Is Writer's Digest worth it any more?

gp101 · Sep 1, 2005

I've been a subscriber--off and on--for the better part of the last fifteen years. Initially, it was a beacon of info on writing mechanics and markets. And even though I drastically improved as a writer over the years (a lot of the improvement resulting from WD articles), I still found helpful tidbits in well-written, thoughtful articles in WD. But as the new millenium came and went, and WD changed its appearance and its content, I found their articles to be less informative. I still think Nancy Kress is their best columnist and she still delivers sound advice, but overall, the mag seems inferior to the product I used to read. The articles seem considerably shorter, not as in-depth. And there's a lot more "throw-away" subject matter like in September 2005's edition with a column called "So You Want to be a Writer". It asks ten questions that you need to answer to see if you truly are a writer. It's a satirical column but the questions posed aren't even funny. How does this crap get in there?

I already cancelled my subscription twice in recent years, only to re-subscribe fearing I might be missing something important. After the last few offerings however, I'm thinking I ain't missing much.

Anyone else feel the same?

Azure Skye · Sep 1, 2005

Yes. I had a subscription for a couple of years in a row and then gave up on it. Every once in a while I'll pick one up but I doubt I would subscribe again. I'm getting that way about a lot of magazines though. Do you think it has anything to do with aging?

:idea:

AdamH · Sep 1, 2005

Yeah, I feel the same way. I had it for two years when I figured it wasn't worth it anymore because they seem to be rehashing the same old ideas every six months or so. The writing prompts were the only consistently useful thing that I found in the mag after awhile. But I can find those anywhere online.

I'll still check one out at a magazine store everyonce in awhile in case I miss anything. But so far I don't regret dropping the subscription.

WriteRead · Sep 1, 2005

I was subscribed for two yrs, when I decided a yr ago that I outgrew it, to my big satisfaction, of course. I told them so when they sent me a renewal letter. Most imp, I was disapointed w the bad writing in it (grammar and syntax), contrary to all the basic advices they themselves give you. Also, in some instances I found that the articles are contradictory, sometimes in the same issue.

Also, it repeated itself, well..., repeatedly.

I feel the same as Azura,w almost all the mags I read. The exception, so far, is the Nat'l Geo mag. It's not aging, I think, it's just that they cease being interesting, after a while. The same format, the same issues, chewed to death, already, while in many instances you can find all of their advices in the local newspaper health or gardening or home sections, and/or online, if you search, so why paying for something that is available for free and you can read when you want, if you want it?

Dan

Carlene · Sep 1, 2005

I, too, dropped WD after subscribing for years, for most of the reasons already stated. However, the kicker was when they published my Letter to the Editors - and spelled my name wrong! I mean, it's a little different but it's not THAT weird. And, even if it WAS strange, what's the first rule of journalism? Get the name right!

Carlene
www.crdater.com

see the review of my lastest book at:

http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/August2005/Jessica-StormyLove.htm

Valona · Sep 1, 2005

If you take a look at the articles on the home page of this web site, you'll find a whole lot of poorly written writer's advice columns too. LOL

If I may make a suggestion, there are more magazines available for writers than Writer's Digest. However, I quit subscribing to all of them years ago as I found it's just as easy to find them in the library. You can read the latest issue and even makes copies of articles you like, while in the library, or you can check out back issues that are often not more than a month old (then take them to work and make copies on your work's copy machine - I didn't say that, did I?).

Just some suggestions.

alaskamatt17 · Sep 1, 2005

What other magazines would you suggest, Valona? I've also recently let go of my WD subscription.

Greer · Sep 1, 2005

Writer's Digest is pretty useless to anyone but the extreme novice. Why not take the money and support your fellow writer by subscribing to one or more literary journals?

Pencilone · Sep 1, 2005

I stopped buying writing magazines about 2 years ago. I prefered to make my research, and buy writing books instead. I often go back to my writing books to reread, but not to any of my past magazine issues.

rhymegirl · Sep 1, 2005

I have a question for all of you:

What kind of article WOULD you like to see in Writer's Digest? What kind of piece would be interesting and informative and worth reading?

Surely there must be some subject that hasn't been covered to death?

Nateskate · Sep 1, 2005

It's worth it because Jenna has become a regular on the Writer's Digest. Good stuff too. Every couple of weeks, I can point the article to my wife, and say, "I know her...well, sort of..."

It almost makes me feel vicariously important. "Really? You know someone who actually gets published?- Well aren't you special."

Well, she doesn't quite respond like that.

Nateskate · Sep 1, 2005

rhymegirl said:
I have a question for all of you:

What kind of article WOULD you like to see in Writer's Digest? What kind of piece would be interesting and informative and worth reading?

Surely there must be some subject that hasn't been covered to death?

I'll tell you which parts I like best, which can be expanded, the interviews with published authors. More of those could be added, especially outlining things like their first attempts to publish. The guy who wrote Whiskey Sour was very entertaining.

Here's my thoughts. People grow up with it, and everything is new at first. At some point, especially if you come to these places, it will become like going to the same church where you've already heard the basics sermons.

Well, people want the basics, and need the basics, and come for that. But the magazine doesn't have to limit itself to a "learn the basics" format. In a sense, if you keep doing interviews, and let people share, it gives people a reason to keep coming back indefinitely.

Did you ever see celebrities sharing on that show on Bravo? There is something fascinating about people's climb through the jungle to not only get where they are, but to see what is important to them, and what their dreams are.

rhymegirl · Sep 1, 2005

I agree with you Nate. I love to read about authors and learn how they got to be where they are now. It can be very inspiring.

I still have a subscription to WD after all these years. I've been published here and there, but there is always something new for me to learn.

You take from the magazine that which you can use. If a certain article is filled with stuff you already know, read another one.

James D. Macdonald · Sep 1, 2005

Writer's Digest is like Modern Bride magazine. It's perfectly okay to get a subscription. But if you renew your subscription you ought to ask why.

Featurewriter · Sep 1, 2005

For me it's been something of a "love-hate relationship."

I don't want to miss anything that might be important, but am frustrated that there's so much of what others are pointing out here.

Now that we have the Web, WD isn't as necessary as I once thought it to be. More resources, more in-the-moment relevant info. I find lots of in-depth topics on my niche', so that may contribute to my perception of decreased value from WD.

But I admit that Jenna's contributions weighed heavily in my decision to re-up last year. No more, though (alas! Sorry, Jenna!).

Also, I didn't appreciate waiting four months for my first issue, only to start receiving renewal warnings the month after that. WD sent a total of seven issues last year before stopping. No replies to my inquiries.

Nateskate · Sep 1, 2005

rhymegirl said:
I agree with you Nate. I love to read about authors and learn how they got to be where they are now. It can be very inspiring.

I still have a subscription to WD after all these years. I've been published here and there, but there is always something new for me to learn.

You take from the magazine that which you can use. If a certain article is filled with stuff you already know, read another one.

In my view, the best mix is "How Too", blended with personal info. Let's face it, we love a story, and we love celebrity. The two mix so well that half of what's on News Stands are celebrity stories.

It can come from any perspective. They don't have to write "How Too", but they are always relevent. And here's my thought. You can find a whole host of past #1 writers who wouldn't mind some exposure. People like to talk about themselves. Well- at least-ahem, that is one of my weaknesses.

ChunkyC · Sep 1, 2005

Overall, I agree with Uncle Jim's take on it. When I first started getting serious about writing, I bought and read every issue of Writer's Digest from cover to cover for about a year or so, and found it all fascinating and engrossing. Then I too noticed that some things seemed to repeat on a fairly regular timetable and its lustre began to fade. Now I check out each issue and only buy those that have something that catches my eye, like Jenna's name on the cover.

I personally found WD's recent humour column "So you want to be a writer" very funny. I also quite enjoy the author interviews, and especially found J.A. Konrath's journal-style account of his experiences getting Whiskey Sour published to be quite entertaining and enlightening.

sassandgroove · Sep 1, 2005

When I first started looking for writing info, I subscribed to every e-newsletter I could find. I found that the only one I waited for was Absolute Write, (it is true, I'm not buttering anyone up). The writer's digest one struck me as a big ad to buy more of their product be it the snail mail mag or the classes. I get turned off by that. I also like Write What You Know, but Jenna's is the one that I get excited about when it shows up in my in box. I cancelled the other ones. NAte, I felt that way too, when I bought Outwitting Writer's Block, I told my then boyfriend (now hubby) Hey , I know her! er...sort of.

azbikergirl · Sep 1, 2005

I recently resubbed and as I was flipping through the first couple issues, I realize I'm not getting as much out of it like I used to. My new favorite writing mag is Locus.

Valona · Sep 1, 2005

alaskamatt17 said:
What other magazines would you suggest, Valona? I've also recently let go of my WD subscription.

One I can think of is "Writer." It's not very popular, but I've found some great articles in it on the craft of writing. I can't think of the name of it, but it seems to me Writer's Digest has a spin-off magazine on writing too.

I'm sure if you were to go to your local library and look through their magazine list, some should pop out at you.

WriteRead · Sep 1, 2005

As mentioned, WD is a novice publication and once you're past that phase, you dont need it anymore, simple as that.

One of the spin-offs pub of WD is something called Forum, which is sent to people who take their courses.

I took one course, in Life Stories writing, and I still keep getting it well after finishing it.

Dan

Jamesaritchie · Sep 2, 2005

Wd

Greer said:
Writer's Digest is pretty useless to anyone but the extreme novice. Why not take the money and support your fellow writer by subscribing to one or more literary journals?

I don;t know how valuable WD is for novelists, though Kress' column alone is worth the price for me, but I'm hardly a novice and I still find WD well worth the price.

I mean, really, how much does it cost to subscribe? One measly article sale to a tiny magazine will pay for a year's subscription. So will one short story sale. And 12 issues of WD shuld give anyone enough good advice, and enough good markets, to pay for fifty subscriptions.

If anything, I'd say WD is more valuable to the experienced writer. The better you write, and the more able you are to take advantage of the new market listing, the articles and columns, the more valuable WD is.

Same with The Writer, Byline, Writer's Journal, and Poets & Writers. I seldom pick up a copy of any of these mags that doesn't offer something more valuable that the subscription price.

alleycat · Sep 2, 2005

Greer said:
Writer's Digest is pretty useless to anyone but the extreme novice. Why not take the money and support your fellow writer by subscribing to one or more literary journals?

Jenna, who "runs this joint" might take issue with you on implying that WD is not supporting "your fellow writer(s)" since her article is the cover lead on the September issue.

Greer · Sep 2, 2005

I was talking about fiction writers, since this is a novel forum. Literary journals are incredibly valuable and exist but tenuously. I wasn't saying people shouldn't subscribe to WD - it's great for some people. Just saying for those people who no longer find it helpful they could re-direct the money to good use.

Ralyks · Sep 3, 2005

I've always preferred The Writer to Writer's Digest and I find Poet's & Writers is good for markets (but you can access that section online for free). I don't subscribe to either, however. I don't currently subscribe to any writing magazines. I tend to find the material redundant after awhile, and I really have no interest in the authors they usually choose to cover. I did find most of the articles in The Writer to be better written, however, and more substantial and interesting when I was reading it.

Is Writer's Digest worth it any more?

gp101

Azure Skye

Huh?

AdamH

Pumped Up Kicks

WriteRead

Carlene

New kid, be gentle!

Valona

alaskamatt17

Greer

Pencilone

Muse Lover

rhymegirl

It's a New Year!

Nateskate

Nateskate

rhymegirl

It's a New Year!

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

Featurewriter

hoarse whisperer

Nateskate

ChunkyC

It's hard being green

sassandgroove

Sassy haircut

azbikergirl

I really do look like this.

Valona

WriteRead

Jamesaritchie

alleycat

Still around

Greer

Ralyks

Untold stories inside