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Natalia Theodoridou on Unraveling a Short Story into a Novel

Natalia Theodoridou on Unraveling a Short Story into a Novel

“It gave me permission to indulge myself and my characters.”

By Natalia Theodoridou | April 11, 2025

Maggie Smith on Embracing Imperfection, in Life and Art

Maggie Smith on Embracing Imperfection, in Life and Art

“The mistake, in fact, is a gift. The break, or breakdown, allows for a breakthrough.”

By Maggie Smith | April 4, 2025

“Retribution Masquerading As Art.” Elissa Altman on the Problem with Revenge Writing

“Retribution Masquerading As Art.” Elissa Altman on the Problem with Revenge Writing

“Does it move the story forward? Does it belong in my journal?”

By Elissa Altman | March 21, 2025

A Cross-Generational Lesson in the Joy of Rejection

A Cross-Generational Lesson in the Joy of Rejection

Diana Wagman on Finding Her Grandfather’s Rejection Letters, and Submission as an Act of Hope

By Diana Wagman | March 17, 2025

Playing the End: Alice Austen on Writing Character Like an Actor

Playing the End: Alice Austen on Writing Character Like an Actor

“We all have layers; we are all actors playing our parts.”

By Alice Austen | March 14, 2025

Jonathan Tarleton on the Limits of Research—and Making Peace with What You Don’t Know

Jonathan Tarleton on the Limits of Research—and Making Peace with What You Don’t Know

Against Turning Every Page

By Jonathan Tarleton | March 7, 2025

Best Reviewed
Books of the Week

Karen Thompson Walker on Conceiving the Inconceivable in Fiction

By Karen Thompson Walker | February 28, 2025

Eric Puchner: How to Be Funny When Writing a Novel

By Eric Puchner | February 21, 2025

Edward Gorey's "Great Simple Theory About Art" is essential reading for writers.

By Emily Temple | February 19, 2025

Roisín O’Donnell on Developing a Short Story into a Novel

Roisín O’Donnell on Developing a Short Story into a Novel

By Roisín O'Donnell | February 14, 2025

Susan Barker on Terror and the Power of Ambiguity

Susan Barker on Terror and the Power of Ambiguity

“Ambiguous signs in horror are so unnerving because it’s the stuff we encounter in our everyday lives.”

By Susan Barker | January 31, 2025

Gemma Tizzard on Researching for Historical Fiction

Gemma Tizzard on Researching for Historical Fiction

“It’s not a job for the faint of heart, or the impatient. But for those of us with brains that crave this kind of work, it is bliss.”

By Gemma Tizzard | January 24, 2025

Erika Swyler on Worldbuilding as Set Design

Erika Swyler on Worldbuilding as Set Design

“Remember that every bit of worldbuilding that makes it to the page adds to the set, and stage space is limited.”

By Erika Swyler | January 17, 2025

Adam Haslett on the Uses of Doubt

Adam Haslett on the Uses of Doubt

“I’ve come to realize how much of my doubt is actually fear.”

By Adam Haslett | January 10, 2025

Writing Advice, Book Recommendations, and More from the Newest Literary MacArthur Fellows

Writing Advice, Book Recommendations, and More from the Newest Literary MacArthur Fellows

Jericho Brown, Ling Ma, Jason Reynolds, and Juan Felipe Herrera on the Writing Life

By Emily Temple | November 27, 2024

Let Them Talk: Maya Kessler on the Power of Dialogue

Let Them Talk: Maya Kessler on the Power of Dialogue

"Put two people in a room together—it’s most likely that one of them is trying to achieve something."

By Maya Kessler | November 22, 2024

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