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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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A website of one’s own…
Years ago when I was working for a publishing house that specialises in popular culture books, there was a story doing the rounds about one particular celebrity.
This singer, who was well past his pop prime (hence had time on his hands, we suspected), apparently ran his own fan club, and guarded his image so keenly that he wouldn’t Read more
Roll up for the DIY book tour!
We often ask successful authors what else they do besides write. Writing the book is just the beginning. Well it is, if you want to get your work out there, across to the public at large, and selling in large amounts.
What’s striking is not only the many and varied things that are done in the name of promotion, but also those that aren’t generally done, but could be, if you put your mind to it.
Here are some of the things that authors have told us Read more
Apple’s iPad, e-reading and you
With news of the iPad reaching fever pitch, I’ve been gadget watching, observing commuters and their reading. Today it was paperbacks nil, iPhones 3 (these were games – Poker, Peggle etc – not books), and eReaders 1 (held aloft on the down escalator at London’s Liverpool Street).
My journey into work is mercifully brief but nonetheless I am seeing habits in transition. The eBook reader as travelling companion can work, thanks to long battery life, multiple titles and pageturning with one hand.
So as an author, do you need to concern yourself with eBooks and eReaders, what they are and what they do, and how to write the perfect e-seller? Read more
What are your ideas worth?
Filed under: Digital publishing, Writing Advice
You’re writing a book and you want to make money. Yet the expected rite-of-passage for any new writer is a sojourn in the wilderness of holding down multiple jobs, struggling to get an agent, and – well – not earning a great deal of cash. Not for a while, at any rate.
‘Writer’ has never been up there with lawyer, doctor, broker etc, as one of the UK’s best paid jobs. Nor, thankfully, is it up there with the Worst Jobs with the Best Pay. I’d say it’s a whole lot more glamorous than 21hr crab-fishing shifts in Alaska. But it’s a breadline kind of glamour, isn’t it?
Actually there could be other ways to generate revenue. It could be that making money Read more
Books every writer should read
I’ve just spotted a post which lists 75 books every writer should read, and I felt the urge to share. It’s a great list, one which any aspiring writer would do well to investigate – take a look, it’s here: 75 Books Every Writer Should Read.
What do you think? Are there books there that you’ve read already, and would rate to other users of our site? Or is there one that really piques your curiosity? Perhaps there’s Read more
Merry Christmas everyone!
Filed under: Festivals and Events, Getting Published
Wishing all of you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year – may 2010 be your most successful writing year yet!
We expect you’ll be getting to grips with your writing projects during the holidays. So, to help you along the way, we’ve set up a dedicated email address, especially for you to ask any burning questions about getting published.
Simply email your question to writersandartists@acblack.com by 4 January 2010 – it couldn’t be easier.
Please note that we won’t be able to Read more
Competition for young writers
Filed under: Competitions and Offers
I’ve just been on the phone with the people at Right Words, who are running a competition for young writers. The idea is to produce a piece of writing inspired by the issue of child soldiers, and it’s a reminder of just how powerful a means of communication – and understanding – writing can be.
The competition is open to Read more
Competition: Tell us your pitch!
Filed under: Competitions and Offers, Festivals and Events
Everyone loves a competition, which is why we’re announcing the details of our new writers’ conference with a great giveaway, so get your (virtual) pens at the ready.
On Saturday 13 March, we’re holding a conference for writers, called the ‘Insider Guide to How to Get Published’. We’ve brought together some of the top names in publishing to make it a day to remember.
Jo Herbert, the editor of the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook will be there, as will a host of guest speakers Read more
Free marketing advice: read it now!
Filed under: Marketing Yourself
If you’re a new author you’ll want people far and wide to read your book (especially after you’ve put so much serious effort into writing it!), which means you’ll also want to know how best to market it.
That’s why here at Writers & Artists we’re running a special serialisation of Alison Baverstock’s ‘Marketing Your Book’ (A&C Black), an essential read on Read more
Notes from a screenwriter
We’ve just added a new interview with the award-winning dramatist Stephen Poliakoff to the site, whose new film Glorious 39 starring Romola Garai and Bill Nighy is released in cinemas later this month.
In the Q&A he talks about how he researched the historical details for the film’s First World War setting, immersing himself in diaries and books:
“A lot of the research had been building up over the years as I got more and more interested in this period and began reading diaries…
“So diaries were great because people don’t know what’s going to happen the next day, they’re not writing in retrospect, however much they might have touched them up to make them read better. There is an authenticity of sorts 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 »