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35 MIN READ TIME

Poets & POLITICS

Maybe a poem is the best medium for communicating a political message. Poetry packs a punch. It has more staying power than a debate or an article, and tempts more readers than a book on what may be a dry subject.

Bring together a poet and a politician, and there’s an automatic frisson rooted in communication. Both have their existence in language. Both use words to inform, persuade and cajole.

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Writing Magazine
March 2017
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Other Articles in this Issue


EDITOR’S LETTER
Welcome…
How’s your 2017 shaping up? Hopefully in among the
RESOURCES
THE WORLD OF WRITING
Rigorous routines and uproarious reads, early disgrace and gallant good grace, all topped off with a liquid elevenses… all grist to the mill in the wide world of writing. By Derek Hudson
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.
On writing
Tony Rossiter explores great words from great writers
WRITERS’ WEB WATCH
WM’s resident webcrawler has some money-saving software suggestions for writers
PUBLISHING
Keeping pace
Michael Allen wonders whether his output dipped during 2016, and highlights a few recent titles that have caught his eye
From the OTHER SIDE OF THE DESK
Literary agent Piers Blofeld assesses the health of the publishing business
Royalty REVENUE
Royalty statements can be confusing and complicated. Simon Whaley explains how to make sense of them.
INTERVIEWS AND PROFILES
How I got published
The first novel by Fiona Harrison, aka journalist Fiona Ford, A Pug Like Percy is published by Harlequin HQ
Patricia
Tony Rossiter examines the pre-eminent exponent of forensic crime writing
Shelf life: GILES MILTON
The historian and novelist shares his five favourite reads with Judith Spelman
THE PASTis a DIFFERENT PLACE
Historical fiction –should we tell it as itused to
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
MOVIE MAGIC
Harness silver screen techniques to inspire your group’s activity, with an exercise from Julie Phillips
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
THE AVENGING RAY
Dominic Bell is an oil rig worker from Hull, East Yorkshire.
The best short story in the world
Helen M Walters introduces a masterpiece of short fiction and explains how it works so well
Dream chaser
Amy Sparkes meets a children’s author who persevered through nearly 100 rejections to write the story that really mattered to her
CRIME FILE
Mark Hill always knew that one day he’d be a writer – it just took some getting there, he tells Chris High
MAPPING IT OUT
Maps and geography often play a fundamental role in bringing your fantasy worlds to life. Alex Davis shows you how
TRISHA ASHLEY
The rom-com author may be well established now but, as she tells Margaret James, she had to put the work in
AMANDA OWEN
Writing’s a doddle if you’re used to herding sheep with a baby in a papoose, Amanda Owen, the Yorkshire Shepherdess, tells Lynne Hackles
WRITING LIFE
GET SERIOUS
The world won’t see you as a writer unless you do. Make a few crucial changes of perspective with guidance from Sophie Beal
WITH AN EYE TO THE FUTURE
Today’s ebook writers need to think smart and be social media-savvy to attract readers for the long haul, says Adrian Magson
TO THE END OF THE EARTH
How far would you go to ensure your story was accurate? Thriller author reveals the extremes of her research and encourages you to do to the same
Away from your desk
Get out of your garret for some upcoming activities and places to visit
Write your way into the history books
Write a short story featuring two World War II pilots to be featured at the Battle of Britain National Memorial
Novel Ideas
Funding your writing habit is investing in your wellbeing, says Lynne Hackles
Why Not Be A Writer?
Being a writer can offer you a second income, extra
THE SEVEN DWARVES OF WRITERS’ BLOCK
Be on the lookout for seven sneaks aiming to undermine your writing outlook, warns Hazel Prior
Helpline
Your writing problems solved with advice from Diana Cambridge
NOTES FROM THE MARGIN
Lorraine Mace reveals her struggle to get through her latest novel
FICTION
The half-full glass
How do you maintain your momentum over the halfway hump? Author and lecturer James McCreet sends a bulletin from his novel in progress
Ask a Literary Consultant
Literary consultant Helen Corner-Bryant explains a structure exercise to help your story soar… and potentially sell
View from the darkside
Jane Wenham Jones reassures a writer worried she may put off publishers if she writes her psychological thriller from the villain’s POV
UNDER THE microscope
Author and lecturer James McCreet puts a reader’s first 300 words under the forensic lens of his criticism
STAR INTERVIEW
JAKE’S PROGRESS
The cracks people fall into provide a rich seam for underworld chronicler Jake Arnott, he tells Tina Jackson
NON-FICTION
WHAT’S YOUR WRITING WORTH?
How much should you charge for your freelance writing? Susie Kearley highlights examples of all levels and suggests some guidelines
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF JOURNALS
Cut to the heart of your background research with advice from Tarja Moles
A little extra
Patrick Forsyth is prompted to look further afield.
COMPETITIONS AND EXERCISES
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.
WRITING EVENTS 2017
FESTIVAL GUIDE 2017
Plan your literary year with our definitive listing of literary festivals and events for 2017. Whether you prefer big name talks or family-friendly workshops, find the right event for you here.
GET ON COURSE COVRSE
Visiting a writers’ festival can be a valuable career step and a great opportunity to nurture your writing, as Simon Hall discovers
COURSES GUIDE 2017
Plan your literary year with our definitive listing of courses, workshops and retreats for 2017. Whether you prefer big name workshops, talks or a personal retreat, find the right event for you here.
TROLLED
‘Found mulled under the bridge by the glacier, along
POETRY
SOME FINE ROMANCE
Judge Alison Chisholm highlights the winning entries from our ever-popular Love Poetry competition
Poetry in practice
If you find yourself lost for inspiration try manipulating those writing muscles by writing to the following idea, suggests Doris Corti
Poetry from A to Z
Poet Alison Chisholm guides you through the language of poetry
WRITERS’ NEWS
WRITERS’ NEWS
Your essential monthly round-up of competitions, paying markets, opportunities to get into print and publishing industry news.