Over the next few weeks, you'll start seeing quick lessons appear in the Codex covering the nuts and bolts of writing. Things like: • Show vs. Tell• Writing stronger scenes• Dialogue that sounds natural• Point of View• Characterization• Scene structure• Description• And all those little line-level techniques that make readers keep turning the page. These will be short, practical lessons you can use immediately. Then we'll start rolling out deeper courses and live classes where we can really dig into these topics and help you improve your craft. And if you're looking for one-on-one help, you'll also find links in the Codex to work privately with either Randy or me, whether that's coaching, developmental editing, or manuscript feedback. Our goal has always been simple: Not just to help you build incredible science fiction worlds... But to help you write incredible science fiction stories. We're just getting started. Krista & Randy

Sign Up Here: $89.99 Over the last decade, the publishing industry has undergone tremendous evolution due to the growth of online retail and digital books, as well as the power of any author to publish and distribute their work at the click of a button. But which path is right for you and your book—and how do you sift through the increasing number of hybrid publishers and services that make a lot of promises, but cost you a lot upfront? Jane Friedman discusses everything you need to know about how book publishing operates today, in plain English, to help you understand the pros and cons of every major publishing path available. She'll cover traditional publishing and what projects are well-suited to being represented by literary agents; the capabilities of mid-size publishers and independent publishers; how to evaluate small presses, micro-presses, and digital-only presses; what "hybrid" publishing is (or thinks it is) and how to evaluate such companies; and all forms of self-publishing and e-publishing practiced today. About the Webinar: - Writers new to the book publishing industry - Writers who aren't sure how to publish their next project - Anyone confused by the many publishing options available - Anyone seeking to better understand the publishing industry - How to determine if your project is commercial enough to be appealing to a New York publisher—and what rights you'll have to give up - About the traditional publishing process, how it's different from self-publishing, and how long you can expect any process to take - How to evaluate small publishers and the quality of work they produce.  - What type of contract, advance, and royalty you can expect with all types of publishers and services - What is expected when it comes to the marketing and promotion of your work for every type of publishing path - What is expected when it comes to the marketing and promotion of your work for every type of publishing path - How to identify the qualities of a "hybrid" publisher and determine if a hybrid is offering you something meaningful that you can't accomplish on your own - How print and digital books get bought and sold in today's retail ecosystem across all forms of publishing - How to identify the qualities of a "hybrid" publisher and determine if a hybrid is offering you something meaningful that you can't accomplish on your own - How to assess if you are well-suited to self-publishing your work, either as a complete independent (by setting up your own publishing company) or with the help of a service - How to determine if your project is commercial enough to be appealing to a New York publisher—and what rights you'll have to give up

How do you understand the different kinds of editing? Have you used any before? Topic of interest at the next Editor and Author Q&A Friday July 3rd, at 11am EST.

This is one of my favorite books by Burroughs, The Moon Men - which follows the Moon Maid and has two novellas about two generations of Americans fighting back against the Moon Men. Anyone else read it?

$129.99 Website July 25, 2026 - FOUR all-new, one-hour webinar presentations provided by science fiction authors - Live Q&A with the speakers - Network with fellow writers - Unlimited OnDemand viewing - Bonus OnDemand Webinars and an issue of Writer's Digest Magazine Experience the education, camaraderie, and opportunities provided by a live writing conference without ever having to leave your home! Writer’s Digest University is pleased to present a one-of-a-kind online event for science fiction writers! On July 25, 2026, our WDU Science Fiction Writing Virtual Conference will provide expert insights from best-selling Sci-Fi authors. Spend Saturday learning techniques for honing your craft from seven published Sci-Fi authors.