In your opinion, who are the best female science fiction authors? What are the best scifi books written by women? [more inside]
posted on Feb 8, 2008 - 105 answers

I have just about exhausted the collections of my favorite mystery writers--looking for other mystery/crime writers that meet my preferences. [more inside]
posted on Jan 31, 2008 - 43 answers

"Ann Coulter doesn't even believe anything she says!" Really? Are there any cases of a writer or pundit who turned out not to believe the positions s/he took? [more inside]
posted on Jan 29, 2008 - 34 answers

I have a web site. I want to write a book based on the topic. I have publishers/agents asking to talk to me, but I don't know if I'm ready. For one thing, I'm not convinced traditional publication is best — I'm intrigued by self-publishing and e-books. I'm looking for general advice: What are the pros and cons of each method? It seems that unless I'm lucky, traditional publishing offers the lowest dollar return. But are there other, intangible benefits I'm missing? Exposure? Having somebody who knows what they're doing guide me along? And how do I approach a discussion with agents/publishers so as to get the best deal? [more inside]
posted on Jan 7, 2008 - 13 answers

Is there any resource online that lists fiction (and possibly non-fiction) authors by age? [more inside]
posted on Dec 29, 2007 - 5 answers

Question about the Writer's Guild strike and comparable situations in other industries: why are the studios allowed to negotiate as a single entity, the AMPTP? How does this situation compare to the various US sports leagues and the auto and airline industries? [more inside]
posted on Dec 28, 2007 - 9 answers

Smallish bunch of creative writer-types (who've met up in person a couple of times) would like somewhere to hang out online: please suggest what kind of website might suit us best. [more inside]
posted on Nov 28, 2007 - 5 answers

What movies are about real female writers? (Sylvia, etc.) Thanks.
posted on Nov 23, 2007 - 25 answers

Has WWE programming been affected by the WGA writers' strike? [more inside]
posted on Nov 7, 2007 - 4 answers

What are some great books that aren't hideously long? [more inside]
posted on May 4, 2007 - 79 answers

I just found out that the dystopian/futuristic movie Children of Men is based on a novel by P.D. James. It made me think of the excellent short story The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster. It made me wonder: are other examples of mainstream authors experimenting with speculative fiction? [more inside]
posted on Apr 22, 2007 - 36 answers

Help me remember the name of an anarchist. [more inside]
posted on Mar 28, 2007 - 10 answers

Recently I've met my favorite writer in a book presentation. He is considered one of the best living writers. In 2006 he won several prizes. His name is sometimes mentioned as a Nobel candidate. I was lucky enough to cause an impression on him, and I suggested him to visit my blog. He did, and then he sent me a short e-mail about it. Now, how do I keep things moving forward? How do I develop this contact into a friendship, without turning this into a worship, without causing a wrong impression that I could be using his name to my personal benefit? Essentially: how do I maintain and develop this relation, instead of killing it?
posted on Feb 22, 2007 - 23 answers

Help me to let go of my bias against women's fiction. What fiction books written by women would a "real" man like? [more inside]
posted on Feb 13, 2007 - 77 answers

I greatly enjoy the Writers' Digest new-member offers I get every so often. Are there any other book-club (or CD, etc) memberships that don't have a processing charge? [more inside]
posted on Jan 22, 2007 - 2 answers

One of my favorite writers is Edmund Jabés. However, I have never heard anyone pronounce his name. [more inside]
posted on Jan 16, 2007 - 13 answers

Teaching an older blogger new tricks (or how to train a writer over 60 to make their posts sparkle) [more inside]
posted on Jan 16, 2007 - 5 answers

I'm looking for recommendations on best places to write in Venice, CA. Mostly in the realm of coffee shops or writer-friendly cafes, libraries, or anything else that comes to mind. [more inside]
posted on Jan 7, 2007 - 4 answers

How can I unblock and get to work? I took on a freelance writing job that came to me from a friend/colleague with whom I've worked very successfully in the past. He pitched me to his team, we had some meetings, I got a retainer and ... was offered a different full-time, demanding job which I could not turn down. I thought I could bang out Freelance Job during my weeks before starting Real Job and now I'm stuck ... [more inside]
posted on Jan 5, 2007 - 12 answers

Is there a social networking site for writers? [more inside]
posted on Jan 2, 2007 - 13 answers

Who are the writers and philosophers of today who are grounded and realistic but think outside the linear, relentless and monotonous data stream consciousness that pervades the internet and society at large? [more inside]
posted on Dec 7, 2006 - 26 answers

How can I make the most of my dinner with Greg Bear, Neal Stephenson, George Dyson, and Donna Shirley? [more inside]
posted on Nov 1, 2006 - 22 answers

I'm looking for books dealing with writers and alcohol, or writers writing about alcohol. I own four books on the subject: The Thirsty Muse: Alcohol and the American Writer Alcohol and the Writer A Drinking Companion: Alcohol and Writers' Lives The Muse in the Bottle: Great Writers on the Joy of Drinking
posted on Sep 11, 2006 - 21 answers

Famous Writing Habits? I come across sites dealing with a few here and there but there is no great collection I can find. Common examples: Hemingway's habit/belief of 500 words per day, Faulkner drinking whiskey whilst writing, Balzac drinking 10+ espressos a day, Thomas Wolfe's habit of writing standing up and his prolixity (so much so that Max Perkins had to substantially edit his work). Certain writers lived philosophies on first drafts/revisions, words/hours per day, etc etc. I have no problem locating famous quotes, but I'm more interested in info about actual behaviors. Hope that sounds right. Thank You in advance.
posted on Aug 13, 2006 - 27 answers

Does anyone know of spaces (offices/cafes/whatever) geared specifically to writers? I know of theOffice in Santa Monica. Any others you know of? Links? Also, if you've frequented such a place, what were your impressions? If you're a writer, what would get you into such a place? [more inside]
posted on Aug 1, 2006 - 13 answers

How to (tactfully and successfully) get some major names to look at some of my writing? Of course there is [more inside]
posted on Jul 18, 2006 - 18 answers

Help me find the best writers' workshop in NYC. [more inside]
posted on Mar 30, 2006 - 5 answers

What are some good Swedish novels? [more inside]
posted on Mar 20, 2006 - 17 answers

Thesis writers block: So I have until thursday to get a first draft of the discussion section of my thesis written. I've been working on it for the past few weeks at a snail's pace. I showed my advisor what I had come up with last week and surprisingly enough, he was ok with it. My problem is I just simply cannot muster up the motivation to get any more work done on this. [more inside]
posted on Feb 20, 2006 - 24 answers

Tell a wannabe fiction writer where to find support online. [more inside]
posted on Nov 6, 2005 - 9 answers

How do musicians write songs? Do they typically write the words then the music to those words...or the other way around? Or does it happen spontaneously so that some artists do it either way depending on their influence?
posted on Mar 16, 2005 - 17 answers

Looking for good, free online writers' forums to try and promote a magazine project I'm working on. Where on the web do poets and short story writers tend to congregate, and how can I reach that audience (preferably without spending any money)?
posted on Jan 11, 2005 - 3 answers

After reading this fascinating thread, I'm curious: How many published authors are among our number? I'd love to see who's here and what kinds of books you've written.
posted on Dec 28, 2004 - 46 answers

Friends who write books: My question is simple. If a friend has had a book published (not their first by any means) by a well-known publisher and one notices several typos in the text, is it best not to mention them? Or is it polite to commiserate with said friend over the lack of thoroughness on the part of the publisher? I don't want to be rude, but I want to show that I really have read the book.
posted on Dec 10, 2004 - 16 answers

I recall reading an article critizing some of today's popular writers (Clancy and King were two I recall) for being bland or suffering from too much Strunk and White. What then are some modern writers who gush with their own, unique style?
posted on Nov 29, 2004 - 37 answers

What/who are some good translations/translators of books into English?
posted on Nov 14, 2004 - 8 answers

In a variation on the first question I posted to AskMe, I'm looking for a resource that'd help me find local, actually-meet-and-talk-to-people writing groups. My searching skills are apparently flaccid and small. I mean, I live in a freaking college town, I should be innundated with such activities. And yet no luck. Any ideas on where I might find these elusive groups?
posted on Nov 10, 2004 - 6 answers

Does anyone have any good techniques for beating writer's block?
posted on Nov 10, 2004 - 29 answers

Do we have any travel writers in the house? Is it really the life of glamour and ease that thetravelwriterslife.com claims?

Since I suspect it's not as easy as one might suppose after digesting that page, I have more questions: Can you tell me what it's like? How you got started? What kind of money you pull in?
posted on Jun 15, 2004 - 10 answers

OK, I'm trying to write my latest masterpiece, and I'm doing everything but... Any tips on writing routines? Not blocked, as such. Plain lazy is a definite possibility. But seriously, anybody have a fail-safe way to get up in the morning and get going?
posted on Apr 14, 2004 - 21 answers