Melanie Unruh 
What’s That? A few months ago we shared some tips on how to find an agent to query once you’ve written a book and are ready to seek representation. Now we’re going to delve into that next crucial step in the process: drafting a query letter. But what exactly is a query letter? Here’s a … Read more
Hello, friends! It’s time for our bi-monthly feature on places to submit. Sometimes in summer it feels like nothing is open, especially since so many literary journals are connected with schools and follow academic calendars. But don’t fret; Plume’s got you covered! Here’s a round-up of some great places that are open and waiting for … Read more
A few years ago I was at the AWP conference in L.A. when I met Brenna Gomez through a mutual friend from grad school. Brenna and I had gone through the same program, but at different times. She gave off a warm, writerly energy, and I knew she was going to be someone I would … Read more
I’ve been trying lately to pair what I’m reading with what I’m writing. Since I’m revising a novel that is partially narrated through journal entries, I went off in search of books with a similar structure. I started re-reading A Tale for the Time Being, a book I really enjoyed the first time. One of … Read more
Green-Eyed In the age of social media, it’s easy to look at other people’s curated lives of sunny vacations, spousal outpourings of devotion, and Pinterest-perfect desserts, and feel a little tug of jealousy. But what about when it comes to other people’s presentation of their accomplishments and habits in the realm of writing? It’s another … Read more
Revising, Please! I am one of those people who enjoys revising more than the initial writing of the thing. Maybe a blinking cursor on blank page fills you with excitement and possibility, but beginnings tend to fill me with dread. Give me a mangy, long, stumbling piece of writing and I will lovingly tend to … Read more
I met Sarah when I was in grad school and she was an undergrad at The University of New Mexico. My department had just started a creative writing mentorship program and I was assigned to mentor Sarah. I still have a vivid memory of this tall, bubbly, beautiful young woman coming up to me at … Read more
When trying to find a home for your writing (if that’s one of your goals), sometimes it can feel a little overwhelming combing through the internet (or books! Remember books with places to submit? If those still exist, I’m sure it’s hard to keep them up to date!). We here at Plume have decided that … Read more
Do you ever get stuck in your writing? Or have the feeling your life is too boring to inspire your creativity? I think we’ve all been there, but much like the dreaded writer’s block, I don’t think we should let these negative ideas get too comfortable sticking around. We all have our off moments, but … Read more
If you’re a mom, then you know it looms large in your identity. You are the finder of socks! The cutter of crusts! The only one the baby wants to hold him most days. She who carpools everyone to baseball practice and the movies with their friends. I like to think of my motherly identity … Read more