The Writer
Encyclopedia
The Writer is a monthly magazine
for writers published by the Kalmbach Publishing
Company of Waukesha, Wisconsin
. It was first established by William H. Hills and Robert Luce
, two Boston Globe reporters, as "a monthly magazine to interest and help all literary workers", in April 1887. Until the November 2000 issue, it was published in Boston
. It is the oldest magazine for writers currently being published. It is targeted at writer
s, and includes articles offering advice for writing and resources for publishing.
The Writer offers articles of interest to both novice and experienced writers, including market news, interviews, and tips on how to hone one's skills in particular aspects of the craft.
Over its 120-year history, The Writer has been overseen by a number of editors. Hills remained associated with the magazine until February 1926. On page 54 of that issue, he wrote a farewell essay in which he stated he felt he was putting the magazine in safe hands as he resigned his place as editor to William D. Kennedy.
Luce, who later became a Massachusetts
Congressman
, remained with the magazine through September 1888.
Hills is listed on the masthead as editor from April 1887-September 1920, followed by Margaret Gordon as editor from October 1920-September 1925. Hills is again listed from October 1925 until his retirement in February 1926. No explanation for Hills' absence from the masthead during Gordon's tenure is mentioned in those issues; but an editorial by Gordon in the Sept. 1925 issue (page 132), which refers to Hills as the magazine's conductor for nearly 40 years, suggests he was still involved in its operation, even if his name wasn't on the masthead. Hills' obituary in the December 1930 edition (page 315) also seems to indicate he was involved with the magazine continuously from 1887-1926.
William Dorsey Kennedy served as editor from March 1926-December 1928.
From 1929-1933, an editorial board
was listed, which prominently featured Virginia C. Lincoln and Bertha W. Smith. Other board members changed, but Lincoln and Smith, who were listed as publisher and managing editor
, respectively, by the October 1929 issue, remained in those positions until February 1934.
From March 1934-January 1936, Sargent Collier and Samuel G. Houghton served as publishers and editors.
The longest editorial era began in February 1936, when A.S. Burack took over the editor's chair. He would remain editor until his death in August, 1978. Burack's widow, Sylvia, then took over as editor (and later as publisher as well). In 2000, she sold the magazine to Kalmbach Publishing.
From November 2000 to October 2007, The Writer was edited by Elfrieda Abbe, who also became publisher with the September 2006 issue. As of the November 2007 issue, she turned the editorial reins over to Jeff Reich (formerly the magazine's managing editor), to focus exclusively on her duties as publisher. She was preceded as publisher by Russell G. Larson and Judith Hill.
The Writer's current editorial board consists of James Applewhite, T. Alan Broughton
, Eve Bunting
, Mary Higgins Clark
, Barnaby Conrad, Lewis Burke Frumkes
, James Cross Giblin, Gail Godwin
, Eileen Goudge, Rachel Hadas
, Shelby Hearon
, John Jakes
, John Koethe, Lois Lowry
, Peter Meinke
, Robert B. Parker
, Katherine Patterson, Elizabeth Peters, Arthur Plotnik, and William G. Tapply. The late Phyllis A. Whitney
had been a long-time editorial board member until her death in 2008.
Over the years, the magazine has gone through a number of physical changes. The first issue had only 18 pages; and for years The Writer had no illustrations. Currently, The Writer has more than 60 pages per issue, and includes color photographs on both the cover and interior.
The magazine's slogan has changed as well, since its inception. From at least 1896 to September 1925, the cover read, "A monthly magazine for literary workers." This changed to "An author's monthly forum" in October, 1925. The new slogan ran until at least October 1929. From at least October 1930-April 1932, the slogan changed subtly to "the author's forum." In March 1934, the slogan changed to "The pioneer magazine for literary workers", and would remain until October of that year. In November 1934, the slogan changed to "The oldest magazine for literary workers. Founded in Boston, 1887", and remained until 2000. At that point, the slogan changed to "the essential resource for writers since 1887." The slogan changed again as of the December 2008 issue to "Advice and inspiration for today's writer."
In May 1962, during its 75th anniversary, The Writer was honored with a congratulatory letter from President John F. Kennedy
.
As of 2008, The Writer has won the Folio Magazine Editorial Excellence Award six times.
As part of its 120th year celebration in 2007, The Writer began reprinting a past article in each issue of the monthly magazine (a practice it has continued into 2009), and archiving other past articles in PDF format on its website, www.writermag.com.
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
for writers published by the Kalmbach Publishing
Kalmbach Publishing
Kalmbach Publishing Co. is an American publisher of books and magazines, many of them railroad-related. It is now located in nearby Waukesha, Wisconsin...
Company of Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha is a city in and the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. The population was 70,718 at the 2010 census, making it the largest community in the county and 7th largest in the state. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Waukesha...
. It was first established by William H. Hills and Robert Luce
Robert Luce
Robert Luce was a United States Representative from Massachusetts. Born in Auburn, Maine, Luce attended the public schools of Auburn and Lewiston, Maine, and Somerville, Massachusetts...
, two Boston Globe reporters, as "a monthly magazine to interest and help all literary workers", in April 1887. Until the November 2000 issue, it was published in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. It is the oldest magazine for writers currently being published. It is targeted at writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
s, and includes articles offering advice for writing and resources for publishing.
The Writer offers articles of interest to both novice and experienced writers, including market news, interviews, and tips on how to hone one's skills in particular aspects of the craft.
Over its 120-year history, The Writer has been overseen by a number of editors. Hills remained associated with the magazine until February 1926. On page 54 of that issue, he wrote a farewell essay in which he stated he felt he was putting the magazine in safe hands as he resigned his place as editor to William D. Kennedy.
Luce, who later became a Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
Congressman
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, remained with the magazine through September 1888.
Hills is listed on the masthead as editor from April 1887-September 1920, followed by Margaret Gordon as editor from October 1920-September 1925. Hills is again listed from October 1925 until his retirement in February 1926. No explanation for Hills' absence from the masthead during Gordon's tenure is mentioned in those issues; but an editorial by Gordon in the Sept. 1925 issue (page 132), which refers to Hills as the magazine's conductor for nearly 40 years, suggests he was still involved in its operation, even if his name wasn't on the masthead. Hills' obituary in the December 1930 edition (page 315) also seems to indicate he was involved with the magazine continuously from 1887-1926.
William Dorsey Kennedy served as editor from March 1926-December 1928.
From 1929-1933, an editorial board
Editorial board
The editorial board is a group of people, usually at a publication, who dictate the tone and direction the publication's editorial policy will take.- Board makeup :...
was listed, which prominently featured Virginia C. Lincoln and Bertha W. Smith. Other board members changed, but Lincoln and Smith, who were listed as publisher and managing editor
Managing editor
A managing editor is a senior member of a publication's management team.In the United States, a managing editor oversees and coordinates the publication's editorial activities...
, respectively, by the October 1929 issue, remained in those positions until February 1934.
From March 1934-January 1936, Sargent Collier and Samuel G. Houghton served as publishers and editors.
The longest editorial era began in February 1936, when A.S. Burack took over the editor's chair. He would remain editor until his death in August, 1978. Burack's widow, Sylvia, then took over as editor (and later as publisher as well). In 2000, she sold the magazine to Kalmbach Publishing.
From November 2000 to October 2007, The Writer was edited by Elfrieda Abbe, who also became publisher with the September 2006 issue. As of the November 2007 issue, she turned the editorial reins over to Jeff Reich (formerly the magazine's managing editor), to focus exclusively on her duties as publisher. She was preceded as publisher by Russell G. Larson and Judith Hill.
The Writer's current editorial board consists of James Applewhite, T. Alan Broughton
T. Alan Broughton
T. Alan Broughton was born in June 1936 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He is a poet, and an amateur pianist. He began teaching writing in 1966 at the University of Vermont until he retired in 2001. He has attended Harvard University, Philips Exeter Academy, and the Juilliard School of Music...
, Eve Bunting
Eve Bunting
Anne Evelyn Bunting , better known as Eve Bunting, is an Irish author who has written more than 250 books. Her work covers a broad array of subjects and includes fiction and non-fiction books. Her novels are primarily aimed at children and young adults, but her works also include picture books...
, Mary Higgins Clark
Mary Higgins Clark
Mary Theresa Eleanor Higgins Clark Conheeney , known professionally as Mary Higgins Clark, is an American author of suspense novels...
, Barnaby Conrad, Lewis Burke Frumkes
Lewis Burke Frumkes
Lewis Frumkes is an American humorist and writer. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. Frumkes attended a number of institutions such as New York University, Trinity College, Columbia University, and Pace University. He earned his B.A...
, James Cross Giblin, Gail Godwin
Gail Godwin
Gail Kathleen Godwin is an American novelist and short story writer. She has published one non-fiction work, two collections of short stories, and eleven novels, three of which have been nominated for the National Book Award and five of which have made the New York Times Bestseller List.Godwin was...
, Eileen Goudge, Rachel Hadas
Rachel Hadas
Rachel Hadas is an American poet, teacher, essayist, and translator. Her most recent essay collection is Classics: Essays , and her most recent poetry collection is The Ache of Appetite . Her honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship, Ingram Merrill Foundation Grants, the O.B...
, Shelby Hearon
Shelby Hearon
Shelby Hearon is an American novelist and short story writer.- Biography :Hearon was born in 1931 in Marion, Kentucky. She attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1953...
, John Jakes
John Jakes
John William Jakes is an American writer, best known for American historical fiction.-Early life and education:...
, John Koethe, Lois Lowry
Lois Lowry
Lois Lowry is an American author of children's literature. She began her career as a photographer and a freelance journalist during the early 1970s...
, Peter Meinke
Peter Meinke
Peter Meinke is an American poet and author. He has published 17 books of poems and short stories. The Piano Tuner, won the 1986 Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction. His poetry has received many awards, including 2 NEA Fellowships and 3 prizes from the Poetry Society of America...
, Robert B. Parker
Robert B. Parker
Robert Brown Parker was an American crime writer. His most famous works were the novels about the private detective Spenser. ABC television network developed the television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character in the late 1980s; a series of TV movies based on the character were also...
, Katherine Patterson, Elizabeth Peters, Arthur Plotnik, and William G. Tapply. The late Phyllis A. Whitney
Phyllis A. Whitney
Phyllis Ayame Whitney was an American mystery writer. Rare for her genre, she wrote mysteries for both the juvenile and the adult markets, many of which feature exotic locations. Often described as a Gothic novelist, a review in The New York Times once dubbed her "The Queen of the American...
had been a long-time editorial board member until her death in 2008.
Over the years, the magazine has gone through a number of physical changes. The first issue had only 18 pages; and for years The Writer had no illustrations. Currently, The Writer has more than 60 pages per issue, and includes color photographs on both the cover and interior.
The magazine's slogan has changed as well, since its inception. From at least 1896 to September 1925, the cover read, "A monthly magazine for literary workers." This changed to "An author's monthly forum" in October, 1925. The new slogan ran until at least October 1929. From at least October 1930-April 1932, the slogan changed subtly to "the author's forum." In March 1934, the slogan changed to "The pioneer magazine for literary workers", and would remain until October of that year. In November 1934, the slogan changed to "The oldest magazine for literary workers. Founded in Boston, 1887", and remained until 2000. At that point, the slogan changed to "the essential resource for writers since 1887." The slogan changed again as of the December 2008 issue to "Advice and inspiration for today's writer."
In May 1962, during its 75th anniversary, The Writer was honored with a congratulatory letter from President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
.
As of 2008, The Writer has won the Folio Magazine Editorial Excellence Award six times.
As part of its 120th year celebration in 2007, The Writer began reprinting a past article in each issue of the monthly magazine (a practice it has continued into 2009), and archiving other past articles in PDF format on its website, www.writermag.com.