THE WORLD OF WRITING

Bad sex, zeitgeisty pronouns and publishers going in for the chop are all part for the course in the wide 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…

Editorial calendar

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

Clock on

Patrick Forsyth finds a calming influence to help hit long-term deadlines

INTRODUCTIONS

Writing Magazine presents a selection of paying feminist/empowering magazines/ websites currently accepting contributions. We strongly recommend that you read back issues, familiarise yourself with their guidelines before submitting and check websites for submission details.

Novel Ideas

A writer’s support network is to be cherished, says Lynne Hackles

INTERNATIONAL ZINE SCENE

Muse/A Journal is a US literary journal of poetic writing.

Boldly go

Patrick Forsyth is inspired by a famous travel writer’s spontaneity

A good rep?

The Society of Authors’ Martin Reed looks at what an agent does – and whether you need one

Books for life

Nothing gives literary agent Piers Blofeld more cause for celebration than the power of reading to positively influence young lives

ASK A LITERARY CONSULTANT

The New Year is a good time to submit your manuscript. Helen Corner-Bryant starts 2020 with a two-parter advising a new writer on how to get ready to submit.

Primary sources

Use original source material to uncover individual experiences of lived history with help from research expert Tarja Moles

BEHIND THE TAPE

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

2020 vision

What does the year ahead hold in store for writers, publishers and readers? WM experts and guests share their thoughts on trends in 2019 and what they expect to see over the next twelve months

Find a new per ch

Has a regular writing gig dried up? Looking for new places to pitch? Esther Chilton looks at re-evaluating the market to find new slots for your writing

What's best for you?

For many writers, time, money and energy are limited resources. What could you do this year to help develop your writing and your career? Amy Sparkes has three suggestions

WHY WORKSHOP?

In March 2020, author James McCreet is running two day-long workshops on structure and craft (see opposite). One focuses on how you move from an idea to a workable structure. The other looks at how to write an effective crime novel.

WHERE East MEETS West

A locked-room mystery set in the 1920s, Abir Mukherjee’s latest novel started in tribute to crime queen Agatha Christie, he tells Tina Jackson

The style & technique of ELIZABETH TAYLOR

Tony Rossiter looks at a novelist who wrote about relationships and everyday life with wit and compassion

How I got published

The author of contemporary crime thriller Blood for Blood tells Dolores Gordon Smith about her path to publication

KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE

The award-winning author shares her top five reads with Judith Spelman

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

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

ANDREW EWART

Adrian Magson meets the debut author of a thought-provoking psychological thriller

WRITER’S NEWS

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

WILLIAM COLES

The author and adventurer tells Lynne Hackles that he likes to hole up in cafés to write undisturbed

Going the DISTANCE

Author James McCreet talks to writer Liz Champion about problems with her work-in-progress

Going round again

Writing is all about repeat business, says Adrian Magson

Under the Microscope

James McCreet applies his forensic criticism to the beginning of a reader’s work-in-progress

Go to the dogs

Add animal magic to your fiction with help from Margaret James

I wish I’d known…

with Christine Stovell

ORIGINAL SIN

Helen M Walters looks at a short story by Guy de Maupassant to explore how you can use the seven deadly sins in your fiction

GAME ON!

Remember gamebooks? They’re being reinvented for a digital readership, and Alex Davis has the info you need to start writing them

Celebrate yourself

What would your perfect celebration day consist of? Create a personalised celebration of who you are in these creative writing exercises from Jenny Alexander

WIN! £500 IN CASH PRIZES & PUBLICATION

Odd Couple Short Stor y Competition

The Lake, Two Septembers Ago

1st place

What springs to mind?

Help your writing group think outside the box with these exercises from Julie Phillips

Time for new growth?

If your writing life is in a rut and your words feel pointless, follow the example of Glynis Scrivens and let your creativity evolve and your writing develop in new directions

Reviewing the situation

Jane Wenham Jones advises a new author wanting their book reviewed not to underestimate the growing influence of peer reviews

Under the covers

New novelist Gillian Harvey is considering rebranding herself

Away from your desk

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

SUCCESSFUL Signings

Book signings are part of the business of being a writer. Simon Whaley chats to two authors about their experiences.

Clubbed to death

Lorraine Mace discovers she’s not the only one getting the fear about venturing into the gorgon’s labyrinth of book clubs

Pleased you were here!

Judge Alison Chisholm has had a wonderful time as a poetic armchair traveller judging the entries for WM’s Postcard Poetry competition

Colouring in

Use your entire poetic palette to give your entry to WM’s colour-themed poetry competition the best chance, urges judge Alison Chisholm

Finding forms

Alison Chisholm explores what happens when a poet discovers a new form and experiments with its possibilities

Poetry in practice

Imagery in poetry gains power from being specific, says Doris Corti