Magazine subscriptions are great gifts to give to writers or aspiring authors. Subscriptions are a gift that keeps on giving, or rather arriving, month after month. Many people don’t realize that there are magazines written specifically for writers. They cover topics useful to starting writers, like reviewing MFA programs, highlighting festivals and conferences, or even digging deep on the act of writing. Many will also interview and profile successful authors, editors, and literary agents, giving great insight into the business of publishing and how to be successful. Magazine subscriptions for writers are one of the best ways to get this up to date information in the ever-changing publishing industry.
Here are some special magazines made specifically for writers to help them keep up on trends and tips within the industry. Any of them would make a great gift for the writer in your life. You can order these subscriptions straight from Amazon.
Magazine Subscriptions for Writers
The Writer Magazine
As you might have guessed from the title, The Writer is a monthly magazine written by writers, for writers. Most of this magazine is devoted to fiction writing, although nonfiction and poetry are also topics covered in each issue.
The Writer bills itself as “advice and inspiration for today’s writer.” It also offers tips for getting published and even information about special topics such as writing plays or screenplays. They also do profiles on authors, giving a behind the scenes look at the hottest writers publishing today.
Writer’s Digest Magazine
Have you heard of Reader’s Digest? Of course, you have. Well, this publication isn’t related but is chock full of information for writers to hone their crafts. With articles like “3 Things Your Novel’s Narrator Needs to Accomplish” and “How to Write a Romance Novel: The Keys to Conflict,” Writer’s Digest offers practical advice and answers common questions that even experienced writers find themselves asking. This magazine covers topics for all genres of writing that you can imagine, from literary fiction to young adult, science fiction and fantasy, nonfiction, horror, romance, and on and on and on.
Writer’s Digest is also known for their periodic competitions and contests. This subscription lasts 12 months and covers 8 issues of the magazine and includes both print and Kindle e-reader versions of the magazine.
Poets & Writers Magazine
Poets & Writers is a bi-monthly magazine founded in 1970 with a mission “to foster the professional development of poets and writers, to promote communication throughout the literary community, and to help create an environment in which literature can be appreciated by the widest possible public.”
The magazine is actually published by a non-profit organization based in Los Angles to which is the largest group of its kind serving creative writers of all kinds. Each issue contains advice and feature articles as well as interviews with successful writers who share their experiences writing for all kinds of audiences.
Publishers Weekly
Publisher’s Weekly is a well know magazine for writers that has been in print since 1872. Their focus is on the business side of writing, specifically focusing on publishing and book sales. While they do often include articles on the writing process and interviews with authors, this is a magazine we recommend for writers who have a completed novel they’re preparing to shop around to agents and editors or for people who are iterested in working in publishing.
As you may have guessed from the title, this is a weekly magazine that puts out 51 issues a year. This means each issue is chock full of all of the latest in publishing news. Publishers Weekly is an absolutely invaluable magazine subscription for writers trying to sell or market a new novel.
Writers’ Forum
Writer’s Forum is a UK based magazine similar to Poets & Writers and Writer’s Digest. It focuses on the art and craft of writing of all forms (including short stories, novels, poetry, and even journalism). Each issue features interviews with working professionals like authors and agents. They also list contests and other writing competitions that writers can submit their work to.
For writers and amateur writers still perfecting their craft, each issue includes “workshop” sections that covers topics like self editing and rewriting to help readers improve their work and up their writing game. This is a great magazine for writers at any level.
Looking for more practical gifts to give the writer or author in your life? Check out essential reference books for writers and the best books on writing fiction.