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Insider tip
"Imagining how a story might work on stage can inform the dramatic action of your novel. Looking to see how the dialogue and subtext might develop and reveal a character can help you to reveal the characters in your narratives." » Read more from Derek Neale, OU Lecturer in Creative Writing
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Writers, you’re the bee’s knees
Filed under: Festivals and Events
I really enjoyed being invited back to talk about ‘How to get published’ at the Winchester Writers’ Conference again this year.
I was there when the sun was shining and the atmosphere was full of enthusiasm. I just love meeting writers, regardless of what stage they’re at. Some writers Read more
Writers’ & Artists’ masterclass – the result
Filed under: Festivals and Events
We’ve just run our two-part Writers’ & Artists’ masterclass about submitting your manuscript as planned.
In part one we tackled the tricky job of drafting the covering letter, and one week later we followed up with a look at the art of writing a synopsis.
This was the first time that I’ve taught alongside editorial consultant Cressida Downing and, if I say so myself, we make a really good team. I think the reason for this is that I understand the theory (I talk to the people involved in turning a manuscript into a book and I gather information for writers), while Cressida is actually on the front line. She reads people’s submissions Read more
Make yourself heard
Filed under: Authors and Books, Festivals and Events
You’ve written a novel. That’s good. It’s being published. That’s better. You’ve been asked to perform a reading at a literary event. Very encouraging, but give it some thought before you accept – unless you’re an actor or a school teacher.
When you last sampled your own book, perhaps for the umpteenth time, was it Read more
Writers’ & Artists’ conference
I just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone who attended our ‘How to Get Published’ conference yesterday. It was a terrific day with lots of engaging chat and some excellent questions.
I was part of the team of organisers but happily I still managed to listen in to many of our guest speakers.
Literary agent Carole Blake spent a moment despairing at the name ’slush pile’, preferring to call it Read more
Books discount at ‘How To Get Published’
News just in – we’ll be selling copies of all your favourite A&C Black writing books, at a lovely discount, to delegates at the forthcoming Writers’ & Artists’ How to Get Published conference.
Offering a complete overview of how to get your work ready for submission, this one-day event is selling out quick so book your ticket now »
You might even bag a few bargains on the day!
Making the most of summer
Filed under: Festivals and Events, Writing Advice
I’m in the midst of organising the second annual Summer Writing Institute for BQFP, the publishing company where I work. This year we are expanding to five tracks: fiction, personal essay, poetry and for the first time, Arabic language workshops in fiction and essay as well.
It’s our last event before the summer and also the perhaps the one I’m most excited about because of how much Read more
When things start to happen…
Filed under: Authors and Books, Festivals and Events
A guest post from Bloomsbury author Katie Hickman, who is speaking on ‘How I Got Published’ at the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook writers’ conference on Saturday 19 June:
“Where does it all come from?” runs that favourite query of literary festival audiences. “Where do you get your ideas and your inspiration?”
Oh dear, I’ve always dreaded that question. I can answer anything, lierally anything at all, about the writing process. I can talk at length on word counts, publishers, how to get an agent – but this one has always Read more
Book now, and claim your discount!
We’ve got two great events for writers coming up, and if you book by the end of tomorrow, 30 April, you will get an amazingly good deal as you can claim your early-bird discount!
For all writers who are starting out we have our How to Get Published conference, which is a one-day event packed with Read more
Midsummer masterclass
Filed under: Festivals and Events
My favourite part of my job is getting to know writers.
It makes my everyday business of editing the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook come alive when I meet and talk to authors (both published and aspiring) at literary festivals, seminars and writers’ conferences.
Writers never cease to amaze me – I admire the ideas you have, your bravery Read more
London Book Fair: 10 pointers for writers
I was at the LBF yesterday to do some filming (which will be up on this site as soon as we’ve done an edit) and there again today on the offchance I could squeeze my way into a seminar where pre-booking was ‘essential’.
These are ten things I picked up, which are worth knowing, either for use and reference right now, or to decide whether you want to attend next time round.
1. “Everyone thinks they can write a children’s book”, according to Jayne at A&C Black. But then everyone at some point wanted to be an astronaut/train driver/Olympic athlete (delete as applicable). Writing a children’s book is harder than you think, and reading age is tricky to get right.
2. Authors who approach a stand and say “I know the editor-in-chief for 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.-
Tweet and Win! We are giving away free copies of our 2011 yearbooks - and you can win one in less than a minute. Visit our competition page now to be in with a chance...
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 »