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Insider tip
Syndication can be the least troublesome way to sell overseas and frees you from any translation problems. Writing for Magazines by Jill Dick-
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Getting lost in London
Filed under: Writing Advice
I went to an important meeting in London yesterday – held at a venue I know well, in a part of London I know well.
Given those facts, I didn’t bother to print out a map, just had a quick check on a bus stop and leapt on a bus bound for Farringdon Street.
It gradually dawned on me as I headed in an unfamiliar direction that this wasn’t going well. The 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
How do you begin a novel?
Filed under: Authors and Books, Writing Advice
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:
When I first started writing I used to think that there was nothing in the world quite as intimidating as a blank sheet of paper. A thought I was reminded of only a few days ago when staring at one myself, waiting for the inspiration to begin my new novel, the next in the series after The Pindar Diamond.
There is something about it that Read more
Number One tip for writers
Filed under: Authors and Books, Writing Advice
Venture inside the writing process, says guest blogger Laura Jane Cassidy:
Often when authors are asked to give their number one tip to aspiring writers, they reply with ‘Read, read, read’.
I know that reading is important, but I think rewriting is even more so.
When you read a book you are looking at the finished product, and in most cases it’s the result of a lot of rewriting. I watch an insane amount of movies, but that doesn’t mean Read more
Must I listen when the muse sings?
This is the last in our series of guest posts from Thomas E. Kennedy about the 4 questions a writer must answer for him – or herself. Once you know the answers to them, in your heart, you know what you are about...
“In his wonderful book On Writing, Henry Miller said that if you don’t listen when the Muse sings, you get excommunicated. He claimed that when Read more
How to submit again
You wrote your novel, you thought it was great, and you sent it out. It came rushing back to you, bristling with rejection slips. The scales fell from your eyes and you realised you still had work to do.
After you have rewritten – how do you send your work out again? And indeed should you? Read more
Advice for writers from Jodi Picoult
Filed under: Authors and Books, Writing Advice
I recently went along to see Jodi Picoult talking about her new book, House Rules, at an event put on by Toppings Booksellers in Ely. As you would expect from someone on her 17th book, she does a tremendous amount to get her books written, and to promote them when they come out.
The questions ranged over many of her previous books, asking how she came to write about so many Read more
Rules are made to be broken…
Filed under: Getting Published, Writing Advice
… so why have rules?
You will see time and again on this site, and others dedicated to writing advice, ‘you must write this long or this short a novel’, ‘you can’t have characters who do this or that’, ‘make sure you obey all grammar rules’.
Do you feel rebellious?
Do you wonder why 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
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.-
Win, Win, Win! We are giving away 5 copies of How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini, the fantastic children's book by Elen Caldecott. For details of how to enter this giveaway go to 'Children's Book Giveaway!' >
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 »