.</ref><ref>Locke, John; editor. ''Pulpwood Days: Volume 1: Editors You Want to Know'', Off-Trail Publications, 2007. {{ISBN|978-0-9786836-2-7}}.</ref>
⚫
F+W Media, facing near-term liquidity issues with only about $2.5 million in cash available and $105.2 million in outstanding debt, filed on 10 Mar 19 for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code, citing in various documents a perfect storm of secular industry decline, poor investments, and even mismanagement.
⚫
Apparently their attempts to transition focus to online from print sales was poorly done. Their users forum had not worked well for some time, and the number of users had dropped way down from previous times. Judge for yourself at <ref>https://www.writersdigest.com/forums</ref>.


Until 2019, it was owned by [[F+W|F+W Media]]. The magazine is published eight times per year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Grasha|first=Nathan Bomey and Kevin|title=Writer's Digest, Popular Woodworking publisher F+W Media files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2019/03/12/writers-digest-popular-woodworking-publisher-fw-media-chapter-11-bankruptcy/3140354002/|access-date=2021-07-20|website=The Enquirer|language=en-US}}</ref>
WD was bought by Cruz andor PRH after bankruptcy of F+W, according to various sources.

<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/03/12/writers-digest-popular-woodworking-publisher-fw-media-chapter-11-bankruptcy/3140354002/</ref>
⚫
F+W Media, facing near-term liquidity issues with only about $2.5 million in cash available and $105.2 million in outstanding debt, filed on 10 Mar 2019 for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code, citing in various documents a perfect storm of secular industry decline, poor investments, and even mismanagement.
<ref>https://www.authorsguild.org/industry-advocacy/information-on-the-fw-writers-digest-bankruptcy/</ref>
⚫
Apparently their attempts to transition focus to online from print sales was poorly done. Their users forum had not worked well for some time, and the number of users had dropped way down from previous times.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.writersdigest.com/forums |title=Forums Archive {{!}} WritersDigest.com |website=www.writersdigest.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628015202/http://www.writersdigest.com/forums |archive-date=2018-06-28}} </ref>
<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonysilber/2019/03/11/fw-media-citing-debt-decline-and-mismanagement-files-for-bankruptcy-protection/#3938bbd54355</ref>

<ref>https://the-digital-reader.com/2019/06/08/prh-buys-half-of-fw-media-at-auction-including-half-of-writers-digest/</ref>
''Writer's Digest'' was bought by the Active Interest Media subsidiary of Cruz Bay Publishing and/or PRH (Penguin Random House) after bankruptcy of F+W, according to various sources. Penguin Random House acquired the book publishing assets of F+W Media, which include the ''Writer's Digest'' catalog. Cruz Bay got several magazines from F+W, including ''Writer's Digest'', for $200,000, beating out enthusiast publisher Madavor Media.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/03/12/writers-digest-popular-woodworking-publisher-fw-media-chapter-11-bankruptcy/3140354002/|title=Writer's Digest, Popular Woodworking publisher F+W Media files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy|website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.authorsguild.org/industry-advocacy/information-on-the-fw-writers-digest-bankruptcy/|title = Information on the F&W/Writers Digest Bankruptcy|date = 2 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonysilber/2019/03/11/fw-media-citing-debt-decline-and-mismanagement-files-for-bankruptcy-protection/#3938bbd54355|title = F+W Media, Citing Debt, Decline and Mismanagement, Files for Bankruptcy Protection|website = [[Forbes]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://the-digital-reader.com/2019/06/08/prh-buys-half-of-fw-media-at-auction-including-half-of-writers-digest/|title = PRH Buys Half of F+W Media at Auction, Including Half of Writer's Digest|date = 8 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://publishingperspectives.com/2019/06/penguin-random-house-wins-bid-to-buy-fw-medias-list/|title = Penguin Random House Buys F+W Media's Books at Auction|date = 7 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foliomag.com/fw-media-announces-winning-bidders-bankruptcy-auction/|title = F+W Media Reveals Winning Bidders at Bankruptcy Auction|date = 17 June 2019}}</ref>


''Writer's Digest'' also [[sponsor (commercial)|sponsor]]s several in-house contests annually, including the ''Writer's Digest'' International Self-Published Book Awards and their Annual Writing Competition for [[short story|short stories]].
''Writer's Digest'' also [[sponsor (commercial)|sponsor]]s several in-house contests annually, including the ''Writer's Digest'' International Self-Published Book Awards and their Annual Writing Competition for [[short story|short stories]].
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''Writer's Digest'' partnered with book publisher BookBaby, the sister company of [[CD Baby]], in August 2014, to create a self-publishing division called Blue Ash Publishing, to provide instruction and education alongside book publishing and printing services. Blue Ash Publishing takes its name from the home office of the ''Writer’s Digest'' editorial team located in [[Blue Ash, Ohio|Blue Ash]], Ohio.
''Writer's Digest'' partnered with book publisher BookBaby, the sister company of [[CD Baby]], in August 2014, to create a self-publishing division called Blue Ash Publishing, to provide instruction and education alongside book publishing and printing services. Blue Ash Publishing takes its name from the home office of the ''Writer’s Digest'' editorial team located in [[Blue Ash, Ohio|Blue Ash]], Ohio.


⚫
Paid circulation 63000 per 2017 media kit, down from 69000 in the 2016 media kit.
⚫
==History==
⚫
[[File:TheFaulknerPortable.jpg|200px|right|thumb|A copy of the 1939 edition of [[Novel & Short Story Writer's Market|''Writer's Market'']], published by Writer's Digest Books rests next to [[William Faulkner|William Faulkner's]] [[Underwood Typewriter Company|Underwood]] Universal Portable typewriter in his office at his home, [[Rowan Oak]], which is now maintained by the [[University of Mississippi]] in [[Oxford, Mississippi|Oxford]] as a museum.]]

⚫
''Writer's Digest'' was established in 1920 under the name ''Successful Writing'', first issue, December. It changed name to ''Writer's Digest'' with the March 1921 issue. By the late 1920s, it shifted emphasis more from literary-quality writing to the rapidly growing [[pulp magazine]] field, which offered the widest opportunities to freelance writers. An important feature from 1933 forward was the New York Market Letter, edited by [[Harriet Bradfield]], which gave timely updates on editor needs in the magazine field. As the pulp field collapsed in the 1950s, ''Writer's Digest'' shifted emphasis to famous writers and quality fiction.<ref>Locke, John; editor. ''Pulp Fictioneers: Adventures in the Storytelling Business'', Adventure House, 2004. {{ISBN|978-1-886937-83-3}}.</ref><ref>Sexton, Philip; editor. ''Legends of Literature: The Best Essays, Interviews and Articles from the Archives of Writer's Digest Magazine'', Writer's Digest Books, 2007. {{ISBN|1-58297-473-X}}.</ref><ref>Locke, John; editor. ''Pulpwood Days: Volume 1: Editors You Want to Know'', Off-Trail Publications, 2007. {{ISBN|978-0-9786836-2-7}}.</ref>

⚫
Paid circulation 63000 per 2017 media kit, down from 69000 in the 2016 media kit.



== See also ==
== See also ==
* ''[[Writer's Market]]''
* ''[[Writer's Market]]''
* ''[[Writer's Digest Short Story Contest]]''
* ''[[Writer's Digest Short Story Contest]]''
* ''[[The Author & Journalist]]''


==References==
==References==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{official website}}
* [http://www.writersdigest.com ''Writer's Digest'' magazine]
* [http://www.writersonlineworkshops.com Writers Online Workshop, from ''Writer's Digest'' magazine]
* [http://www.writersonlineworkshops.com Writers Online Workshop, from ''Writer's Digest'' magazine]
* [http://www.writersdigestconference.com/ehome/index.php?eventid=61986& ''Writer's Digest'' Writing Conference, from ''Writer's Digest'' magazine]
* [http://www.writersdigestconference.com/ehome/index.php?eventid=61986& ''Writer's Digest'' Writing Conference, from ''Writer's Digest'' magazine]
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{{F W Media}}
{{F W Media}}


[[Category:American literary magazines]]
[[Category:Eight times annually magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Literary magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Magazines established in 1920]]
[[Category:Magazines established in 1920]]
[[Category:Magazines published in Ohio]]
[[Category:Magazines published in Cincinnati]]
[[Category:Media in Cincinnati]]
[[Category:Eight times annually magazines]]
[[Category:Self-publishing]]
[[Category:Self-publishing]]

Latest revision as of 14:11, 2 May 2024

Writer's Digest
EditorEricka McIntyre, January 2019
CategoriesArticles
Frequency8 per year
First issueDecember 1920 (1920-December)
CompanyActive Interest Media
CountryUnited States
Based inCincinnati, Ohio
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.writersdigest.com
ISSN0043-9525

Writer's Digest is an American magazine aimed at beginning and established writers. It contains interviews, market listings, calls for manuscripts, and how-to articles.

History[edit]

A copy of the 1939 edition of Writer's Market, published by Writer's Digest Books rests next to William Faulkner's Underwood Universal Portable typewriter in his office at his home, Rowan Oak, which is now maintained by the University of Mississippi in Oxford as a museum.

Writer's Digest was first published in December 1920 under the name Successful Writing. It changed name to Writer's Digest with the March 1921 issue. By the late 1920s, it shifted emphasis more from literary-quality writing to the rapidly growing pulp magazine field, which offered the widest opportunities to freelance writers. Its most important competitor was The Author & Journalist. An important feature in WD from 1933 forward was the New York Market Letter, edited by Harriet Bradfield, which gave timely updates on editor needs in the magazine field. As the pulp field collapsed in the 1950s, Writer's Digest shifted emphasis to famous writers and quality fiction.[1][2][3]

Until 2019, it was owned by F+W Media. The magazine is published eight times per year.[4]

F+W Media, facing near-term liquidity issues with only about $2.5 million in cash available and $105.2 million in outstanding debt, filed on 10 Mar 2019 for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code, citing in various documents a perfect storm of secular industry decline, poor investments, and even mismanagement. Apparently their attempts to transition focus to online from print sales was poorly done. Their users forum had not worked well for some time, and the number of users had dropped way down from previous times.[5]

Writer's Digest was bought by the Active Interest Media subsidiary of Cruz Bay Publishing and/or PRH (Penguin Random House) after bankruptcy of F+W, according to various sources. Penguin Random House acquired the book publishing assets of F+W Media, which include the Writer's Digest catalog. Cruz Bay got several magazines from F+W, including Writer's Digest, for $200,000, beating out enthusiast publisher Madavor Media.[6][7][8][9][10][11]

Writer's Digest also sponsors several in-house contests annually, including the Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards and their Annual Writing Competition for short stories.

Writer's Digest partnered with book publisher BookBaby, the sister company of CD Baby, in August 2014, to create a self-publishing division called Blue Ash Publishing, to provide instruction and education alongside book publishing and printing services. Blue Ash Publishing takes its name from the home office of the Writer’s Digest editorial team located in Blue Ash, Ohio.

Paid circulation 63000 per 2017 media kit, down from 69000 in the 2016 media kit.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Locke, John; editor. Pulp Fictioneers: Adventures in the Storytelling Business, Adventure House, 2004. ISBN 978-1-886937-83-3.
  2. ^ Sexton, Philip; editor. Legends of Literature: The Best Essays, Interviews and Articles from the Archives of Writer's Digest Magazine, Writer's Digest Books, 2007. ISBN 1-58297-473-X.
  3. ^ Locke, John; editor. Pulpwood Days: Volume 1: Editors You Want to Know, Off-Trail Publications, 2007. ISBN 978-0-9786836-2-7.
  4. ^ Grasha, Nathan Bomey and Kevin. "Writer's Digest, Popular Woodworking publisher F+W Media files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy". The Enquirer. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  5. ^ "Forums Archive | WritersDigest.com". www.writersdigest.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018.
  6. ^ "Writer's Digest, Popular Woodworking publisher F+W Media files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy". USA Today.
  7. ^ "Information on the F&W/Writers Digest Bankruptcy". May 2, 2019.
  8. ^ "F+W Media, Citing Debt, Decline and Mismanagement, Files for Bankruptcy Protection". Forbes.
  9. ^ "PRH Buys Half of F+W Media at Auction, Including Half of Writer's Digest". June 8, 2019.
  10. ^ "Penguin Random House Buys F+W Media's Books at Auction". June 7, 2019.
  11. ^ "F+W Media Reveals Winning Bidders at Bankruptcy Auction". June 17, 2019.

External links[edit]

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