I want the best resources to help me write a nonfiction book proposal. [more inside]
posted by Ouisch on Dec 22, 2009 - 2 answers

What titles should be on a "Personal MFA in Creative Writing Fiction" reading list? [more inside]
posted by thepalephantom on Dec 22, 2009 - 14 answers

What is a good screenwriting class in NYC? [more inside]
posted by shothotbot on Dec 17, 2009 - 3 answers

I've started writing too slow, thinking too much, not imprisoning the editor, etc. I'm looking for an online or osx tool that encourages writing. It might be as simple as a field that asks you to enter x words within y time. I am having trouble shifting my mindset.
posted by kingfisher, his musclebound cat on Dec 15, 2009 - 14 answers

What are the best online and print/book resources for English language editors? Also, any current or past editors, do you have any knowledge, wisdom, tricks, hacks, for an editing newbie, which you would like to share? Thanks.
posted by barrakuda on Dec 14, 2009 - 10 answers

Please help me to find a cool offline diary [more inside]
posted by jfricke on Dec 10, 2009 - 3 answers

I love Bill Simmons' "The Book of Basketball". What should I read next? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Dec 8, 2009 - 11 answers

How can I get writing and editing contracts in Australia? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 8, 2009 - 2 answers

How much should a freelance writer charge for a catalog essay? [more inside]
posted by serial_consign on Dec 7, 2009 - 9 answers

Footnote filter: I am writing a non-fiction, non-academic book and need help determining what to include in my citations. [more inside]
posted by quidividi on Dec 5, 2009 - 5 answers

Mac voice-recognition software for a writer with arthritis. [more inside]
posted by grumblebee on Dec 3, 2009 - 9 answers

Do you have any advice for teaching English comprehension, as well as reading and writing, to a fifteen year old Filipino street kid who's never been to school a day in his life? [more inside]
posted by ferdinandcc on Dec 1, 2009 - 13 answers

I really, really want to write creatively but I hate writing creatively. WTF? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 30, 2009 - 41 answers

How can we get into grant writing for other people? I've had good luck getting money out of the Canadian government for my screenwriting, I've done successful book proposals, and my wife has done all sorts of other successful applications. I am told a grant writer can claim 30-35% of a successful grant. How do we get into this line of work?
posted by musofire on Nov 29, 2009 - 8 answers

What is a good heuristic for the usage of 'that'? [more inside]
posted by ageispolis on Nov 25, 2009 - 10 answers

Between my iPhone's Stanza app and the loooooong quiet days ahead of me in the office during the holiday season, I'd like to read some stuff online. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by Madamina on Nov 25, 2009 - 6 answers

Is English much more difficult than most languages to speak and to write? [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano on Nov 23, 2009 - 37 answers

Job_Offer_Filter: I'm a struggling freelance writer trying to (someday) break into the pr/communications field. I've just been offered a staff writer position at a small local newspaper. Does accepting the job inch me closer to my desired field? Or just burden me with a ton of unmarketable experience? [more inside]
posted by sureshot on Nov 23, 2009 - 11 answers

My goal is to have a career as a successful researcher in the biological sciences; however, I do not like writing. Is my goal unobtainable? [more inside]
posted by Lord Force Crater on Nov 16, 2009 - 18 answers

I bookmarked a site years ago that was all about people listing their favorite words - sort of like "delicious" but for word nerds. Does anyone have a clue what this is? thanks
posted by debu on Nov 15, 2009 - 7 answers

I have some weird, tricky physics questions based on a fantastic (non-real) premise, involving bullet speed and potential injury. [more inside]
posted by Caduceus on Nov 11, 2009 - 31 answers

Breaking out of my funk filter: I'd like to do some volunteer work on a regular but limited basis (say, a couple hours a week). I feel that writing is one of my skills, and in the past I've helped friends write really great resumes and cover letters, so I think this might be a good thing for me to focus on. I suppose helping with writing college essays might also work. I have an idea that I'd like to work with veterans specifically, although I'm open to different ideas. And I live in the SF Bay Area. So can you suggest organizations that I might work with - either in my ideal scenario of helping vets with resumes - or doing something else that would utilize my skills?
posted by serazin on Nov 11, 2009 - 8 answers

I am taking January off work to finish as much of my PhD writing up as I can. I know that I will be totally unproductive if I try and work at home, so am thinking of escaping somewhere (library, hotel, cottage, writing retreat?) for up to four weeks. I’d welcome suggestions, both generic ones about types of locations that have worked for you and also specific suggestions (I live in the UK). I’m thinking that working somewhere with busy but quiet people around would work better for me than total isolation, but am open to any ideas. I don’t need to bring lots of stuff with me and am probably better off without wifi (although internet access requiring a bit of hassle could be useful to check references etc). Money not a particular object as I’m going to have to pay another year’s fees (£3k) if I don’t finish soon, anyway...
posted by janecr on Nov 11, 2009 - 20 answers

How can I talk to children? [more inside]
posted by meadowlark lime on Nov 6, 2009 - 12 answers

How can I find a school nurse to let me shadow her for an article? [more inside]
posted by rinosaur on Nov 4, 2009 - 8 answers

What books can I read that will give me some idea of what it might take for me to make my living as a writer or journalist? [more inside]
posted by AAAA on Nov 3, 2009 - 19 answers

Innovative Books: I am looking to compile a list of the most innovative uses of the book format. Books that break the mould in their layout and design, perhaps books that use online systems to extend their content value or push their form into new places. I am most interested in narrative and theory, but any book that is interesting (artist books etc.) would be really appreciated. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Nov 1, 2009 - 29 answers

Know any good blogs by high school or college age females? [more inside]
posted by Joe Beese on Oct 28, 2009 - 7 answers

Introvert Filter: please help me revive a friendship! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 27, 2009 - 18 answers

(Pro)sefilter: want to sell prose. Looking for advice. [more inside]
posted by schmichael on Oct 27, 2009 - 5 answers

Novels where political extremism is an underlying theme. [more inside]
posted by thesailor on Oct 26, 2009 - 32 answers

With NaNoWriMo looming ever nearer, I would like to hear your best tips, tricks, habits, and techniques for staying chained to the keyboard. [more inside]
posted by BitterOldPunk on Oct 22, 2009 - 26 answers

Tell me everything you know about this sentence construction: "Are you finished your lunch?" [more inside]
posted by peep on Oct 22, 2009 - 91 answers

What are the most well-written (i.e., enjoyable to read) textbooks and/or books written for an academic audience? I'm not looking for the "best" textbook on any given subject, but textbooks on any topic that are compelling to read because of the wit and lucidity of the writing style. [more inside]
posted by crLLC on Oct 21, 2009 - 30 answers

WriterFilter: I need help organizing this large, sprawling, and motley set of Word files into the first draft of a novel. [more inside]
posted by sister nunchaku of love and mercy on Oct 19, 2009 - 14 answers

I have 2 hours to lecture to a bunch of 18 year-olds how to write well. The bulk of their work-load will be somewhere along the lines of position papers, research papers and summaries of conferences. How do I keep them glued to their chairs? More info in explanation. [more inside]
posted by eytanb on Oct 19, 2009 - 9 answers

Screenwriters - advice for coming up wirth effective short film scripts QUICKLY! [more inside]
posted by Cantdosleepy on Oct 19, 2009 - 11 answers

In search of short passages of especially strong or weak nonfiction prose! [more inside]
posted by cymru_j on Oct 17, 2009 - 8 answers

I've recently begun work on a children's book. It is inspired by my granddaughter. I was wondering if anyone had any information on how to get a children's book published? Suggested Publishers? Also, any other information pertaining to this process, would be appreciated. ***I realize that children's books are a dime a dozen...but mine just might be spectacular ;)***
posted by gypseefire on Oct 17, 2009 - 4 answers

How can I get paid book review work? [more inside]
posted by different on Oct 14, 2009 - 8 answers

You are a paid writer/screenwriter/columnist/blogger. What can you tell me about how to best break into this profession? [more inside]
posted by the NATURAL on Oct 12, 2009 - 13 answers

Help me find books of a particular genre, or collection of similar genres. Specifically, books on living in or traveling through nature that have visual, picturesque language about the landscape/scenery/ecology. [more inside]
posted by Stryke11 on Oct 11, 2009 - 17 answers

What well-known novels lack any character descriptions aside from names?
posted by odinsdream on Oct 9, 2009 - 17 answers

A friend of mine is writing a memoir about traveling to every country in Europe at the age of 23. He wants to compare being stuck in a crappy part of Romania to a well known literary or film hellhole. We can't think of any. [more inside]
posted by Jason Land on Oct 8, 2009 - 25 answers

I'm trying to think of ideas for creative-writing-related fundraisers [more inside]
posted by Holygrail2 on Oct 8, 2009 - 7 answers

The A-B-C's of corporate collateral writing: I'm a graphic designer. How do I communicate to my client that willy-nilly editing procedures, and last minute proof-stage rewrites inevitably makes projects run to the last minute? Is there a "standard" procedure for writing/editing? [more inside]
posted by ecorrocio on Oct 7, 2009 - 8 answers

I am a non-fiction writer but have not read a fiction book since high school. What great fiction books will improve my writing? [more inside]
posted by Spurious on Oct 5, 2009 - 34 answers

Updating my online portfolio and need help with web navigation, images, hosting and more. [more inside]
posted by mintchip on Oct 5, 2009 - 2 answers

I want to write and publish a book on the industrial music scene from a feminist perspective. I’m a decent writer, but I have no photography, graphic design, marketing, or publishing experience, and no industry connections. Where do I start? [more inside]
posted by velvet winter on Oct 3, 2009 - 8 answers

Which web site is best for self-publishing poetry? [more inside]
posted by the matching mole on Oct 2, 2009 - 9 answers