Helpline
Your writing problems solved with advice from Diana Cambridge
Diana Cambridge
Email your queries to Diana (please include home-town details) at: diana@dianacambridge.co.uk or send them to: Helpline, Writing Magazine, Warners Group Publications plc, 5th Floor, 31-32 Park Row, Leeds LS1 5JD. She will answer as many letters as she can on the page, but regrets that she cannot enter into individual correspondence. Publication of answers may take several months. Helpline cannot personally answer queries such as where to offer work, or comment on manuscripts, which you are asked not to send.
Q When a magazine like Harper‘s Bazaar advertises a short story competition, isn‘t it likely there will be thousands of entries? I am not sure there‘s any point in applying. Also, is it best to copy the style of the magazine if you do enter?
EMILIE MENNEER Henley, Suffolk
A I had a look at the 2017 competition details. I think there may be fewer applicants than you think, but a number would be difficult to know. I don‘t think you should attempt to copy the magazine‘s writing style – but do bear the readership in mind. A story that would be a fit for My Weekly won‘t be a good match for Harper ‘s. It‘s a good idea to look at the names of well-known writers whose stories they have published in the journal. As a rule of thumb, best to avoid sentiment, overtly happy endings or anything too noir.