Suzanna Henshon

9 Reasons Why Writing For Magazines May Be Perfect For You

If your definition of breaking into publishing includes writing and selling a 300-page novel, or convincing a publisher to invest thousands of dollars in your picture book, you’re overlooking a substantial part of the market.

Magazines need new material on a weekly or monthly basis. Some writers start off by

Writing for the Gifted Education Market

In recent years, gifted education has become a big field. Every year the National Association for Gifted Children hosts a meeting attended by thousands of teachers, parents, and administrators. There are many opportunities to publish in the field of gifted education, ranging from newsletters to books. Before hitting the keyboard

Turn Your Research into Several Magazine Credits

So, you have a good idea for a magazine article. Can you turn it into a great idea? Many writers put a huge amount of effort into getting a piece published, only to stop with one byline. Their ideas hit the press once, and stop there.

Getting a publication

Gracefully Handling Critical Feedback on Your Work

Have you ever received criticism? Yikes, it usually feels quite painful, particularly when it pertains to a story or poem that you really poured your heart and soul into. You want to vanish into the floor like the Wicked Witch of the West does at the end of The Wizard

Should You Surrender to Writer’s Block?

Last week a student complained about Writer’s Block. “When I try to write, I can’t get anywhere. What should I do?” He pointed down to the unfinished paper, to the point where his concentration and creativity broke down. He asked, “Should I finish the paper or just start over?”

Reignite Your Work this Summer with a Writing Vacation

Summer is the perfect time to go on a creative writing adventure. You can work a mini adventure into your family vacation, or simply take a few hours out of your week to whisk yourself away from your routine. Dive into these adventures with the attitude of a literary explorer,

The Reader as Gatekeeper

How often do you think about selling your manuscript directly to the reader? For many years, writers have been advised to compose query letters, which are intended to “sell” to the publisher. We’ve also been told to market our creations to specific companies that publish books similar to ours. When

Start with One Sentence

Practically speaking, there’s nothing more difficult than staring at an empty computer screen, willing yourself to be creative. You may be stuck trying to find the perfect place to start your story. Or you’re contemplating the entire story arc—an intimidating process at best. From start to finish, your book must

Do You Have to Write From Beginning to End?

Many writers believe they have to begin with “Once upon a time” and finish with “The End.” In between, every word must be written exactly in the order that it will be read. There is little flexibility in this approach – and it’s difficult to continue the entire way through

Is Your Story Plot-Driven or Character-Driven?

Should you start with a well-crafted plot? Or with a memorable character? You want to start typing, but you have no idea where to begin. Many writers debate whether to start with a plot or character; there is no “correct” answer to this dilemma. Your decision impacts not only how

7 Steps to Researching the Magazine Market

Here are a few steps toward learning the magazine market:

1. Read magazines you enjoy and study the content carefully.

2. Carefully study about a year’s worth of issues in a magazine so you have a sense of what has recently been published.

3. Take a look at competing publications

9 Reasons Why Magazine Writing May Be For You

If your definition of breaking into children’s publishing includes writing and selling a 300-page novel, or convincing a publisher to invest thousands of dollars in your picture book, you’re overlooking a substantial part of the market. Magazines need new material on a weekly or monthly basis. Some writers start off

How to Analyze a Magazine for Writing Opportunities

Many writers get their first bylines in children's magazines, which offer ample opportunities for publishing poetry, short stories and articles. But not all magazines are good markets for your work. Just as you need to research book publishers and find the right fit for your submission, targeting the proper magazine

Get a Clue! How to Write Middle Grade Mysteries

Writing a mystery is incredibly challenging and exciting at the same time. There’s no guaranteed formula to take you from the first clue to a solved case. Every great mystery novel includes a puzzle that readers solve along with the sleuth. So, how do you write mysteries for children?

The Novel Reimagined

How do you write a novel? When we think of a novel, we visualize the typical format: a chapter story that describes a linear chain of events, leading to a resolution at the end. Most novels follow this setup. But there are other ways to tell a story.

Author Archives: Suzanna Henshon