Welcome one & all—it has happened, as we shared with each of you this past week, three of our newsletters have come together into one wild amazing thing. Whether you’re from the OG Forever Workshop, Write or Die as it once was, or Free Sh!t for Writers, or a newbie wondering wait what, we got you.
October is a time a for ruin and rust and orange leaves and dying things and strange creatures guarding homes and oh isn’t it sweet and perfect that it’s also the time Forever Workshop dies only to rise again, phoenixing forward into the newly resurrected and reinvigorated Write or Die Magazine. I heartily welcome you, dear writers, into a new chapter and an exciting adventure. Me and Mort that is, our new mascot (ahem, yes she’s a vulture):
Naturally you might wonder, what on earth is this thing—this Write or Die Magazine, new and improved apparently—and you might poke and prod it like something crackling in the the ashes. Well, let me shed some light…
What is Write or Die Magazine?
The writing world can feel like a wonderful, creative place as much as it can a panicky, persnickety, confusing one. Write or Die helps you navigate these lands with clarity, knowledge, and excitement. The writing world professionals we work with have been in their fields for decades and they want to give you the kind of advice and education that’ll help you grow as a writer, understand the industry, and build a sustainable creative career.
Our focus is on these key pillars
Education: Not only will you learn how to keep improving your craft, but we’ll also be diving into something that you don’t really see anywhere: namely, an in-depth analysis of the kinds of educational paths available to writers at any step of their practice and careers.
Publishing: If you wanted to just write for yourself, you probably wouldn’t be here, that is…anywhere on the internet. We want to offer clear, actionable insights alongside data-informed deep dives on what’s happening in the publishing space today and how that impacts you as a working writer in the world.
Career: Knowing how to write well and knowing how to write what sells can feel like two opposing things sometimes. We want to help bridge the gap here and also assist writers in every aspect of the practical economics of the writing life. We will also discuss how writers can position and promote themselves as well as building an organic, online presence.
Free Writing Resources: Alongside exclusive content for our paid subscribers, everyone will be able to benefit from biweekly free writing opportunities, resources, and other writer related goodies (free) that we gather, research, vet, and share.
& in addition to the above…
The Archive: The complete Forever Workshop archive replete with hundreds of posts on craft, education, writing advice, interviews, remains available to you.
What you’ll find here
Over all of October, we’ll be rolling out our special columns and you’ll learn more about each one in-depth soon, but here’s a preview of what’s to come!
The Business of Being a Writer with Jane Friedman, every week (starting Thur, Oct 8). Career strategy and industry myth-busting across every publishing path.
How to Become a Better Writer with Erin Weiss, every other week (starting Sat, Oct 17). Which classes, workshops, MFAs, coaches and retreats are worth your time and money, from GrubStreet’s Senior Director of Education.
The State of Publishing Today with Caitlin Scarano, every month (starting Mon, Oct 12). Data-backed reporting on what’s happening in publishing right now, and what it means for you.
Free Sh!t for Writers with Anna Kot, twice a month, free (starting Sun, Oct 4). Free contests, events and resources, rounded up for you.
MFAs & more with Ciera Miller, every month, free (starting Fri, Nov 6). Career advancement in the literary world, courtesy of our partner universities.
UPCOMING SUBMISSION CALLS!
Oh yes, my friends, yes, we SHALL we be opening for submissions from YOU, our readers who we know are also dedicated writers. Very soon you’ll hear from us about our first ever sub call, but I want you to know:
General submissions will be FREE and we will be PAYING all the writers we publish. And…just another little hint, polish your personal essay muscles for the first call.
Who is Write or Die Magazine for
Writers at every stage, from the never-published to the much-published.
If you have a finished draft and no idea what to do with it, you’re in the right place.
If you’re submitting to literary magazines while holding down a day job and writing a novel, you’re in the right place.
If you have three books out and still can’t tell a good residency from a bad one, you’re in the right place.
If you’re building a writing career and want to make smarter decisions about it, you’re in the right place.
Alright, what it’s gonna cost me?
Nothing, or $10 a month. Everyone who subscribes to Write or Die Magazine gets plenty for free. Paid members get, well, everything. We are not affiliated with any big backers or VCs. As part of the Chill Subs family, Write or Die Magazine is an independent, collective effort to help improve writers’ creative lives in an ethical, sustainable way. Read more about subscription membership benefits & perks here!
And remember, because today’s our launch day, click the button below to get 25% off forever!
Okay, now we want to hear from you! In the comments, please introduce yourselves & share
Your name (or alias, why not)
What your writing practice looks like right now
Your greatest creative goal for yourself
And what you’re working on currently!
excited for this new era!! y’all are awesome 🤩
i’m Amanda — firstly, a poet but in final revision/query stages with my debut novel (feminist dystopian for the curious 👀). i also write a substack centered around storytelling called STORIES NEVER DIE — feminist lens of writing, literacy & anti-book ban advocacy, and more.
current writing practice: trying to get back to daily but the 9-5 can make that difficult sometimes. but my notebook always stays close by!
biggest goal: make a living off of writing but since that is difficult to attain, also just getting my novel trad pubbed with an agent 🫶🏻
I’m Erica, and I’ve always been pulled to the written word. Right now I finally have the bandwidth to think about my own goals again. Basically, I’m a neophyte writer all over again, trying to channel my younger self who wrote copiously, no audience required 😂.
My biggest goal is to get over myself and just start writing! Anything, everything - poetry, creative writing, commentaries on humanities and faith deconstruction, and even just getting my journaling habit back.