Rachel Werner

Rachel Werner is the author of the kidlit books FLOODS (Capstone 2022), MOVING AND GROOVING TO FILLMORE'S BEAT (Capstone 2023) and THE GLAM WORLD TOUR (Capstone 2024) as well as the nonfiction YA title BEAUTY EMANCIPATION (Macmillian 2026). She is on faculty for Hugo House in Seattle, Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver, and the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, where she leads curricula to educate writers and content producers in marketing their work. A regular book reviewer for Shelf Awareness, she has contributed print, photography, and video content to We Are Teachers, Highlights Foundation, The Spruce Eats, TheKitchn and MotherUntitled. She is the founder of The Little Book Project WI, a community arts initiative committed to pursuing social justice through narrative. Rachel is represented by KT Literary Agency.

Artist Blog Posts
The Bookish Brand
What’s Derailing Your Determination?
5 traps that stop writers from finishing their projects—and how to avoid them.
Rachel Werner
Nov. 30
The Bookish Brand
Unclogging Our Creative Flow
Feeling creatively blocked? Discover practical ways to break through and finish projects.
Rachel Werner
Oct. 23
The Bookish Brand
How to Become a Professional Editor
Learn how Melissa Larsen turned her writing skills into a thriving editing career—and how you can, too.
Rachel Werner
Sep. 11
The Bookish Brand
The Power of a Pitch with Linda Falkenstein
Get published more often with these expert pitching tips.
Rachel Werner
Aug. 7
The Bookish Brand
Don’t Underestimate Anthologies
Margot Kahn and Rachel Werner reveal the secrets to making your mark in anthologies and catching the eyes of top editors.
Rachel Werner
Jul. 9
The Bookish Brand
Demystifying Book Acquisitions
Ever wondered how to land a traditional book deal? We've got you covered.
Rachel Werner
Jun. 5
The Bookish Brand
How Much Should I Charge for Freelance Work?
Learn how to calculate your value, manage your hourly fees, and create scalable package offerings.
Rachel Werner
May. 12
The Bookish Brand
Should You Hire a Publicist?
Is a publicist your ticket to bestseller status? Find out now.
Rachel Werner
Apr. 6
The Bookish Brand
Mentorship in Writing
Mentorship: Your secret weapon for artistic growth and achieving your writing dreams.
Rachel Werner
Mar. 12
The Bookish Brand
Unpack “Craft” To Boost Your Career
A highlight reel of the reads that have guided Rachel Werner through creative blocks, enriched her teaching, and deepened her understanding of the business behind writing.
Rachel Werner
Feb. 3
The Bookish Brand
 “Profess to Possess”: A Creative Manifesto
Explore Rachel Werner's “Profess to Possess” and uncover actionable strategies to reach your creative milestones this year.
Rachel Werner
Jan. 8
The Bookish Brand
Ready for The Rich Writers’ Life?
The Rich Writer's Life (RWL) is about more than finances. It's setting your own schedule, cherishing time with loved ones, and finding joy in every day.
Rachel Werner
Dec. 7
The Bookish Brand
Cashing In On Content Creation
Ever thought about the grind behind the 'gram?
Rachel Werner
Nov. 11
The Bookish Brand
How To Be An Author For Hire
Want to write a book but don't have an idea? With IP projects, publishers hand you the concept, you bring it to life, and get paid upfront! Learn how.
Rachel Werner
Oct. 5
The Bookish Brand
The Secret to Selling a Book Series
Discover Hanna Kim's pathway to becoming a published author, the unexpected extensions of "The Magic Lunch Box" series, and the joy found in community connections in the latest insightful blog post by Rachel Werner.
Rachel Werner
Sep. 7
The Bookish Brand
Authors Get Stage Fright Too
From mastering public speaking to preparing for media interviews, columnist Rachel Werner offers essential tips for authors to overcome stage fright and make a memorable impression.
Rachel Werner
Aug. 4
The Bookish Brand
The LIT Party of the Year: Wordplay 2023 Preview
Listen, engage, and fuel transformative progress through authentic dialogue on July 8th in Minneapolis.
Rachel Werner
Jun. 30
The Bookish Brand
The Real-Life Adventures of Debut Authors
Beyond the "Once Upon a Time": The gritty, glamorous, and grueling journey of debut authors unveiled.
Rachel Werner
Jun. 9
The Bookish Brand
Behind the Hype of ChatGPT
Is AI coming for writers? Explore the hype and realities behind AI tools, and find out why human touch still matters in content creation. Our contributor, Rachel Werner, interviews MIT grad and Fancy Comma founder, Sheeva Azma, for an insightful take on AI's impact on the writing industry.
Rachel Werner
May. 3
The Bookish Brand
Financial Literacy for Freelancers
Are you a freelancer looking to achieve financial resiliency? Learn key strategies to manage your finances and safeguard against financial setbacks.
Rachel Werner
Apr. 5
The Bookish Brand
4 Ways to Diversify Your Income as a Writer
Strengthen your personal brand and expand your network with these creative revenue streams.
Rachel Werner
Mar. 9
The Bookish Brand
The Right Time for a Writers' Conference?
Is a writing conference right for you this year? Rachel digs in and looks at some upcoming ones on the calendar for 2023.
Rachel Werner
Feb. 3
The Bookish Brand
Boost Your Writerly Biz in 2023
Approaching professional goals from this perspective may be the fresh outlook needed to help you simplify, sell and scale your way to more success in 2023. A solid starting point is acknowledging what you don’t know about entrepreneurship.
Rachel Werner
Jan. 10
The Bookish Brand
Take a Creative Inventory
The Bookish Brand launched one year ago. A few times I’ve wondered how long it may take for me to run out of topics to cover. Then I’ll encounter another person who is grappling with how to sustain a full-time writing career or an active side hustle.
Rachel Werner
Nov. 10
The Bookish Brand
How to Prep for Podcasts Like a Pro
Is it better to be the podcaster or the interviewee? Both can be beneficial to fledgling and seasoned authors alike. Thankfully, neither role necessitates having to forego the other.
Rachel Werner
Oct. 6
The Bookish Brand
Blogging Your Way to More Bucks
For many writers with book publishing aspirations, blogging flourishes into a mechanism for building a readership base, plus a lucrative side endeavor. This month, Rachel interviews successful blogger Rochelle Melander.
Rachel Werner
Sep. 7
The Bookish Brand
Why Every Writer Should Consider Outsourcing
Let’s have an honest heart to heart for a moment. We all spend money trying to expand our writing careers. Which in itself, isn’t problematic. What we decide to drop some coin on is where the trouble can creep up. Creatives often get it twisted in terms of how to prioritize purchases.
Rachel Werner
Aug. 11
The Bookish Brand
Dynamic Digital Tools For Writers
In order to effectively market yourself as an author, blogger, or freelance writer for hire, forging relationships with fellow creativepreneurs and those working in other industries will be critical. It is essential you make time to build strategic partnerships based on your interpersonal skills.
Rachel Werner
Jul. 7
The Bookish Brand
How to Woo An Agent
Finding an agent is not a linear process. Many writers spend months querying in vain, feeling like little-to-no progress is happening. As a result, some decide to self-publish. Others stash away the manuscript(s) toiled over for years—convinced they’re just not destined to see their work in print.
Rachel Werner
Jun. 6
The Bookish Brand
When Writers Become Publishers
Launching an imprint can be a heavy lift, even during an economical era which is becoming increasingly advantageous for independent creators. Self-publishing allows a writer to retain primary control of how, when and to whom her/his/their work is distributed.
Rachel Werner
May. 6
The Bookish Brand
Publishing Outside of the Box
Writing a book is not easy. But getting one published is often even more difficult. The time it takes to query agents and/or publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts can often accumulate into months of what feels like much wasted effort.
Rachel Werner
Apr. 6
The Bookish Brand
IRL Connections: Why Writers Need Networking Too
Not that long ago, being able to write full-time for a living was the dream I was working toward. Another major professional goal was becoming a published author. Both of these have now become a reality. To be sure, neither was easy. But I received a lot of useful advice and encouragement.
Rachel Werner
Mar. 4
The Bookish Brand
Where My Peeps At?: How Online Communities Can Elevate Your Career
Contrary to what many believe, being a writer is not a solitary endeavor. And in contemporary society, working in a silo could prematurely tank your career. We all need to find other creative professionals to connect with for savvy advice, emotional support and promotional opportunities.
Rachel Werner
Feb. 3
The Bookish Brand
How to Crush Your (Paid) Writing Goals in The New Year
Having endless sparks of inspiration is a gift many creatives have. Although that blessing is at times a curse—especially when each new intention sidetracks us from actually sitting down to do the work. I too have several ideas brewing about how to expand my writing career in 2022.
Rachel Werner
Jan. 5
The Bookish Brand
Post Inspo: 10 Simple Social Media Ideas
Writers may be passionate about writing, but a fair number also abhor social media. Instead of feeling inspired by the wealth of information available via a quick scroll on their mobile device, many feel overwhelmed, disheartened, and/or perplexed.
Rachel Werner
Nov. 30
The Bookish Brand
Paid Advertising: Friend or Foe?
“Boosting” a post seems so simple. With a mere tap of your finger, your new book or blog post will now be shared with hundreds more people than you currently have as followers. Or least that’s how it seems on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Rachel Werner
Nov. 2
Pro Tips
Disability Representation in Writing
Marginalization is often magnified by societal invisibility for the disabled individuals. Even initiatives and organizations committed to championing inclusivity often overlook those who have different access needs.
Rachel Werner
Aug. 24
Loft Spotlights
Meet Teaching Artist Rachel Werner
Rachel Werner is faculty for Hugo House and The Loft Literary Center, a We Need Diverse Books program volunteer, and a book reviewer for Shelf Awareness. She is also the founder of The Little BookProject WI, a community arts and nonprofit biannual collaboration.
Rachel Werner
Dec. 18
Artist Classes & Events
Class
6-Week: Finessing Historical Fiction
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 Class
A Communal Day of Care: A Class for Writers of Color and Indigenous Writers
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 Class
Sampler Class: Mapping Your Creativity with Rachel Werner
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