Welcome…

As the nights draw in and a crisp chill settles over

Cove r story

In the first of a two-part mini-series, Alex Davis looks at the importance of cover art to writers

Virtually touring

Write book. Publish book. Go on book tour in nightwear. Simon Whaley explain the modern way to promote books

THE WORLD OF WRITING

Larkin about, lists, twists, teacakes and book fakes all turn up in the wide world of writing, brought to you 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…

Helpline

Your writing problems solved with advice from Diana Cambridge

Fine styling

Get the appearance of your files finessed with Greta Powell’s advice on working with styles

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Hera today

Alone together

Creative collaboration can add strength to a book’s publicity package, says

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Sniffing out talent

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Living well, paying well

And another thing…

‘All writing is difficult. The most you can hope for

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Scale the walls

INTRODUCTIONS

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

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Approaching Twelfth Planet

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Audio is waiting for you

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A bold perspective

Novel Ideas

Surrounding yourself with plants is good for your writing life, says Lynne Hackles

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DAW opening

INTERNATIONAL

ZINE SCENE

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Smashing writers wanted

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Find time for Epoch

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Shining a light on the novella

Literature Matters

The Royal Society of Literature is inviting submissions

Clarity and complications

Contrast complexity with simplicity in your travel writing, suggests Patrick Forsyth

FLASHES

Mags4Dorset is running a competition for 1,000-word

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Prospective opportunities

Find meaning in 42 words

42-Word Story Anthology is to be an anthology of 42

The wrong kind of attention

Sometimes becoming a famous author can bring unexpected

A Wundorful poetry prize

Boutique press Wundor Editions is inviting entries

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Anything but plain

Get Arkbound

The 2018 Arkbound Short Story Competition is open for

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Make a connection

Inside, outside – searching for balance

As World Mental Health Day approaches on 10 October, writer and SoA staffer Martin Reed asks if we sometimes get so wrapped up in the writing process that we forget to look after ourselves

From the OTHER SIDE OF THE DESK

Agent Piers Blofeld on why ‘good enough’ just isn’t enough

ASK A LITERARY CONSULTANT

What’s the best way to redraft a manuscript that’s been untouched for years? Start by considering what first drew you into it, says Helen Corner Bryant

BEHIND THE TAPE

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

Dissertations and theses

Find detailed information on specialist subjects with advice from Tarja Moles

On Writing

Tony Rossiter explores great words from great writers

THE Restless Writer

The Miniaturist bestseller Jessie Burton recaptures the magic of childhood for her latest book, as Tina Jackson discovers

How I got published

The debut author tells Dolores Gordon Smith that he did a lot of rewriting before his cyber thriller, Trading Down, was published

The style & technique of CHARLES DICKENS

Tony Rossiter examines the genius of a writer who created some of the best-known characters in English literature

Shelf life: MC BEATON

The prolific mystery author plucks five favourites from her shelves for 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

CHRIS SIMMS

The crime writer and Murder Squad member tells Chris High about hitting on a creative way of rewarding loyal readers

DYLAN YOUNG

The crime writer tells Margaret James how he’s drawn to try to understand the darkest and most disturbing aspects of human nature

WRITERS’NEWS

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

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Call of the wildlife

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Stories with Zizzle

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Free worlds

It’s a Funny Old World

‘Denis Healey was, like me, an inveterate haunter of

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Wondrous tales for Cast of Wonders

ANNE BOOTH

The children’s author tells Lynne Hackles that she needs to be disciplined to carve writing time from distractions

SHAPE UP

Help your short stories stand out from the crowd with ten suggestions and ideas from Alyson Hilbourne

On not writing

Author James McCreet considers how the best writing sometimes comes from a period of not writing at all

SLOGANS FUN

Hone your writing skills, build your confidence Hone your writing skills, build your confidence and earn some cash on the side with snippets and slogans, as Rebecca Douglas explains

TRY THE scenic way

Make your story an unpredictable journey rather than following the satnav route, urges Adrian Magson

Under the Microscope

Author James McCreet takes a forensic look at Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece for lessons in excellence

The FEAR factor

As nights draw in, Margaret James’ thoughts turn to what makes a successful scary story

I wish I’d known…

Martin Granger is a film-maker who has won more than

Feel the FEAR

Put the frighteners on your writing group with this creative writing exercise from Julie Phillips

Make believe

Make your readers understand what your characters believe, says Helen M Walters as she explores a spooky Victorian ghost story

FREE RANGE writing

Get in the NaNoWriMo zone before November’s marathon with exercises from Jenny Alexander

Smoke & Mirror

1st place CRIME STORY COMPETITION £200

Waiting Room

He’s going to knock something off and she’s just sitting

Engaging with the elements

The WM sonnet competition produced some enthralling results, says its judge, poet Alison Chisholm

EXODUS , …revisited

Alison Chisholm explores two versions of a Windrush-themed poem

Poetry from A to Z

Poet Alison Chisholm guides you through the language of poetry

Poetry in practice

Write a poem describing a journey with Doris Corti’s advice

PUBLIC OUTCRY

Don’t despair at unresponsive media outlets – just be sure to give them what they need, says Jane Wenham Jones

Away from your desk

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

A mirror to the world

Championing diversity in children’s fiction is vital, says Amy Sparkes

Lacking team spirit

Lorraine Mace is finding it hard to sort out the human element of her promotional campaign