How I Became a 10-Year Overnight Success Story

[Writers Digest]

In this issue, an internationally bestselling author shares her path to success; plus, much more!

In this issue, learn how a bestselling author became a 10-year "overnight" success story; plus, what to do when a client ghosts you, a new interview, and more!  Writer's Digest Online | Writer's Digest Shop | Online Education How I Became a 10-Year Overnight Success Story As I type, my book sales have just hit two million copies worldwide. The Lost Bookshop (which published in 2023) not only changed my life, but marked the 10-year anniversary of when my career began. 2013 was the year I self-published my first novel (The Heirloom, which will be republished with One More Chapter next year). With no contacts in the industry and no clue of how to get my books published, the intervening years have been a lesson in how to write your own success story.  Read more... Craft & Business of Writing What to Do When a Client Ghosts You You have a promising initial conversation with a potential client about a writing project. Or you have submitted a first draft to a new client and are awaiting feedback. Or have sent your invoice and payment is past due. (5 Tips for Writing Better and Faster.) But when you call to follow up, you can’t seem to get them back on the phone. They don’t pick up or take your call. If you leave a voice mail message, they don’t return it. In short, all you get is deafening silence. Read more... Brian Platzer: Don't Go Into Debt for an MFA "I want people to experience how important students and teachers can be to one another." Read more... The Long and Winding Road to Publication I started running as an act of defiance. For years, I desperately wanted to be a cheerleader. I coveted, not a football player, but those short-pleated skirts, the sweater with the megaphone, the saddle shoes and, later, the white sneakers with the white ankle socks. I couldn’t do a split or a somersault but I was really good at smiling, so I figured I was in. When I didn’t make the cheerleading squad of six, I decided to join the boys’ track team. Read more... Advice for Your Writing Success One of WD’s goals is to provide all kinds of writing advice so writers can find what works for them, because each writer has different dreams, different ways of working, and different life circumstances. So, in this issue, we aim to offer plentiful writing advice on both the business of publishing and the craft of writing to help writers find success in 2026—no matter how you define it.   Click here to learn more >> Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 775 Every Wednesday, poets from around the world can find a Wednesday Poetry Prompt at Writer’s Digest. This week write an initialism poem.  Read more... From Your Writer's Digest Editor: Robert Lee Brewer Robert Lee Brewer is a senior editor for Writer’s Digest and former editor of the Writer's Market book series. He is also the author of Smash Poetry Journal and Solving the World's Problems. He really enjoyed watching Song Sung Blue this week. Active Interest Media 2143 Grand Ave Des Moines, IA 50312 USA View online You received this email because you are subscribed to newsletters from Writer's Digest Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive.