Ask for What You Want, Writers.

And if you don’t get it, be creative. April 2nd, 2024 Dear Writers, Thank you for signing up for Writing with Hart: News and Opportunities for Writers. I’m so glad you’re here! Shout out to my former Writer Magazine colleague Yi Shun Lai for the publication of her debut young adult novel A Suffragist’s Guide to the

AWP Recap: Grief, TikTok & Diverse Writers

One of the largest literary conferences in the U.S. delights and surprises, always. February 28th, 2024 Dear Writers, Thank you for signing up for Writing with Hart: News and Opportunities for Writers. I’m so glad you’re here! Shout out to my friend Miriam Gershow whose book of stories, Survival Tips, comes out in March. See all of

Immerse Yourself in Adventure.

Your readers will thank you. March 1, 2023 Dear Writers, First, a shout-out to my colleague Dana Shavin, who rocks all types of essays from her home in Tennessee. Check out this hermit crab piece titled “All You Can’t Eat.” And if you’re looking for a little inspiration and a few hundred writing prompts, my

Article Pitches that Sold to Magazines & Newspapers

Pitching an article is an art-form. Make sure the topic you’re pitching checks one or more of these boxes: Is the topic new, or treated in a new way? Is the topic relevant to readers of that specific publication? Is the topic surprising? Here are three of my pitches that recently sold. Sold to The

Fan Mail, Hate Mail & When to Respond to Both

Life got a bit bananas late last month when CNN decided to feature my story about combatting book bans with novel-writing, Little Free Libraries, and an inflatable T-rex costume. I learned so much from this adventure. First, always ask to see the footage as it’s being filmed, so that the lighting set up doesn’t make you look

Battle of the Books!

Plus, how kids can start publishing their creative writing Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of helping to moderate a regional Oregon Battle of the Books battle. OBOB occurs across the state; teams of kid-readers study 16 teacher- and librarian-selected novels and nonfiction books for months, then answer questions about them in events that are

Raccoons, Raptors & Girls on the Run

How Volunteering Deepens your Characterization, Setting & Sensory Details First, a shout-out to my dear sister-in-law, poet Amanda Smith-Hatch. April is National Poetry Month; Amanda’s poetry centers me and renews my gratitude for small, lovely actions like making my bed in the morning (see her “Paean to Morning” in Plants and Poetry) and challenges me