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Insider tip
The biggest key to voice is not worrying about it. Bad style often comes from trying too hard to imitate the style of other writers. Gotham Writers' Workshop: Writing Fiction-
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Five ways to find a literary agent
You’ve written your manuscript. It’s as good as it’s going to be. It’s time to get it out into the real world – and you need an agent.
Many mainstream publishers no longer read work that isn’t represented, which is where the literary agent comes in. Find yourself a good agent and they’ll use their experience to match your work with the best publishing house, and push to get the best deal for you.
If you’re new to the writing game, these are my five pointers Read more
How to deal with rejection letters
Filed under: Authors and Books, Getting Published
Behind every published author is someone who’s had to deal with rejection. But how do you get over it? Guest blogger novelist Emma Bowd shares her experiences of dealing with the dreaded ‘no thank you’ letters.
As a published author, I can have the luxury of saying that rejection letters are an absolute rite-of-passage. But I’m also not so far away from the coal face to have quite forgotten the sting of Read more
The specialness of stationery
Most writers seem to love stationery – it is, after all, the means by which we first communicate – even if we subsequently get hooked on the computer.
I can remember the joy with which I went through the list of stationery needed for my final year at junior school, buying one crayon a week until I had the required number. And then, when you got to school, there was the specialness of writing on the first page of each brand new exercise book; trying to produce your very best writing for Read more
Book, blog and beyond …
Filed under: Marketing Yourself
Want to ‘talk’? Need a new ‘friend’? I’m pleased to say that you can find the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook not just here, but also on MySpace and Facebook, where we’ll also be running special offers and giveaways. Add us to your favourites!
Warm wishes, Jo
Feel the fear and blog anyway
Filed under: Marketing Yourself
Having your own blog must be one of the easiest ways to reach an audience. Yet for every aspiring writer who is already blogging, there are those who shudder at the thought. And I do empathise with these writers… blogging was new to me until Read more
I’m an artist, do I need an agent?
Getting an agent can save you a lot of time and trouble, says guest blogger illustrator Clare Mackie. And if you’re an artist do let us at ‘Writers & Artists’ know what your view is on having an agent.
This one’s up to you – it’s not imperative to have an agent, but if you’re not business-minded or would rather not deal with that side at all, then it’s well worth it.
Illustrators’ agents take about Read more
Is it 2010 already? It is for the Yearbook
Filed under: Competitions and Offers
I’m feeling deliciously light and cool despite it being muggy outside. And it’s not just because I’m sitting near the air con unit – it’s because the 2010 edition of the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook has gone to the printers bang on time!
So, the shiny red cover may be Read more
Bloggers beware, you have no privacy
If you blog under the cloak of anonymity, today is something of a day of reckoning. You have no right to keep your identity a secret. Not even if you’re an Read more
Who wants to be a ‘proper writer’?
Filed under: Authors and Books, Writing Advice
Our guest blogger author John Simmons believes it’s wrong to draw a line between the ‘proper writer’ and other types of writer. What do you think, do you agree?
Are you a writer? I sometimes get exasperated by people – often people who describe themselves as writers – who insist on Read more
Writers' workshop at Winchester
Filed under: Festivals and Events, Getting Published
Such is the appetite for meeting other writers face-to-face, to mix and mingle with emerging voices and established names, there’s practically a writers’ event around every corner. I’m looking forward to seeing some of you at Read more
Buy the 2011 Yearbook
The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is available at a discount from our online bookshop. Get all the information, contacts and advice you could need.On camera: Jon McGregor
"Being longlisted for the Booker Prize changed everything - it was the launchpad for my writing career." Click to view our video with novelist Jon McGregor »
On camera: Justin Cartwright
"Just write... If you're any good you may not know it, but certainly someone else will." Click to view our video with novelist Justin Cartwright »
On camera: Julie Myerson
The novelist and journalist Julie Myerson on how she got that all-important first publishing deal. Click here to view our video exclusive »