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"Yes, the ending was as I planned it." Stephen Poliakoff explained the writing process behind his new thriller, Glorious 39, at his recent Waterstone's signing.
Read the interview with Stephen Poliakoff » -
"One of the most satisfying things about blogging is the immediacy. You think it up, type it out on your keyboard and then publish."
Read more from author Tim Kevan » -
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When your writing lacks life
Filed under: Writing Advice
While reading a friend’s manuscript, I realised it suffered from the same problem as several previous drafts of my novel: the writing was dead.
I don’t mean that it wasn’t grammatically correct or it didn’t evoke some spontaneous laughter. Rather the writer behind the words on the page was distant. As a reader I couldn’t sense her emotions; the story never went beyond the safe boundaries of expression. To put it another way, there was nothing at stake for the writer – she wasn’t taking any risks. And therefore I as a reader was likely to put the manuscript down.
How does material end up lifeless? Read more
Right Words: a competition for young writers
Filed under: Competitions and Offers
A guest post from writer, translator and editor Daniel Hahn:
I’ve always been interested in writing. Being a writer, that’s not surprising – but I don’t mean that I’m interested in writing just for its own sake, but for the ways in which it can be useful beyond the merely enjoyable (and perhaps self-indulgent). The way in which encouraging people to write about a subject is to encourage them to pick it apart and think about it, process it, form views about it, reconstruct it in a way that makes sense to them and their world. Young people, especially.
Which is why for some years, I’ve been talking to friends at Human Rights Watch about setting up a writing competition for young people. What better way to get teenagers to wrestle with an important issue, we thought, than by inviting them to write about it? Read more
Your questions about writing for children
Filed under: Getting Published, Literary Agents
There have been a number of specific questions relating to my post about finding a literary agent, so I thought I’d do a bit of a round-up here.
Rachel Limon asks how to get across to an agent what age-range she is writing for. It’s important to know who you are aiming your book at. When writing for children, the two key questions are:
- What age child would have the book read to them? (This only applies to younger age groups.)
- What age child would read the book themselves?
State clearly in your covering letter what age/s your book is aimed at.
In terms of finding a specific children’s agent, can I Read more
Beat the synopsis stress
Filed under: Getting Published
Events at the Kingston University writers’ conference the other weekend went very well. Over 120 writers attended to get the lowdown on how to get published.
My workshop covered the bare bones of what to submit to an agent or a publisher, with particular emphasis on writing a synopsis.
I started by explaining that the function of a synopsis is to show the reader that you’re in control of your work. It also demonstrates that you are a good enough writer to be able to break your work down into its component parts.
I find that some writers feel disconcerted when it comes to writing their synopsis, nervous even. Ring any bells? Read more
New video featuring award-winning author Justin Cartwright
Watch our new video to hear Justin Cartwright talking about the inspiration for his latest book, To Heaven by Water, as well as his advice for aspiring authors.
To Heaven by Water was published by Bloomsbury in July 2009. It’s a wonderful story of friendship, forgiveness and of love which comes from unexpected directions. It is an exploration of what we might hope from this life and in particular, the possibility of transcendence. Read more
Why an agent wants exclusivity
Filed under: Literary Agents, Writing Advice
It can seem unfair that a literary agent asks for exclusive submission, which to the aspiring author can seem like sheer pigheadedness. However, the following recent experience may give you some idea as to why they ask for it.
An agent I was working for had sent me unsolicited manuscripts to look at. I thought one of them showed real promise.
We contacted the author, saw the complete manuscript and entered into a Read more
Events, events, events!
Filed under: Festivals and Events
Got anything nice planned for the weeks ahead? There are more than 20 literary festivals from now until the end of October and you’ll find them all listed in our freshly updated What’s On page. Take a look for details of everything from the largest literary festival of its kind in Europe to a fortnight celebrating Dylan Thomas.
Best wishes, Claire
(Publisher, Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook)
Edward Monkton on starting out
Filed under: Art and Illustration, Authors and Books
Something we pride ourselves on here at the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook is getting you the best advice from the professionals. In our interview with Edward Monkton, he has the following to say about starting out as a writer or artist.
I call him ‘Edward Monkton’, as you’ll probably know him by that name, but he is in fact Giles Andreae, the artist, writer and poet behind everything from Purple Ronnie to the Hamster of Madness.
Giles Andreae’s advice for starting out: Read more
Conference for writers at Kingston University
Filed under: Festivals and Events
Alison Baverstock, our very own guest blogger, is leading a two-day writers’ conference at Kingston University 11–12 September 2009.
Alison is senior lecturer of Kingston’s Publishing MA and as well as author of several books including Is there a Book in You? and Marketing Your Book: an Author’s Guide. She’ll be supported by an impressive range of industry experts and writers including literary agent Carole Blake, Richard Charkin (executive director of Bloomsbury), authors Chris Cleave, Mary Lawson and Michael Ridpath – and many more.**
Alison says ‘if there’s a book in you – but Read more
The Google Settlement: the (very) bare bones
Filed under: Digital publishing
The settlement reached between Google, the Authors Guild of America and the Association of American Publishers in October 2008, ran to a daunting 350 pages. The agreement has sparked a huge legal case in the USA, with some publishers and authors concerned about potential infringement of their copyright. So what might it mean for you? Read more
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Buy the 2010 Yearbook
The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is available at a discounted price from our online bookshop. Get all the info, 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 »