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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.
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"One of the most satisfying things about blogging is the immediacy. You think it up, type it out on your keyboard and then publish."
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Short story competition – get cracking
Filed under: Competitions and Offers
If you’re planning on entering our Writers’ & Artists’ short story competition then you’d better get your writing finger out.
There are only two weeks left until the closing date on 14 February (Valentine’s Day to all you romantics out there).
All you have to do (I’m saying that with a smile) is write Read more
We announce the winner!
A big thank you to everyone who took part in our recent competition!
We asked you to write a pitch for your book in 20 words or fewer, for a chance to win a place at the ‘Insider Guide to How to Get Published’ conference.
In the end we had hundreds of entries and the standard has been extremely high. It’s been a tough call choosing a winner, but finally we picked someone whose entry really sparked our imaginations and left us wanting to read more.
So a big congratulations 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
Our writing competition heats up (despite the cold)
Filed under: Competitions and Offers
As winter approaches and the days get shorter, so does our productivity: 8pm in November and you’re heating your milk ready for bedtime, compared to 8pm in June, when you’re out washing the car or sitting in the garden with a glass of rosé, enjoying the evening sunshine. At least – this applies to me.
However, many of you dedicated writers out there are continuing to cram the hours into your day.
In October alone, we received over one third of our total writing competition entries to date. 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
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
Writer-in-residence: book giveaway!
Filed under: Authors and Books, Competitions and Offers
John Simmons
There’s been a flurry of media interest in ‘writers in residence’, sparked by Alain de Botton’s stint at Heathrow. My Guardian letter explained that there are other ways to be a writer-in-residence. In fact, I took on that rather intriguing role at King’s Cross tube station for a year.
There are different ways to interpret the role. Alain de Botton was commissioned by BAA to be at Terminal 5 for a week, to set up a desk and be visible, to meet members of the public, explore stories of how T5 works, and then to write a book that BAA will give out to customers. Clearly, given the media coverage, the role was seen as a good PR opportunity for BAA.
My stint at King’s Cross was quite different. I was there for a whole year (half a day a week) and my focus was on the staff not the public. As King’s Cross is London Underground’s busiest station, managers were concerned that I should not interfere with the running of the railway. So I spent most of my time meeting 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
‘247 Tales’ competition!
Filed under: Competitions and Offers
It’s pens (and computers) at the ready for the 247tales writing competition from our colleagues over at Bloomsbury.
You’ll recall that Beth won last month’s competition on the theme of ‘April’s Fool’, writing her tale about a jester’s search for love in 247 words exactly (well done, Beth). Read more
Kaye Umansky: How I write
Filed under: Authors and Books, Competitions and Offers
Guest blogger Kaye Umansky has written over 130 children’s books. How did she find writing a story for Bloomsbury’s 247tales?
Author Kaye Umansky
Write a story in 247 words. Phew! That’s a tall order, right? I write longer notes to the milkman.
I was given the title “Spring Cleaning” and the suggestion that the story should centre on Pongwiffy, a witch of dirty habits. Seven books are coming out about her this year, so it made sense, as I am currently in the Pong Zone, as I call it. 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 »