Is Writer's Digest worth it any more?

[gp101]

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]

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::ROFL:

[AdamH]

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]

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]

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 (http://www.crdater.com)

see the review of my lastest book at:
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/August2005/Jessica-StormyLove.htm (http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/July2005/Jessica-NoBoundaries.htm)

[Valona]

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]

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

[Greer]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[skylarburris]

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.

[MarkPettus]

My subscription cost me the equivalent of two gallons of Georgia gasoline. I drive a Jeep, the only vehicle still sold in America that doesn't have an overdrive transmission. If WD only publishes one article a year that I want to read, I still come out ahead by subscribing rather than driving to the mall. The other issues will make excellent fire-starters, and since I'm almost certain that DuraFlame uses a petroleum product in their fire-starters, each new issue of WD will soon have a cash-equivalent value rougly equal to that of platinum.

I may have to get another subscription before winter.

[Monet]

I like reading the Writer's Digest. Even though I am 'past the novice' stage, I find that reading the short articles helps to keep me motivated. I also read numerous newsletters, and The Writer.

I, myself, don't care for the articles about authors and how they got started. They tend to all read the same after awhile. It also seems like they tend to take up a lot of pages that I would rather have for new information in the publishing world.

I would like to see more articles that show up-to-date changes that the editors, publishers and agents are looking for. I would like the articles to read like mini 'new' writing books.

How about a monthly update on new editors, or changes that have been made with the editors at the publishing houses. These happen often and it would be really nice to have a regular update. Sometimes it takes (the publishers) time to reflect this on their websites. This would be good also for publishing houses that have been sold, etc.

Publisher Weekly is good for this, but they are very expensive to subscribe to. I live in a small town and our library doesn't carry a lot of the specialized mags or books due to their budget.

[Vanessa]

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.

I hate to sound like a broken record here, but I too will buy an issue if Jenna has an article in it. Yes, I somewhat know her, but for the most part, I enjoy her writing. However I don't think she would take issue to someone having an opinion about the magazine. I believe she would want to know what is it that the reader/writer wants and what it is that they need. And I disagree with the fact that WD doesn't support writers. It does; but to a limited degree.

I've never subscribed to Writer's Digest, but I browse through issues all the time, and I will buy the one that appeases me. Personally, I feel the magazine has lost focus of informing; Not to an extreme means, but in one of which where the writer who grows with the magazine, finds that the magazine fails to grow with the writer. Of course, topics will be redundant with a twist, but that's the nature of the publishing game. However, in my opinion more of the subjects written are what the novice has already learned in high school.

I think WD should develop a stride of keeping all levels of readers/writers informed. Again, if I browse and see something that interests me, I will buy. Overall, the magazine maintains it's readership, obviously!

[alleycat]

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.
Ahh. Well, that's a good thought then: support a literary journal so that they will exist in the future.

[cattywampus]

As soon as I outgrew the mag, I dropped it. What I'd like to see is 3 sections, perhaps, for novices, experienced and advanced writers who are selling regularly.

What WD should offer is material that changes over time: marketing information. Cover e-zines. Research the markets, publish the mastheads, interview successful writers on how they got started, etc.

Everything you find in WD is available for free on the net.