Story jigsaw

Welcome…

How well do you respond to critique? I’m sure by now

THE WORLD OF WRITING

Ships of fools, secret scripts and short-form stories sail past Derek Hudson in this month’s look at the world of writing

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We want to hear your news and views on the writing world, your advice for fellow writers – and don’t forget to tell us what you would like to see featured in a future issue…

Helpline

Your writing problems solved with advice from Diana Cambridge

Away from your desk

Get out of your garret for some upcoming activities and places to visit

Looks matter

This month, tech trainer Greta Powell helps with media files and image display

Editorial calendar

Strong forward planning will greatly improve your chances with freelance submissions. Here are some themes to consider for the coming months.

Coping with tech trials

Patrick Forsyth shares hard-earned wisdom as his computer gets back on track

The last hurrah

As Michael Allen takes a bow, his final piece of advice is to make sure you enjoy writing

On Writing

Tony Rossiter explores great words from great writers

From the OTHE SIDE R OF THE DESK

Literary agent Piers Blofeld is dismayed at some of the responses to a new prize for thrillers without crimes against women

ASK A LITERARY CONSULTANT

How long should you wait before nudging an agent who has requested your manuscript? Helen Corner-Bryant advises a reader in limbo

WRITERS’ VOICE Prize draw

Want to make sure the writing competitions you’re entering are reputable? Follow the sound advice from Nicola Solomon, chief executive of the Society of Authors

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ONLINE THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ONLINE

Take advantage of a vast resource of UK history, suggests Tarja Moles

BEHIND THE TAPE

Expert advice to get the details right in your crime fiction, from serving police officer Lisa Cutts

Double your money

Follow womag writer Glynis Scriven’s advice on how you can turn one plot into two successful pieces of commercial fiction

Coping with critique

A good critique can hone your work and make it better but you need to be ready to take it on the chin. Sophie Beal’s advice will help to soften the blow

Under the Microscope

James McCreet considers the opening of a reader’s dystopian drama

Size matters – or dose it?

Margaret James looks at an issue that’s personal to every writer – their most comfortable size for telling a story

I wish I’d known…

With Lizzie Lovell, who also writes as Sophie Duffy

THE big QUESTION

Helen M Walters looks at Haita The Shepherd by Ambrose Bierce to examine writing short stories that tackle weighty issues

Is horror dead?

In the first of a two-part series on the state of horror publishing, Alex Davis picks over the bones of the indie presses

FREE RANGE writing through the year May

Put your best foot forward in these walking-related creative writing exercises from Jenny Alexander

Rhapsody in Blue

The Liner is leaving next week; it’s time to say goodbye.

Dream a little dream

We all have writing dreams as well as sleeping dreams. Julie Phillips encourages you to explore both with your writing group in these exercises

My Brothers Keeper

Body-snatching’s better than the workhouse, but only

Red Editing Pen

Each month, we give you a few sentences which would all benefit from some careful use of your red editing pen. As writers, and regular readers of Writing Magazine, you should not find any of these too difficult. But if you would welcome a little help, you can always check out Richard Bell’s suggested solutions below.

THE WRITER GOOD

Nikesh Shukla tackles life, race and big ideas, with Tina Jackson

How I got published GILLIAN MCALLISTER

The lawyer and author of psychological thrillers talks to Dolores Gordon Smith about learning to play a long game in order to get published

The style & technique of MARGARET ATWOOD

Tony Rossiter explores two of the literary bestseller’s novels, one speculative and one historical

Shelf life: AMINATTA FORNA

The leading literary author share her top five reads with Judith Spelman

SUBSCRIBER SPOTLIGHT

Share your writing success stories. If you subscribe to Writing Magazine and would like to feature here, email Tina Jackson, tjackson@warnersgroup.co.uk

CIRCLES’ ROUNDUP

If your writing group would like to feature here, whether you need new members, have an event to publicise or to suggest tips for other groups, email Tina Jackson, tjackson@warnersgroup.co.uk

CSI: HELEN PEPPER

What do crime scene investigators really do? True crime consultant Helen Pepper explains to Chris High

JP DELANEY

The prolific author tells Margaret James why it took him fifteen years to write his first psychological thriller

ROSIE HOWARD

The novelist tells Lynne Hackles how she manages her work-life balance, even if fantasy and reality don’t match up

You gotta have faith

Believe in your work, urges Adrian Magson, and get it out there

Take note

Writers may not need a notebook, but they definitely need a way of remembering their ideas, says Jane Wenham Jones

Waiting for buses

Simon Whaley chats to three writers about how they cope in the quiet times between projects.

FALLING DOWN ON THE JOB

Lorraine Mace prides herself on meeting deadlines even when injury and technology force her to find new ways of working

The past in focus

The poems entered in our Nostalgia Poetry Competition were so good that judge Alison Chisholm had to work extra hard to decide the winners

A moment on the march

Alison Chisholm examines a poignant poem inspired by a specific image

Poetry in practice

Take control of your poem’s pace with advice from Doris Corti

Poety from A to Z

Poet Alison Chisholm guides you through the language of poetry

WRITERS’ NEWS

Your essential monthly round-up of competitions, paying markets, opportunities to get into print and publishing industry news.

INTRODUCTIONS

Writing Magazine presents a selection of comedy outlets currently accepting contributions. We strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with their guidelines before submitting and check websites, where given, for submission details.

Novel Ideas Save my molars

Misuse of apostrophes is making Lynne Hackles grind her teeth

INTERNATIONAL ZINE SCENE

Gaze is ‘interested in the intersection between seeing

What’s the score?

Patrick Forsyth isn’t a sports fan but he appreciates the link between sport and travel writing