“For writers chasing a trad pub deal, an email from Simon & Schuster inviting submission might seem like a dream come true.” Writer Beware founder Victoria Strauss breaks down a scam, today at WU.

Identity, both as perceived by oneself or by society, strongly affects characterization. Kristin Hacken South delves the depths of character, using herself, living in Egypt, as an example. A fascinating post, today at WU.

Did we happen to catch you in a doomscrolling session? May we redirect you to a post about literacy? Author Vaughn Roycroft seeks to dispel the growing gloom, today at WU.

This is a fascinating article from @vaughnroycroft.bsky.social over at @writerunboxed.bsky.social on the use of magic and spirituality in stories.

What do you have to be “radically grateful” for? Author Therese Anne Fowler celebrates finding her way home, today at WU.

Author and editor Emilie-Noelle Provost reveals the most common errors by new writers, today at WU.B

“In Eastern astrology, it is the year of the Fire Horse – blazing through the months with passion and creativity… In other words, a lucky year.” Author Gwendolyn Womack tells us how to seize our luck, today at WU.

The battle between the camps espousing the Oxford comma and those against it is unending. See where editor Jim Dempsey stands, today at WU.

Was Jane Austen a skilled novelist? Of course she was. Let editor Dave King count the ways. Today at WU.

Can a writing community become a “lamp of hope” in dire times? WU’s resident Druid, Juliet Marillier, thinks so. Stop by and absorb its warmth, today at WU.

“Given the conjunction of two of the year’s most emotionally charged days [Friday the 13th & Valentine’s Day] how could I not write about fear and love?” David Corbett takes on fear and love, today at WU.

Incidental characters can have a major impact on a story. Author and teacher Kathryn Craft explores powerful examples, today at WU.

It’s the age-old question: what makes for a successful opening to a novel? Author Kathleen McCleary offers her insights, today at WU.

Parents are often distant or missing in stories—particularly in the fantasy genre. Author Kit Aldridge explores the ways parents can deepen or even elevate a story, today at WU.

Could podcasting help you along the path to authorial success? WU’s PR expert, Ann-Marie Nieves explores the issue, today at WU.

Why are so many fantasy books and series centered around monarchy? What are the alternatives? Kelsey Allagood explores fantasy’s royal problems and solutions, today at WU.

Life can be so random. We deal with it every day. So should our characters. Agent and author Don Maass advises us to choose randomness, today at WU.

Can writing actually be labeled as objectively good or bad? What’s at the core of literary elitism? Author Cathy Yardley frankly and bravely speaks out, today at WU.

We believe in inspiration, but we can’t always wait for it to strike. Sometimes we must make ourselves get to work. Author Greer Macallister asks how we find the balance, today at WU.

How well do you know your villian? And when did you meet them? Author Gwen Hernandez shares her experience, today at WU.

You’ve heard of method acting—deep immersion that carries on past “cut!” Why not try method writing? Author Boo Walker walks us through it, today at WU.

Do you write from your head or your heart? Debut novelist Harper Ross explores her journey to writing from her heart, today at WU.

“As a writer, my task is to illuminate one corner of the world. Each book lights up its own set of ideas, and my job is to be present with what’s being shown to me now, so I can offer my reader a small, truthful slice of life.” Barbara O’Neal, today at WU.

Chaotic times have you alarmed? Disappointed? Angry? Distracted? Author Vaughn Roycroft makes the case that doing your work is an act of rebellion, today at WU.

WU turns 20 today! And we’re celebrating with pie! And a contest! Stop by and join the fun, today at WU.

In times of crisis, it can be difficult to focus. We writers can find difficulty writing. Or even reading. Author Liz Michalski shares her newfound love of poetry, and how it helps her cope, today at WU.

How do we claim our identity as a writer? How do we continue to do so? Author (and scholar and mother and…) Kristin Hacken South explores embracing identity, today at WU.

Can fiction writers learn something from a popular songwriter? Stop by and meet WU’s newest contributor, Alison Hammer, and find out!

Editor and classical organist Dave King demonstrates what we can learn about pace and tempo from Bach, today at WU.

“Goals, desires, wants orient us to a character’s surface motivations. Longings reveal who they really are.” Author Julie Christine Johnson explores character via longing, today at WU.

Feeling overwhelmed? Author Natalie Hart shares an exercise to help us move forward. It starts with asking “what else?” Today at WU.

Would you turn the page? Check out another addition of Ray Rhamey’s Flog a Pro, today at WU.

Are you struggling to hold onto your hope? Author Rachel Toalson shares her own struggles and her remedies, today at WU.

In the chaos and violence of the new year, author Elizabeth Huergo offers us a moment of poetic contemplation, a chance to consider a broader vista, today at WU.

In the face of intense shared grief, focusing on writing fiction can feel so inadequate. Author David Corbett explores moving forward in the wake of this week’s horrific events, today at WU.

Feeling stuck? At the sentence level? At the story level? Either way, teacher and agent Don Maass has the parable for you, today at WU.

It’s important to remember that we begin our stories with characters who are either broken or in need of repair. Often in ways that are hidden, even to the characters themselves. Author Therese Walsh explores the notion of writer as repairer, today at WU.

When it comes to resolving to change, there’s nothing special about January, per Author Greer Macallister. Still, a blank calendar makes for a fine time to strive. She offers ideas on starting fresh, today at WU.

WU bids the community farewell for the holiday season with a nod to the fact that next month marks our 20th anniversary. Any ideas as to how we can celebrate? Please share your thoughts, today at WU.

Author and longtime contributor Ray Rhamey brings us another chance to weigh in on the opening page of a bestseller, today at WU.

Today, contributor and author Barbara Linn Probst delivers her farewell—and the reasons for it—to the WU community.

Knowing where to begin can be tricky. Author Emilie-Noelle Provost shares how she found her beginning, today at WU.

Will the lure for to surrender to AI grow? Author & teacher David Corbett imagines a writer’s scenario, today at WU.

“What kind of media could my book get?” PR agent Ann-Marie Nieves says it’s a common question and proceeds to answer it, today at WU.

The holidays are a time of complex emotions. Often contradictory emotions. Author Kathleen McCleary explores how such emotions can fuel our stories, today at WU.

More memories of the inimitable, irreplaceable @Porter_Anderson from the crew at @writerunboxed.bsky.social writerunboxed.com/2025/12/08/r... #writingcommunity #publishing

Wondering how to schedule more author events? And how to make each one more successful? Author Jillian Forsberg shares her experience, today at WU.

WU pays tribute to a dear friend today.

Rejection is not the only challenge any of us faces while on submission. Author Liza Nash Taylor shares her struggles, including rejection, and her resilient spirit shines through, today at WU.

Community is about so much more than mere inclusion. It’s about acceptance and unconditional support. Kelsey Allagood shares her recent experience from the UnConference, today at WU.