Writing Magazine September 2021

G HELPING YOU BECOME A BETTER WRITER
BESTSELLINZIN
WRITING MAGA E
SEPTEMBER 2021
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WELCOME
CONTENTS 14
12
WRITERS’ NEWS
64 Your essential monthly roundup of competitions, paying markets,
opportunities to get into print and publishing industry news
9
INTERVIEWS AND PROFILES
14 Star interview: Lisa Jewell’s novels are a masterclass in domestic noir
24 My path to publication: Imran Mahmood
32 Shelf life: Multi-award winning sports author Duncan Hamilton’s top books The world may be moving on
39 Circles’ roundup Writing group interests and activities but lockdown has left its mark
40 Subscriber news WM subscribers share their publishing success stories on us all, and Writing Magazine
58 Author profile: How Jeevani Charika juggles two different writing identities is no different. This month,
81 My writing day: How Rebecca Schiller wrote through lockdown we hear from authors who’ve
managed to keep writing through
lockdown, were inspired to try
CREATIVE WRITING something different, or who got
12 Lockdown lit How to use the pandemic in your creative writing knocked back but eventually
26 Beginners: Treat writing as a craft so you don’t leave work unfinished made progress.
34 Classical under the microscope James McCreet looks at prose from antiquity If it would benefit you to Jonathan Telfer
Editor
44 Masterclass: Explore incorporating luck in your creative writing process the last sixteen months
52 Writing for children: How to write narrative non-fiction picture books through your writing, see p12 for ideas to bear in
54 Fantastic realms: The roots of horror mind for your lockdown lit, whether fiction or non-.
And what isn’t more easily understood by filtering it
WRITING LIFE through your literary brain? Proving the point but in
more personal territory, Sarah Aspinall explains how
10 Writing life: Sarah Aspinall on understanding her mother by writing a memoir
it was only by trying to write about her mother and
22 Publishing: How to use your writing in a podcast
her childhood memories that she finally began to
30 Self publishing: Publish wide or exclusively with Amazon? understand her, on p10.
36 Talk it over: Is social media is getting in the way of completing a novel? So what have you been up to these last lockdown
37 Under the covers Gillian Harvey is suffering from post-publication burnout months? Are you itching to get out into the wider
42 Fiction focus: Useful suggestions for generating income from writing world? Perhaps attend a writing event or to meet
56 The business of writing: DIY vs pro book covers other writers face to face? Get in touch to let us
82 Notes from the margin: The ego-busters know. We love to share your letters and Subscriber
Writers whose friends and family prick their balloons News stories, and I’m sure you’ve all kept busy!
ASK THE EXPERTS BESING

WRIT
LLIN
TSEMAG G HELP
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ING YOU BECO
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21 Ask a literary consultant: LBF questions for Helen Corner-Bryant from writing
Write children’s
IN PRIZ ES
24 C O
24 OMM PS
MPS
TO ENTER
non-fiction
60 Research tips: Recording research findings

Writing
REACH MORE
READER S
61 Behind the tape Expert advice to get the details right in your crime fiction record
Should you
a podcast? NEWS
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Amazon only?
US E
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50 Poetry workshop: A longer memoir poem conveys the past Jewell
51 Poetry in practice Look close to home for ideas for your next poem
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38 Writers’ circles: Patch up discarded scraps of writing in these group exercises
46 Free-range writing: Procrastination-related creative writing exercises
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4 Miscellany: The wide world of writing
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6 Letters
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18 Editorial calendar
69 Going to market
75 Novel ideas
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SEPTEMBER 2021 3
MISCELLANY
The world of writing

Supporting, commemorating, challenging, mocking or ranting –
anything goes in the wonderful world of writing
AGENTS OF FOOTBALL (BOOKS) COMING HOME

DESPAIR As supporters rallied to England
football stars Marcus Rashford, Jadon
Show us a novelist, and Sancho and Bukayo Saki following
we’ll show you someone post-penality racist abuse on social
who at some stage media, the publishing and book world
has felt neglected or launched several campaigns to give
frustrated at the lack of copies of Marcus Rashford’s book
response from an agent. You Are a Champion to children. Pan
So our sympathies went out to Chris Paling, Macmillan is gifting 20,000 copies.
who revealed in The Guardian a ‘trick’ he ‘Marcus is an inspirational young
tried to get a response from his agent, the late man and his book speaks directly
Deborah Rogers, which came to light when a to children and young people,
colleague found a letter to Chris, from Chris, reinforcing the message that you can
in her drawer. be whatever and whoever you want to
‘Frustrated after months of trying to get a be, regardless of your background,’ said
response to a novel, I had written a letter to Belinda Ioni Rasmussen, managing director of Macmillan Children’s
myself, enclosed a self-addressed envelope, Books. ‘It is wonderful to see how our industry has pulled together
and asked her to tick the appropriate to take positive action to support Marcus Rashford and his message
response: “Novel read”, “novel needs work”, of hope, and we are delighted today to be adding support to the
“novel submitted”, “novel sold for a: £1,000, campaigns that have been launched.’
b: £10,000, c: £100,000”. Petty-minded and, Bookshops organising crowdfunding campaigns include Book-ish in
given her support and encouragement over Crickhowell, Wales, MirrorMeWrite in Manchester and the Newham
the years, unforgivable. But, being Deborah, Bookship in London.
she took it well.’ The staff at WM Towers were particularly happy to see WM
The letter was never sent as Deborah rang favourite Richard Osman’s response when You Are a Champion shot
Chris as soon as she received it, which goes to the top of Amazon’s overall charts after the Euro 2020 final, ahead
some way to proving its efficacy, and his book of The Thursday Murder Club and titles by Matt Haig and David
was sold soon after. Walliams. ‘I’m sure I also speak for @matthaig1 and @davidwalliams
Chris explored the agent/author when I say it’s lovely to see a brand-new number 1 book on Amazon
relationship further, noting that some today,’ he tweeted. ‘Congratulations @MarcusRashford and @
went a lot further than just hawking their Ankaman616.’
clients’ books.
James Brand Pinker, for example, became ROYALLY GOOD READ
Joseph Conrad’s ‘confidant, travel agent and Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex, failed
shoulder to cry on’, and, when Conrad was to fuel young readers’ imaginations with her
suffering from malaria later in life, would illustrated book The Bench, which was inspired
send money each week and run the family’s by the relationship between her husband, Prince Harry, and their
affairs. In more modern times, tactfully son Archie.
unnamed, one agent takes a toolbox whenever Now the Duke of Sussex will be hoping to improve the couple’s
he visits one author’s house because she ‘saves literary reputation with publication of his own book, due next year
up odd jobs for his visits’. Worth 10%? from Penguin Random House. In the memoir, he will candidly share
Chris bares more about the life of a novelist “mistakes and lessons learned” during his life. According to reports,
in his new book, A Very Nice Rejection Letter: he did not need the Palace’s approval before writing the book, and a
Diary of a Novelist, out now. proportion of its proceeds will be donated to charity.
4 SEPTEMBER 2021 www.writers-online.co.uk

MISCELLANY
Which linguistic abuses or mispronounciations (yes, we
R D TO know) get you hot under the collar?
A WO N W I S E
A new survey conducted by research agency
Perspectus Global highlights the top ten
THE U
mispronounced words, gasping that ‘over half of
pedantic Brits find it infuriating when people
pronounce everyday words wrong’. You say
pedantic, we say normal, and at least we know the
correct proper noun for our countrymen.
Nevertheless, the survey does point out some
clangers, and Miscellany Manors is more than happy
to fuel your agitated rant.
So, here’s the top ten for you to sink your teeth into:
Pacifically instead of Specifically

Prob-ly instead of Probably
Ex-presso instead of Espresso
Specially instead of Especially
Art-ick instead of Arctic
Nu-cu-lar instead of Nuclear
Tenderhooks instead of Tenterhooks
Ex-cet-ara instead of etcetera
Ass-essory instead of Accessory
Triath-a-lon instead of Triathlon
The survey went on to reveal that although we

would all quietly seethe when others say words
wrong, even more of us would be too polite or
embarrassed to correct them, with just over a third
willing to correct friends and family, and only one
in ten of us bold enough to make a stranger aware.
Obviously, dear reader, we’re far from strangers, but I
still fear the wrath of a fair proportion of our writers in
revealing the misused word that we come across more
than any other, never failing to annoy: the inexplicably
now widely accepted ‘alternate’, in ‘alternate history’,
when there’s a perfectly reasonable alternative.
APHRA TO REMEMBER
A campaign has been launched to ‘She showed women that their words had power,’ they say,
commemorate Aphra Benn in her and broke ground with her novel Oroonoko, which had a
hometown of Canterbury. A is for Aphra black African slave as its hero, ‘But as time went on, tastes
wants to raise a bronze statue of the changed and Aphra’s Behn’s poems and plays were considered
17th century author, described by the too rude and bawdy by our Victorian ancestors.’
campaign as ‘the first professional woman writer in The campaign hopes to generate £100,000 for the statue.
English, a playwright, poet, a spy for Charles II, a traveller, Show your support or find out more about Benn at
a wit and a LGBTQ+ icon’. www.aisforaphra.org
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www.writers-online.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2021 5

LETTERS
S TA R L E T T E R
e Th e art icle also reminded me of the short,
Simple and effectiv rk sen ten ces (so metimes almost shorthand)
lters’ art icle sta
I very much enjoyed Helen M Wa effe ctiv ely used by Annie Proulx in The
aste rcla ss, WM Jul y) so
Kick the (bad) habits (M ppi ng Ne ws. If O Henry and Annie can do it,
how he use d Shi
about O Henry’s story, to show
read. I thought, then so could I.
language to make the story a delight to Th e art icle inspired me to go back over a story
him self to be a
As a writer who still considers the
after som e yea rs of wri tin g) I was I have been struggling with. I simplified
beginner (even gua ge, cut out most of the colons and semi-
abo ut kee pin g you r lan
encouraged by the advice on s I had spr ink led throughout in an attempt
col The star letter each
short fiction simple but effective. be ‘clever’, and removed backstory in favou
r month earns a
stri vin g for tha t sta nd - to
I often find myself rev eal ing it in dialogue. The result has been copy of the Writers’
ry pro se wh en of
out profound sentence in flowe ething more enjoyable for me to write as & Artists’ Yearbook
can hav e jus t as mu ch som 2021, courtesy of
a simple statement ll as to read. It began to flow more naturally
thi ng abo ut we
impact. The most important to sound like the story I had intended it
to Bloomsbury.
to kee p the rea der eng age d and
writing a story is
– no t to sho w off and los e the be in the first place.
and im me rsed CHRISTOPHER SMITH
fav ou r of
reader. I sometimes forget this in Goldhanger, Essex
trying to show my ski ll.
Foreign correspondent Dead giveaway

I live in Singapore, and although residing near the equator means Reading an Agatha Christie short story recently
mostly great weather and a shorts and T-shirt lifestyle, the writing reminded me of the importance of taking time
universe out here isn’t, let’s say, prominent. This is why I’m so glad to choose the right title. The story begins with a
I took the plunge and subscribed to WM. It has made me feel dressmaker visiting a customer for a final fitting.
connected to my British writerly roots and keeps me in the loop for When there is no response to her knock she and a
opportunities, competitions and new releases even though I’m not on neighbour investigate and find the customer dead.
British terra firma. Not only this, but I’ve been super impressed with On page two of a ten-page story Miss Marple reveals
the magazine’s delivery. On so many occasions I’ve ordered something the victim was strangled, ‘possibly by a narrow belt’.
from the UK, and it’s left with the postal gods as to when/if it arrives, A nice set up for a murder-mystery you might think,
but not with WM. It’s been smooth sailing and long may it continue. except the Queen of Crime chose the title, The Tape-
I am sending positive literary vibes all the way from Singapore. Measure Murder. It may have been a murder but after
MICHAEL PUDNEY the second page it was certainly no mystery.
Singapore Perhaps it’s something to remember next time we
make a mistake in our own work. Even the best get it
wrong sometimes.
TERRY LOWELL
Postcard from the edge The pleasure of a pen

Barnsley, South Yorkshire
I find your magazine inspiring, Holiday (Free Range Writing, Reading Peter Foley’s top tips (Author Profile, WM
especially when I am struggling WM July), particularly the August) was reassuring – especially the advice to ditch
to make sense and find seven-postcard challenge. The the laptop in favour of pen and paper.
direction in my own writing. I clear boundary of the number I’ve never stopped scribbling in notebooks and still
don’t seem to struggle for ideas of postcards and the fact that slog away at the typewriter for the final draft. I also
but I find it difficult to form you can’t fit much writing on refuse to own anything that falls vaguely under the
a structure and plan where a postcard led me to focus label of modern technology.
an idea is going and how my mind and my writing. Yes, it may be restrictive at times, but inspiration
characters work within that A really enjoyable writing comes easily whilst nursing a treasured pen. If it was
story idea. exercise, thankyou. good enough for Agatha Christie all those years ago
I thoroughly enjoyed the HELEN WIDDOWSON (and few could argue she wasn’t successful), then it’s
free writing exercise in Jolly Harrogate, North Yorkshire good enough for me.
LINDA YVONNE KETTLE
Portsmough, Hampshire

Unfollowing Panster’s delight
Having felt completely unmotivated during lockdown, the longest I am not a planner, a chapter-by-chapter person.
period I have spent without writing although I have produced one I usually have a rough idea of the story and the
book a year for the previous twenty years, I have started to pitch non- ending before I start, but that’s about it.
fiction ideas again. So imagine that the first publisher I approached I was therefore delighted to read Gillian
with my new-found enthusiasm came back with ‘only taking on Harvey’s Under the covers, Diving in (WM
books from authors with over 10,000 followers on social media’. Is August). Yes, I have to fight my way through the
this the way publishers are going? The author now not only writes undergrowth, retrace my steps, delete chunks of
the books but establishes a potential, specific, market, too. My text, add and delete characters along the way. But
enthusiasm and motivation back on their way out. it is part of the adventure of creating.
DEE GORDON As Gillian writes in her article ‘nothing beats
Southend on Sea sitting opposite a fresh, blank page and diving
into a new project for the first time.’
Pen pals Thank you for this, Gillian, it has given me a lot
Around eighteen months ago, I found myself disagreeing with your of encouragement.
choice of Star Letter. Compelled by this sense of injustice – well, ok, PEGGIE BIESSMANN
difference of opinion – I set out to track down the author of ‘my’ Youghal , Co Cork, Ireland
star letter, just to let her know I found her letter inspiring. Stalking
someone is not something I’m in the habit of doing, this is the one
and only time, honest, but I managed to find the lady on Twitter Finding ways through
and I’m so glad I did, as it’s nice to be able to talk to another writer. I joined the ranks of the authors with disability and
We supported each other throughout the lockdown and have chronic illnesses on the Society of Authors Facebook
become firm friends. We exchange thoughts, ideas and plans for page a year ago when I discovered them by chance.
future projects and with that comes a degree of accountability which I suffer from MCI (mild cognitive impairment)
keeps me, and I think her, on track. While I don’t advocate stalking, which fortunately has not yet developed into
I can wholeheartedly recommend reaching out to let someone know full-blown dementia. I have osteo arthritis in my
if they have inspired you. New friends are waiting for you. left knee and last week my movement consultant
EILEEN DIXON confirmed I had Parkinson’s disease. My right hand
Southampton is a shaking earthquake and the only pity I afford
myself is my bad luck not to have the tremor in my
left hand. That would have made the vibrato on my
I thought WM had everything a writer could cello strings even more profound.
FUNNY FABRIC ever want – top tips, insider information, So, will I give up writing? No. Because the
endless encouragement and oodles of Society of Authors Disability and Chronic Illnesses
inspiration. colleagues have pointed me to Dragon International
Then I read Adrian Magson’s piece, Growing software and larger keyboards to accommodate a
a thick skin (Beginners, WM August) and burst wandering, tremor-shaking hand. By declaring all
into laughter; Loud, raucous laughter that left this, I seem to be a bag of damaged goods whose
me gulping for breath and wiping my eyes. work will be heading for the bin. Except my luck
Picturing him as ‘Corduroy Man,’ dressed changed a year ago. I have an editor and publisher
head to foot in well, corduroy, was deliciously at Beul Aithris. Murders at Blackwaterfoot is the
funny. So funny that I still burst out laughing first recently published book of an Arran trilogy.
whenever I happen to think of it. My next book is A Dream Net, the proceeds going
There is nothing quite like funny for to the Alzheimer’s Society with contributions of
really fixing something in the mind and if dreams from over forty countries. And just before
we remember this it may just give us the last my Parkinson’s diagnoses, I wrote The Comic
laugh too. Prosecutor, the funniest book I have ever written.
Right, I’m off to practise my comedy. Adrian My work will be slower, with more red underlined
has set the bar rather high. words, but I remain an author.
JENNIE GARDNER MILLER CALDWELL
Upper Swainswick, Bath Dumfries
Write to: Letters to the editor, Writing Magazine, Warners Group Publications plc, 5th Floor, 31-32 Park Row, Leeds LS1 5JD;
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WRITERS’ VOICE
Second-hand
royalties Find out what the
SoA could do
for you at www.soci
etyofauthors.
org and get 15 mon
ths for
the price of 12 with
the code
Martin Reed of the SoA looks at making the most of your writing WRITINGMAG20
income with ‘secondary use’ earnings
S
s a trade union we often talk (ALCS), the Design and Artists Crucially for authors, AuthorSHARE
about the challenges faced by Copyright Society (DACS) and the does not involve lots of administration.
writers as they try to make Public Lending Right (PLR). It is designed to work through existing
writing pay. From 2021, in a world first with ALCS systems. So, if you are already
It is well known that the launch of AuthorSHARE, these a member of ALCS and your books
in addition to direct income from secondary royalties can also come from areregistered with them, then you
writing, most also rely on money sales of second-hand books. are already part of the scheme. If you
from events and readings, mentoring, aren’t, see below.
lecturing, grants and day jobs. This AuthorSHARE
is not genre specific. No matter what The UK used books market is growing Registering for secondary use
you write, it is rare to be able to earn a by an estimated 12% each year. Two organisations distribute
living from books alone. While it is great for readers and the secondary royalties to professional
But less well known are the environment that a single copy of a writers (by which I mean whether
opportunities you will have throughout book can be passed on and enjoyed you are an established author with
your career to receive payments from by a succession of owners, it has many published books and articles
secondary uses (excuse the jargon) of always seemed unfair to us that as this to your name, or you are at the start
your work. industry grows, the originators of these of your career with perhaps your
This year, we helped create works do not benefit from the thriving first contribution or two published
AuthorSHARE, a new secondary use used book ecosystem. in magazines).
scheme to add to writers’ income Launched in June, AuthorSHARE While initial payments might be
portfolios, so it seems an apt time is designed to rebalance that. The small, as your career progresses these
to mention the new and existing brainchild of William Pryor, owner payments can become an essential part
opportunities available. of Bookbarn, it pays you royalties of your annual income.
on the sale of used books purchased
What is a secondary use income? at worldofbooks.com (the UK’s • The Authors’ Licensing and
One of the benefits of strong copyright biggest used books retailer) and Collecting Society (ALCS):
laws is that they not only ensure your bookbarninternational.com. It is Register your published books
control over how your work is used by made possible thanks to an agreement and articles with ALCS to receive
others, but they also give you the right between the two retailers and the secondary royalties when your work
to be rewarded for what you create. Authors’ Licensing and Collecting is photocopied or when used copies
If a publisher pays you an advance Society (ALCS). of your books are resold. Lifetime
for a book and royalties on sales, or if The amount of money you receive membership of ALCS costs £36, but
you receive a fee for a contribution to from these resales will depend on there is no upfront cost and it is free
a magazine, these payments are for the various factors including sales price if you are a member of the Society of
primary use of your work. and other costs, but in practice it Authors. www.alcs.co.uk
Since the 1970s, writers have also means that you could potentially earn
been able to receive payments for a small additional royalty on multiple • Public Lending Right (PLR): If you
secondary uses, when a work that sales of the same copy of a book over have published one or more books
has already been distributed to the time. World of Books has allocated (in print or digital form), make sure
public is used again by a third party. £200,000 to fund their part in the they are registered for PLR. This will
These royalties are generated when scheme during the first year and the earn you a modest payment (8.5p
educational establishments photocopy money any one author can receive at time of writing) each time they
the publications they own, or when from it annually is capped at £1,000. are borrowed from a public library.
public libraries lend books. The But these figures will change as the www.bl.uk/plr
payments are distributed to authors scheme evolves. The hope is that
by organisations such as the Authors’ other used book retailers will sign up • For more about AuthorSHARE, visit
Licensing and Collecting Society as it develops. societyofauthors.org/authorshare

From the
OTHE R SIDE
OF THE DESK
Piers Blofeld uncovers a contractual matter that highlights
L
an essential difference between authors and publishers
urking in the depths of But of course the reality is far more and inclusivity. At the moment there
publishing contracts is an complex. It is routine to talk about is an uneasy gap between the hard-
unremarked section known a publishing partner for clients with nosed legality of the no partnership
as the no-partnership publishers despite the fact that is clause and the air kisses and ‘love’
clause which stipulates expressly forbidden in contracts. But that publishers shower on (favoured)
that the contract does not in any publishers like it when you talk this way authors. The gap between those things
way imply partnership between the – it’s part of the discourse. The fiction is a crack through which many less
publisher and the author. that we are ‘all in it together’. fortunate authors fall.
It is not a clause that often excites At the same time, though, it is The interest of authors and
much interest, but it came to light becoming more common to hear publishers align to a large extent, but
recently when a publisher I have an publishers refer to books (and by by no means exactly and as publishing
author with was acquired by another extension authors) as assets. Again on becomes ever more dominated by giant
publisher. My author, one of their stars, one level that is reasonable, but there is conglomerates the power disparity
was annoyed that we had just negotiated also a worrying suggestion of a failure to between them and the authors who are
a new contract and this change in their comprehend that authors are not cows their lifeblood grows.
status had never been mentioned. and that books do not pour forth from Add in the fact that much of
I was sympathetic. It would have them like milk. publishing is now a question of
changed our negotiating position a little As my fellow columnist Nicola feeding the ever-voracious churn of
if we had known, but I had to point Solomon has pointed out recently, the digital world, where personal
out to my client that this was one of author earnings are worryingly low. contact is increasingly mediated by
the key reasons for the no partnership Publishing profits are at an historic and replaced by the screen and there
clause to exist. If publishers had to ask high. Which makes it sound a simple is further structural pressure on the
permission of their authors in these case of us and them. It is more kinds of human contact that make
cases, none would ever be sold. nuanced than that. The starving this business worthwhile. In the digi
What it did, a little unfortunately, writer in their garret is a trope as old mines, authors are, ever more, toiling
was underscore the fact that however as publishing, so one should be wary away at ‘content creation’.
much we all like to pretend otherwise, of pointing the finger too hard in The question of what constitutes
an author is, at a fundamental level, a this instance, because it isn’t simply a ‘fair’ treatment and the responsibility
supplier. Not so different to farmers question of money. publishers have towards authors is one
delivering milk to the supermarkets. It There is, though, a conversation that which is only going to get bigger. At the
is an uneasy thing to be reminded of, does need to be had about publishers moment that is a conversation which
but I also believe it is important not to and their duty of care to authors, and is predicated far too much on what it
allow oneself to get too far away from that in part needs to be driven by is that keeps their big successes happy.
it, because it keeps things honest. wider conversations around diversity That needs to change.

WRITING LIFE
DEFINING
memories How writing her memoir helped Sarah Aspinall reach a
better understanding of her mother and their relationship
P
erhaps the first mystery that I the pubs, and left school at fourteen. How Audrey, and to fill in these gaps in the
encountered as a child began did these facts fit together? jigsaw of her and our life. It wasn’t just
at the time of my father’s As a child there was this constant a question of fact checking, it was about
death when I was six years swirling mist around us that was made getting to the heart of who she really was
old. He had been ill for some up of all these fragments of my mother’s and understanding her as a woman and
years, but within weeks of his funeral, my life and the stories that she told, often not just as a mother.
mother had suddenly flung our suitcases to complete strangers. She had the Irish The fact checking wasn’t easy in any
on the bed and told me ‘we are getting gift of the storyteller, like Scheherazade case. I was an only child, and she had
out of here’ – ‘here’ being the seaside
town of Southport where I’d been born. It “The process of writing a memoir
seemed that were now off to see a much
more exciting world.
naturally uncovers layer after layer of the
Within days we were in New York, past, and the creating of a story is a way
and then a motel in the Kill Devil Hills of making sense of it all.”
of North Carolina, and soon my BOAC
Junior Jet club log book, that the pilots in The Thousand and One Nights who been an only child, so there was little
would kindly sign for me on each flight, keeps the Sultan enthralled and hanging family. Her second cousin Norma had
was filled with exotic names: Hong on her every word. It was this talent, known her well and confirmed all the
Kong, Singapore, Cairo, Tahiti…. But and her charm, that she used to draw facts up to my mother leaving Liverpool
the big question only grew in my mind people to her, and to get us round the at fourteen. Later, in Southport, my
of what exactly where we doing in these world and back. mother had only one close friend, an
places? We seemed to be looking for I’d hear her tell stories about our eccentric woman I call Auntie Ava in the
something, but what on earth was it? own adventures together as we travelled book. She was no longer around, and her
What did my mother want? from place to place. She’d describe our daughter, who I’d grown up with, had
The other mysteries that hovered over plane crashing in the Borneo jungle, or been as puzzled as I was over those strange
us were more rooted in the distant past. the sailing boat we travelled on down years. ‘How often were we away after my
Audrey had been born in poverty in the the Nile, and they seemed more vivid father died?’ I’d ask her. ‘It felt like you
slums of Liverpool and then evacuated than when they had really happened. were away most of the time,’ she’d tell
to Southport during the war. From that I’d see how she would polish them up, me; but she was a child too so we had
moment she had somehow taken off and making them more astonishing and more no sense of how many months or years. I
at the age of twenty she’d got herself to amusing, with a punch line that she’d know I missed a lot of school between the
New York on the Queen Mary; she had deliver with perfect timing. They were ages of seven and fourteen.
dined with big movie stars, and lived all factually correct, but somehow made In time I realised that the best way to
in Hollywood; she had travelled the bigger and better. So how much had she understand Audrey and our story was to
whole USA with a group of musicians. embellished the stories about her own life look inside myself. The process of writing
On returning to London she had been before she had me? a memoir naturally uncovers layer after
engaged to a member of the Guinness In beginning to write a memoir I layer of the past, and the creating of a
family who lived in Park Lane, and knew that I had to find answers. My story is a way of making sense of it all.
spent her time going to fancy parties and mother had died in 2008 and had never The ‘truth’ wasn’t just a series of facts, it
spending the weekends in stately homes. been good at answering direct questions, was an emotional truth about her and
And yet all these things had happened preferring to give a teasing answer. But I about our relationship.
to a girl who had spent her childhood now realised that writing the book was a Memories were unlocked all the
being a bookie’s runner taking bets round chance to really understand my mother, time; it may have been by a name that

was scribbled on the back of a fading wouldn’t even do what she wanted, they SARAH’S TOP
photograph, or it might have been by the showed me how desperately she wanted
LIFE-WRITING TIPS
smell of her perfume ‘Youth Dew’, which to find a husband, to find love, and how
I bought a bottle of, remembering how lonely she had been. The memories were • Don’t ever feel that your life isn’t big or
she would always step into a cloud of it leading me onward to an understanding important enough to write about. Some of the
as she left to go out for an evening. There not just of our time together but of who most compelling stories are about quiet lives,
were shocking memories too, such as how my mother was and how she had felt as Jane Austen and many others prove.
at eight years old I would approach men during those years. • If you feel your own story
in bars and ask them to ‘look after my It was a strange process over that year isn’t dramatic perhaps there
mummy’ while I went to bed. Sometimes, or two of writing the book. It is almost is someone who you grew
often even, they would invite her for like therapy, except that I was asking the up around who brings that
a drink and I’d be left alone in a hotel deeper questions of myself – what did drama to your story. Some
room. What was she thinking? It became I feel about that? There were moments of my favourite memoirs
increasingly important to understand her when sadness welled up in me, a are by a quiet narrator who
and what could excuse her. I’d overheard sympathy for both of us. I remembered evokes for us the whirlwind
someone once call her ‘a delinquent my own moments of childhood boredom that a larger-than-life person brought into
mother’ but this didn’t square with my and loneliness, and also my mother’s their life. The grandfather in Bad Blood
memories of how loving she had also been. unhappiness would come back to me. by Lorna Sage is a wonderfully vivid and
Sometimes I would remember a single There had been many times that she memorable character, or the father in Blake
detail, such as the strangled meaow of had lain on hotel beds sobbing that yet Morrison’s memoir.
the peacocks in a garden in Singapore, another romance had failed. • Read as many other
and then suddenly other moments from Now that I was a woman with four memoirs as you can and
that trip would come flooding back in grown children it was easier for me to don’t only read those similar
its wake. I’d recall the heat and the cycle empathise with her plight as a single to the one you hope to write.
rickshaws, and the old funicular up mother in the 1960s, and to imagine how Exploring a wide range of
Penang Hill and the big colonial villa trapped she might have felt. I was lucky, life writing opens you to the
with the dusty gardens where we stayed I had my career as a documentary maker, possibilities of the genre.
with a man called ‘Uncle Les’. but she had only her wits to live by and On Chapel Sands was a
From there another recollection came imagined a husband was her best chance masterclass for me on how a single powerful
rushing in, of a place called the Penang of a good life. She was a dazzling, larger- moment can fill a compelling memoir. Look
Club where I’d sit watching an American than-life character who loved people, but at the skilful way that Laura Cumming opens
TV show called Bewitched while the adults in Southport she had nowhere to go. I out that moment and explores in terms of
sat drinking cocktails at sundown. remembered her misery at never going the landscape where it happened. The slow
Each detail led to another, so I looked out and her saying no one invited her revelations of the family story are so readable.
for an online clip of the glittering opening anywhere ‘in case I steal their husband.’ • Use as many tools as you
titles of the show, and the zingy music This may have had some truth in it, given can to awaken memories.
and blonde witch swooping out of the how desperate she seemed to be for love In The Consequences of Love,
star-filled sky brought back to me another and a partner. Gavanndra Hodge goes
memory – of Audrey’s telling me that she At last she did find love, and all my on a journey back into her
was also a witch. Suddenly others followed, memories of her time with Peter showed childhood and the death of
of how I’d watched Samantha the TV me what a loving wife she could be. her sister, Candy, of whom
show witch and marveled at how she could Looking back I can see that our travels she has few memories. She
twitch her nose and her husband would had been a long search for a better meditates upon objects – toys
do exactly what she wanted. Why then life and true love. I forgave her the and clothes of Candy’s, even sweets. Scents
did my mother seem to be so powerless to harum-scarum years and the gaps in my and tastes can help to unlock the past more
make the men in her life do as she wished? education, and came to realise that in even than images and photographs can.
Why didn’t her magical powers make it all many ways those years had been a series • Don’t be afraid to write about family
work out for her? of gifts. There was a sense of delighted members. They can be talked to later once
This process, of memories awakening wonder, of the world as an exciting and you’ve found a publisher. Get your first
other memories in a long chain, was surprising place that she passed on to draft done and put everything in that feels
what brought about the revelations and me, and that has never deserted me. important. It’s the emotional truth that matters.
moments of understanding. A detail Writing the book brought her back If people need to be protected then names can
like Bewitched reminded me of how to me in many ways, but with a new be changed before publication but put those
powerless my mother had sometimes understanding and admiration for a worries aside for now and start writing.
seemed. Those weeks in Penang with the woman who was so full of life and ready
dull and unmemorable Uncle Les who to take on the world.

T
he Covid 19 pandemic, and to generate ideas and explore creatively. of poems, flash fictions or passages of
lockdown, have led to shifts To some extent how it affects our prose. Perhaps you want to explore
in practically every aspect of creative work will depend on the form conflicting lockdown-related emotions.
our existences as individuals and genre of what we’re writing. Don’t discount the possibilities of
and as a society. Lockdown hybrid writing or experimental writing
has affected every layer of our being: Writing about lockdown as you look for a form or voice that
how we live, work, socialise, travel, Having lived through it, many of us enables you to articulate complex and
process culture and communicate have will want, or need, to write about it, perhaps conflicting ideas. You may have
all changed. For some, this is a much- and make sense of it. Poetry, literary specific expertise and insight – medical,
needed chance to take stock and reset; fiction and creative non-fiction are or as a key worker, perhaps – that
for other people, the losses are personal ideal places to explore the texture of gives you a unique slant, like disaster
and immense. With the UK death toll life in lockdown. This is where you can response expert Imogen Wall, whose
standing at more than 150,000 – the dig deep into conveying the unfolding blog post about coping with lockdown
population of a town the size of York or experience; the complexity of balancing went viral: www.imogenwall.co.uk/
Peterborough – as a society we’re living the unexpected benefits of pandemic life post/this-is-just-another-example
through collective loss and trauma. with the hideous death toll and personal Perhaps you might have a foot in two
Anxiety and uncertainty about the future privations; meditate on what has been camps, like WM subscriber EJ More,
are part of our everyday experience. lost and found. You can use your writing who wrote this about her experience of
Some of the changes may be to create a heightened awareness of being both an NHS nurse, and a writer,
temporary. Others will be permanent. significant details and memories. In during the Covid crisis: http://writ.rs/
How does this affect us as writers? In a making sense of it for yourself in your ejmore. Perhaps lockdown exacerbated
great many ways. None of us write in writing, hold on to the knowledge a story of personal drama, like writer
isolation, but in response to the world that your words may also help a reader Regina Tingle, who wrote about being
around us. Even if we’re not writing to understand lockdown, or create a heavily pregnant whilst her husband, an
directly about the pandemic, it will have valuable sense of shared experience. army trauma surgeon, was deployed in
an effect on what we write, and how we Lockdown may be foregrounded in a war zone: http://writ.rs/reginatingle.
write about it. your writing. Perhaps you’re inspired In a culture where personal stories and
Beyond the fact that we’re living in a to write a personal account in whatever owned experience are acknowledged
time of profound change and upheaval, form best conveys your experience, or to have value and wide interest, your
and that one of the chief functions create a fictional character undergoing experiences, written down, may well
of art is to make sense of the way a crisis or profound life change as a strike a chord too.
the world works, on a granular level, direct result of the pandemic. You Equally, lockdown might be the
lockdown is something that most of us might be inspired to write a mediation backdrop to a personal account of
will need to consider thoughtfully as on loss, or an angry diatribe about the something else – see this month’s My
we approach our writing. It’s a pivotal, way the pandemic has been handled. Writing Day (p81) to discover how
and liminal time – we’re between the You may well want to tell the human Rebecca Schiller wrote Earthed, her
end of something, and the beginning stories of everyday courage and heroism memoir of struggling with a new
of something else, which isn’t always – in which case, you might consider smallholding and mental illness, whilst
comfortable, but is also a starting point a themed anthology, or a linked series the pandemic unfolded.

Lockdow Social distancing furlough la t e r a l f l o w
n C ov id n s z oo m
vaccine bubble Restrict i o
Remember that lockdown can be a might lockdown have facilitated that considered shelving it, but its wildly
theme, or subject, or background, in could create new possibilities for your inventive blend of noir and horror
your writing. It might even, if you’re investigator? What new crimes might struck a chord with readers when it was
skilled enough to pull it off, assume have evolved that you could explore published in May last year. Read what
the role of a character. Each writer will in your writing? How could social Russell told WM about writing it at
treat it in a unique way because even distancing diminish, or even lead to, http://writ.rs/russellday – it’s an object
though it is a common experience, our unexpected encounters that might feed lesson in finding a unique twist to a tale
individual experiences and responses will into your psychological thriller? Could that ended up being more topical than
result in widely different treatments. a new relationship get off the ground its author ever envisaged.
via Zoom? The savvy writer will be able • Your readers will need to empathise
A sense of the present: Genre fiction to find all manner of possibilities. with, or at least care about, your
and contemporary fiction characters. Conjuring a relatable
You may not want to write directly Transferred experience: Historical lockdown scenario may pique readers’
about lockdown, but need to convey fiction and speculative fiction interest and create a sense of shared
it because you’re writing something Your personal experience of living experience but it will not, in itself, be
set in the present. Anything you write through a pandemic may deepen enough to hold their attention for a
that’s set in the recent past or in the your interest in previous epidemics in whole story or novel. Make sure your
present will need to acknowledge history – for instance, the Black Death characters are three-dimensional and
Covid and the resulting changes to and Spanish influenza – and give you bear in mind that lockdown has thrown
the way we live as a fact of life. Just an insight into the fear and terror of up multi-layered questions of who we
as contemporary fiction wouldn’t feel epidemic sickness, or the combination of are and how we live. Your characters
authentic without reference to the anxiety and boredom that characterises should reflect this complexity in a way
internet, social media and smartphones, living under restrictions, that will give that is compatible with the style or genre
it would be near-impossible to convey your writing an extra layer of insight you’re writing.
today’s world without reference to and interest. You may find an awareness • Beware sentimentality. We may
masks, social distancing, Zoom calls of the dangers of overcrowded housing have been living through a period
etc. The details don’t need to be heavy- during the pandemic sparks ideas about where heightened emotions and
handed but if anything you write is set how people might have lived in the past, uncertainty are part of everyday life,
now, they’ll need to be there. In crime or why they might need to escape in the but that’s no excuse for purple prose
writer Peter May’s recent The Night future. Your understanding of how it has or trite emotions. People have had real
Gate, his detective Enzo McLeod wears felt to live under restrictions, in fear of tragedies to deal with, so if you’re going
masks; practises social distancing; can’t illness and facing social and economic to pull on their heartstrings, make it
travel. It’s not intrusive and the book uncertainty, will deepen what you can feel real and authentic. And as an aside,
touches on much more than life under bring to writing about the past, or the be aware that if you think it might be
lockdown, but it’s there as part of the imagined future. an idea to have your romantic couple
daily texture of Enzo’s life, and it gives meet up while they were walking their
the book an immediacy and topical How to make your lockdown lockdown puppies, at this very moment
sense of relevance as Enzo negotiates the writing stand out every single publisher you can think
restrictions we’ve all experienced. Read • As ever, avoid the obvious idea. of will have inboxes overflowing with
WM’s interview with Peter in the April Lockdown has been a universal experience lockdown dog-walk meet-cutes.
issue to find out more. but your storylines and characters need
You can use lockdown to your to bear the stamp of originality. Bear in Above all, bear in mind the way that
advantage to create backdrops of mind that publishers will be inundated writers’ brains will hold and ferment
modern life that give fictions a with cooker-cutter tales of post-pandemic ideas – you may not yet know how or
contemporary edge. How might dystopias and zombie apocalypses and what you want to write in response to
the pandemic have created social will be looking for something with a lockdown, or even if you want to write
circumstances that generate storylines? unique edge: a way of telling the story about it at all, but it may yet find you!
Themes? Dilemmas for your characters? that they haven’t seen before. Don’t worry if it takes you by surprise –
How might your romantic heroine • Topical stories will need a unique writing ideas have a tendency to strike
navigate finding their true love as twist or voice. One of the big lockdown like that. When your lockdown idea
lockdown is eased and meeting in books last year was Russell Day’s King occurs to you, WM will be here with
the flesh becomes a possibility? How of the Crows, set in a post-pandemic advice to help you write it, to encourage
do your characters navigate public London, which had been conceived you along the way, to help you find
transport? Are they vaccinated? How and written long before Covid struck. somewhere to place it, and to showcase
might this be dropped into your Its publisher, not wanting to appear to it in our Subscriber News pages when
story? What opportunistic crimes be cashing in on the pandemic, initially you’re successful with it. Good luck!

S TA R I N T E R V I E W
POLISHEDGems
Tense and intense, Lisa Jewell’s novels are a masterclass in domestic
noir. Tina Jackson finds out how she writes them
W
ant a twisty, turny binge and coming a cropper,’ says Lisa. ‘I wanted
read so gripping its pages to touch on The Secret History, Donna Tartt,
seem to turn themselves? that kind of thing. I wanted Malory Towers
Knuckle-biting suspense as or Harry Potter. But it’s different. It’s a very
the tension mounts? The unconventional school story.’
rug pulled from under your feet as you read? It is. For a start, it breaks out of the
The ante upped to the point of vertigo? enclosed world of the school to explore
Look no further than The Night She its impact on the wider village
Disappeared, the new thriller from global community. ‘You’ve got a class
bestseller Lisa Jewell. Its basic premise is every divide – that pulled me away from
parent’s nightmare: a child who goes missing. the claustrophobic setting of the
In this case teenage mother Tallulah goes for boarding school,’ says Lisa. ‘I
a night out with her boyfriend Zach. A year thought that was something I’d
later, she hasn’t come back home to her mum really like to look at.’
and her baby son. Her treatment of teenage
‘A lot of my books are based around the idea relationships also sets it apart.
of people going missing,’ says Lisa. A missing ‘I wanted to write about teenage
person creates more uncertainty than a dead
one. ‘I don’t want them to be dead from the
outset,’ she continues. ‘With a missing person
you’re leaving everything open.’
Like Lisa’s other thrillers, including 2019’s
The Family Upstairs and 2017’s Then She
Was Gone, The Night She Disappeared
feels incredibly tightly plotted. But Lisa,
pulling the rug again, says she doesn’t plan
her novels.
‘I just start with an idea and start
writing.’ For someone whose books are so
compellingly dark, she’s friendly and down
to earth – albeit with an undercurrent of
darkly sardonic humour. ‘The idea for this
one was a body discovered in a beautiful
Surrey village and the teacher arriving and
being instructed to dig here.’
The teacher in question is Shaun, who
arrives as headmaster to a posh boarding
school with his new girlfriend Sophie, a cosy
crime writer drawn into investigating the
disappearance of local teen Tallulah when
she spots a sign in the school grounds that
© Andrew Whitton
says ‘dig here’.

‘I had this rough idea of an outsider
coming into this privileged, rarefied world

S TA R I N T E R V I E W
keep ramping it up, darkening the stories, bringing in She raises an eyebrow at some reader reactions. ‘It’s
mysteries and secrets.’ amazing how many readers have written saying “as
When she came to write 2009’s The Truth About the mother of daughters” and I think, I’m the mother
Melody Browne, she crossed a line. ‘I thought, I don’t of daughters and I wrote it! I can watch pretty much
need her to have a romance. So I took it out and anything on TV. I can see the line between things
delivered it and nobody said we can’t publish it without that are happening to me and things that happen to
a romance. It was relief that I didn’t have to do it.’ fictional characters.’
Lisa thinks that the transition from romcoms and Knowing how many people will be reading each book
chicklit – what she calls ‘the sunshine novels’ – to she publishes, Lisa does everything in her power to
psychological thrillers reflects the cultural climate, make sure what they’re reading is worth their time. ‘I’m
and the way a person’s outlook changes through lived aware a lot of people are going to read it and I want
experience. ‘It’s the same writers who were writing to do the work for my reader. I don’t want them to
romcoms who are now writing psychological thrillers. struggle with my book in any way. I want the reader not
You could call it zeitgeist. The mid ‘90s was such a to have to make any effort at all.’
magical time, politically, socially, creatively – we were all Her own aim when she starts writing each new book
living in cities, having bad relationship, wanting to write is to finish it. ‘I set out to get to the end! I’ve opened
about our lives. I think it’s the same with the evolution the door onto a world and I just need to keep putting
from the sunshine novels – it’s not cynical, it’s very the words on the page so I know what’s going on.’
much people have experienced sick parents, divorce, As Lisa writes her way into each new novel, she
bringing children into the world. I think it’s absolutely makes decisive choices that influence the direction the
natural. It’s why we’re writing these dark novels.’ narrative takes. ‘Someone said, if you close your menu
Lisa believes that the appeal of a thriller is that by the after you order in a restaurant, you’ll feel more satisfied.
end, everything is wrapped up. ‘Life is so open ended If I put something on the page, I don’t overthink it. I
that people want solutions. In real life you don’t know could have had bones uncovered by the “dig here” sign
anything – it’s full of vagueness and uncertainties. If you in The Night She Disappeared. But I thought, let’s not
pick up a decent thriller you know it’s going to be full have bones because that means someone’s dead. Let’s
of questions and by the time you get to the end, all the have an engagement ring in a box. Close the menu.
questions will be answered.’ Work with that. And that informs another idea, so I just
In 2015, Lisa included her first murder. It was a sort of go word by word. Every half chapter or so I have
pivotal point for her. ‘The Third Wife was the first to make a decision that I know is going to shape the
time I killed someone and I got away with it. I can narrative. And sometimes it works out really well and
get away with anything – there’s nothing off limits to I think I’m a genius. And other times I think what the
me. I can write my stories without any restrictions on hell have you done? In The Family Upstairs I’d written
what can happen.’ that everyone had fled – I hadn’t
Lisa’s ability to conjure the even given a thought to how these
darkest of scenarios is one of the teenagers, without shoes or passports,
elements that give her thrillers would manage – what they would do,
their nail-biting edge, but her way where they would go. I did freak out
of handling it is never in your face. a bit there. I had to go back. I move
‘Less is more,’ she says. ‘You can very quickly, don’t overthink things,
allude to really awful things without work on a scene or a page and think
being graphic and I don’t do graphic I’ll find a way to work out how it
– don’t go into excruciating detail. happens. I plot on the page.’
I tend to close the door on things. She needs one good idea to get
I walk away from chapters or scenes going. ‘I’m not really much of an
before it gets upsetting.’ ideas factory writer – I know writers
She doesn’t blur boundaries with loads of ideas but I only ever
between fiction and real life. ‘In The have one at a time. I’m massively
Family Upstairs, the scene when the practical. When an idea comes I
husband rapes her in the kitchen, feel it and I know it. I’ve got my
I wrote that in a cafe where these idea. Then I can allow other ideas
mothers was having a coffee morning. to come in tangentially. If I start
I compartmentalise things.’ off with one idea it’s like I’ve

‘I’m not really much of an ideas factory
writer – I know writers with loads of ideas
but I only ever have one at a time. I’m
massively practical. When an idea comes
I feel it and I know it. I’ve got my idea.
Then I can allow other ideas to come in
tangentially. If I start off with one idea it’s
like I’ve booked my flight and I can visit
places along the way.’
booked my flight and I can visit places along the way.’ influencer to post
Her writing process has changed since the early days. about your book.’
‘It’s so different because I’m so much more confident now. Lisa is realistic
I used to write 10,000 words and get rid of it, feel really about the commercial expectations that come with
anxious and nervous. I didn’t used to enjoy writing but her bestseller status. ’In terms of how I live my life,
now I do. You know what you’re doing, get on with it.’ nothing much changes. My objective is just, opening
Lisa’s on a cycle that demands she produce a book a door into a world I haven’t really thought about, like
each year. ‘I deliver every year at Christmas, so January a holiday you haven’t really planned. But obviously
and February is generally editing, with my editor. Then there’s an expectation from a publisher, and when you
I’ll toy with the idea of starting a next one at the end start selling in large quantities they really are like a dog
of February and I like to have 40,000 words by the waiting for dinner, the sales team all ready to go.’
time my children break up for the summer holiday. Her advice to new writers is to be informed about
When there’s 40,000 words, I’ll give it to my editor the industry – and realistic. ‘A lot of people approach
for feedback and then come back to it in September – the industry like it’s a shark pool with traps in it. But
60,000 words to write in four months. Then I get really it really is just a load of people who get paid when
serious. It’s darker, so I get my head down. In the March they sell books. All they want is somebody to turn
to July phase I aim for 1,000 words a day and don’t beat up with a book that gives them goosebumps. This is
myself up – as long as I get to 40,000 words I’m happy. the beautiful thing about publishing – I’ve had dips
In the second phase it’s at least 1,000 words a day and in my career where I have worried I might not sell
gets more and more intense. I don’t think anyone could enough books to get published, but your next book
keep up that level of intensity all year. It’s easier now might be the one. So much is just serendipity.
because I was fitting my writing in round children’s It’s really important to remember all you
timetables but now I’m freer.’ have to do is write a really good book and
Lisa’s process may not have changed much but social get it out there. If you can’t get an agent
media has affected author marketing. ‘I write a book, you should really be asking yourself if
nobody bothers me, I deliver it, it gets edited. That’s your writing is publishable – but
my yearly cycle. I’ve always had to spend time doing you have to hold onto the
interviews, writing articles. The biggest change is the faith and keep believing in
social media side of things. Publishers really do expect the magic of it.’
you to keep up a social media presence, work on it –
and you have to do it well. Then She Was Gone came
out in America a few years ago but at the beginning of
lockdown one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
put that she was going to spend lockdown reading Then
She Was Gone – and it went to number one and is still
selling 5,000 copies a week. It used to be broadsheet
reviews that made a difference, and now you crave an
www.writers-online.co.uk
Editorial calendar
Strong forward planning will greatly improve your chances with freelance
submissions. Here are some themes to consider for the coming months.
November 1921: 100 years ago November 1931: 90 years ago

• The first Royal British Legion Poppy Day took • Sir Edward Elgar opened Abbey Road
place on 11 November. Studios, conducting the London
Symphone Orchestra
• American actor Charles Bronson
was born • Socialite Arthur Jeffress’s Red and White
party was the last big bash of the ‘Bright
Young Things’ era before the Depression.
• US manufactuer Dupont launched

the first synthetic rubber, neoprene.
November 1941: 80 years ago
• James Whale’s horror film Frankenstein,
• In the first donation of its kind, Labour politican starring Boris Karloff as the monster,
Sir Charles Trevelyan gifted his family home, was released.
Wallington hall, to the National Trust.
• US singer-songwriter Art Garfunkel was born.
• UK actor David Hemmings, who

starred in Blow-Up, was born.
• Scottish actor Tom Conti was born.
• Stevenage was the first place in the UK to be
designated a New Town under the 1946 New
Towns Act
• WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire was opened

November 1951: 70 years ago as a wetland reserve by naturalist Peter Scott.
• The UK’s first supermarket, the Premier • The Powell and Pressburger film A Matter of
Supermarket in Streatham Hill, was opened by Life and Death was the first ever Royal Film
Express Dairies Performance at the Empire Theatre in London.
• Snowdonia was designated •The first regular TV sitcom, the

a national park. BBC’s Pinwrights’ Progress, began broadcasting.
• Scottish painter Jack • Country rock star Gram Parsons was born.
Vettriano was born. He died in 1973.
• Film director Kathryn Bigelow • Rock guitarist Duane Allman

was born. was born. He died in 1971.

• Joseph Heller’s novel Catch 22 was published. • Erin Pizzey opened Chiswick Women’s Aid, the first
refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
• Canadian singer k.d. lang was born.
• Four-bit central processing unit Intel 4004 – the first
• British TV presenter Jill Dando was commercially produced microprocessor – was released by
born. She was murdered in 1999 Intel Corporation
and the case remains unsolved.
• Irish comedian Dylan Moran was born.
• Boxer Frank Bruno was born.
• Controversial political strategist
• Actor Meg Ryan was born. Dominic Cummings was born.
• Booker-winning Indian
author and activist November 1981: 40 years ago
Arundhati Roy was born.
• Girls Aloud singers Sarah Harding and Kimberley Walsh
• Mexican film director were born.
Alfonso Cuaron was born.
• The UK experienced the largest recorded tornado
• British actor and comedian outbreak in European history.
Martin Clunes was born.
• Footballer Joe Cole was born.
• Singer Natasha Bedingfield was born.

• The first branch of PC World opened November 1996: 25 years ago
in Croydon.
• The Simpsons appeared on BBC Two for the first time
• Queen frontman Freddie Mercury died, the day after he had
released a statement saying he had got AIDS. • The Spice Girls’ debut album, Spice, was
No 1 on the UK album chart.
• Terry Waite, who had been held hostage in
Lebanon since January 1987, was released • Anthony Minghella’s film The English Patient
after 1,763 days in captivity. was released.
• New Zealand electropop singer Lorde was born.

• The film adaptation of Harry Potter and
November 2011: Ten years ago
the Philospoher’s Stone was released. • Up all Night, the debut album from One
Direction, was released.
• Former Beatle George Harrison died.
• Video game Minecraft was released.
Looking In 2024, it will be fifty years since the publication of Peter Benchley’s
blockbuster thriller Jaws – a terrific hook to write about zeitgesit-defining
ahead books, genre fiction, the evolution of thrillers or even your experience of
reading it for the first time.
Pics, all CC BY-SA, Wikipedia: Poppy Day, Heatherannej; Neoprene, Beeblebox; Charles Trevelyan, Samotny Wedrowiec; Art Garfunkel, Paph_PH; David Hemmings, Rob Mieremet/Anefo; Tom Conti, Contains Mild
Peril; Stevenage, BWCSEB1989; Duane Allman, Ed Berman; Express Dairies, Peter Beaven; Snowdonia, Mike Peel; Jack Vettriano, Vack Vettriano; kd lang, Charlie Llewellin; Meg Ryan, David Shankbone; Arundhati
Roy, Augustus Binu; Alfonso Cuaron, Gage Skidmore; Martin Clunes, Millifanti; Dylan Moran, Fernando de Sousa; Sarah Harding, Dell Inc; Kimberley Walsh, Bob Peters; UK tornado, Justin 1569; Joe Cole, Vladimir
Mayorov; Natasha Bedingfield, Eva Rinaldi; Freddie Mercury, Thomas Steffan; Lorde, Krists Luhaers.

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A S K A L I T E R A RY C O N S U LTA N T
Pressing concerns
Helen Corner-Bryant highlights some of the questions put
to her on a panel at the London Book Fair
I was lucky enough to participate in a virtual seminar at this year’s When writing a synopsis of the book, what are the key points
London Book Fair, titled Playing with Prose: Form, Character, to include?
Setting. My co-panellist was award-winning writer, Michael Writing a synopsis is a common fear among writers. Establish the
Arditti, who wears various hats as a playwright, journalist, set-up, setting, character’s fear/goal and the central conflict. Then,
and theatre critic. The seminar was hosted by TV and radio follow the main plot and character arcs. Don’t worry about minor
broadcaster Dan Simpson, who runs the Writer’s Routine podcast. plot points and characters.
Michael revealed that he writes instinctively, without a
predefined plan or structure; instead, he starts with an idea and How can I know if my character is too passive?
builds on the characters to see where the story takes him. Of If things happen to, rather than because of, your protagonist or
course, many successful writers use a similar method. We then characters this can lead to them lacking in agency. Also look out
discussed how a writer’s inner sense of structure influences the for passive verb choices, and whether any minor characters are
story, and can prevent the writing from veering too far off-piste. fighting for centre stage; if they are more interesting than your
If you’re a writer who doesn’t have that inner radar, though, there more passive character, they could be brought to the fore.
are ways to look at your work diagnostically once the book’s been
written. Ultimately, while you can’t teach talent, you can equip an Is it better to write for yourself or the market? Or both?
author with tools to strengthen their work. Always write for yourself. It’s a good idea to know what’s
During this seminar people could post questions. I thought it going on in the market and what sells but for a novel to feel
would be interesting to flesh out some of my answers here. authentic and unique, this will come from you. What is it
that you wish to explore? At the heart of this will be conflict,
Are characters that go nowhere ever worth keeping? a burning question, a quest or a dilemma – be it emotional
No! However, you may only know which characters are earning or plot or both. If you’re engaged and kept interested then
their place once you’ve finished your first draft. Strip out hopefully your reader will be too.
extraneous characters or merge them into another character.
Are there any tools for keeping track of plot and character
development, especially in particularly complex narratives?
Charting the main plot and character arc against the three-act
graph can provide the novel with a rough shape as you begin
writing. Alternatively, you can use the three-act graph in a # 1 TRA N SAT L AN TI C LI T E RA RY C O NS ULTA N CY
diagnostic way once the story is written to ensure the main Are you thinking about submitting to the trade?
elements are working in the way that they should. You might have Do you want to learn the art of self-editing?
mini arcs for each character and a main overarching arc.
“Thank you [...] for developing such a challenging and rewarding course.
Would you advise writers to write first drafts and then go back I have been searching for four years for this level of excellence!”
- EYN course alumna
and edit, or edit as you go?
It’s a good idea to get the first draft down; you may write and not Based on the #1 bestselling book
look back or you may tweak as you go along –whichever suits you On Editing our Edit Your Novel
as a writer. Once you’ve finished the novel, you’ll be able to see the online course is designed to help you
plot points that didn’t go anywhere and which ones to strengthen. perfect your submissions package
You will also know your characters well by the end and only then whilst equipping you with all
will you know how to flesh them out. the tools you need to become a
FRQÀGHQWVHOIHGLWRU
Would you give the same level of help to a debut writer, Next course begins:
or are you more inclined to invest editorially with already- 20 September 2021
proven authors?
We specialise in launching debut writers – those with talent who
might otherwise fall between the cracks. However, we also work Structural editing, copy-editing and proofreading,
scouts for leading agents
with published writers. Sometimes an established writer will have
a block on writing their next novel, or they may want to change www.cornerstones.co.uk/edit-your-novel-the-professional-way
genre, or they may just want professional feedback before they go
to their agent or editor.
www.writers-online.co.uk SEPTEMBER
JUNE 2021 19
21
WRITING LIFE
Earwaves
Producing a podcast could mean the birth
of your book, just not in the way you
expected, suggests Rosalind Moody
W
here Nora Ephron said ‘everything
is copy’, I would say ‘everything is
content’. Now I say everything is
audio content. I’m a podcast addict,
my favourites being Nobody Panic,
How to Fail and Happy Place. Interviews are music to
my ears. And no one can deny the commercial power
of audiobooks, usually the last product to be produced
before its written counterpart publishes. But if your
manuscript hasn’t yet found its spark, it could be
meaningful to start with the audio form, and let the idea
mature through voice. Streaming apps like Spotify, Acast,
iTunes and more are so packed it makes the stock in The But how does it work, especially without spending a
Midnight Library look sparse. So, if you have a content penny or having the support and experience of a media
idea, this audio boom might be its moment. company? Spotify’s free ‘home studio’ Anchor could be
Say you want to write a non-fic; maybe each the answer, where you can record and arrange your audio
episode of your self-produced podcast could broadcast segments, design your own cover art, add extra music or
a different expert interview, a chat you would have sound and even record remotely with up to four guests
conducted anyway and painstakingly transcribed and on any time zone. For a bit of pocket money, considering
edited for prose. Or you’re an aspiring murder mystery you can earn money via sponsorships and custom ads, it
author – could your plot be even more intriguing might well be the birth of your book baby like you never
unravelled in audio, BBC Radio 4 play style, with imagined. Especially as a real book would take months,
various friends voicing your dialogue? Think Daisy even years, to see royalties.
Jones and the Six by Taylor Reid Jenkins, told entirely
through parallel interviews. How could you be most How to launch your own podcast
playful with your idea? Victoria Jackson, UK-based business coach and #1
I know, I know, switching mediums leaves you a little charting podcast host, launched The Manifestation
uneasy, because what writer loves change? The Tattooist Collective podcast in March 2021. 23 episodes in, she’s up
of Auschwitz author Heather Morris wrote her bestseller to 30,000 downloads and has beaten The Bible to the top
as a screenplay to begin with, and only adapted it when spot in its category. themanifestationcollective.co
the depth of the real-life characters made way for an My favourite podcasts are Second Life by Hillary Kerr,
internationally best-selling novel, which over 3 million Don’t Keep Your Day Job with Cathy Heller, Richuals To
people went on to read. When a podcast hits number one, Seven with Ruby Lee, Spiritual Sh*t by Alea Lovely, Full
such as Sh*gged, Married, Annoyed by comedians Chris Free with Taylor Lee and No Room for Doubt with Kira
and Rosie Ramsay, a resulting book can hit the Sunday Matthews. I knew that starting a show of my own could
Times Bestseller list even quicker – its branding, content really help me reach a wider global audience than my
and most importantly, audience, already established. 100,000 online monthly visitors and bring personality

to my brand. But I just really struggled with the sound is journal prompts, self-study modules, meditations and
of my own voice. The decision to launch the Spiritually so on, a bit like a self-help book. The aim is to always
Speaking show was a fairly quick turnaround once I educate or inspire listeners to make a positive change to
moved past that fear. (My voice is actually the thing their life.
that most people comment on to say how much they
enjoy listening to me. Who knew a Leeds accent could Find Rosalind’s Spiritually Speaking podcast here:
be so soothing?!) www.soulandspiritmagazine.com.
I then wrote content ideas for the first ten shows
and knew that instead of overwhelming myself with
organising interviews, I would do solo episodes. The THREE TIPS FOR PODCASTING NEWBIES
question I continually ask myself as a business owner
is “what would this look like if it were easy?” I had • Don’t assume you need to invest in everything. Edit the audio
recommendations for free sites such as Anchor but I am in Audacity (which you can learn to use via YouTube), use
always of the mindset that I don’t mind investing in my Canva for graphics and employ social media to shout about it.
business if it brings ease, and Libsyn was easy and only
£10 a month. The only equipment I invested in was a • Create a dream list of people you’d like to interview and don’t
Blue Yeti Microphone as I’d heard great reviews. be afraid to reach out – you’ll be surprised by how many
I didn’t realise how long it could take to get approved people say yes. Plus, you could go onto their show in the
by iTunes, but luckily, my trailer for iTunes was accepted future.
within three days. I then added the podcast to Spotify,
Stitcher and ACast, while Libsyn automatically adds it •Batch-create content so you aren’t pressured each week to
to Amazon Podcast and Google, as well as updating the write, record and edit a new episode; set aside one day a
RSS of iTunes. I embed each episode on to my website month for recording and one day for editing and scheduling.
through Libsyn by the HTML code. In Libsyn you can
customise this to suit your own brand colours. •Get recording today. Already have a podcast? Make the switch
Each weekly show is up to thirty minutes long and I today at anchor.fm/switch or in the app.
always aim to have some form of takeaway, whether that
JERICHO WRITERS It’s time

to get that
U LT I M AT E book written
NOVEL Applications are now open
WRITING
With online tutorials and mentoring
sessions led by leading authors in their
fields, alongside in-person events, editorial
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COURSE
and more - no other course offers this level
of support as you work towards publication.
We’ve helped hundreds of writers achieve

their writing goals over the past 17 years.
Could you be next?
Find out more: jerichowriters.com/unwc

Get in touch: [email protected] UK: +44 (0)345 459 9560 US: +1 (646) 974 9060

M Y PAT H T O P U B L I C AT I O N
Imran Mahmood
The author and practicing barrister describes how the story
he absolutely had to tell about justice became his debut
novel, and a BBC/Netflix drama
‘I
n the robing room of Blackfriars Crown Court, I
was sitting in a quiet spot trying to find the right
words for my closing speech. The defendant I was to meet me and I ended up
representing was an intelligent young man and signing with Camilla from
he’d given me a list of points that he wanted me to Darley Anderson.
consider including in the speech. ‘Time has taught me that I
‘When I got home I began to wonder about the speech I’d was incredibly lucky with my
given and whether it would have sounded better or worse had agent. I can’t overstate how crucial Camilla
the defendant written and delivered the whole thing. That was has been and continues to be for my writing. She is not only
the moment that You Don’t Know Me was born and it became a brilliant editor but also has excellent judgment and a really
my debut novel. commercial head on her shoulders. She is also passionate
‘Although I had always written short stories (never about her authors’ work and without that passion I doubt
submitted for publication) I had never harboured any whether I would be a writer today. Because…
ambitions or hopes of ever getting published. The day-job ‘Once she and I got the novel in shape she submitted it to
was demanding and frankly it was stressful enough being publishers. My agent championed the book in every way that
under the scrutiny of twelve people let alone the possibility she could but found that many publishers weren’t interested.
of being judged by an unknowable number of readers across The problem was that they didn’t know where to place the
the country. But when I finished the draft of You Don’t Know novel in terms of genre. I’d never considered this before. To
Me, a jury speech from the perspective of a defendant, I me book-buying was just a question of picking up whatever
suddenly felt I wanted the story to heard by a wider audience. I fancied on any given day. Did I like the jacket? Did I feel
Not because of any literary merit I felt it had, but because it like something cosy or high-brow or just something everyone
dealt with what I saw as important themes. Was justice blind? had been raving about? But I learned that publishers have to
Was there a two-tier justice system? Where did morality lie sell books to buyers (supermarkets, bookshops, and online
on the spectrum of justice? Was a person from one kind of retailers) on the basis of genre. And because my book didn’t
background more culpable than another just because of the fit cleanly into a specific genre, publishers were reluctant to
accident of his or her birth? take it. I still find this extremely mystifying in many ways and
‘Once I felt the manuscript was good enough to send out, wonder how many brilliant books have never seen the light of
I then had the task of finding an agent. I didn’t know any a bookshop because of this.
authors. I knew nothing about the publishing industry and ‘In the end my agent’s sheer determination led to her
couldn’t have told you the difference between one agency and persuading a rather fine and extremely talented editor (Emad
another. In the end I put my trust in Google. Akhtar) at Penguin to take a punt. Once he agreed to buy
‘I narrowed down the list to agents who represented it we went through a number of rounds of edits (structural
authors who were writing on similar themes and sent out edits, line-edits, copy-edits, proof-edits). Finally, a total of
what they asked for in their submissions guidelines. Some around four years after I completed the first draft, I held the
wanted a few chapters in the post. Others wanted the whole finished book in my hand. It was moment I will never forget.
manuscript sent by email. After a pretty brutal few weeks It represented years of hardship. I’d worked into the late hours
of waiting I started to get replies. Three agencies wanted after court. I was writing in court, waiting for juries to return
verdicts. I’d written on trains and Tubes. Whatever time I
MY TIPS (if I am qualified to give any) could scavenge I spent writing.
‘I have now seen my debut being turned into a four-part
• If you are bored by what you have written, your reader BBC and Netflix drama. I have completed my second novel
will be too. Try to make your work as spell-binding as I Know What I Saw with Bloomsbury Raven and have just
you can. secured a deal for subsequent books. There were many
• The first fifty pages of a submission have to be as nailed- obstacles on the road to this point and there were many
on as they can be. Perfect and hone those because they times that I wanted to throw the towel in. But ultimately as
are your audition. Many agents don’t have the time to someone once said to me, if you’re a writer then you have to
read more and say that if you haven’t grabbed them by write and giving up on publication wouldn’t have meant the
p50 then it’s not for them. end of writing for me. I would have kept on going – kept on
shouting into the void.’

The bestselling guides to A Real Assistant
in A
becoming a published author
Exposure Book Launch helps Virtual World
Start your journey here authors to launch and market
their books virtually for you. Contact Sian at any time at:
And because books speak hello@
for themselves: sianscopywritingservices.com
• We can change the world
with your books. or call her on 01633 267514
• Don’t worry we have it. during office hours for all your
• Find it here.
https://bit.ly/3oGFNyF
creative writing needs.
[email protected] All work considered.
Tel. 07940574356
Detailed critical assessments by professional editors

for writing at all stages of development, in all genres
Links with publishers and agents, and advice on
self-publishing
Copy-editing, proofreading and 1:1 surgeries
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Includes separate manuscript assessment and industry
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from the very best in the industry T 0203 751 0757 ext.800 (Mon-Thurs)
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W www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk
www.writersandartists.co.uk

BEGINNERS
A job w e l l d o n e
Treat writing as a craft so you don’t leave work unfinished or incomplete, says Adrian Magson
A
n outsider’s view of writers might well be one first is to write strictly A to Z – that is, from start to finish,
of us sitting at a desk or table, laptop open covering all bases without moving on until every t is crossed,
or pen poised, the worlds we create spilling every i dotted. That way you don’t forget anything.
forth at our bidding in a steady stream. We Undoubtedly there are writers who do it this way, although
stop, they might imagine, for the occasional as far as I know I’ve never met one. Maybe the ones I do know
tea, coffee or something a little stronger, before ploughing on keep it a secret. I’ve never managed to write in that manner
until the end of the day’s work, picking up again the next day because it just doesn’t work for me and I go wildly off-piste.
or session after walking the faithful dog/cat/duck/pig (tick as The second way is to make careful notes of where you left
appropriate), all the while thinking of new scenes of danger, off writing a scene so that you can come back to it with a fresh
intrigue, romance and dialogue ready to set them down on mind. That’s one of the ways I use. In fact I dodge about all
screen or paper. over the place like a demented chicken, writing bits as I think
The truth is, most of the writers I know are rarely as regularly of them, adding to some and subtracting from others. I always
creative as this. The scenes and words mostly emerge through make notes or better still, for quick visual accuracy, I highlight
sheer concentration and sweat, the writing conducted in bursts, the unfinished passage in red so that it hits me in the eye next
much of it dodging about from one scene to the next in a time I’m passing through.
manner which might suggest the writer has lost the plot. Most Red ink means look at it again.
seasoned scribes, however, are able through experience to keep The third way is to edit the heck out of the story. Read it as
an eye on their progress and continuity without leaving gaping if doing so for the first time, making sure anything missing will
holes in the storytelling. spark you into action and no bloopers have been left for an
While we’re all capable of forgetting to wrap things up because unfortunate reader.
of our impatience to move on to the next bit, it helps if you get In fact whether you write in the first, linear and all-inclusive
into the habit very early on of finishing what you’ve started. A-Z fashion, or make notes as you go, method three (editing)
This might seem like grandmothers and sucking eggs. But is always vital. That way you’ll be sure to cover gaps, traps and
if you slip into the habit of leaving small holes of unfinished typos, improving the story and spotting ways to polish and
work everywhere (which, of course, you promise yourself you’ll perfect what you’re trying to say.
come back to), then sooner or later you’ll miss one. They might Editing is seen by some writers as a bit of a slog, merely done
not seem as obvious as you might think. To a reader, however, to tidy up the work and spot spelling mistakes. I probably used
they’ll stand out like blood on a white carpet and ruin their to think that way myself when I first started out. But you soon
enjoyment. The thing to do is make sure they never reach learn the hard way. It’s not the way to go. It’s unprofessional.
the reader in the first place. And this applies whether you are Whichever publishing route you choose, you should do this
traditionally or self-published. all-important part of the job yourself – or get a professional
Take a section of dialogue between characters. You know editor to do it for you. There’s always a possibility of missing
what you want them to say, how they’ll say it and what the something because we all do it; we get too close to it and miss
outcome will be. It’s all there up in your head where it’s been the blindingly obvious.
simmering away ready to serve. But in between simmering Get in the habit from the beginning of only typing THE
and dishing onto the plate, something goes wrong; you reach a END when you know it truly is a job well done. That way you
point where something doesn’t quite gel, where the conversation can submit your writing project in the clear knowledge that
hits a small snag and you can’t quite get it right. you’ve kept your part of the bargain.
You decide sensibly to come back to it later. Given a bit more
thought, a brisk walk or bouncing your head off the wall – TOP TIPS
whatever works for you – you’ll know exactly what’s needed.
But what if you don’t? What if life gets in the way in the many • Finish what you started, whether a scene, dialogue or
ways that it can, and the troublesome section goes unfinished? narrative.
The vital chapter (which they all are, let’s be honest), was left • Cover all bases, whether in order or not.
without quite the flesh on the bones that you’d planned? • Don’t leave anything to chance. Mark it in red.
There are two ways of dealing with this. Actually three. The • Edit. Edit. Edit.

WIN! £500
IN CASH PRIZES & PUBLICATION
£250
TO BE
WON
One of the hottest genres in

SEE P63 fiction this year, climate fiction
Y
FOR ENTR explores our effect on the
FULL
DETAILS, environment, sometimes with
D
RULES AN a sense of hope, sometimes
RMS
ENTRY FO with regret. The stance you
take is up to you.
Your story should be 1,500-

1,700 words and the closing
date is 15 October.
The winner will receive £200

and publication in Writing
Magazine, with £50 and
publication online for the
runner-up.
STILL TIME TO ENTER
£250 to be won
With its closing date of 15 September, there’s still time to enter last month’s competition for love stories.
Prizes and length are as above. See p63 for full details.
‘B
efore you finish your finishing the sentence with ‘…Nathan.’ wisdom: simple but they worked. When
first day of bell- ‘That’s my man. Now tell me truthful, a guest found pressing gum into my hand
hopping, Frecks, how’s how was your first day bell-hopping?’ by way of a gratuity amusing, I heard
about fetching Nathan ‘It’s just… well, some of the guests…’ Nathan’s words: ‘Just passin’ through’.
a coffee?’ ‘What about them?’ If I discovered myself in a room with
That’s what I liked about him. While ‘Most don’t even look at me. It’s like a woman (and worryingly sometimes
other clerks treated me like something I’m invisible. No sooner have I carried a man) just happening to step out of
they’d stepped in, barking orders across their bags to their room they almost slam the shower needing a towel, there were
the lobby, he spoke to me. And giving the door in my face.’ Nathan’s words: ‘Just passin’ through’.
me a nickname, although my freckles I wondered whether it was just me, or Nathan should have retired. Especially
have long since faded, made me feel he whether Nathan laughed at everything. when he could barely walk and the stairs
saw a person beneath the stupid uniform ‘Didn’t you get no tips?’ he asked. became impossible for him.
I wore. He worked the graveyard shift, ‘Those that bothered gave little more But the position of General Night
so most of the guests had checked in and than dimes or quarters and expected me Supervisor was created just for him: a
the lobby was deserted. to be grateful. One woman, though, she job that involved little more than sitting
I asked him how he liked his coffee gave me a five dollar bill; said something with the night clerk and drinking coffee
and that was the first time I heard his about needing a service later on. I didn’t – black, strong and sweet – to while away
deep, hearty laugh, like he was delivering know what she meant so I told the the small hours. It was the least I could
the funniest-ever punch line. ‘Like me, desk clerk and he told me to mind my do for the man that guided me up the
Frecks, like me: black, strong and sweet business carrying cases. He asked what ladder from bellhop to porter to clerk to
as molasses!’ room she was in. Then he disappeared manager. And it was worth it just to hear
I miss that laugh. for nearly an hour.’ his deep, hearty laugh ring around the
‘Nectar,’ he announced, slurping it At that Nathan laughed his loudest yet. lobby once in a while.
back even though it must have been ‘That’s people, for you,’ he said. ‘I’ve As close as we were, if he had any he
scalding. ‘Keep my coffee like that and been here since my time in ’Nam. Every never mentioned relatives. The hotel was
I’ll live forever.’ time I think I’ve seen all manner of life, his family. I tidied up his affairs, making
That was probably the only lie I ever in through that revolving door walks sure he had a decent burial.
heard him tell. another.’ ‘Frecks,’ he once said, ‘I don’t want no
‘So, Frecks, how d’you enjoy bell- ‘So how do you put up with them?’ cremation. Just make sure they lay me
hopping?’ I asked. back into the ground.’
What could I say? I needed the job. ‘I ‘Okay, Frecks,’ he said draining the The priest look surprised when, instead
enjoyed it, sir.’ last of his coffee. ‘Here’s my secret. Just of soil, I threw a handful of demerara
‘Now then, Frecks,’ he said after he’d remember this: they’re all just passin’ sugar and coffee beans onto Nathan’s
stopped laughing. ‘There’s two golden through. No matter what they say, don’t lowered coffin.
rules. First, when it’s just you and me, I say, do, or don’t do, chances are you I’m looking at his gravestone. I
ain’t no sir: I’m plain old Nathan. And seeing them is a one-off. They check can almost hear him roaring out
second, Nathan will always know when in, they check out. It don’t matter what that deep laugh once again. Nothing
your truthing or untruthing. Do we have happens in between long as you don’t get sentimental: just his name, birth and
an understanding?’ involved.’ death dates. And three simple words:
‘Yes…’ I paused awkwardly before So those were Nathan’s words of ‘Just passin’ through’.

Barbara will not submit to the status of what it would be like if her bungalow were it off.
‘lonely’. Her husband passed away six to fall victim to the sea like those that fell Walking back through the deserted
months ago, and her son doesn’t bring the off the dunes. Merely being alone does not roads, she hears the waves asserting their
grandchildren to visit half as much as she’d automatically make you lonely. power. The boarded up arcades hold rows
like. But that does not make her lonely. Today, Barbara visits the charity shop in of unplugged kiddie rides. The café signs
She just happens to be alone. the next village. It’s crammed with clothes creak in the wind; they won’t be opening
The plan was to retire by the sea, with and ornaments of dogs. On the rack next season. Sometimes it feels like it is just
the sound of the waves forever in the against the window hangs a coat. Nostalgia her and the seagulls here. But she would
background and doughnuts on tap. They takes hold; it’s just like the one she wore on never say she is lonely. It would just be nice
didn’t plan on the sea eroding half of the her honeymoon – Black and white fake fur if she weren’t alone, that’s all.
beach, leaving seafront homes sliding down with hook-eye fastening. A photo on her She slips her hand into her coat
dunes and businesses relocating. mantelpiece serves as a frequent reminder pocket. Her fingers trace the seam and
If you visited Brunsley thirty years ago, of their Cornwall honeymoon, spent find a hole. Her feet stop moving as the
you would find the same shops and cafes walking, dancing, and exploring. rain gathers in pools around her. She
as you would today, only there would be ‘Would you like to try it on?’ remembers, fifty years ago:
more of them, and smiles were infectious The sales assistant appears beside her, The train was leaving Cornwall at 10am.
back then. Families flocked there from scouting for conversation. Barbara wonders Pete vanished, leaving her on the platform
spring until autumn. Crazy golf, dodgems, how long she had been reminiscing. with their luggage. The train arrives,
penny pushers, and bingo, all belting out ‘Yes please. I had a coat just like this. I her coat and bags were in a heap on the
repetitive noises, filled the two little roads lost it on my honeymoon. Today is our platform; she tried to gather them whilst
that made up this seaside town. Missing golden anniversary.’ scanning for her husband. He appeared at
all this doesn’t make her lonely. She just She often catches herself talking on the last moment with a bunch of flowers
misses it, that’s all. behalf of the two of them. Her mind still and a grin that melted her heart. They
Families would buy inflatables, only to hasn’t adapted to being half of the unit. jumped on the train as it started to pull
have them blown down the beach while Barbara tries the coat on and studies away, leaving her coat behind.
they tried to embrace the freezing water. herself in the mirror. She has lost Barbara frantically pushes her fingers
Pale legs would turn blotchy red as they weight since Pete died. All that cooking through the coat seam and wraps them
were determined to immerse themselves in seems a waste just for one. She looks around a small item - a coat pin that Pete
this icy undulating mass. Children would for the 22-year-old version of herself, had bought her from the shop near their
dig holes while parents scanned the sand smiling back. Cornwall caravan. Fuelled with utter love
for glass and dog mess. It was all part of ‘We danced on the beach. He held my and excitement, she pelts towards the sea.
the holiday experience that kept them hips as if his life depended on it. Our Throwing her shoes across the damp sand,
returning season after season. faces were whipped by sand, and my she starts dancing. The mini whirlwinds
Now the remaining residents can hardly hair became matted as the sea threw tiny and lashes of rain fuel her movement. She
muster a smile as their investments slowly whirlwinds at us, but we kept dancing.’ will never be lonely. She just happens to
give way to the sea. Barbara often wonders She pays for the coat without taking be alone.
SHORTLISTED
Also shortlisted in the 750-word competition were: Dominic Bell, Hull; Deb Bridges, Bovey Tracey, Devon; Dave Cryer, Keswick, Cumbria;
Emily Foster-Tomkinson, Rugby, Warwickshire; Julie Fretwell, Grindleford, Derbyshire; Eileen Furze, Yeovil, Somerset;
GP Hyde, Grimsby, NE Lincolnshire; Jeanette Lowe, Sheffield, South Yorkshire; Mairibeth MacMillan, Cove, Argyll and Bute;
Jill McKenzie, Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway; AJ Reid, Heswall, Wirral.

SELF-PUBLISHING
What’s b e s t f o r
yo u r b o o k ?
Indie author DJ Bowman-Smith discusses the choice
between publishing wide, or exclusively with Amazon
I
n the present climate, the using their print on demand (POD) as For many authors, this supplements
independent author has a well, the set-up is free, easy to use, and income from normal sales. For some,
choice. They can publish the customer care (in my experience it produces the bulk of their profit.
exclusively on Amazon or so far) very good. In short, they know There are bonuses for bestsellers.
publish wide on the many what they are doing. This total package can help generate
other platforms available. Like so A great benefit of exclusivity with reviews, foster reader loyalty, and
many decisions in the indie author Amazon is that you have one area of aid discoverability within Amazon’s
world, it comes down to what you focus. One platform to learn, and algorithms. The KU model, although
want from your publishing business most of your marketing in a single not entirely worldwide, is certainly
and what you want as a writer. I will place. With a single buy-link for huge and a world player by any
endeavour to highlight the differences website and social media, life is simple. standard. At the time of writing, they
and the subsequent pros and cons of Any changes to your book covers or sell in twelve countries (new territories
both models. interior files are quick to implement are forthcoming). Titles enrolled in
and your updates will be live in four KU are also available to buy – not
Amazon to 72 hours. This is fast compared to every customer subscribes to ‘borrow’
It is tricky to find consistent facts other sites. KDP helps you to manage and only ebooks are eligible.
about Amazon ebook and print pricing, keep track of royalties and run
book sales. Various research seems promotions. They have everything all • The downside
to suggest that they have about 60% sewn up – for some it is a little too The biggest drawback is that in order
of UK and USA markets – possibly sewn up – but more of that later. to benefit from all KU offers, Amazon
more, depending what you read. Most To reap all the rewards Amazon requires exclusivity.
statistics indicate that Amazon is a offers, it is necessary to ‘opt in’ to their This works by opting a title into
huge world player – no surprises there. KDP Select programme. This provides KDP Select for ninety days, during
Whichever way you decide to sell your in-house marketing such as five days which time that book cannot be
book, Amazon is certainly a platform of free promotion in each ninety-day published anywhere else in any way,
you need to be on. For many, it is the cycle along with ‘ebook sales’ in the which includes author direct sales from
only platform they choose. Here’s why. form of Kindle Countdown Deals. In your website or any box sets or book
KDP Select, ebooks become part of the bundles. Leaving is simple enough
• Benefits of the behemoth Kindle Unlimited (KU) programme, – you just need to opt out – but
Without doubt, Kindle Direct which is a subscription service. Readers remember to uncheck the KU box as
Publishing (KDP) is a slick operation. pay a fixed monthly amount and can titles automatically stay in unless you
Whether you are selling just ebooks or ‘borrow’ numerous books each month. do this.

Amazon is the only platform which words have a very ‘long tail’ that you Here are a few suggestions. Publish
requires exclusivity in order to take part can continually earn from. Also, wide direct with Amazon KDP and one or
in their subscription programme. In the publishing is much more of a long two of the other big players – Kobo
scheme, they pay authors using their game. It takes time to build up a Writing Life, Apple iBookstore,
Kindle Edition Normalised Page Count following over many platforms. And Google eBooks, Nook (Barnes and
(KENPC). Some dislike this method a readership will require more than Noble) as these are likely to provide
because of the lack of transparency one book to make it work. If you are the largest income and so worth the
(Amazon decides what to pay but starting out with your first title, get to extra effort. Publishing direct will
doesn’t disclose how and why). Payment grips with Amazon first and then when give greater control over pricing and
is not specific to the individual and you have more to sell, go wide. promotions. But use an aggregator (see
comes from a central fund shared by box) – for all the others. An aggregator
other authors. The amount varies, but • Wide benefits is a service where an ebook can be
top sellers receive ‘All-Star’ bonuses. If Publishing just with Amazon is easy, uploaded and they will distribute the
being an independent author is about there’s no doubt about that. But a work on your behalf across multiple
having autonomy over your writing, business model which relies on one channels. Upload is usually free but
then Amazon’s exclusivity and payment provider could prove problematic in they take a percentage from each sale.
rules may not appeal. the future. You are entirely beholden It is just a case of checking out what
One thing to remember though is to them, and when they change their they offer – which distributors they are
that the KDP Select model only applies rules, there is nothing you can do. on and whether they are right for your
to ebooks. So it is possible to publish Wide publishing keeps the control in books. An aggregator will make your
and sell print books wide and have your the author’s hands. Multiple streams of work available on sites you have never
ebooks within KU if KU works well for income from multiple sources is a safer heard of – all across the world.
your books. business plan.
Another benefit of the wide model • What else?
• Reading habits is that authors can take advantage Going wide results in a plethora of
Some genres and sub-genres attract of emerging markets rather than buy-links for each book. This is best
‘whale readers’. The KU system is being locked into a single ecosystem. achieved with ‘universal links’ on
particularly appealing to them, as Global ebook readership is expanding; your website and within advertising
they can satisfy their voracious habits publishing wide allows writers to campaigns. When going wide, don’t
without spending a fortune. Many reach territories not covered by forget to sell from your own doorstep!
authors make a good income from the Amazon. Similarly with print books – Selling directly from your website
KENPC. The books they write are if an author uses a POD service (like is becoming more popular as indie
usually (but not always) in a series. IngramSpark for example), alongside authors continue to grow their audience
If your books fit within this model, KDP, their print books have the and become mainstream. This is a great
it may be worth trying KU for a few chance to be stocked in bookshops way to foster reader-author relations.
months. You can remove your books at and libraries. I’ll be talking about this in more depth
anytime – although they will have to and other website tips and marketing
complete the current ninety days they • Time waits for no author next time.
are opted in to. The big sticking point for most authors,
especially those who publish themselves Last word
Broad mindset as a side-line to another career, is The whole ‘wide or Amazon exclusive’
Amazon is not the only tree in the time. Publishing wide is a greater is an ongoing debate. Like so much in
jungle. It is more than possible to commitment. There are more moving the indie author space, it is all about
take the best of KDP and sell wide. parts to track and it will take longer to what works well for you, your personal
It just means you cannot use their develop into a viable income stream. time constraints and your books.
KU program if you want to sell your Bringing out a new title or making Significantly, you get to decide what
ebooks elsewhere. And remember, changes to existing ones is a lengthy you do and for how long. That’s the joy
other platforms have subscription process when using multiple platforms. of independence.
services that don’t demand exclusivity A few minor alterations to the back Website: www.djbowmansmith.com
from the author. matter or adding a complimentary
Publishing wide encompasses making quote from a reviewer onto your book Aggregator services
your intellectual property available on cover can be a day’s work – probably • Draft2Digital: www.draft2digital.com
numerous platforms in many different more. You will need to learn about and • PublishDrive: www.publishdrive.com
formats such as hardback, large print, manage a few marketing angles as well • StreetLib: www.streetlib.com
audio and different languages. It’s as keeping a presence on social media. • Smashwords: www.smashwords.com
about understanding that your written Some time strategies are helpful.

Shelf life
The multi-award winning sports author Duncan Hamilton shares the books that get his top scores
The Age of Innocence The Collected Essays, On Boxing, On Football,

by Edith Wharton Journalism and Letters of On Horse Racing
George Orwell (four volumes), by Hugh McIlvanney
‘My bookshelves will tell you that
about two thirds of the fiction I read edited by Sonia Orwell and
is written by women: Pat Barker, Ian Angus ‘When I was a boy, kicking a ball
Penelope Lively, Anita Brookner, around the park with my friends,
Irmgard Keun, Helen Dunmore, ‘I’d read both Animal Farm and 1984 everyone wanted to be George Best.
Rose Tremain, Hiromi Kawakam, before I “discovered” these volumes in I wanted to be Hugh McIlvanney.
Elena Ferrante, etc, etc: Strange as it my late teens. They’ve taught me more I still do. Hugh is always described
sounds – or perhaps even cockeyed – I than any other books about how to chisel as a sports writer. I think of him as
particularly admire Edith Wharton out an argument. Orwell talks about the a writer who chose to write about
because her fiction always reminds me ‘scrupulous writer’ and the questions he sport. The best books about sport are
what a non-fiction writer must do to ought to ask himself/herself. What am I never purely about the sport itself,
make the dry bones of history dance trying to say? What words will express it? but instead focus hard on the human
a little. She’s so fabulously observant What image will make it clearer? Is this condition. You can read Hugh on
when it comes to describing a room, image fresh enough to have an effect? anyone – especially on Muhammad
a face, a mannerism or movement or Could I put it more shortly? Have I said Ali, who he knew well – and learn so
a voice. Her characters live. You get anything that is avoidably ugly? I ask much about that. If Hugh had chosen
to know them and the place in which myself these questions – and a few more – to write novels, he would have won
they dwell. In fact, you almost feel whatever I’m writing: fiction, non fiction, the Nobel Prize.’
you’ve met them.’ criticism or even a note to the milkman.’
How to Write ‘I took this book out of my local library at some point in 1977; I was a
and Sell tender eighteen-year-old. I last took it out on October 26, 1978. I can
be definitive about that date because I “forgot” to take it back. I confess
Magazine
this now only because I’m guessing there is some statute of limitations
Articles that, surely, protects me against prosecution by now. What makes How to
by Richard Write and Sell Magazine Articles so special? The blurb on the inside cover
Gehman begins: ‘This is an unusual book’. That isn’t an exaggeration. Gehman,
highly successful in his day, combines autobiography with a how-to-
instruction manual. He analyses his own work and others’ too. I’ve never
read a book like it. Gehman brings a sense of wonder to the great, inky
world of writing.’

DUNCAN HAMILTON
Duncan Hamilton is a three-time winner of the William
Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. His novel, Injury
Time, is published by riverrun this month.
‘Way back in the late 1980s, shortly after The Old Devils won the Booker Prize, the BBC
filmed a short profile of Kingsley Amis.
‘By then Amis was himself a benign Old Devil in thick framed glasses. He was filmed
drinking his favourite whisky (Macallan single malt) and either scribbling on a pad or
bashing away on a typewriter as big and grey as a battleship.
‘Amis was asked the clichéd question about what it takes to be a writer. His answer
was pithy and a bit gruff. It was also the best piece of literary advice I’ve ever heard. I
pass it on, regularly.
‘“Application of seat of pants to seat of chair,” he said.
‘The message, simple and unambiguous, was this: you have to turn up. You have go to
your desk every day and be prepared to graft – even when the temptation to backslide or
play truant is overwhelming. In his much blunter way Amis was echoing what that best-
seller, Mr Shakespeare, once said: nothing will come of nothing.
‘My nascent images of writers and writing were dreamy and romantically idealised: a
leather topped desk, a scattering of lovely cream paper, walls decorated only with books, a
long lunch with your grateful publisher. I also believed a book would practically write itself
The Great Gatsby once you had the bright spark of an idea.
by F Scott Fitzgerald ‘If only...
‘I was soon disabused of those fanciful notions. Writing can be isolating, repetitive work.
A Month in the Country
Just sometimes, I wonder if I’d have more fun digging a 200-mile ditch in the pelting
by JL Carr rain. But I do it because I do like it (most of the time, anyway) and also because I draw
enormous satisfaction from creating something. If I take a short break from writing, a
‘I’ve put these two books together fortnight-long perhaps, my fingers itch for the keys of my MacBook again.
– one famous, one relatively ‘I thought of Amis a lot last year, especially during the first lockdown, after I broke out
obscure but fondly cherished of my comfort zone of biography and assorted non-fiction. My editor asked for a novel
– because there are similarities about football, a game which I’ve spent a lifetime watching.
between them. First and most ‘Everyone wants to know one thing: Did I find it easier to write fiction rather than
obvious is length. Second, also non-fiction?
obvious, is the craft of beautiful ‘In some ways yes.
writing. Third is the fact both ‘The seat of my pants really was welded to the seat of my chair. I didn’t have to go
narrators are looking back, viewing anywhere – except into my imagination. Usually, I spend months in archives and libraries
everything in the rear-view mirror or travelling, often abroad, to interview people.
of their life, which adds perspective ‘In other ways no.
and poignancy to the events ‘With biography, for example, you’re following the trail of breadcrumbs someone has
described. On a practical level, scattered throughout their life. With fiction, you have to make your own breadcrumbs and
these books showed me how to weave a plot around them.
shape an ending and the emotional ‘Other than that, the process is the same. You tot up your daily word count – mine
force required to do it so that tends to be between 700 and 1,000 – while knowing not all of them will survive the
(hopefully) the reader thinks about crucial next stage, which is quality control.
what you’ve written long after ‘I like to think Amis would approve of my work ethic.
the last page. With Fitzgerald, it’s ‘I’m a morning person. I get up early, often just past 6am. I make the first of a dozen
those last few lines, which begin: or more cups of tea and walk into my office. I am still wearing whatever I slept in, plus a
Gatsby believed in the green light. worn navy cardigan. I resemble the dishevelled figure George Orwell describes in his essay
With Carr, it’s one of the loveliest Confessions of a Book Reviewer (actually, the cardigan does have a couple of moth holes
sentences I’ve ever read. We can in it). When I first moved into the village where I now live, the mail often arrived a little
ask and ask but we can’t have again before noon. I’d answer the door unwashed, unshaven, my hair unkempt and my clothes
what once seemed ours forever. It’s awfully creased. Until he found out what I did, the postman thought I was not only a late-
a true statement, but melancholic riser but also the laziest man in the whole of the Yorkshire Dales.
and swollen with regret. ‘But, as Amis knew, writing books isn’t for the lazy. He published 25 novels, three
collections of short stories, another three collections of poetry and 16 books of non-fiction.
‘I’ve always wondered how many chairs Amis wore out to produce all that. If you know,
don’t hesitate to tell me.’

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Your writing critiqued

Tertullian was a prolific
Author James McCreet is early Christian author,
impressed by some prose from writing in the second
second-century North-African century AD. His
Christian theologian Tertullian linguistic innovations
include being the first
writer in Latin to use
the term trinity.
Still more disgraceful was the case when lust transfigured coronet!10 No sober woman even, or heroine of any note,11
a man in his dress, and yet adoration is offered to whom would have adventured her shoulders beneath the hide of
you ought to blush at1 – that Clubshaftandhidebearer,2 who such a beast,12 unless after long softening and smoothening
exchanged for womanly attire the whole proud heritage of down and deodorization (which in Omphale’s house,
his name!3 Such licence was granted to the secret haunts I hope, was effected by balsam and fenugreek-salve.13 I
of Lydia4 that Hercules was prostituted5 in the person suppose the mane, too, submitted to the comb)14 for fear
of Omphale, and Omphale in that of Hercules.6 Where of getting her tender neck imbued with lionly toughness.15
were Diomed and his gory mangers? Where Busiris and The yawning mouth stuffed with hair, the jaw-teeth
his funereal altars? Where Geryon, triply one?7 The club overshadowed amid the forelocks, the whole outraged
preferred still to reek with their brains when it was being visage, would have roared had it been able.16 Nemea, at
pestered with unguents!8 The now veteran stain of the all events (if the spot has any presiding genius),17 groaned:
Hydra’s and of the Centaurs’ blood upon the shafts was for then she looked around, and saw that she had lost
gradually eradicated by the pumice-stone, familiar to the her lion.18 What sort of being the said Hercules was in
hair-pin!9 While voluptuousness insulted over the fact that, Omphale’s silk, the description of Omphale in Hercules’
after transfixing monsters, they should perchance sew a hide has inferentially depicted.19
1 Tertullian’s essay On the Pallium

discusses traditions of dress and
changes in fashion to justify his
3 Tertullian outlines the scope and
focus of his example. It’s one of the
more obscure tales of Hercules so he’ll
feats, which the readers would have
known and reconstructed from the
almost cryptic clues given. (Diomede
own choice to wear the Greek-style have to introduce it. was a Thracian king whose horses ate
robe (pallium) as opposed to the human flesh, while Busiris was an
Roman-style toga. This is part of a
list of historical and mythological
examples he gives of people who
4 The region of ancient Lydia (now
Western Turkey) is made to seem
more exotic and fairy-tale by having
Egyptian king who sacrificed all visitors
to his realm). The use of ‘triply’ is not
only linguistically innovative but also
wore wrong or inappropriate ‘secret haunts’. an in-joke. Geryon was variously said
clothing. (It was a less gender-fluid have had three bodies and three heads,
society than our own.)
5 Tertullian’s use of the word
‘prostituted’ exaggerates Hercules
or three heads and one body or three
bodies and one head. Tertullian covers
2 What? Eighteen hundred years

before Joyce and the Modernists,
humiliation at having to serve a foreign
queen and, allegedly, wear her clothes
all eventualities with one word.
Tertullian mashes together a series

of words to allude to Hercules, who
as a maidservant.
8 Here, Hercules’ club is personified
as distraught. Rather than its
was known for his club, lion-skin
and arrows. Even the contemporary
audience would have had to pause
6 It’s a role-reversal story, which
Tertullian neatly shows in
this mirrored phrase. Evidently,
accustomed beating out of brains, it is
‘pestered’ with the beautifying perfumes
and creams of its owner’s new mistress.
briefly decipher this. Why didn’t he Omphale was no happier wearing The personification is yet more absurd
just use Hercules’ name? It’s a way of Hercules’ clothes. because it’s just a piece of wood.
both ridiculing the hero by reducing
him to his simple attributes but
also an important way of cueing the
jokes the writer is about to make.
7 The series of rhetorical questions
refers in broad allusive strokes to
Hercules’ manlier, more slaughterous
9 Tertullian continues the theme with
Hercules’ arrows losing their bloody
hue of mythological slayings to more

If you would like to submit an extract of your
work in progress, send it by email, with synopsis
and a brief biog, to: [email protected]
beautifying treatments. The hairpin is

added almost as an afterthought and is
funnier for it.
14 Another throwaway line like
the hairpin comment above.
Tertullian wants us to picture the
18 Of course, they had already
lost the lion when Hercules
killed and skinned it, but now they
queen absurdly combing the lion’s have lost even the associations it – a
10 The arrows are further used

as needles for sewing and, like
matted mane. total defamation.
the club, they are personified as being

horrified. 15 ‘Lionly toughness’ is wonderful,
referring to the physical nature
of the hide itself and also the brute
19 The final sentence is perhaps
the trickiest. We may have
missed the fact that Tertullian has said
11 Now Tertullian switches his

perspective. He stated at the start
significance of it. nothing about Hercules’ perspective in
all of this. He’s been invisible. Rather,
that this was a role-reversal story and
we move to Omphale. However, he is
equally referring to any self-respecting
16 And now we see the lion-skin’s
point of view – the most absurd
image yet. We can see it perched on
he’s spoken about the lion-skin and the
weapons. Now he asks us to imagine
that Hercules wearing Omphale’s silks
woman (or heroine). Queen Omphale’s head: coiffed and is as absurd as she appeared in his
perfumed, its fangs clotted with fragrant hide. He has ‘inferentially depicted’
12 Hercules was known for the

lion-skin of the beast he killed
at Nemea in Greece, presumably
hair! The poor thing would have roared
and, indeed, appears to be roaring with
its mouth agape.
the other side of his mirror narrative
by not describing it at all. It’s a
powerful and outrageous technique,
a ratty and reeking garment fit for like a camera switching away from
wandering muscular heroes but less
appealing to queens. 17 Tertullian takes the absurdity
to a new level by suggesting the
region of Nemea itself (if a place can
the main focus for a rapid reaction
shot. We picture massive, burly, hairy
Hercules in his silk kimono, aghast at
13 Tongue firmly in cheek, Tertullian

betrays his knowledge of female
emollients. This is necessary to evoke
have feelings, he smirks parenthetically) is
outraged at what has become of its most
famous monster. The wrongness of the
the situation he finds himself in. We,
the readers, have to supply this image
based on what we’ve been told.
Omphale’s perspective as he evoked that situation is felt thousands of miles away
of the club and the arrows. in Greece.
In summary
This short extract is packed with sophisticated literary We might do the same today by referring to ‘muggles’ or
techniques that wouldn’t be unusual in Shakespeare referencing Hamlet without having to note where the words
(1,300 years later). Tertullian chooses a relatively obscure come from.
mythological story and uses two structural devices to tell The piece works on many levels and remains as readable
it. The first is the mirroring technique that shows how today (translated from Latin, at least) as it was in the Roman
both characters were affected by the choice or necessity to Empire. Apart from the various techniques used it in it,
swap clothing. It’s pays off in the final line when Tertullian Tertullian’s text shows us that there’s virtually no limit to
essentially says, ‘I needn’t say what Hercules felt like if you’ve what wide reading can teach us as writers. Not many of us
understood what I’ve just said about Omphale’ – a masterful (me included) would have thought to seek out the writings
trick. He’s described one reflection of his mirror concept and of a second-century Christian theologian for a good read,
left the other to our imagination. but it turns out he was considered a literary genius in Latin,
The other device is how he gives perspective to the inanimate introducing many news words and techniques as Shakespeare
objects of the club, the arrows, the lion-skin and even to the did in English.
place the lion came from, the idea becoming more absurd with Tertullian tends to be read today mostly by hardcore
each step. We can’t help but be amused by the lion forced to theology students and it’s true that most of his output is
become a queen’s decoration rather than a hero’s mantle. about heresy or the nature of the soul or whether remarrying
Tertullian is not only telling a story, but he’s in is a sin. I came across him quite accidentally while reading
conversation with his readers. When he refers to the Edward Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
‘Clubshaftandhidebearer’ or Busiris’ altars, he’s calling upon (1776–1789) – another great reference for writers seeking
their knowledge and including them in the set of references. highly effective English prose.

TA L K I T O V E R
Driven to
di sco n n e c t
Jane Wenham-Jones
advises a writer worrying
that spending time on social
media is getting in the way of
completing her novel
G
ood for you, Julia! We like a healthy dollop I am currently working on a second novel, having had
of determination and I admire your resolve to some encouraging near-misses on my first. I want to
make the most of your experiences with the give this second try my very best shot with the time
earlier submissions. and concentration to take account of all the feedback I
It is all too easy to fall into a pit of despair received, and all I have learned from the last attempt. To
when one is knocked back, but horrible as they are at the this end, I am wondering whether to give up all social
time, rejections can form a very valuable learning curve and media for the duration. I already work part-time and have
it will only help you towards future success to view yours in a family so my hours available for writing are limited. I am
this way. aware that I get quite embroiled in Twitter and Instagram
Too many would-be novelists brush aside the feedback and the like, and could free up quite a slice of each day if
they get – even when from highly-experienced professionals I went cold turkey. But I am also mindful of all the advice
in the publishing industry – and disregard any advice on on how important social media is – how one needs to
how to improve, and then wonder why their second, third build a readership, and engage with book-bloggers etc and
and fourth manuscripts get turned down as well. that publishers like you to have a good online presence. If
The sensible ones realise early that writing is a job we I give it up completely, will I be risking having shot myself
never stop learning on – and if we think we have, then we’ve in the foot on that happy day when I finally get a book
probably not quite as good at it as we imagine. deal? Which, I am determined, will happen…
That little rant over, let us address your question: should JULIA WHITE
you give up social media while you throw your all into your Croydon
next book?
I certainly think you should free up as much time as
possible, in order to keep up your writing momentum. And Denny of Fairport Convention singing ‘Who knows where
there is no doubt that faffing about online eats away at the the time goes?’ he began to really think about those lyrics.
hours like nothing else. ‘The truth dawned on me,’ he recalls. ‘It was an addiction.
Writer and Writing Magazine reader Kevin, whose online To something that has both good and bad sides. And the
persona until recently was Captain Black, has taken the – bad was starting to outweigh the good.’
possibly somewhat drastic – decision to permanently delete all When he started to analyse it, Kevin realised he wasn’t very
his social media accounts, and shut down his website to boot. happy with the persona he was presenting online either. He
‘I realised I was spending a great deal of my time on social describes this as: ‘A rather glib and shallow person, sometimes
media,’ he says. ‘Most of every Sunday, and for several hours confrontational. I don’t believe that’s the “real” me.’
each evening during the week. It all added up to about 20% So, what has been the result? ‘I now have 25% more
of my time awake; a whole fifth of my life.' time,’ he says, pleased. ‘That’s pretty much a whole extra
The Captain, who was a founder member of the popular day in the week. More time to read more books and most
Wannabe a Writer? Facebook group, organised online chats importantly, more time to write.’
to bring writers together, too. But one day, listening to Sandy Referring to himself now as ‘Captain Black (retired)’,

Kevin says that although he misses interacting with some of and there, to catch up on social If you
the people he liked – some of whom he only knew through media, perhaps paying particular have a question
social media – and regrets not being part of ‘some of the heed to building contacts. The you would like Jane to
great groups and communities’, he concludes overall: ‘I miss photos of the chocolate chip
consider, email jane@
it much less than I’d expected.’ muffins you’ve just baked can wait
janewenham-jones.
Now, do I recommend that you follow the captain’s example a few months – instead follow
com
and remove yourself entirely? No, on balance, I don’t. other writers, and generously retweet
You are right to point out that publishers like you to have their book news, or comment on the
an online presence, and also to highlight the importance of recommendations from book-bloggers.
engaging with your readership. So I would suggest a spot of Hopefully, you will then avoid losing followers or
self-discipline instead, whereby you strictly limit the time you friends yourself – some people use software that clears
allow yourself to be online, and if you don’t think you can away those who don’t post for a while – while keeping
stick to that regime, then a short sabbatical, with a view to most of your time for what is really important to you
returning when you’ve completed a first draft. right now. To achieve this, you could certainly give up the
I find writing a novel is very much easier if you personal chit-chat for a while. I recently had an enforced
get a good run at it, and preferably engage with your break from social media – when I was unwell and just
manuscript every day, so it might be useful anyway, didn’t have the wherewithal – and the world didn’t
to draw up a timetable of when you can fit in writing collapse. Everyone was still there when I went back later.
sessions, record them in your diary and stick to them In other words, not the whole frigid turkey but a
like glue. Do it in the same way you would if it were a stringent cutting down should do the trick. If you can be
professional appointment – which really, if you are serious stern with yourself. Which if you are as determined as you
about this, it is! sound, shouldn’t be too hard. I wish you the very best of
Into this schedule, you could insert fifteen minutes here luck and hope you get that deal.
I put it down to the pandemic at the time – I mean, everything

is Covid’s fault, right? But when it happened again this time, I
began to wonder. Is post-publication burnout a thing for other
authors too? And, if it is, what can we do about it?
I think part of the problem is growing up with a dream
of being an author and an assumption of what that means.
Under the covers Watching your favourites release their books and shoot to the
top of the charts, win awards, have their book recommended
The other side of success time and time again on online book groups, be pictured on the
front page of a magazine. You don’t see the years of trying and
Gillian Harvey is suffering from post- failing and trying again that built up to those moments of glory.
publication burnout And it’s not just the big names. I’ll completely admit I’m
also part of the problem. If I get a fab review, or a magazine
Y
ou know those authors, posting on their publication mention, of course I’m going to share it. But unless I follow
day, sharing good news, and being – more often it up with a couple of pics of me slumped over my desk, or
than not #soexcited? yelling at the cat, I’m not really painting a complete picture.
I’ve discovered that in addition to the ‘excited’ Despite knowing this, I still look at other authors’ similar
hashtag, it might be more truthful to add #soexhausted, posts and think, ‘They’re having a great time,’ or ‘Wow, they
#sodirectionless and #soanxious. must be doing so well.’
Of course, published authors are in a very privileged I’ve spoken to a few authors – including some big names –
position. We’re somewhere we’ve always dreamed of being; a about this just to see if it’s something that I and my fellow newbie
place where many others also long to be. And we’re grateful. authors feel that eventually fades away. But no, it seems that for
We really are. many authors – not all, but many – this physical and emotional
But that doesn’t mean we’re not also a lot of other things too. slump is very real. Yet because no one really talks about it, it can
When my first publication day came and went, my emotions feel as if it’s ‘just us.’
fell off a cliff. A mixture of expectation and reality, and a So although we’re lucky – and we really, really are – like most
feeling of having built up to a day and then to step beyond it things in life releasing a book comes with its fair share of ups and
and not really know what to do next, how to feel or actually downs. And I hope that by being honest about that, I might save
what to expect. someone else from feeling quite so alone post-publication.

WRITERS’ CIRCLES
MAKE DO
AND MEND
We’ve all got discarded scraps of
writing. Patch it up in these
writing group exercises from
Julie Phillips
t’s all too tempting to race ahead and start writing down where they see the projects going. There are multiple
something new, even when there are several other half- directions ideas could go in and they might just come up
finished writing projects on the go. But for one reason with the one that sparks it all off again. The more unlikely
or another those other half-finished projects have left and outlandish the suggestions the better. By thinking
you feeling less than enthusiastic, so you toss them outside their usual confines, group members’ creativity
aside like an old smartphone in favour of the all-singing- will be sparked and they may find something they’d never
and-dancing new bit of tech. considered before. Other long-forgotten, long-lost projects
It doesn’t have to be this way. A bit of cutting and pasting, or ideas might come to mind during this process, elements
and project fusion is the way forward. This month we’re of which they could also add in.
looking at falling back in love with your old, neglected Another fun activity is to play pick and mix. Remember
writing projects, alongside your new projects, and finding those dizzying arrays of different varieties of sweets that
the beauty and excitement in them again. So it’s time to you put in a bag or cup? For this version you could pick a
ask your new shiny project to budge up on your desk and handful of a novel, a pinch of the last line of a poem and a
make room for your old projects as you dust them off and scoop of a travel article and mix it all together. Alternatively,
reimagine them. put a selection of images or text from random sources on
For the first activity, ask the group to search the deepest, a table and let the group select three of them and see what
darkest corners of their cupboards, drawers and files, and dig they come up with. Trying to find connections between the
around their old writing projects or ideas. Choose a couple three images/lines of text resets the creativity pathways in
and ask them to write down, in a couple of paragraphs, the your brain and kicks up something new to work with. It’s
essence of each project. Keep it brief. The shorter the better the literary high and buzz you get when you come up with
as it forces you to be clear. a new idea or a project is going well – and we want more of
Next, ask them to think about why they shelved the that feeling because that’s what propels us forward.
project in the first place. It could be they just ran out Do you remember the 1970/80s kids’ show Swap Shop,
of time to finish it. Or maybe the idea didn’t hold their where you could swap toys, etc? If your group members have
attention, they got bored of it and a new idea pushed its way ideas they know they aren’t going to use, ask them to write
in. Perhaps they didn’t have any idea of how to proceed with them down and put them all on a table so other members
it and gave up, or they were too scared to carry on because can pick one or two up and use them. A swap of ideas like
they didn’t think it was any good. Knowing why a project this benefits everyone and nothing is wasted. Someone else
was not completed is part of the key to getting it moving might be able to roll with your idea and you might be able
again. If they ran out of time to complete it, they now have to breath a new lease of life into someone else’s idea. Even
some time in the meeting to think about it. If they got if you decide to use your original idea what comes out of it
bored they can now fuse some ideas together and reignite will be different to anyone else’s anyway.
their passion for the piece. If they didn’t know how to move This workshop is about taking certain elements from a
forward with it, they now have access to the writing group variety of projects and cutting and pasting them together
hive mind with all its experience and knowledge to help to make something new. Asking the group for help on
them find their way. projects you’re stuck on or have fallen out with, or for new
Ask them to read out the paragraphs they wrote about the ideas, can kickstart your passion for them again and get
projects to the rest of the group and get the group to write them finished.

WRITERS’ CIRCLES
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,
[email protected]
SPOTLIGHT ON... Liverpool Laid Back Writers

The Liverpool Laid Back Writers members, headed by the group
(LLBW) group is a ‘meetup.com’ organiser, and invited submissions.
group who meet every month at the Although daunting at first, the
Ship and Mitre pub in Liverpool city mechanics of publishing on the
centre (unless there is a COVID-19 Kindle site proved the easiest part
pandemic, in which case we meet of the process. With the help of the
online), writes Rowland Cook. Kindle tutorials and online guidance,
The aim of the group is to provide a the anthology was soon underway.
supportive place for people who want The most challenging task was to through into the first edition. Thank
to write without having their work exercise proper ‘due diligence’ of the goodness updating the manuscript on
subjected to harsh analytical criticism, submissions. Screening the stories for Kindle is an easy process.
as can happen in some writing groups. potentially libellous or offensive content Then, all of a sudden, there it was
The group consists of a core of caused several differences of opinion finished! That was a proud moment for
regulars with a constant flow of new in the publication team. However, the everybody in the group.
members who tend to join for a while penalty for falling foul of the law is If anyone is interested in getting
and then move on. The result is a an unlimited fine and/or six months a copy, just search for ‘Anthology’
rich diversity of ideas and subjects in prison and we erred on the side of / ‘Liverpool Laid Back Writers’ on
presented in a variety of writing styles. safety. We came away with a new-found Amazon or get in touch
One Sunday we reflected on all the appreciation of the important and via the meetup.com
good-quality stories that were only difficult task that editors face. website. All proceeds
shared at the meetings. This crystallised Taking all the stories, written from Anthology 2020
the idea of publishing an anthology of on different systems and typing will be donated to
our stories. It would give our authors techniques, and pulling them all charity.
something to aim for, be a showcase together into a consistent style and Website: www.
for the group and hopefully raise some format was a huge task. Even with six meetup.com/The-
money for charity. So we formed a people proofreading the manuscript, Laid-back-Writers-
‘publication team’ of six of our regular mistakes and typos still squeaked Meet-Up/
Celebrating ten years

Writers Abroad, an established online many, new lands have become home. For others, it is just a
international writing group who sadly pleasant interlude along life’s journey.
disbanded in November 2020, share news During this trying year when travelling for pleasure has
of their recent ebook publication, Far Flung, been almost impossible, Writers Abroad members, old and
writes Christine Nedahl. new, spanning every continent, collaborated to produce an
It is a treasure trove of contributions from around anthology offering ‘far flung’ destinations to our readers.
the globe provided by current and past members of this Writers Abroad tried to provide something for everyone
successful community of expat writers. within the covers of this exciting anthology.
The seed of an idea to celebrate ten years of friendship, To all who enjoy the written word it is hoped you will
creativity, and achievement has blossomed into a diverse take as much pleasure from this collection as Writers
medley of writing. Wide-ranging in more ways than one, Abroad took in its compilation.
this collection showcases countless experiences of those who All proceeds go to World Literacy.
left familiar lands to venture into an exciting unknown. For Website: https://writersabroad.com/

SUBSCRIBER NEWS
Local books for local buildings
‘I have just had my seventh local history book Matthew Hopkins the Witch Finder General, who
published,’ writes subscriber Jim Reeve. it is said was responsible for hanging 230 witches.
‘Three were published by Amberley Publishers Thomas Hooker, who lived at Cuckoo Farm
and four by The History Press. My current and emigrated to America because he was being
book is called Chelmsford in 50 Buildings. It persecuted for his outspoken religious beliefs, wrote
sets out the history and interesting facts about the Constitution for Connecticut, which was later
fifty properties in Chelmsford. Many of the adopted to become the American constitution.
buildings are haunted by ghosts. A number have ‘I have been a subscriber to Writing Magazine
had murders committed in them. for over twenty years and have found its articles
‘In the 1800s, one building was being used as very informative. It has assisted me in writing
a court and a murder case was being tried. There three, as yet, unpublished novels, win a number
was a tremendous lot of local interest because a of competitions, including coming second in the
gang of five had murdered a policeman. People National RAC Travelling Abroad competition, and
fought to climb the stairs to the court room. being the first man to win a prize in a Society of
Unfortunately, because of the number of people, Women Writers’ and Journalists’ competitions.
pushing and shoving, the staircase collapsed, Despite the number of years I have been taking the
killing a nineteen year old youth. The building which it had magazine, there is always something of interest in it and for
replaced held the witch trials of 1566. They were instigated by any aspiring writer it is a must.’
Something Ruth rolls up

in the air with Roley
‘It all started with the large
farmed field behind my home, ‘This is my new book called Roley the Recycling
and the switch to a certain Lorry,’ writes subscriber Ruth Shapiro.
new type of manure,’ writes ‘Roley travels about collecting litter to
subscriber Joy Wodhams. recycle and reuse with the help of some very
‘Ideas for novels come from special friends.
a multitude of sources, but ‘He goes to the woods where his rabbit and squirrel friends help
(although I haven’t checked) fill him with litter then he goes down to the beach where Clara
I think I might be the only Crab and Sammy Seagull pick up litter from the sand and they
author to be inspired by the evil- throw it into the lorry. The seals, fish, dolphins, etc, help to clean
smelling stuff that seems to be the beautiful blue sea.
the latest thing in local authority ‘A short time later Roley rolls past the local school and the
by-products. children with some parents are standing outside and hold up
‘So Cabbage Boy, my novel for new things which have been recycled from the litter Roley had
13-18 year olds, was born. I don’t want to give the collected recently.
game away, but there are two main characters. One ‘“Thank you Roley’, the children cried, “thank you for helping to
is a teenage boy, a worrier with a touch of OCD, save our world!”
who longs to be taller, braver, more popular with ‘I feel that recycling is an important lesson to teach children
the girls, more one of the guys. The other? Well, from a very young age and this book is aimed at ages 4-8 years.
you’ll have to read the book to find out. ‘I also found an amazing illustrator who has done some
‘Cabbage Boy may be wacky, but it will have you wonderful pictures plus there are some activity pages at the back.
laughing or crying, or maybe both at the same There is a maze where you can help Roley find his way to the
time. It’s available from Amazon in paperback or Recycling Centre plus “spot the difference”, sorting out the items
ebook.’ into the correct recycling bin and a couple of colouring-in pages.
Website: https://joywodhams.blogspot.com/ ‘The book is available on Amazon and I am very pleased with it.’

Prank star
e a b o u t g r am m ar ,
Unsur
n c es , s t r uc t u r e o r
sente
gu e in y o u r s t or y ?
dialo
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FICTION FOCUS
Banking
on your
writing
skills
How can writers bring home the bacon?
Margaret James has some useful suggestions for generating income from writing
A
s we all know, we’re in an overcrowded decide to take a course, don’t forget that language is always
profession. Although today’s digital moving on: that something which was considered correct
technology has definitely made earning some as recently as last year might not be acceptable this year. All
kind of living from writing more achievable, right or alright? No one or no-one? On to or onto? You’ll find
it’s also made it more challenging. them all in print.
Not too long ago, bookshops were the main retail outlets Commercial publishers, newspapers and magazines
for books, selling them for the prices printed on their have their own house styles, and many of them produce
jackets. These days, however, there are plenty of websites style sheets for contributors. Realise or realize? Racked
offering readers pirated books for well below their cover with indecision or wracked? I think it should be racked,
prices, or even for free. referencing the instrument of torture, but wracked seems
Amazon has opened up the market for independent to be increasingly acceptable. Single quotation marks in
publishers, enabling millions of authors to take their work to dialogue, double quotation marks, or no quotation marks
readers. But Amazon has also taught these readers to expect at all? Nineteen eighty-four or 1984? Here’s a useful link
to buy books for pennies. Or even to wait for freebies, then which explains what style sheets are all about: http://writ.rs/
to download books for nothing at all. whystylesheet
As a midlist author, I’m regularly invited to work for Maybe you could get some editing and proofreading
nothing: to give talks, to read for competitions or to experience by acting as a beta-reader for your writing
contribute to anthologies. I have bills to pay, however, so friends? Then, when you feel sufficiently confident, you
I’ve learned to be selective about what I agree to do. could try to get some paid work as well.
I’ve taught creative writing for many years. I love engaging Script doctors and mentors are always in demand, so
with my students and – fortunately – no students expect me could you do that kind of work? The publishing industry
to engage with them for free. I’ve also had the huge pleasure is completely unregulated, so you don’t need formal
of seeing many of my former students become commercially qualifications to set up in business as a script doctor, a
published writers. More recently, and building on my mentor or even a literary agent. But you will certainly need
teaching experience, I’ve co-authored The Creative Writing connections and a good reputation built up over the years.
Student’s Handbook and two other writing guides. Giving paid talks online or at festivals can add to a writer’s
I’ve always been fascinated by language, so editing and income stream. I’ll be offering a session or two at the
proofreading are ideal writing-related activities for me. It’s forthcoming Exeter Literary Festival this November:
easy to find courses on editing and proofreading. But, if you www.exelitfest.com.

I wish I’d known
The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society might be an
untapped financial resource for even a newish writer. Do you
write plays, poetry, articles, long or short fiction, or for any
publication bearing an ISBN or ISSN? Payments are made
annually. Check out the ALCS website for more information:
www.alcs.co.uk.
Public Lending Right also makes payments to authors every year.
Although public library usage is falling off as local authorities close
branches, funding is slashed and borrowings decline, my own PLR
payments are still very welcome. See www.bl.uk/plr. with MW Arnold
What about writing competitions – could you organise
a competition? I’m one third of the team that runs www. ‘The biggest regret I have is that I was afraid
creativewritingmatters.co.uk and I know only too well that to ask questions. Sometimes, I was too much
running competitions can be hard work. But it’s also interesting in awe of the person sitting in front of me
work, the entry fees ought to pay for the prizes, and there should even to get a word out.
also be something left over to pay the organisers, readers and/or ‘The first writing event I ever went to
judges for their time. As for the prize money: you might be able was a Romantic Novelists’ Association
to find local sponsorship. Maybe ask solicitors, shopkeepers or conference in Sheffield. Suddenly to find
estate agents, offer to display the firm’s logo on your website, and myself surrounded by all the other authors,
perhaps call the prize after the firm, too? award-winners and bestsellers like Katie
Or you could enter writing competitions yourself, couldn’t you? Fforde among them, was awe-inspiring.
Someone has to win. There were so many things I wanted to ask,
After the pandemic is over (which it must be one day, surely?) and so many people I wanted to talk to,
perhaps you could set up a local writing group in your own but I could barely speak. It didn’t help that
home and charge members a modest fee to attend, even if the I was one of only three or four men there.
fee is nominal and is just to cover the cost of refreshments? This I had to let a few people know I wasn’t just
might lead to setting up a bigger group or even running paid someone’s husband!
courses yourself. ‘Looking back, I also had ideas above my
Although I need to earn a living from writing, there are still lots station. I’d booked a couple of one-to-ones
of things I am more than happy to do for free. with agents and publishers, but this was only
I’d never charge any group of which I am a member to give a a year after I’d decided to take my writing
workshop or a talk. seriously. There was no way the book I was
I contribute short stories to anthologies raising money for peddling in Sheffield was anywhere near
charity or in support of local writing groups. ready, but I didn’t know that at the time.
I’m delighted to hear from readers of this magazine, and to I didn’t get anywhere with the agents and
answer (or try to answer) any writing-related questions. publishers, but the advice and feedback I
I never expect to be paid for replying to questions for an got back from other people was invaluable.
interview about my writing life, or for contributing a short Although I still like the story and characters,
column or post to a magazine or blog. This is because I know that book remains in a bottom drawer.
publication will generate some welcome free publicity for my Perhaps I’ll go back to it one of these years.
writing and for me. Something else I’ve learned is that in this
I’m always willing to be involved in writing competitions business, nothing is ever really wasted.
for which no organisers, promoters, readers or judges are paid ‘Since that first scary experience, I’ve come
because all the profits go to a good cause. to know many of the agents and publishers
I met in Sheffield, and now I realise that
they’re no different to anyone else. In fact,
NOW TRY THIS when they’re not giving talks, they often
It’s difficult for some writers to believe that their work and seem just as apprehensive as I was back
expertise have any financial value, especially if they think of their then. They never know who’s going to walk
own writing as a hobby, or even an indulgence. through their doors. It might be the next
But, if you’re ever inclined to doubt your own worth, remind JK Rowling! ‘If I could give that Sheffield
yourself that if everyone else involved in a writing project is version of me any advice, it would be to
getting paid, surely it’s only fair that the actual writers should be believe in myself a little more.’
paid, too?
SEPTEMBER 2021 43
VISIT:
https://writ.rs/lucktwain
TO READ THE STORY
A str o k e o f l u c k
Helen M Walters uses a short story by Mark Twain
to explore incorporating luck in your creative writing
T
his month’s story is fairly simple has good judgment and therefore is a reputation as a military genius.
on the face of it, but it is open considered to be right by the narrator. So, in this story we have three
to more than one interpretation At their next meeting the narrator perspectives on the truth. That believed
depending on what or who you decides to dig a bit deeper into the by the wider world – that Scoresby is a
choose to believe. In Luck by Reverend’s reasons for believing what he hero. That stated by the Reverend – that
Mark Twain, we have three different does about Scoresby. Scoresby is a fool. And that believed
characters and three different perspectives There follows a tale of a man who by the narrator – which changes in the
on the story being told. The narrator rises to great heights despite being course of the story. This is achieved even
gets his information about the celebrated described as ‘knowing nothing’ and though we only have one point of view –
character ‘Arthur Scoresby’ from a being miraculously stupid. According to that of the narrator.
clergyman, who is an ‘old acquaintance’, the Reverend, Scoresby only passed his Let’s take a look at some of the
as the two of them sit together at a examinations at the military academy parts of the story that may suggest a
banquet in honour of Scoresby. As because he, the Reverend, assisted him different interpretation of reality than
always, you’ll get the most out of this by drilling him in certain aspects of the that put forward by the Reverend.
masterclass if you read the story for subjects. The Reverend then declares that Notice how much of Scoresby’s success
yourself: https://writ.rs/lucktwain. by a ‘lucky’ accident Scoresby isn’t asked the Reverend actually attributes
So what does the narrator find out any questions beyond that narrow remit. to himself. The Reverend presents
about Scoresby from the Reverend? According to the Reverend, Scoresby himself as the person who helped drill
Essentially that his glittering military then embarks on a very successful Scoresby in the information he needs
career, leading to this event to honour military career due to a combination to know in order to pass his exams.
him, was purely down to luck rather than of ‘miracles’ and others mistaking his Then when Scoresby is made a captain
to ability. In fact, he declares that he’s an idiocy for genius. One particular incident in a regiment, the Reverend takes it
‘absolute fool’. is recounted in which Scoresby orders upon himself to buy into the regiment
Contrast this with the prevailing his regiment to move to the left of the and go to war with him stating that
view, given by the narrator. Notice how battlefield rather than the right. This he needs to protect others from the
he describes Scoresby as ‘illustrious’, should have been a blunder, but turned horrific mistakes the Reverend has
‘renowned’, a ‘demigod’ and ‘great’. out to be a triumph when it took the no doubt Scoresby will make. Is it
Therefore, his reaction to the words enemy by surprise and resulted in the possible that the Reverend’s insistence
of the clergyman is a great surprise. battle being won. According to the on Scoresby being a fool is because he
Nevertheless, note that he refers to the Reverend, Scoresby’s inability to tell his wants to take responsibility and credit
Reverend’s ‘strict veracity’. The clergyman left from his right resulted in him gaining for any success he has rather than

MASTERCLASS
because he truly believes he is a failure? of good or bad luck, how does that could lead to a chance encounter with
On the other hand, could the manifest itself? Perhaps they put their another character. Or perhaps, more
Reverend’s insistence that all of Scoresby’s faith in lucky heather, pulling wishbones dramatically, if the bus is involved in a
successes were pure luck be simply down and always throwing spilt salt over crash it could save their life.
to jealousy because the other man has their shoulder. Maybe they surround Or you could have a character who
achieved so much? The Reverend by themselves with four-leaved clovers, obsessively enters the lottery using their
contrast, by his own admission, prefers rabbit’s feet and horseshoes. lucky numbers. How would they start
repose and inaction which would tend to Or perhaps they focus on avoiding to feel about their luck if those numbers
prevent any significant achievements. bad luck by crossing the street to avoid never turned up?
Notice how the Reverend, after his walking under a ladder or having a
disclosures of what he claims to be the black cat cross their path. Although What about unlucky numbers?
truth about the extent of Scoresby’s how lucky that actually is depends a bit The number ‘one’ can be considered
failings to the narrator, says that until half on whether there’s any traffic coming. unlucky when it comes to magpies.
an hour ago only he knew of them. After They could be obsessive about not Seeing a lone magpie is meant to
that, of course, the narrator also knows. breaking mirrors and not putting new signify sorrow.
But should we really assume that every shoes on the table. Or maybe they Thirteen is also considered unlucky.
other person in the world is mistaken believe that bad things come in threes Again this can be traced back to the
about him? and spend their time on tenterhooks Bible since there were thirteen present at
So much of the story relies on after the second thing just in case. the last supper. This is why superstitious
whether we believe the Reverend or Or perhaps your character is a strong people try to avoid having thirteen
not. The narrator says he does, but that believer in lucky and unlucky numbers. people at dinner, and some even believe
doesn’t mean the reader has to. Notice Which numbers are considered luckier that the first person to rise from the
the Reverend’s insistence on his own than others varies around the world and table will die within the year. 666 is
veracity. According to him his account is in different religions and cultures? also viewed with suspicion as it is used
‘absolutely true’, and he asks the narrator Lucky seven is something that comes in the Bible to signify the Devil, and
to ‘believe me’. In the end, the reader will up a lot. Why is seven considered lucky? many people will try to avoid that
draw their own conclusions. There are various explanations for this. combination of numbers.
Why not try experimenting with One goes back to the Bible, where God How is your character going to react to
different perspectives on the truth in your was believed to have created the world in their belief in unlucky numbers?
story? It’s a really good way to leave the six days and rested on the seventh. This Maybe they’ll refuse to stay in room
reader with something to think about. leads to seven representing perfection or thirteen in a hotel or buy a new house if
completion. Seven also has significance the number is thirteen. Or perhaps they’ll
Just for luck in Judaism and Islam. not rest until they’ve seen the second
This month’s story, as well as providing Mathematically seven is a prime magpie and turned their sorrow to joy.
an interesting example of different number, meaning it is only divisible Even if your character isn’t the
perspectives, also encourages us to by itself and one and is apparently a superstitious type, you can still use these
think about the nature of luck. As number the human brain is drawn to, allusions to lucky things or numbers to
the Reverend declares at the end, the with many people choosing it as their create a response in your readers. And
best possible thing that can happen to favourite number. We also have seven even if your readers aren’t superstitious,
anyone is to be born lucky. days in the week, seven continents, they’ll still be aware of the cultural
What effect will it have on your story seven wonders of the world and so on, significance of the references. So inject
if you have a character who is blessed suggesting that our minds tend towards some luck into your stories. Whether it’s
with good luck, or a character cursed grouping things by sevens. good luck or bad luck is up to you.
with the worst of luck? If you have a The number eight is considered lucky
lucky character for whom everything in China because its pronunciation is
always seems to go well, how can you close to that of the word for wealth.
throw a spanner in the works in order The number three is considered lucky
to make their story more interesting? because of its links to the holy trinity.
On the other hand, if you have a very And it also features in the phrase ‘third
unlucky character how can you throw time lucky’ suggesting it is associated
them a lifeline without it appearing too with success after failure.
contrived? Whether your character is If your main character strongly believed
lucky or unlucky, readers will still want to that they had a lucky number, how might
see them solving their own problems in that impact on their life?
the course of the story. Maybe they always choose the
If your character believes in the concept seventh seat along on the bus. This

FREE
RANGE
w r iting
Don’t dilly dally

You won’t want to put off Jenny Alexander’s
procrastination-related creative writing exercises
F
ight Procrastination Day is coming up in September, with the first one. What is the last straw for this second character?
so perhaps we should all make a list of things we’ve What makes things come to a head, and what is the outcome?
been putting off and start working our way through Write the story. Take twenty minutes.
it. But first, since nothing is that urgent, why not
make yourself a nice cup of tea, find a quiet spot Non-fiction
and ponder the theme of procrastination with a deliciously Positive procrastination is part of the creative process – it’s also
diverting bit of free-range writing? known as ‘the back burner’. I learnt this early in my career
There’s only one rule: stick to the timings. when, after my first book was accepted for publication, I
bombarded my agent with new book proposals until she told
Memoir me to stop and take my time. I seem to recall she used the
What did you put off for too long? What were the consequences? painful words ‘half-baked’.
Last summer, I didn’t get to see some of the people I had If you don’t give ideas enough time to form up in your mind
really missed during the first lockdown because I thought before you start, the writing process can progress in fits and starts,
there was no hurry – then the second lockdown came, and I and involve a lot of sitting staring at a blank page.
had missed my chance. Think about the benefits of procrastination. When can it be
Think of examples in your own life of times when you good to put things off?
have put things off and missed an opportunity. Try to find Write a defence of procrastination, giving examples to support
some big important ones and some that didn’t matter so your argument. You could draw on your own life for examples,
much. Scan back through the years and find some from such as the time you dithered about putting an offer in on a
different periods in your life. house you wanted, missed the chance but then found an even
Choose one to write about. What did you want to do, better one, or you can use experiences of people you know, such
and why did you hold back? How did it feel when you were as your neighbour who kept having one more driving lesson
putting things off? What was the outcome? What was the because he didn’t feel ready to take the test, so got to know the
lesson? Tell the story. Take twenty minutes. instructor really well and eventually asked them out.
If you finish early, fill the rest of the time writing about If no real-life examples come to mind, you can always
something you are putting off right now. What is holding make up some fictional scenarios to illustrate your point.
you back – and could that actually be a good thing? The Take twenty minutes.
consequences of procrastinating are not always bad. Writing tip: In non-fiction writing, it’s important to back up
your arguments and ideas with examples and evidence.
Fiction
‘Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow’ – that’s Poetry
one of Peony’s dad’s mottoes in my children’s series By Peony I used to have a poster on my wall when I was young and frantic
Pinker. He’s a character whose laziness gets him into all kinds that said, ‘Things I have to do today: breathe in, breathe out.’
of hot water but also gives him great charm. He cheerfully Call your poem, Things I have to do today. You can write as
embraces his flaws. ‘If at first you don’t succeed, give up!’ yourself, and the things on your to-do list, or invent a character
Invent a character who always puts things off. Start with with their own list of things they have to do and write your
their name, age, something about their appearance and a poem as them. Decide on your angle – is your poem going to be
rough idea of their circumstances. Who do they live with? humorous, practical, philosophical? Is it going to be short and
What’s their job? What are their hobbies? What do they punchy, long and leisurely, evocative and lyrical? The voice will be
love, and what do they hate? Are they aware that they always related in some way to the particular things on the list.
procrastinate? Do they experience it as a problem? Let your poem end with the poet’s reflection on what they have
Now invent a second character who certainly does have a to do today. What things do they expect to be able to tick off
problem with it – in my Peony Pinker stories, that would be their list – and how do they feel about that?
Peony’s mum. Make some notes on them and their relationship Take twenty minutes.

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Today Will FIRST PLACE
Sara Parkinson
Be A
Good Day
‘T
ODAY WILL BE A GOOD DAY’ the She knew what the rules were. Always be there first. Sit
postcard on the bathroom mirror said. somewhere noticeable. It was raining, but not too hard.
Clara stared at it until it just became That was good. Extremes of weather were not good.
a pink and green blur, and the daisies Extremes of weather were not safe conditions. She
around the border were no more than wondered whether her little sister would turn up. They’d
squiggly lines. Today will be a good day. Today will be a tried this before, meeting up for a coffee but something
good day. She counted to four while breathing in, then always went wrong to prevent Clara from coming. Alison
counted to six on the out breath. Today was a day for doing knew not to take it personally, it was never Clara’s fault, but
something new. Today was a day full of possibilities. sometimes it was hard. She had almost limitless patience,
‘A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever but there were days when she couldn’t help but feel a
grows there,’ she whispered under her breath. Who said nagging frustration towards her sister. Why could she not
that? She couldn’t remember, but it was a good mantra just do the things that she’d committed to?
for today. She drew her eyes away from the postcard and Alison had a full time job as a support worker and her
concentrated on her own reflection for a moment. Was she time was limited but she and Clara had this arrangement
passable? Probably. once a month. Meet for coffee on the day Alison was doing
She’d picked out an outfit for the occasion - just jeans and a the evening shift. Clara worked from home, she was a
jumper, but it was a definite upgrade from the tracksuits she’d freelance writer, although Alison suspected she wasn’t being
taken to wearing every day lately. The leggings and the baggy too productive these days. She spoke of working on a novel,
T-shirts, everything designed for comfort, for her comfort zone. but a first draft had yet to appear. Alison sighed and checked
Her hair was freshly washed and she’d applied a thin layer her phone for the time, or for missed calls or panicked
of pink lipstick. Passable. No big deal, but in truth it was a messages. No contact so far. It was 8.50am.
big deal of a day. *****
The clock said 8.30am. She had half an hour until she Clara had checked and rechecked the contents of her bag
had to leave and face what was in store for her. She slowly four times now. She wasn’t forgetting anything. It was 8.55.
walked down the stairs. Thirteen stairs. An odd number To be on time she had to leave in the next few minutes. She
never felt right. It would be better if there were twelve or stood up. She felt the panicky flutter of a palpitation rising
fourteen stairs. Sat on the sofa already wearing her coat she up in her chest. She coughed to try and get rid of it and sat
picked up her handbag and emptied it. Tissues. A mirror. down again. ‘Adventure is out there,’ she muttered to herself.
Paracetamol. Her purse. Her medication. A hairbrush. She was quoting a Disney film.
A novel. She repacked her bag. Then emptied it again to Clara had had big plans of travelling the world when she
double check. finished studying and went out into the real world, but the
***** real world quickly turned against her and made her rethink
Three streets away, Alison sat on the sofa nearest the this. She had barely left her own country. She spent a lot of
window sipping at her coffee. She knew she had to be early. time sitting on her sofa under a blanket watching the Travel

A D V E N T U R E S T O RY C O M P E T I T I O N
Channel and reading travel guides, but she was realistic. She in this time. She wasn’t. Alison had been so supportive. She
knew it would probably never happen for her. It wasn’t safe. couldn’t let her down. She stopped and rummaged in her bag
Anything could happen in a new place. for her anxiety medication, and took a couple of pills. I am
She stood up again. This was it. This was her adventure invincible. I’m not scared. Today is a good day. Make Alison
for now. She knew Alison was waiting for her, and she knew proud. She took her phone from her pocket and checked the
Alison’s patience wore thin at times. She didn’t always only time. 9.20. It had taken her ten minutes to walk down one
think of herself, no matter how it seemed. She opened the road. She quickly took a picture of where she was and sent it
door and looked out. Rain. Not too hard though. Light rain over to Alison. And then she carried on going.
she could handle. Light rain was okay. Heavy rain was too *****
overwhelming and it was better to stay inside. It was 9.03. When Alison’s phone vibrated she immediately assumed
She was going to be late. She needed to leave. this was the message to say that Clara couldn’t do it, she was
***** staying home, could Alison please meet her there instead.
Alison checked the time again. 9.07. Usually if Clara The picture she received instead warmed her more than the
couldn’t make it she would have heard by now so this was coffee ever could. This was the furthest Clara had made it
promising. She didn’t want to get her hopes up though, it since they came up with this arrangement. This was massive
was easier not to. She’d been nursing her coffee since 8.30 progress. If Clara could do this, then they could move on.
and it was cold, so she ordered a fresh one. Just in case Clara They could build up to day trips. They could maybe go to
did turn up. their cousin’s wedding together in Scotland next year. Clara
***** always wanted to see the world, more than Alison did. It was
Clara took a step outside into her front garden. The wind unfair that this had happened to her. Excitement was buzzing
blew lightly through her hair. It was quite refreshing really. through her.
The panic wasn’t that bad. She locked the door. Locking *****
the door always seemed final. She walked to her front gate Clara could see the cafe where Alison was waiting for
and hesitated. She turned back to check the front door was her. She was so close. She had almost made it. She stopped
locked, and then she tried again. Leaving the front gate and walking and took stock of her surroundings. It was quiet, but
closing it behind her, Clara took in a deep breath. This was there was a young woman with a pushchair across the road,
the furthest she’d been on her own in seven months. She’d the baby crying mournfully. Well that was okay. That was
been outside, but never without her sister or her mum to normal. Sometimes we all want to cry mournfully.
support her to their car. And she hadn’t walked anywhere in She picked up her pace as she approached the cafe. She
much longer. could see Alison sitting in the window seat. Alison knew
Sometimes a single step feels like a mile. Sometimes a mile the rules. Be early so Clara didn’t have to be alone. Sit
feels like one hundred. Each step taking her away from safety, somewhere noticeable so Clara didn’t have to look for her.
from her cocoon where nothing bad can happen. In her Alison rushed to the door the moment she saw Clara
cocoon there was no shame, there was no embarrassment and approach and enveloped her in a hug. She led her inside, and
she could move around with ease. Outside her safe space, held her hand as she sat down.
anything could happen. Anything horrible, and she would ‘I already ordered you a hot chocolate with cream,’ she
have no control over any of it. There were other people out said, ‘I thought it would be easier.’
here. Who knew what their intentions were. Or were they ‘Thank you,’ Clara whispered. They held hands across the table.
looking at her? There was a man leaving his driveway across ‘We can stay here for as long as you like. Five minutes or
the road and he was definitely staring. She looked down at five hours. You didn’t let it win today, Clara,’ Alison kept her
herself. Was something wrong with her? But she couldn’t eyes on Clara. Clara focused on the eye contact, this was safe.
see anything. Her breath quickened, and she started back ‘Adventure is out there,’ Clara said quietly, feeling happy and
towards home. She stopped and did her breathing exercises. strong as she sipped the cream from her hot chocolate.
A quick glance around showed the man had gone. He
probably hadn’t even noticed her. Breathe in for four counts,
breathe out for six. In for four, out for six. Today will be a
good day. Today will be a good day. She only had to walk RUNNER-UP AND SHORTLISTED
down three roads. Alison would be waiting for her there. Runner-up in the adventure story competition was
‘Concentrate on Alison,’ she said to herself. Kell Cowley, Chester, whose story is published on
Concentrate on Alison. Today is a good day. I’m not www.writers-online.co.uk
scared. Concentrate on Alison. Today is a good day. I’m not Also shortlisted were: Jane Ayrie, York; Valerie Bowes,
scared. Clara wasn’t looking up. She was watching her feet Caterham, Surrey; Peter Caunt, Harrogate, North Yorkshire;
take the steps that were leading her away from safety as she Gina Graham, Tadley, Hampshire; Natalie Morant, Horton
repeated her mantras inside her head. Away from safety, but Heath, Hampshire; Hazel Norbury, London EC1;
towards Alison, and Alison was safe. Her heart was racing, Helen Yendall, Blockley, Gloucestershire
and the edges of her vision were blurring. She wasn’t giving

P O E T RY W O R K S H O P
Lingering memories
THE VISIT
You take the number twenty-three bus: Mother appears wearing
it stops right by the gate. her best dress and a pink lipstick smile.
Then you start the long walk She shows you into the lounge
up the gravel drive, hedges where Father sits in his chair.
and bushes border each side. You kiss him on the cheek,
Skeletal leaves litter the ground. take off your coat and sit down.
Your nostrils prickle with
their moist scents of decay. Mother brings in cups
of tea on a tray, served
Go over the wooden bridge, in her best china – blue
pause to play Poohsticks and white willow pattern.
and watch the waterfall’s There’s a doily-ed plate
tumble wrinkle reflections. of homemade ginger cake.
Alison Chisholm Continue on: the road narrows Father asks about your journey,
explores the way a and bends past a rhododendron island – talks about religion
longer memoir poem in the spring a flourish of white and pink. and the value of the pound.
conveys the past Behind it stands the mansion, Every now and then
now derelict, note the ivy’s relentless grip. he gives a belly laugh
which shakes sherry
On your right is the wooded glasses on the sideboard.
M
ost of the copse where crows circle above
poems spiked twig nests. Stop and listen When it’s time to go
featured in to their caws, catch your breath they show you to the door,
this column and rest aching bones. smile as they watch you leave.
are within
the standard competition Follow the drive down You walk back up the hill.
length of forty lines, and many to the white cottage. At the top you stop and turn
considerably shorter. A longer A beaming brass knocker around to wave a final
poem, however, gives the shouts a welcome. goodbye, but they have already gone.
opportunity to expand on the
theme, while the dynamics of
poetry mean that any expanded version will still have Shirley Anne Cook describes the background to her
the poem’s intensity while allowing the reader a little poem: ‘My old home was very much on my mind at the
more latitude to appreciate its contents. time as I was writing a book about the Broadfield estate
At just over fifty lines, The Visit, by Shirley Anne Cook where I lived and grew up, in Crawley, Sussex, and in
of Denham, Buckinghamshire, packs in atmosphere, action particular Broadfield Mansion. (I self-published it last
and reflection within enough length to give the reader year). Dad was caretaker at the house and also gardener
breathing space, while never losing its poetic quality. in the mansion’s walled garden.’ She adds that the cottage
This is an autobiographical or memoir poem, a form that was her home and its surrounding gardens and
that the poet studied on a short course. We tend to think fields have all gone now, making way for Crawley New
that memoirs have to be written in prose, although the Town. Her poems and memoirs, then, take on additional
mini-memoir in particular can be enhanced by taking significance. They are archiving information for the next
a multi-genre approach. Letters, lists, diary entries and generations of interested parties – people living in the
ephemera of all kinds can be included, but with poetry as area, historians and genealogists.
the mainstay the piece has a certain quality that produces The poet says that memoirs in poetry form constitute her
a very special piece of writing. Look at an all-poetry favourite kind of writing, speaking to the poet’s heart and
memoir, such as Ted Hughes’ Birthday Letters or John mind and bringing comfort. She also makes the point that
Betjeman’s Summoned by Bells to see just how effectively memoirs come to life when they are full of imagery, citing
poetry puts the message across. smell as such an evocative sense.

The first draft of the poem was considerably longer than Poetry in practice
this version, and has been cut back. Shirley Anne Cook is
happy with the piece as it stands now, but still wonders if it Look close to home for ideas for your next
needs further cutting, and this is a regular question with the poem, suggests Doris Corti
longer poem. The answer depends on her intentions for it. If
I
it’s going to stand alone, possibly for inclusion in a volume f you need something to write about take
of multi-genre memoirs, the length seems fine. But there’s something familiar to you. It might be something
always the option to extend it further and make it part of a as ordinary as a clock, maybe one in your room
much longer poem, possibly with the visit of the title being or one you might see every day on a building.
just one scene in a book-length autobiographical poem. The You could also write about a person. Your
long poem could be written entirely in free verse, like this imagination can come into your lines.
piece, following the same pattern throughout, or it could have This all sounds easy, but how do you put these ideas
the base form of a particular style of poetry, but broken up into the shape or form of a poem? One suggestion is of
occasionally with passages in a different format. a pattern that’s easy to follow and versatile. This is the
The alternative to this is to create a sequence of poems Italian quatrain, which is a stanza made up of four lines.
adding up to a poetry memoir. The advantage of this over the These are usually in iambic pentameter, which is five
single, book-length poem is that you have more scope to use feet to a line, each consisting of an unstressed syllable
a range of poetry styles, and don’t feel any need to gravitate followed by a stressed one. The first and last lines rhyme
back to the base form between variants. and the second and third lines rhyme, creating the
Which would you choose? It helps to keep the mind open to pattern a b b a.
all possible combinations of communicating the message from I give an example that follows the rhyme scheme but
the start of the writing. With luck it will fall into place. If it does not adhere to iambic pentameter.
doesn’t, be prepared to experiment.
In terms of quality of writing, this piece ticks all the Each night he wound the clock
boxes. The message is clear and expressed vividly. Vocabulary the old one in our room.
is concrete and well selected, and worked into cohesive, Its steady sound removed gloom
punctuated sentences. Imagery appeals to all of the senses, as we heard each tick and tock.
and there is plenty of material here with which the reader can
identify. Who doesn’t recognise blue and white willow pattern? As this is the form of individual stanzas. Any number
If you didn’t have any, friends of yours did. of quatrains can be used to create a poem. Subsequent
There are plenty of slant rhymes spreading through the stanzas take their own rhyming sounds so the rhyme
poem, and stanza breaks are logical and appropriate, breaking plan for a poem of four stanzas would be a b b a c d d c|
up the appearance of the long poem on the page. If the poet is effe ghhg
continuing to work on this, though, it might be useful to have It’s possible that you have a familiar pet – perhaps
another look at line endings – always an issue in free verse, a cat or dog? Two friends of mine have birds – one
where there is no set place to break a line. has a budgerigar, the other a parrot. These would be
A useful tip is to end lines on a significant word, rather than interesting to describe, bringing their colours into focus
something less important, so that the hint of extra emphasis and of course the different sounds they make.
present at the line end is not squandered on a little of, the or Perhaps something else familiar to you could be
an. In the opening stanza, moving with to the final line would brought to you in a memory. This might be a person
allow the emphasis to rest on prickle instead – a much more or an animal. Will you bring in small details if it is of
interesting word, and in stanza four circle could be left at the someone old? Mention how they always smiled when
line’s end so that above started the next line and would also they saw you? If speaking of an animal you might
aid the phrasing. mention in your lines how you remembered it, describe
It’s helpful to listen carefully to the way phrases divide its shape and whether it was small or large. Perhaps
themselves up. In the second stanza, for example, it would a building was once familiar to you – a school or
avoid breaking the phrase if the poet said: and watch the somewhere you once lived. Such things can prove good
waterfall’s tumble / wrinkle reflections. In the seventh, Mother starting points for poems.
brings in cups of tea would seem to suggest a line break there,
rather than dividing the cups from the of tea. Exercise l; Write 14 lines in iambic pentameter about
These are small points. The poem is nostalgic but never something well known to you.
sentimental, and carries within it a sense of period and ageing, Exercise 2: In free verse write twenty lines imagining
created with delicacy. The Visit allows readers a privileged that you have an unusual pet and why you chose it.
glimpse into the poet’s life – and the opportunity to revel in Exercise 3: Write an Italian quatrain about
warm, affectionate memories. something familiar.
SEPTEMBER 2021 51
WRITING FOR CHILDREN
TRUE
STORIES
Amy Sparkes talks to author Clare
Helen Welsh about writing narrative
non-fiction picture books Lenny on a tour of UK schools
C
with independent bookshop,
lare Helen Stories By The Sea, that included
Welsh is tongue twisters, a lemur quiz and
a primary fun draw-a-long.
school teacher
and award-winning What gave you the idea for
picture book author. She the Lenny the Lemur series?
has recently moved into I was aware that narrative non-fiction
writing narrative non- was an up-and-coming area of children’s
fiction for children, which fiction. New books kept popping up,
involves using storytelling particularly from the US, that combined
skills to make real life fact and fiction in picture book format
stories come alive for and I found it inspiring. Suddenly, a me particularly where my
young readers. whole new world of possibilities opened creativity is concerned,
up – true stories, inspired stories and gave me a notebook of
You’ve had a busy year fictional stories based in fact. Not being poems she collected when
so far. What have you been a massive plotter, this really appealed to she was also a primary
up to? my creative process, giving some structure school teacher. I was so touched
It has definitely been busy, but busy in to my ideas and fewer possibilities of – it’s full of all the classroom rhymes,
the best way! I kicked off the year as the which way a concept could be developed. poems and ditties she shared with her
picture book Writer in Residence for Narrative non-fiction also fired up the students, diligently written out in her
Write Mentor, which means I have the teacher in me. When I worked as a handwriting. As I pored over the pages,
pleasure of providing monthly webinars primary school teacher, I would hang one line stood out: ‘summer on the
and live workshops on all elements of learning on a book wherever possible. I wing.’ I often take inspiration from our
picture book craft (from narrative arcs to love writing stories that can be used as wonderful language and the beautiful
character to voice) for twelve months. So springboards for further learning. visuals it conjures. I began researching
far, it’s been a lot of fun. I really enjoy The idea for this particular series is bird migration and was soon lost in
interacting with the writing community credited to my daughter. Children in the fascinating world of the Arctic tern,
and helping writers along their journey, school and library visits love hearing which makes the longest migration of any
passing on all the useful things I’ve the tale of how my daughter and I were animal from the Arctic to the Antarctic
learned and those things that I wish I’d together when one of us made a terrible and back again each year.
known sooner. stink. (I never reveal who the culprit The book sort of appeared to me
And April saw the release of my was, of course.) My daughter said ‘Poo! fully formed; a tern embarking on her
seventh picture book (seventh?! I almost Mummy, was that you?’ I wrote the annual winter migration, who discovers
can’t believe it.) Wee? It Wasn’t Me! is a phrase down, began researching smelly lots of other animals also moving south
narrative non-fiction tale, illustrated by the animals and had a first draft by the end for winter. It’s a lyrical book in which
brilliant Nicola O’Byrne and published of the day. I have since fallen in love with I adored organising and reorganising
by Macmillan. It’s the second story ring-tailed lemurs, even though they are sentences to make them sound as
about Lenny the ring-tailed lemur, who pretty pongy! satisfying as possible. The text has been
is on holiday in Alaska when he slips in stunningly illustrated by none other than
something wet and yellow and smelly… Time To Move South for The Winter is Jenny Løvlie who says the Arctic terns
then he sets off to find the stinky, smelly your latest narrative non-fiction. What are her favourite bird. She grew up by a
puddle-piddler. It’s full of giggles and inspired you to write this story? large colony on Ekkerøy, Norway, and
facts, too. To launch the book, we took My Nan, who is a huge inspiration to has described the project as a dream come

true. Honestly though, texts with trusted friends don’t ever imagine my stories in lots and
it’s me who feels as before sharing with my lots of detail – more like a series of clips
though I am dreaming. agent who helps shape or scenes – so I never fail to be bowled
The book has silver foil and strengthen texts with over by the artwork for my stories.
on the cover, a page of her industry knowledge.
facts in the back and the Editing a text is another What do you find the hardest part?
front and back covers open favourite part of the This is easier to answer. Definitely,
up to a double spread of process for me. There’s saying goodbye to ideas that aren’t quite
the ocean. The book will something so satisfying working… for now. I always keep old
be published by Nosy about delving into the detail and drafts and ideas that didn’t make the cut
Crow in September and we can’t wait to perfecting every word, making sure it to come back to one day, but it is a very
share it. earns its place. When you get the right horrible feeling when a story you love
combination, it’s like a spell – magic! doesn’t make it to the right editor’s desk
How do you find your ideas for at the right time. I never say goodbye
narrative non-fiction? Any top tips for writers wanting to forever though, and often rework
This interview has made me realise that try narrative non-fiction? elements of stories and bring them back
a lot of time I am inspired by words or I really can’t impress enough how under a new guise, but that doesn’t take
phrases that provoke an idea, something important research is. Your content needs away the disappointment. I find having
that kickstarts my eagerness to find out to be accurate, of course, but you also need several projects on the go helps with the
more, that also sets the tone – be it to understand your subject if you are going pain of a ‘pass’. You can’t win them all,
funny, lyrical or something else. I love to be able to distil the idea into a form but the next one could be The One.
getting a new idea and starting a new that’s accessible for young children.
project – no-one knows exactly where it’s Aside from thorough research, I’d Any upcoming book news we should
going to go or how it will develop – it’s suggest coming at your idea from a watch out for?
so exciting. child’s perspective – what will they find Lenny the lemur will be back next year
I’m also a big fan of the natural world interesting? What would they want to with another funny, factual adventure.
and being outdoors. I walk every day, know? I’d also recommend choosing a You’ll absolutely love what Nicola
either in the countryside or by the beach, topic that interests you. What you find O’Byrne has done with the characters and
and watch a lot of documentaries. There fascinating can hopefully be harvested scenery. I’m not allowed to say too much
is so much to learn about animals and the and ploughed it into your story. It’s not but can reveal that it is involves… slime.
planet we share – so much to discover. I essential, but you’ll likely be spending a I also have my first picture book
am forever learning something new. I love lot of time thinking, breathing, reading with Andersen Press publishing in
the thought of being able to share a little about your chosen concept, so it helps if November. It’s a fictional retelling of
bit of this with readers, inspiring them to you have a genuine interested in it. Cinderella, inspired by the life and
love nature and to learn more, too. work of Lotte Reinger, who was a film
What is your favourite part about director and the pioneer of silhouette
How do you write the narrative non- writing? animation. The production on the
fiction stories? That is such a tricky question – I book is absolutely
I cannot stress enough the importance honestly love it all. It goes without stunning and
WELSH • BARRETT
Clare Helen Welsh Laura Barrett

of research. I’ve come to realise it’s so saying that it’s hard and frustrating at it has been
important to check, check and check times (a lot of the time, in fact) but brought to life
again all your sources and facts. Internet oh so magical when it comes together. by illustrator,
searches just won’t cut it but are a good One of my most favourite parts of the Laura Barrett. It
starting point for reading around the book making process is working with has peep-through
subject and finding the right child- a team of like-minded people who love pages and plenty
friendly angle. the project we’re working on as much of girl power to The Paper Princess
As I’m absorbing as much information as I do. Picture books are definitely a boot. W I T H P E E P -T H R O
U G H PAG E S
as I can, I’m also trying to pin down an team effort, and everyone’s contributions
arc for a character; who are they? What are so important and valid. I’m lucky
do they want? Where are they going and enough to work with some very talented For more information:
why? Once I have this, I start writing and and inspirational people, illustrators Twitter: @ClareHelenWelsh
see how the words hang together. I like to included. In fact, as someone at home Instagram: @ClareHelenWelsh
include twists in my plots, but these might drawing stick people, one of the best bits Facebook: www.facebook.com/
not materialise until I’ve started writing. about making a book is seeing the idea, sneakymcsqueaky
I really value the feedback my critique that only ever existed in my head, come Website: www.clarehelenwelsh.com
partners give me and usually share my alive on the page for the first time. I
SEPTEMBER 2021 53
FA N TA S T I C R E A L M S
THE
ROOTS OF
HORROR
Alex Davis looks at what
writers can learn from the
genesis of the genre
I
t’s fair to say that horror fiction as we know it today is Heaven and hell
a very broad church, with everything from the subtlety If you go back a few centuries, around 500 years or so, it’s
and nuance of the ghost story and psychological horror possible to argue that many of the initial genre touches were
through to the ‘old favourites’ of the classic monsters and seen in books that looked at religion and the consequences
the far less subtle, in-your-face stylings of body horror of not following it, or knowingly railing against it. Books like
and extreme horror. But of course it wasn’t always this way, Dante’s Inferno (1307), Henry Kramer and Jakob Sprenger’s
and there was a time where horror was merely an infant (or Malleus Maleficarum (1486) and Milton’s Paradise Lost (1667)
an enfant terrible, if you would) trying to make a mark as a presented images of dark magic, hellish realms and dark rulers
genre in its own right. Often the field and its precursors were that would no doubt have terrified at the time. The spill over
not easily accepted, and even to this day horror can still press into more modern horror is undoubted – The Exorcist, Carrie,
uncomfortable buttons or shine lights into places some readers James Herbert’s Shrine and many others have presented the
would prefer not to see. But the area has a lively history to same theme in a current context – and a reading of these
explore, and in this piece we’re going to look at some of the very texts would doubtless inform any horror author looking to
earliest examples and forerunners of horror fiction to see what incorporate religious elements into their fiction.
we can learn from them as writers in 2021.
The Graveyard Poets
The classics While much of this piece focuses on prose, it would be remiss
The question, in some ways, is just how far back do you want of me to leave out the impact that a certain school of poets
to go? While you may struggle to find a whole volume filled had on the style, and particularly the aesthetic, of the horror
with horror, many of the Greek classics are certainly sprinkled fiction that would come later. While debate still rages on a
with horrific touches, with a pantheon of gods who have no true definition of ‘graveyard poetry’, there is a deep thread of
compunction about bringing down untold suffering upon melancholy and brooding on human morality within these
the masses – and that’s without talking about the diabolical works that would serve as a precursor to the Gothic fiction
machinations among their own kind. And while I’ll touch on the that would follow soon after. One of the very earliest examples
topic of religion in just a moment, the Bible certainly has its own is Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard
nightmarish flourishes. On top of that, we have plenty of oral (1751), and in just a few lines you can see the stylistic
storytelling that would keep you awake at night, not to mention influence it would bring to the horror field in years to come…
the shadowy shapes that fill the true, traditional fairy tales. A deep
dive into the mythology of various nations would reveal plenty of The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
the inspiration for the monsters that came to haunt our dreams in The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea,
years to come. A particularly fascinating example of this idea are The plowman homeward plods his weary way,
the works of Lafcadio Hearn, with Kwaidan remaining essential And leaves the world to darkness and to me.
reading more than a century after its release. Now fades the glimm’ring landscape on the sight,
While a true beginning for the genre is hard to pinpoint, And all the air a solemn stillness holds,
I’d argue the case that a solid grounding in the classics would Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight,
stand you in good stead for any sort of writing – this would And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds …
certainly apply to one of my other favourite genres, fantasy
fiction, too – and I’ve suggested a smattering of some of the The brooding atmosphere of the graveyard was pivotal in
leading contenders for horror creators in the reading list at this and many other pieces, with other prime examples being
the end of this article. Thomas Parnell’s A Night-Piece on Death, Edward Young’s

Night-thoughts and Robert Blair’s The Grave. It is ironic that, genre fiction such as Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill
unlike many other authors that have influenced the journey House, Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black and Stephen King’s
of horror, the Graveyard Poets are often lamented rather than The Shining. What Gothic fiction did that the Graveyard
praised by literary critics. But their open looks at death and the Poets did not is to introduce elements of terror that were truly
tragedy of it would no doubt be a significant influence on an the founding of horror. What the early Gothic tales lacked in
author and poet such as Edgar Allan Poe, and there is much subtlety – many have been accused of sensationalism and being
to be said for their overall contribution to what would be one melodramatic – would later morph into the more psychological,
of the most recognisable steps towards horror in the shape of atmospheric side of the genre, having a heavy influence on the
Gothic fiction. ghost story in particular.
Enter the Gothic I’m going to draw a line under things here in terms of a
Gothic fiction remains a force to be reckoned with even to historical retrospective on what eventually formed horror. Of
this day, and while it is not exclusive to the realm of horror – course the last century or two have seen plenty of notable titles,
Gothic romance and Gothic fantasy are also seen plenty, among with the term being recognised and flourishing in its own right.
others – the typical visuals and mood of the field, along with That’s certainly not to undermine any of those titles, or to imply
its frequent dark and disturbing elements, certainly mark it out that modern horror fiction is any less enjoyable or valuable
as a forerunner. Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto was a read in a writer’s education, and we’ve explored those areas
released in 1764, and is loaded with the trappings of Gothic plenty in other pieces in these pages.
horror as we know them now – family curses, dark romance, While it may have taken some time for horror to become the
brooding and atmospheric castles and more besides. While the genre we recognise today, you could argue the field is barely a
book was highly popular in its time, and launched a boom in century old, though there are plenty of books significantly before
the field, this was arguably in part due to Walpole claiming it that point that have played a crucial role in its development. It
was a translation of a medieval text. However the impression was can be true that formative titles can have their issues, but as an
already made, and the influence and popularity of Gothic fiction author I always argue it’s important to know where your field
continued to grow. Matthew Lewis’s The Monk is often seen as has come from. This can establish a firm understanding not only
a satirical response to Walpole’s text, and was something of a of the changes within it over time, but also the conventions that
scandal given its shocking content. That’s without mentioning have governed it (and maybe still do, in some cases).
other significant authors of the movement such as Clara Reeve, That’s not to say that your work should or must emulate what
Ann Radcliffe – doubtless one of the most popular authors of has come before, but this sort of grounding in the infancy of
her era – William Thomas Beckford and more. a field gives you the solid foundation to push horror into new
The concepts of dark romance and even eroticism born places. No genre is ever static, and the work that is so current and
from the Gothic have lived on in many horror novels today, exciting now may either be lauded as classics later on, or critics
and you could argue it’s a key influence on the recent boom may ultimately wonder what all the fuss was about. But wide
area of paranormal romance, as well as stone-cold classics such reading – and particularly reading the crucial titles in a genre –
as Dracula. The use of isolated and often historical locations will be a huge help to you in creating something that falls into
so often seen has also been a key element of many modern that bracket of ‘current and exciting’ in the first place.
READING LIST
• Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound (published between 479 and 424 BC) • Henry Kramer and Jakob Sprenger, Malleus Maleficarum (1486)
• Dante Alighieri, Inferno (1307) • Sheridan Le Fanu, Carmilla (1872)
• William Thomas Beckford, Vathek (1786) • Matthew Lewis, The Monk (1796)
• Robert Blair, The Grave (1743) • John Milton, Paradise Lost (1667)
• William Peter Blatty, The Exorcist (1971) • Ovid, Metamorphoses (8 AD)
• Euripides, Medea (431 BC) • Thomas Parnell, A Night-Piece on Death (1721)
• Thomas Gray, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (1751) • Edgar Allan Poe, Complete Tales & Poems (numerous editions available)
• Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Grimm’s Fairy Stories (1812) • Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794)
• Lafcadio Hearn, Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things (1904) • Clara Reeve, The Old English Baron (1777)
• James Herbert, Shrine (1983) • Charlotte Smith, Sonnet Written in the Churchyard at Middleton
• Susan Hill, The Woman in Black (1983) in Sussex (1789)
• Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House (1959) • Bram Stoker, Dracula (1897)
• Stephen King, Carrie (1974) • Horace Walpole, The Castle of Otranto (1764)
• Stephen King, The Shining (1977) • Edward Young, Night-thoughts (1742-1745, published in nine parts)

THE BUSINESS OF WRITING
COVERING UP
When it comes to book covers, is DIY worthwhile, or should you commission an expert?
Simon Whaley explores the options, with insights gleaned from working with a professional
W
e might not judge a book by its cover, but whole writing business. A reader attracted by the cover of book
we all jump to certain conclusions when one could become a fan of the entire series.
we see one. It’s daunting looking for graphic designers, as I recently
Book covers work hard. Not only must discovered when I needed a cover for my cosy crime novel,
they convey the title and author, but also Blooming Murder. As a member of Alli (Alliance of Independent
whether our book is fiction or non-fiction, its genre, and if it’s Authors), I used their Approved Services Search to find potential
part of an existing series. All this within the blink of an eye. designers. Knowing these suppliers are trusted Alli partners
With self-publishing, getting our books written is only part of reduced the anxiety a little.
the process. Sorting the cover is another challenge. And let’s be Other options include looking for personal recommendations.
honest. Most of us are writers, not graphic designers. The two Chat to other self-published writers. Who do they use? If you
are completely distinct skill sets. When it comes to the business like a book’s cover, check the author’s acknowledgements inside.
of writing, should we create our own covers or should we Many mention their cover designer here, and a quick online
commission a specialist? search will soon connect you.
I drew up a shortlist and browsed their websites, looking
Budget buy at examples of their work. One was Catherine Clarke (www.
The temptation to do it ourselves often revolves around cost. catherineclarkedesign.co.uk), who I later discovered lives in my
DIY covers are cheaper but, without the design skills, the result home county.
may not be what we imagined. However, we all have to start Catherine suggests authors commission their covers as early
somewhere, and the benefit of self-publishing is that we can as possible. A good time to start is once we’ve got our first
easily change a cover. If our first design doesn’t work, we can do draft sorted.
something about it. ‘If an author has a definite deadline for their book to be
Technology is helping. Websites like Canva.com and completed in order to be ready for a launch date they have
Postermywall.com have themed templates we can browse and scheduled, then get in touch with a designer as soon as possible,’
adapt. They take care of the overall design; we simply change the she explains. ‘Regardless of whether their book has been edited
words and images. Options vary, but some templates are free to yet. Of course, the final edit impacts the page count, which in
use. Prices for others can be as low as a takeaway coffee. turn effects the spine size, but most designers should be able
I used Canva to update the covers of my non-fiction The to adjust the final artwork’s spine width to accommodate this.
Practical Writer series. With non-fiction books, the title and sub- However, they will need to know the intended size of the book.’
title may be enough to grab readers’ attention. Many non-fiction
book covers are text-only, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to Book brief
design. Great templates can help with suitable fonts, font sizing Catherine sent me a design brief questionnaire, which helped me
and positioning. focus on what I wanted from my cover. Obviously, she needed
Novel covers have a higher graphical design element because the title, subtitle, my author name and genre. However, not every
of the extra work about genre, style, and tone they must convey. author decides upon their title until much later in the production
Websites like thebookcoverdesigner.com and bookcoverzone. process. This can have implications for a cover’s design.
com offer pre-made covers. Simply browse, select, provide your ‘The author should decide on the title of their book,’
title and author name, click and buy. Catherine says. ‘This seems pretty obvious, but it’s something
Marketplaces like Fiverr.com and reedsy.com connect writers that needs to be set because the title needs to fit beautifully
with graphic designers offering a variety of services and prices, with the rest of the artwork and, in some cases, can be
ranging from less than ten pounds to several hundred. So, it’s integrated with the main image.’
possible to create a suitable cover on a small budget. Tell your graphic designer if there’s a chance your title
may change.
Commissioning covers Catherine’s brief also asked for the blurb (because this will
Commissioning a cover from a graphic designer is not just an go on the paperback’s back cover), the plot and a description
investment in that particular book. It’s an investment in our of my principal characters.

‘I find it helpful,’ she says, ‘if the author can provide a brief materials. ‘If someone can design book covers, then they have
outline of the plot of their book with a description of any the skills to design other promotional material. So if it’s not
characters or elements they’d like to see on the cover, along with mentioned on their website, don’t be afraid to ask them. I also
the blurb, even if it may be altered at a later stage. If it’s one of a offer videos to help the author promote their book as videos are
series of books, you will need to let your designer know this too.’ becoming so popular and effective in marketing.’
Catherine suggests taking one more step when you’ve found the
A good look design you like. ‘Printing it out and wrapping it around a book
A great tip for all authors, whether commissioning a graphic will help you get a better idea of what it looks like.’
designer or creating a cover themselves, is to see what’s already Covers should not be the last thing we think about when
out there. Key tropes appear in book covers of the same genre. self-publishing, because it’s the first thing our potential readers
Blue and yellow is popular with psychological crime at the see. Working with a graphic designer provides flexibility over
moment. Thrillers tend to be dark and have a character walking the design and the finished product, and can be an extremely
or running away into the distance. Historical family sagas rewarding experience.
frequently have women looking face out, while some fantasy That just leaves our readers with the most important job:
novels use reds and oranges with fire or flames and sometimes a judging our book by its cover.
mythical creature in its centre.
Look at your competitors’ covers. What common themes do
you see?
Catherine asked me for Amazon links to covers I loved and HOW FREE ARE FREE IMAGES?
loathed. ‘It’s helpful to know what book covers the author likes or Some stock image websites offer free images, but exercise caution if
dislikes, so sending some examples of these can be helpful. It’s a you’re looking for a book cover. Not all uses of the image may be free.
way of making sure we’re on the same page. Excuse the pun.’ Many ‘free’ images are free for editorial use, such as in newspapers,
magazines, websites and on social media. A book’s cover is a
Developmental designs commercial purpose, for which you may need to pay a fee.
Catherine produced three initial designs for me. The best author/ If an image includes a person or a private building, you’ll need
designer relationships are built on honest communication. If to check there is a model or property release before using it as
there are designs or elements you don’t like, say so and explain a book cover. These releases mean the person/property grants
why. Similarly, share what you love. It’s this process that helps the permission for their image to be used on a commercial product.
designer achieve the look that makes your heart sing. Therefore, you may need to pay a fee to use the ‘free’ image for a
‘When the author receives the first set of proofs, they should commercial book cover.
take their time to look over them,’ Catherine advises. ‘One design Most stock agencies offer two licenses: standard and enhanced.
may be “the one” or sometimes the author likes elements of one Numbers vary from site to site, but a standard license can cover
and elements of another which can be discussed and I would you for 250,000 or 500,000 uses as a book cover. We need
bring these ideas together in another proof. Don’t be afraid to say enhanced licenses for usage above these limits, but we only pay
you don’t like a concept a designer has done for you. The book for that when we need it. (If we’ve sold 250,000 copies of our
is yours and you’ve put your heart and soul into writing it so the book, we can afford the enhanced licence!)
cover has to be perfect.’ Some agencies occasionally offer free images under their
Seek feedback from others. I showed Catherine’s initial designs standard license, which includes book cover use. However, their
to members in my writers’ group, friends in the publishing choice of ‘free’ images may be limited. It’s a marketing technique
industry and the owner of my local independent bookshop. to tempt us into becoming a regular customer.
Always read the license conditions. If you’re unsure, contact the
Maximising material site’s customer services, quote the image reference and explain
Most graphic designers offer extras to help authors with how you want to use it (eg print/digital formats). Ask if they
marketing. Catherine’s package included a 3D mock-up of the allow your usage under this offer.
book cover design, the ebook cover, paperback cover, audiobook Never risk using a free image. It’s better to invest in the right
cover and social media banners. image for your cover than select one just because it’s free.
Catherine also suggests you think about other marketing

AUTHOR PROFILE
Jeevani Charika
Margaret James talks to the author about juggling two different writing identities
T
he novelist Jeevani Charika certainly isn’t the becomes a nanny for a rich Sri Lankan couple in Hull.
first author to have more than one writing This Stolen Life is published by Hera Books, and my
identity. As well as writing under her own brilliant editor there, Keshini Naidoo, also loved my very
name, Jeevani is Rhoda Baxter. ‘I think the first book and published it as A Convenient Marriage.
main difference between Rhoda and Jeevani Both these novels are published under my real name,
is in the tone of what they write,’ she told me. ‘Rhoda Jeevani Charika.’
writes lighter romances, whilst Jeevani writes slightly Jeevani was born and lives in England, but has also
darker women’s fiction.’ lived in several other countries, including Nigeria and
How did Jeevani/Rhoda, who is a scientist by profession, Micronesia as well as Sri Lanka. ‘All the moving around
become a novelist and an author of non-fiction, too? has given me an appreciation of how similar people are all
‘I’ve been writing fiction ever since I realised a real over the world,’ she told me. ‘I think this seeps into my
person had written the Famous Five books,’ she replies. ‘At writing from time to time.
that moment, I knew I wanted to write books for other ‘I don’t think I’ve written anything specifically
people to read. At first, however, I wrote just little bits of autobiographical in my novels, but each book has an
fiction: nothing longer than a short story.’ aspect of me in it. My day job as a scientist involves
When and how did she progress to writing novels? reading a lot of contracts, and many of my characters
‘While I was doing my PhD, I had an idea for a novel, are scientists or lawyers. When I write books as Jeevani
but I didn’t have time to write it. So it wasn’t until after I Charika, lots of the characters are also Brits of Sri
had finally handed in my thesis and got a job that I started Lankan heritage.
writing fiction in the evenings. ‘I’m the first novelist in my family, but my dad used to
‘My first novel, A Convenient Marriage, was about two write for his school newspaper, so perhaps the talent was
British Sri Lankans and their unconventional marriage. It there but not nurtured.’
took me three years to write, but it wasn’t published for What happens when Jeevani begins writing a novel?
another thirteen years. Does she write outlines or plans? Or does she let her
‘After I’d had a few “nice” rejections, I joined the characters lead the way? What usually turns up in her
Romantic Novelists’ Association’s New Writers’ Scheme, subconscious first – one or two characters, the setting,
and the report I got from my NWS reader suggested, the outline of a story, an elevator pitch, a concept, a title,
among other things, that perhaps I should try writing something else?
something for fun. So I wrote a romantic comedy about ‘I really wish I could come up with the elevator pitch
white characters and set it in a patent law firm. That book, first!’ she says. ‘But I usually start with the characters. They
Girl on the Run, took only a year to write, and I had an just turn up and start talking or doing things. I’m not a
offer from a US publisher within eighteen months. plotter, but I do a bit of planning – just a single side of A4
‘The publisher asked if I wanted to use a pen name. with things like character arcs and major points of conflict.
While I was working on my PhD, I studied a bacterium I rarely look at the plan again. It’s just there to get my
called Rhodobacter sphaeroides, so I called myself Rhoda ideas lined up.
Baxter. But the itch to write about Sri Lankan diaspora ‘Then I write a short first draft, which is mostly
characters never went away, so then I wrote This Stolen dialogue. Then I go back and ask questions like: does it
Life, which is about a woman who steals an identity and make sense? Do the character arcs work? This gives me

my second draft, which is (hopefully) structurally sound. ‘I try to write every day. Over a year, 250 words a day
Then I go back and add things like descriptions and links to could add up to a whole novel. But, if I don’t manage that,
the theme. I don’t beat myself up about it. I figure life is hard enough
‘This isn’t the tidiest way to write a novel because I often without feeling guilty about writing as well!’
have to delete parts when I’ve wandered off into a dead end. I
wish I could do detailed plans, but I’m sure it’s less fun when
you’ve already worked everything out.
‘What’s next up for me? Right now, I’m happy to write
J E E VA N I ’ S T O P T I P S
about relationships. Although I’m a scientist, writing hard sci- • Most of the tips I have for readers are those which every
fi doesn’t really appeal because for my taste it’s too much about published author would give aspiring writers – read a lot,
the science and not enough about the characters’ journeys. But write a lot, and don’t give up.
I do indulge my inner science communicator by having my • Your writing will improve as you work on a novel, so your
scientist characters talk about their work. voice (and your characters) will be stronger at the end
‘My most recent work is a non-fiction booklet about than they were at the beginning. This is why it’s a good
intellectual property for writers entitled Getting Published is idea to rewrite Chapter 1 after you’ve finished the book.
Just the Beginning. I wrote it because I know a lot of writers • Proofread or line edit from the last page to the first. This
are confused by the concepts of intellectual property and by will stop you from getting absorbed in the story. Changing
their contracts. As part of my day job, I spend a lot of time the font will also help you to spot any mistakes.
explaining the IP basics to clients. So I thought I’d write a • Point of view affects everything. If you’re not sure from
friendly explainer for authors, then they could go into contract whose point of view you should write a scene, choose the
discussions armed with the knowledge of what different terms person who has the most to lose.
mean. I’m currently turning all that into a course and, in the • This is not a writing tip, but a business one. Always read
meantime, I’m writing more romantic fiction. your contracts before you sign. The Society of Authors will
‘I’m a mum of two, and I work as a freelance IP consultant, review members’ contracts for them.
so I often end up working at night and at weekends. The kids • Writing is a job, so always be professional in your
joke that I have no sense of humour after seven in the evening interactions.
because then I’m very protective of my writing time.
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RESEARCH TIPS
Recordin
TGUGCT
EJƂPF
g
KPIU
R
Tarja Moles helps you organise your research records
ecording research findings is an integral This way you, and your readers, will know that the
part of doing research. The more complex mistake was not yours.
your project, the more important it is to Writing down your sources’ references should be
take and retain notes effectively. But how part and parcel of your note taking. For example,
do you know what to record and what’s when you’re consulting a book, record its author, title,
the best way to do it? Ultimately, it’s your personal publisher, year and place of publication as well as the
preference combined with the type of research project page number(s) where the information you copied is
you’re working on that should determine your approach. located. This will help you trace the source afterwards
However, here are some ideas to consider. if you need to consult it again. It will also help you give
accurate citations in your writing. Additionally, it’s good
What to record practice to record the date you accessed the source. This
When you start a research project, it’s tempting to is particularly important with information found online:
record anything and everything about your subject. the content there can change frequently. However, if
Although it’s nice to know that you have the you have noted your date of access, you can trace the
information in your possession if and when you need content, for instance, with the help of the Wayback
it, the reality is that in many cases you’re unlikely to Machine (https://archive.org/web). It’s a website that
read or need all your notes – especially if you have stores snapshots of historical websites. It also contains a
accumulated a huge amount of material. Therefore, be handy tool that allows you to capture webpages so you
discerning when assessing the importance of any details will have a trustworthy citation for the future.
you discover and record only those that you truly
think will be relevant. Another way to help reduce the How to record
potential pile of notes is to summarise your findings In the past, paper-based ways of recording were the
whenever it’s not vital to copy passages verbatim. norm, whether it was the use of a notebook, loose-
There are situations, however, when you may need leaf folders or index cards. Since different types of
to jot down text word for word. When this is the sources require different ways of recording – eg, article
case, make sure you copy everything accurately. Pay pages can be scanned, objects photographed and
particular attention to names and dates as both are easy interviews recorded (audio or video) – this meant that
to get wrong. If you find a mistake in the source text, the different types of records could not necessarily
don’t correct it, but use ‘[sic]’ after the incorrect word, be stored neatly in one place. The development of
both in your notes and in your actual writing later. computer software and specific note-taking apps has

changed this. Although you still can’t store any
actual memorabilia inside your laptop, various
note-taking apps do allow you to collate a number
Behind the tape
of different types of material in one place.
An example of such an app is the very popular Expert advice to get the details right in your crime
Evernote (https://evernote.com). Its free version fiction, from serving police officer Lisa Cutts
allows you to take advantage of several useful
functions, such as document scanning, webpage
clipping, photo and pdf attachments, annotation
of images and, of course, straightforward typing Q Could one of my detectives use the police systems to look up
her friend’s new boyfriend and get away with it? I need her to
of notes. OneNote (www.onenote.com) is find out some information without getting into trouble.
Microsoft’s answer to Evernote while Apple Notes Declan P, by email
(www.icloud.com/notes) serves Apple users.
Scrivener (www.literatureandlatte.com) does
not have as many functions as Evernote, but
A The police computer systems are audited, and any user needs to
be granted access and have a password to do so. They should all
be different passwords too, like access to bank accounts and websites
its strength lies in being a word-processing and for personal reasons. It doesn’t mean to say that she couldn’t use the
project-management software specifically designed police databases for her own use, but if she gets caught, she is very
for authors. If you’re using Scrivener for writing, likely to lose her job. It may take a short period of time for the audit
you may find it useful to keep your research notes to be carried out and for Professional Standards to catch up with her,
in the same place. What’s particularly handy about although she may well find herself suspended from duty as a result of
Scrivener is that when you start writing, you don’t what she had done. A less risky way for her career would be for her
need to switch between different screens to access to overhear a conversation between colleagues, although I appreciate
your notes, but can split the screen and have your this may come across as contrived. Data Protection is a very hot topic
notes visible in one pane while you’re getting on and usually very easy to prove. Having said that, if she had a number
with your writing in another. of Police National Computer records to check for several witnesses to
If you’re struggling to keep track of all your a crime, it would be fairly easy to hide the details in amongst a dozen
references and your writing project requires others.
citations and bibliographies, Zotero (www.zotero.
org) may be the appropriate ‘digital research
assistant’ for you. It’s a free reference management Q Would all of the police officers in CID be detectives? Are some
of those working there trained within CID? If so, what are
software that allows you to capture bibliographic they called?
details and web content with a single click. It also Fiona Matthews, by email
enables you to incorporate citations into your
writing in an easy way.
If you’re looking for an app that allows you to
have a single place where you can write, take notes,
A I started my first attachment to CID as a PC and underwent
CID 1 and CID 2 training courses before I was officially a
detective constable. I’ll assume you’re not writing a book set in
manage projects, make to-do lists, create databases, the late 1990s, so will try to bring this up to the present century.
set reminders and collaborate with others, Kent Police has Investigate First which is a fast track to detective
Notion (www.notion.so) is worth exploring. programme, allowing officers to take up their detective training once
It’s a multi-functional tool and essentially allows their PC training has been completed. In fairness, it’s similar to my
you to organise every aspect of your life. Its basic own pathway some twenty-something years ago, although it was very
package – which includes all its features – is free for ad hoc then. Today it is a much more structured and professionalised
individuals, but if you want to make full use of its way of doing things. Each force would have its own way of operating.
collaborative elements, you need to subscribe to a A PC would learn and undergo courses and exams whilst in CID and
paid plan. then receive detective accreditation. A PC and a DC are the same
After you have recorded your findings, re-read rank. The only difference is that they have chosen different paths and
your notes and organise them by grouping similar have a different skill set.
information together. Mark the different groups
in some way. For a paper-based system this could If you have a
mean colour-coding and for a digital storage query for Lisa,
system this could be tagging the different sources please send it
and groups of related information. Then review by email to
what you have gathered. Are there notes that are lisacuttsenquiries@
irrelevant? Are there gaps that need more research? gmail.com
Once you have enough information, you’re ready to
start writing. Lisa Cutts is a crime fiction author and retired detective sergeant,
having spent most of her career within the Serious Crime
Department. She has returned to work as an Investigating Officer on
historic crimes. Her novels are published by Myriad and Simon and Schuster.
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Your essential monthly round-up of competitions, paying markets,
opportunities to get into print and publishing industry news.
Child’s
play
The Bath Children’s Novel
Award 2021 is inviting entries.
The international competition
for emerging children’s novelists
has a first prize of £3,000.
The award is for unpublished
manuscripts of fiction aimed at
SF winners children who are able to read for
themselves (chapter books and
Love to write The Locus Science Fiction Foundation middle-grade books) and young
announced the winners on the 2021 adults.
romance Locus Awards in June. The Locus, To be eligible to enter, writers
are along with the Hugo Awards the should not have accepted an
most significant US awards for science offer of publication that includes
Win a publishing deal in the Love to Write fiction and fantasy. The winners an advance from a publisher.
competition from Mills & Boon and Amber Rose Gill. were: Science Fiction Novel, Network Writers may submit novels that
The Love to Write competition is for romance Effect, Martha Wells; Fantasy Novel, are unpublished, self-published
writers from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. The City We Became, NK Jemisin; or independently published.
Mills & Boon is running Love to Write in Horror Novel, Mexican Gothic, Silvia The winner will receive
partnership with Love Island winner Amber Rose Moreno-Garcia; Young Adult Novel, A £3,000. Shortlisted writers
Gill, who is publishing her debut romance Until I Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking, T will get feedback from the
Met You with Mills & Boon in July 2022. Kingfisher; First Novel, Elatsoe, Darcie prize’s Junior Judges as well as
‘For me this project is so much more than just Little Badger; Novella, Ring Shout, P agent introductions. The most
a love story,’ said Amber Rose. ‘It’s about bringing Djèlí Clark; Novelette, The Pill, Meg promising longlisted writer
more representation and inclusivity to the romance Elison; Short Story, Little Free Library, will receive a free place on
genre. I know first-hand growing up that love stories Naomi Kritzer (Tor.com 4/8/20); Cornerstones’ online Edit Your
were never about girls and boys who looked like Anthology, The Book of Dragons, ed Novel the Professional Way
me – the lead characters were never black or mixed Jonathan Strahan; Collection, The course, worth £1,800.
race. I want to create a narrative that changes this, Hidden Girl and Other Stories, Ken To enter, submit the first 5,000
that lets people see themselves in the heroine or hero. Liu; Magazine, Tor.com; Publisher, words of a manuscript, plus a
Given Mills & Boon novels have been selling for over Tor; Editor, Ellen Datlow; Non- 300-word synopsis. Suggested
100 years, it’s the perfect brand to join forces with to Fiction, The Magic of Terry Pratchett, manuscript lengths are 10,000
make positive changes and to inspire other writers to Marc Burrows. Bill Campbell & words for chapter books, 40,000-
do the same.’ Rosarium Publishing received a 60,000 for middle grade and
To be eligible to enter, writers should be Special Award for Amplifying Diverse 50,000-70,000 for YA (longer for
unpublished and unagented. Anyone may enter, but Voices. fantasy books).
Mills & Boon particularly welcomes submissions • The shortlist for the 2021 The entry fee is £28. There
from writers from underrepresented backgrounds. Arthur C Clarke Award has been are sponsored places available for
Stories should fit with one of the existing Mills & announced. The nominees are: The writers on low incomes.
Boon categories: Modern, Historical, Medical and Infinite, Patience Agbabi; The Vanished The closing date is 30
True Love. Birds, Simon Jimenez; Vagabonds, November 2021.
The winner will receive a book contract with Hao Jingfang; Edge of Heaven, RB Website: https://
Mills & Boon worth £2,000, plus a £1,500 grant to Kelly;The Animals in that Country, bathnovelaward.co.uk/
support their writing. They’ll also be given mentoring Laura Jean McKay; Chilling Effect, childrens-novel-award/
with an experienced Mills & Boon editor to help Valerie Valdes.
them develop their submission into a publishable The Award is given for the best
novel. science fiction novel, as agreed by the
To enter, submit the fist 5,000 words, a synposis judging panel, for a book published
and an author statement. in the previous year in the UK.
Entry is free. The winner will be announced in
The closing date is 19 September. September. For more information
Website: https://writ.rs/lovetowritemb visit: https://clarkeaward.com

WRITERS’ NEWS
GLOBAL NON-FICTION MARKET Turf out your bottom drawer

The Totally Free Best of the Bottom Drawer
Global Writing Prize 2021 competition from
the Black Spring Press Group is inviting entries
Chronicle Books of literally anything that could be published in
book form.
Black Spring Press, which is part of Eyewear
PDR Lindsay-Salmon Publishing, is looking for something that might
be a bit strange, rushed, risky, ahead of its
The Chronicle Books editorial team publish time – the sort of manuscript or document that
‘an exciting range of books, stationery, kits, tends to stay in a writer’s bottom drawer. The
calendars, and novelty formats’. Their list winner will receive a publishing contract with an
includes ‘children’s books and interactive advance. The contest will be judged by the editorial team at Black
formats; young adult books; cookbooks; fine Spring Press.
art, design, and photography; pop culture; craft, Submit anything, in any style or genre, between 40 and 1,000
fashion, beauty, and home décor; relationships, pages. Poetry, fiction, graphic novels, confessions, memoirs, plays,
mind-body-spirit; innovative formats such as histories, rants, essays are all welcome.
interactive journals, kits, decks, and stationery; Entry is free.
and much, much more.’ They do not publish The closing date is 16 October.
adult fiction preferring to concentrate on their Website: https://blackspringpressgroup.com/
wide range of children’s fiction.
The team is ‘committed to publishing
authors, illustrators, and creators of diverse
backgrounds and points of view.’ They are
proud of being ‘a diverse, equitable, inclusive,
and collaborative publishing house.’ Read
the guidelines and their list carefully before
submitting.
Adult Trade Submissions are for non-fiction
books in categories such as cooking, fine art,
design, photography, pop culture, fashion,
beauty, home décor, personal relationships, and
more. They also publish ‘innovative formats,
such as interactive journals, decks, games, stationery’, and more.
Be more Morley
Email a proposal as an attachment of a single doc or pdf file The Morley Prize for Unpublished Writers of Colour is inviting
under 5MB. In the file include a one-page cover letter giving a brief entries of novel manuscripts by unpublished, unrepresented writers.
description of the project and why Chronicle Books should publish it. The competition, from Morley College in London, is for
Also include a sample content, preferably as an outline, introduction, unpublished writers of colour and is intended to improve access
sample illustrations or photographs, sample captions, sample recipes and diversity in publishing. The winner will receive £500, a free
or cards, and/or sample chapters. Don’t forget an analysis of the manuscript review and a one-hour, in-person meeting with a
potential readership, who might read the book, and include a list literary agent from RML. Shortlisted writers will receive an online
of similar titles already published with their publishing dates. Then advice session and the opportunity to exhibit an extract of their
explain how this project differs. A brief bio should include publishing work online and as part of the Cardew Gallery exhibition.
credits or your credentials for writing the book. To be eligible to enter, writers must not previously have
Children’s picture books, middle grade, or young adult fiction published a novel or novella, including self publishing and
submissions need to be ‘different’. The editorial team publish ‘an e-publishing.
eclectic mixture of traditional and innovative children’s books’. They Enter the first 30-50 pages of a novel manuscript aimed at
want work with ‘a unique bent – be it in subject matter, writing style, adult readers, plus an outline no longer than three pages.
or illustrative technique – and that will lend our list a distinctive Entry is free. Only one entry per writer is permitted.
flair.’ They welcome subs of ‘fiction and nonfiction books for children The closing date is 22 August.
of all ages, as well as board books, decks, activity kits, and other Website: www.morleygallery.com/morley-lit-prize-applicants
unusual or novelty formats.’ Because of the pandemic children’s book
submissions must be hard copy, on paper, and posted to the company.
Books for younger children should be submitted as completed works. Look Both Ways to get
‘Projects for older children—such as chapter books or YA novels—
should be submitted by query letter, synopsis, and three (3) sample a Carnegie Medal
chapters.’ If the manuscript is part of a series, please submit the first
instalment only. Information about the rest of the series should be The 2021 CILIP Carnegie Medal for best
included in the cover letter. children’s book has been awarded to poet and
The editorial team do use freelance writers and freelance illustrators, novelist Jason Reynolds for Look Both Ways
photographers, or other visual artists. Writers should send a website (Knight Of ). Illustrator and author Sydney
portfolio address by email, mentioning experience and any particular Smith won the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for achievement
field of expertise. Visual artists should send links to website portfolios. in illustration for Small In The City (Walker Books). The Medals
Response time is ‘within six months.’ Rights and royalties are were announced in an event livestreamed from the British
discussed with a contract. Library in June. The winners each received £500 worth of books
Details: Chronicle Books, Chronicle Books, Children’s, 680 Second to donate to a library of their choice, a specially commissioned
Street, San Francisco, California 94107, USA; email: submissions@ golden medal and a £5,000 Colin Mears Award cash prize. The
chroniclebooks.com medals are given by CILIP Carnegie and chosen by a team of 15
Website: www.chroniclebooks.com librarians from 152 nominations.

WRITERS’ NEWS
FLASHES GLOBAL NON-FICTION MARKET

Excite with science
The Adventures
Jenny Roche
in Fiction New
Voices Competition
awards a Start-Up Published eight times a year, Discover magazine wants check your facts. You will most
mentoring package stories that enlighten, inform and excite readers about likely be asked for 2-3 major
worth more than science. ‘Our stories are grounded in research but are revisions of your piece, fewer
£750, Submit driven by strong narratives, high reader interest and a revisions for web stories, to which
the first page of conversational tone,’ say guidelines. you will need to provide a prompt
an unpublished In the first instance pitch an article idea keeping it short turnaround.
novel manuscript
and saying what the science is, what’s new about it and how Payment rates for the print
plus a one-page
synopsis. The entry it will interest readers. Using the magazine’s conversational magazine start at $1 per word,
fee is £10. The tone and down to earth language will gain your idea more paid on completion of editing, for
closing date is 14 interest. Mention the study specifics you’ll be citing and ninety-day exclusivity. Typically
September. researchers you will talk to. Also include a note of your $300 is paid per story for web
Website: http:// science writing background with 2-3 clips and a link to content, paid on publication,
adventuresin your website or portfolio. for 365-day exclusivity and non-
fiction.co.uk/ For the web edition of the magazine short features are exclusive perpetual rights.
new-voices- 600-1,000 words long and should ‘focus on a larger body Send only one idea per email.
competition/ Send web pitches to Megan
of research, examine trends in science and the world at
Nature writer
large, offer historical context or serve as helpful explainers’. Schmidt at: mschmidt@
Natasha Carthew The print edition has several different Column/ discovermagazine.com
has launched a Departments sections. See website for full details of each For the print edition of the
new literature and the Editors for each section. Print features are 1,800- magazine pitch your idea to the relevant editor. If you are
festival celebrating 3,000 words long. unsure which is right for your idea pitch to: editorial@
working-class ‘Reporting expectations’ for this magazine suggest you discovermagazine.com
writers, with contact your sources by phone rather than email and to Website: www.discovermagazine.com/pitch-guide
£43,000 Arts
Council England
funding.
ClassFest, 22-
Have the edge here
24 October in
Bristol and online, Publishing writers from around the world, Poetry submissions should have literary
will have panel Leading Edge magazine invites submissions value, popular appeal and a science fiction or
discussions, of fiction, poetry, non fiction and artwork. fantasy related theme. There is an option to
speaker events The magazine is affiliated and run have your fiction or poetry critiqued and you
and workshops through Brigham Young University, which should mention if you would like this.
to give ‘exposure has an Honor Code and written and visual Non-fiction should be under 5,000 words
to working-class submissions must not contain ‘nudity, and may be a book review or essay related
writers, inspire
sex, profanity, excessive violence, the to a science fiction or fantasy related theme.
young people from
similar backgrounds
belittlement of traditional family values or Non-fiction pieces are not critiqued.
and showcase religion or drug use’. Payment for fiction pieces is $10-$50.
authentic stories’. The preferred length for fiction is 1,000- Payment for poetry and non fiction is
Website: https:// 10,000 words although up to 15,000 words will be discussed on acceptance for publication.
writ.rs/classfest considered. When submitting, include a word count Format your work in a doc file and submit
and a short description of your piece. Advice to preferably by email. Postal submissions will however be
Author-illustrator increase your chances of publication are to ‘have an considered. There are quite lengthy requirements for
Sophy Henn’s interesting title… to make your story compelling… formatting and mailing postal submissions. See website
Pizazz has won The catch our attention in the first two or three sentences’. for details of these, also the submission of artwork.
Alligator’s Mouth
As the magazine is interested in helping authors they There are separate email address for submissions.
Award 2021, for
highly illustrated may work with you to improve your story. All fiction Send to either fiction@, poetry@, nonfiction@ or
fiction for children submissions are critiqued and a copy sent to authors. [email protected]
aged 6-8. Also You may decline this if you wish. Website: www.leadingedgemagazine.com
shortlisted were:
Agents of the
Wild: Operation
Honeyhunt,
Welsh crime writers, get clued up
Jennifer Bell, illus The Crime Cymru First Novel Prize from four-night stay at Literature Wales’ Nant
Alice Lickens;
Crime Cymru is to promote new crime Writers Retreat cottage and mentoring from
Claude at the
Palace, Alex T
writing talent from Wales. Crime Cymru writers. Shortlisted writers
Smith; The Hat The competition is for a crime novel will receive a book bundle of titles by Crime
Full of Secrets, manuscript by an unpublished novelist Cymru authors.
Karl Newson, currently living in Wales. Novels do not Novel manuscripts don’t have to be
illus Wazza Pink; need to have Wales as a setting or theme, completed. Enter the first 5,000 words plus
Zombierella: Fairy and may be in any subgenre of crime fiction, ie mystery, a one-page synopsis.
Tales Gone Bad, procedural, psychological thriller, detective novel. Entry is free. The closing date is 3 September.
Joseph Coelho, There are two categories: Welsh language and English Website: https://crime.cymru/crime-cymru-first-
illus Freya Hartas. language. The winner in each category will receive a novel-prize/

WRITERS’ NEWS
UK BOOK MARKET
Ride the punches with Guts
Tina Jackson
As its name suggests, London-based indie Guts have to be confessional. Taboo topics are
Publishing concentrates on ballsy writing, welcome. We also like books that do something
whether that be memoir, creative nonfiction or unique, which could be in form. For example,
literary fiction. our memoir Fish Town was written on an
Guts Publishing set up in 2019. ‘I was a writer iPhone and the layout in the book is identical
for many years and prior to that a visual artist,’ to how it looked on the phone.’
said publisher Julianne Ingles. Julianne’s advice to prospective authors is in
‘When I published my first book I made just line with Guts’ ethos. ‘Be bold,’ she said. ‘Don’t
about every mistake you could possibly make, play it safe, meaning don’t write for the market. If
but learned a hell of a lot. And I cried a lot, you have a story to tell, stick with it. Then when
because putting your work out there can be a you’re ready, start pitching. If you don’t know how
terrifying experience, especially if you are writing to pitch, do some googling and find out how. You
about your own life. You know your work is don’t have to be a pitching guru to get a publisher’s
going to be judged and in turn your life is going attention, but you do need to learn how to
to be judged. It’s just how it is, not right or consolidate your thoughts so you can present
wrong, but not pleasant to go through.’ your ideas concisely. I wrote a blog post about this
The name Guts Publishing came naturally. recently with some helpful information from a
‘Because that’s what it takes to put your work out publisher’s point of view: www.gutspublishing.
there,’ sadi Julianne. ‘I had been through it and com/post/pitching-tips-for-writers’
felt I was in a position to help other writers get She also advises writers to bear the author-
through it too. But not only get through it, but publisher relationship in mind. ‘Professionalism
do it right and have lots of support and kindness and sincerity are appealing qualities. Remember
along the way.’ that when you approach a publisher or agent,
The first Guts Publishing title was an what you’re really doing is taking the first
anthology. ‘It was a great way to get lots of steps in forming a relationship. You want to be
writers involved and spread the word about Guts. friendly but professional and make it clear that
And anthologies are loads of fun, especially if you would be amazing to work with. As in, you
you have a racy theme, which we did. I wanted would be willing (and able!) to promote yourself
to do something that pushed the boundaries of and your work wholeheartedly.’
what is considered “literature”, and the topics Submit a full manuscript, a bio, and a cover letter. A synopsis is
that are considered acceptable – which we did. Our tagline became: optional, but appreciated.
Ballsy books about life. After that we started publishing memoirs, and ‘In your cover letter, tell us why you feel your work would be
now we’re doing literary fiction too.’ a good fit with Guts,’ said Julianne. ‘It would be a good idea
This year Guts published two books and aims to publish two or three to take a look at the books we’ve published before sending your
more. ‘Next year we’d like to do six,’ said Julianne. ‘I think we’ll keep work. If you have read any of our books, tell us which one. If you
doing what we’re doing. I mean of course we’ll continue expanding and haven’t, tell us what you’re currently reading and/or your favorite
increasing the number of books we publish, but how quickly will that books. We are looking to publish UK writers, and would like to
happen? I don’t know. For now I think we’ll stay focused on what we’re know about your relationship with the UK (born here, lived here,
already doing, publishing ballsy books about life.’ etc). We welcome submissions from agented and non-agented
Guts is looking for memoirs, creative nonfiction and literary fiction. writers. We encourage submissions from debut or emerging UK
‘The literary fiction is new for us,’ said Julianne. ‘We’re really excited writers, and from women, BAME, disabled, working-class and
about it and particularly interested in publishing literary fiction with a LGBTQ+ writers.’
nonfiction tone. We’re also open to nonfiction book proposals.’ Guts publishes in paperback, ebook and sometimes audio
Like the mission statement suggest, Guts titles need to have a formats, and pays royalties.
bold, strong identity. ‘Books that are bold and honest always catch Details: email: [email protected]; website: www.
our attention,’ said Julianne. ‘We like confessional, but it doesn’t gutspublishing.com/submissions
Daggers drawn
The CWA Dagger 2021 winners were announced at the beginning of July in an online ceremony.
The 2021 CWA Dagger winners are:
• Diamond Dagger: Martina Cole
• Gold Dagger: Chris Whitaker, We Begin at the End
• Ian Fleming Steel Dagger: Michael Robotham, When She Was Good
• John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger: Eva Björg Ægisdóttir, The Creak on the Stairs translated by Victoria Cribb
• Sapere Books Historical Dagger: Vaseem Khan, Midnight at Malabar House
• Crime Fiction in Translation Dagger: Yun Ko-Eun, The Disaster Tourist translated by Lizzie Buehler
• Short Story Dagger: Monsters by Clare Mackintosh in First Edition: Celebrating 21 Years of Goldsboro Books
• ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction: Sue Black, Written in Bone
• Debut Dagger: Hannah Redding, Deception (highly commended: Fiona McPhillips, Underwater)
• Dagger in the Library: Peter May
• Publishers’ Dagger: Head of Zeus
• Margery Allingham Short Story Competition: Camilla Macpherson, Heartbridge Homicides

WRITERS’ NEWS
UK ENVIRONMENTAL MARKET
FLASHES
Reckoning awaits
Word-of-mouth
Gary Dalkin
recommendation
app Chorus Voices Reckoning is a US annual journal of creative writing on during natural disasters’. Poetry
invites submissions environmental justice. All the content is released free exploring social justice and
of short pieces of online in the first half of the year then collected into a environmental issues is welcome
content (150-300 print edition in summer. Each annual issue is edited by but see all the guidelines for more
words plus two a different editorial team, and currently editors Gabriela details.
relevant images) Santiago and Aïcha Martine Thiam are reading for issue General guidelines applying to
that promote a #6, ‘seeking speculative fiction, creative nonfiction, and all issues: https://reckoning.press/submit/
neighbourhood or
poetry about environmental justice that addresses the Guidelines specific to issue 6: https://reckoning.press/
highlight a local
small business. intersection between social upheaval and environmental reckoning-6-submission-call/
The twice-monthly changes, from collapses to breakthroughs, and everything Reckoning doesn’t publish work the editors perceive to
Chorus Voices in between’. be prejudiced in any form. Simultaneous submissions are
competition They are ‘especially interested in work that demolishes ok. Reprints may be considered but enquire first by email
awards £250 to or subverts binaries; that engages all the senses and to [email protected]. Multiple poetry
the best piece, and emotions; and deals in hope, complexity, and complicity. submissions are preferred — send 3-5 poems with a total
a random entry Fiction that shatters, stretches, or realigns mainstream length no more than ten pages, submitting each poem
will be picked Western ideas about relationships between individual individually.
each month to be
humans, humans as a whole, and all other members of Length for fiction and creative non-fiction is anything
awarded £500.
Website: www.
our environment.’ up to 20,000 words (enquire first for anything longer).
chorusapp.co Stories can be solarpunk, biopunk, hopepunk, or fall Payment is 8¢ per word, $30 per page of poetry. Deadline
into multiple genres. Leslie Marmon Silko, Linda Hogan, is 22 September. Response time is up to four months.
The Global NK Jemisin are cited as influences. Send your submissions via: https://reckoning.moksha.io/
Monitoring Project The editors are also looking for ‘nonfiction stories of publication/reckoning
has estimated environmental racism, of mental health intertwined with Details: Reckoning Press 206 East Flint Street Lake
that it will take climate justice, of reckoning with systemic inequities Orion, MI 48362 USA;
another 67 years
or more to close
the worldwide
gender equality
It’s all Greek
gap in traditional Win a holiday in Greece in Greek. The Grand Prize in the unpublished category
news reporting. The the international Eyelands is translation of the winning book into Greek, and
number of stories Book Awards 2021 publication from Strange Days Books. There are
in traditional news contest for published and further prizes of specially made ceramics for winners
media that are unpublished books. and five finalists in each category.
reported by women The Eyelands Book Eligible submissions include poetry, novellas, short
has gone up from Awards feature categories story collections, novels, memoir and graphic novels.
37% in 2015 to 40%. for published and This year there is a new category for writers under 18
unpublished books. The Grand Prize in the published (entry fee €10).
Author Struan
Murray and his
books category is a five-day holiday in Athens (not The entry fee is €22 until 1 September, and then €27.
editor Ben Horslen including air travel). In the event that travel is not The closing date is 20 October.
have won the possible, the winning book will be translated into Website: https://eyelandsawards.com/
2021 Branford
Boase Award for
Outstanding Debut Have your play published
Novel for Children
for Orphans of the Publishing plays from writers around the world, Ilminster, Somerset based Silver Birchington
Tide. The annual Plays is open to submissions of playscripts of all categories. These include one act and full length
award recognises
not just an
plays, comedy, pantomimes, monologues and duologues, radio plays and plays for children and
exceptional new youth groups. See the website for a full list.
writer for young The company believes ‘every playwright has a story to tell, and that every story deserves to be
people, but the told’. To this end they can help with everything ‘from an idea and rough draft to editing and
role played by publication’.
an editor in their On receipt plays are read by a team of professional readers who then make recommendations
development. for publication. Once accepted your play will be formatted to the company’s house style and
added to their catalogue. All plays are published in ebook format.
‘My working Once published your rights will be protected as plays will only be available to purchase
method is usually
for performance under licence. Recently the company has issued licences for performance
to start a book on
the 15th of January
via Zoom, YouTube and other similar platforms with the proviso of password protection
and finish it on and accessibility only being available via a private link. Licences do not include recording for
the 15th of June distribution.
or thereabouts. Although writers do not receive any payment for publication, when contacting the company
I’m such an the response was, ‘The fees we pay our authors are confidential. In general we offer a percentage
old journalist I of royalties from performances and any online sales or play reading purchases’.
need this kind of Submit your script as a doc file to: [email protected]
pressure.’ Website: www.silverbirchingtonplays.com
Robert Harris

G O I N G TO M A R K E T
UK ARTS MARKET
Brevity important
Jenny Roche
Although head office for Thames and Hudson publishers is in London
they also have branches in America, Australia and New Zealand. Their
advice for submitting a book proposal is to ‘take a close look at the
subject areas’ they publish and ‘to consider how your proposal relates
to them’. Their adult subjects include art, architecture, photography,
design, fashion, popular culture, history and archaeology. They also
have a children’s list. They do not publish fiction or poetry.
Proposals should be as brief as possible and include a suggested title and
Cut the
sub title, a maximum 500-word content overview, a chapter outline, an
indication of your intended readers and a list of competing titles. For a
children’s book proposal indicate the target age range. Include also a brief
hassle
biography, your contact details and a maximum of six sample images as
low res files. The total size of a portfolio should be no more than 4mb.
Make yourself easy for
Submissions by email are preferred although postal submissions will be editors to deal with, says
considered. You will be contacted within three months only if your proposal is to be developed. Patrick Forsyth
Details: Submissions, Head Office, Thames & Hudson, 181A High Holborn, London
WC1V 7QX; email: [email protected]; website: https://thamesandhudson.
M
com/page/getting-published any times in these
columns I’ve touched
Dream Foundry calls for on the need to consider
an editor’s perspective.
specfic beginners A piece of your writing is paramount
to you, but for an editor it is one of
The Dream Foundry is a US non-profit organisation launched last many and dealing with amongst many
year with the mission ‘to bolster and sustain the nascent careers of things to do. Editors are busy people
professionals working in the field of speculative literature’. The initial and over the Covid period they have
means to do this is a new free to enter writing contest (there is also a been busier than ever, what with
parallel contest for illustrators) with long term goal of establishing a reduced staff, home working and more
network ‘of professionals from across the speculative fiction industry with which to contend.
to share skills, insights, and opportunities’ with beginning professionals. More than ever therefore they want
The prizes for this year’s contest are $1,000, $500 and $200. There are no age restrictions two things: good writing (and that
on entry, all rights remain with the contestant and entries can come from anywhere in the includes it accurately meeting any
world. To enter you must be relatively new to writing paid speculative short fiction and have brief ) and a hassle-free relationship
published less than 4,000 words of or income-earning spec-fic in English, earning less than with writers they commission. Good
$320. You also must not have been nominated for a major genre awards. writing perhaps goes without saying,
The submission period is 10 August to 11 October. Finalists will be announced in mid- but I want to the focus on the hassle
November and the winners in early December. element here. One example about
Submit one complete original story (no extracts from novels, screenplays, children’s stories, good writing concerns word count:
poetry, gratuitous depictions of violence, sexual assault or abuse) up to 10,000 words using accuracy here can mean a (good) piece
the submissions manager at https://dreamfoundry.moksha.io/publication/dream-foundry- going straight into production. Even
writing-contest All entries must contain an element of speculative fiction. Sexual content is being a little out may mean time-
acceptable, but this is not a contest for erotica. No multiple submissions, though simultaneous consuming consultation and editors
submissions are acceptable. hate this. It may be difficult enough
The judges for 2021 are Vajra Chandrasekera and Premee Mohamed. for them to find time to discuss new
Use standard manuscript format. Title and number every page, but do not include your ideas (and pitches) with writers, they
name on the manuscript. Send enquiries to [email protected] certainly don’t have time to waste on
The full guidelines are at https://dreamfoundry.org/contest-rules/ things they doubtless feel shouldn’t be
Find out more about the Dream Factory project at https://dreamfoundry.org necessary at all.
So anything that removes this sort
of thing may differentiate you from
other writers who are less easy to deal
Competition matters with. And that may help you get more
commissions. Consider deadlines. I
The 2021 Exeter Story Prize and Trisha Ashley Award is inviting entries. learnt very early on in my writing career
The competition from Creative Writing Matters, for stories up to 5,000 words, has a £500 that meeting them is beyond important
first prize. and I don’t think any of the many
Brief feedback is offered to every entrant. Longer feedback is available as a one-page report millions of words I’ve had published has
for an additional fee. arrived late. I know, because editors have
Enter original, unpublished short stories on any theme, up to 5,000 words. The winner will told me, that this makes a difference.
receive £500 and there are second and third prizes of £200 and £100. The £200 Trisha Ashley So respect deadlines, deliver ahead
Award is given for ‘engaging and quirky’ short stories. of them if possible and aim to be a
The entry fee is £12 per story. The entry fee plus a one-page report costs £40. hassle-free writer in every way possible.
The closing date is 31 August. It makes a difference, especially in these
Website: www.creativewritingmatters.co.uk uncertain times.
www.writers-online.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2020

2021 69
WRITERS’ NEWS
FLASHES UK BOOK MARKET

A labour of love
Marking the Tina Jackson
fifteenth
anniversary of
Muriel Spark’s CAAB is a small independent future, maybe using our connections
death, the theme of publisher with an inclusive outlook. at Britbox to get our authors an
this year’s Thame ‘At the moment we have the offer of a TV show. That would be
Arts and Literature luxury of publishing work that we amazing.’
Festival Flash like and enjoy reading,’ said creative A successful CAAB title would
Fiction Competition director Chrissy Brown. ‘Regardless be a great story, well-edited. ‘A few
is ‘The Prime of
of the genre. We are not a big twists, a bit of human interest and
Life’.
Enter flash fiction company, so that means we can if you can make us laugh or cry,
up to 500 words, look at a work and see the love that you will get our attention.’
interpreting the has gone into it and not have to Currently CAAB is looking for
theme in any way, spend time worrying if the author children’s fiction. ‘At the moment
in any genre. is a big enough name to warrant we are only open to shorter books
Prizes are £200, our time. Our brand mission is for kids (around 20,000 words)
£100 and £50 book to help writers to get their work or anthologies. But, once the
tokens. Entry fee, out there and to be a part of the submission page is reopened we
£5; closing date, 25 will take sci-fi, horror, romance,
wonderful journey that leads to
September.
Website: www.
brilliant stories being published. (nothing pornographic) fantasy,
talfestival.org/ We work very hard to market the comedy, and fact-based work. We
flash-fiction- books we accept and we believe in are even glad to see mixed genres.
competition-2021/ every one of them 100%.’ It is all very exciting to us.
CAAB set up at the beginning Chrissy advises potential
The 2021 Pulitzer of 2020. ‘Many of us are writers,’ writers to keep an eye on CAAB’s
Prize for Fiction said Chrissy. ‘We understand the newsletter. ‘Although we have had
has been won problems faced by those wishing to temporarily close our books on
by Louise Erdich to get published, the awful scam manuscript submission, due to the high volume we were
for The Night
artists that try to take your receiving, that should change in a few months. It would
Watchman
(Harper). The money, vanity presses and all the other issues with being be worth any writer that might want to submit, signing
Pulitzer, perhaps published, plus the major hurdle of being noticed in a sea up to our newsletter as we will announce the reopening
the most of new books. So, to combat this we set up in February of of our submission page in there.’
prestigious literary 2020 – just before the pandemic hit. It was great timing Chrissy’s best advice is that when it comes to
award in America, as you can imagine. We struggled at the start to get our submitting, it’s really important to send an edited
comes with a name out there and the lack of events for booksellers and manuscript. ‘Really, it matters so much. Also, get some
$15,000 award. The authors has been a real problem, but we are finding other people to read your work before you submit it. Read it
judges described ways to promote our books and our wonderful writers.’ aloud and tape yourself then listen back to it, or ask a
the winner as friend to read your work aloud. It will surprise you to
CAAB is aiming to publish twelve titles each year.
‘a majestic,
polyphonic
‘That lets us concentrate on one book launch each month hear how your work sounds and you will spot errors and
novel about a and gives us a chance to focus on the work fully.’ parts that confuse the reader much easier.’
community’s After the pandemic, Chrissy is hopeful about the Chrissy hopes that the writers published by CAAB will
efforts to halt future. ‘I hope to see us working with more fantastic be proactive not just about their own titles, but those of
the proposed writers to get their work read by as many people as their fellow CAAB. authors. ‘All we ask is that you join
displacement possible,’ she said. ‘We would love to look at opening an in, and we ask all our authors to help each other out.
and elimination indie bookshop, where we can sell, not just our books That way everyone gets a team of people pushing their
of several Native but those of other writers that just want to see their hard work and giving each other a boost.’
American tribes work on a shelf, ready to buy. It is the dream of most CAAB publishes in paperback and ebook, and
in the 1950s,
authors and we would like to make that come true. We pays royalties.
rendered with
dexterity and also hope to look into producing scripts in the distant Website: www.caabpublishing.co.uk
imagination.’
‘When you’re
feeling a bit rough
More fool poets
and ropey, and There is a first prize of €1,000 and publication in the Fool for Poetry International
your mind is Chapbook Competition.
distracted, you The annual competition from Munster Literature Centre is open to new,
can’t absorb the
emerging and established poets from anywhere in the world. One of the winners
most highbrow
text. You’re not
will be a poet who has not previously published a solo collection (either full-length
there reading or chapbook).
Freud and Jung The winner will receive €1,000, and the runner-up, €500. Both winners will receive
and Lacan. A pop chapbook publication and 25 copies. The winning chapbooks will be published by
song can save your Southword Editions and launched at the Cork International Poetry Festival.
life. An episode of Enter manuscripts between 16 and 24 pages of poems in verse or prose.
Friends can change The entry fee is €25.
your life.’ The closing date is 31 August 2021.
Matt Haig Website: https://munsterlit.ie/

WRITERS’ NEWS
GLOBAL NON- GLOBAL BOOK MARKET

FICTION MARKET Owl Hollow Press
Brewing up ideas PDR Lindsay-Salmon
Gary Dalkin Owl Hollow Press is a US indie, ‘integrating the benefits of

traditional publication with new and emerging markets’. Open to queries
Good Beer Hunting describes itself as a critical, creative, and in February, June, and September they ask writers to carefully check the
curious voice in the world of beer. The company both publishes guidelines, then send ‘world-altering stories, both fiction and non-fiction’.
online writing about beer and works with ‘breweries of all shapes For genre fiction the team seek ‘romantic fantasy, mind-bending science
and sizes in order to create a better future for the craft’. fiction, dark urban paranormal, and horror’. Contemporary fiction could be
The GHB website features a network of collaborators that ‘historically-based contemporary work to modern love stories,’ and they ‘love
‘includes writers, photographers, and videographers in every to live vicariously through today’s teens and tweens’. Do not submit ‘picture
region of the US, the UK, and increasingly around the globe.’ books, short story collections, poetry, screen plays, erotica, memoirs, or
International editor Evan Rail notes that GBH ‘are always seeking religious/inspirational works.’
great international stories from outside the US and Western For non fiction the team are ‘mostly interested in topics related to pop
Europe.’ See his thread on Twitter: https://writ.rs/beertwit culture, geek culture, feminism, and where academia intersects with culture,
Then check out previously published stories at: www. for example ‘the role of superheroes on television, to society’s view of
goodbeerhunting.com/blog and www.goodbeerhunting.com/ vampires, to how blogging works as a history of our culture, to whatever
sightlines. Recent stories have included The Landscapes of Lager else a writer can think of.’ If in doubt send a proposal.
– Utopian Brewing in Devon, England, Let Them Drink Bread – For fiction submit by email a brief query letter and bio. Paste the first
Cocomiette in Isère, France and Gin Lane vs Beer Street – How One thirty pages of the book into the body of the email and put Query in the
Artist Captured a Pivotal Century in Our Drinking History. subject line. For non-fiction submit by email a proposal with a concise
Payment is $700 for features, $325 for mini-features up to, overview of the book, state why it’s unique and why you are the person
$200 for ‘Sightlines’ pieces, and $100 for shorter blog posts. to write it. Include an outline and sample chapter and paste all this in the
Initially send a pitch (stories don’t have to be exclusively about body of the email with Proposal in the subject line.
beer, but can cover food and travel as well) of roughly 250- 350 Response time is 6 to 8 weeks. Rights and royalties are discussed
words to [email protected] with the contract.
Details: Owl Hollow Press, email subs to: submissions@
owlhollowpress.com; website: https://owlhollowpress.com
Question sanity
The ‘Sanity’ contest from literary
journal MONO has a first prize of New horizons
£250. This year’s Horizons competition from Save As Writers marks the
Writers are invited to interpret the centenary of TS Eliot’s visit to Margate.
‘Sanity’ theme in any way they please, The Horizons competition from Save As Writers in Canterbury
or even ignore it. invites submissions of poetry and prose on the theme of ‘Horizons’,
Enter original, unpublished poems inspired by the idea that The Waste Land opened new horizons in
in any style or format, including poetry. The theme may be interpreted literally or figuratively, either
spoken word. The judge is poet Padriag Rooney. There are prizes of celebrating or reflecting on TS Eliot and his works, or interpreting the
£250, £100 and £50, and the winning poems will be published in the theme in a broader way.
April 2022 issue of MONO. In each category there are prizes of £200, £100 and £50. The poetry
MONO launched this year as a literary journal dedicated to dark category will be judged by Eleanor Perry, and the prose category by
humour and brutally honest reflections on ordinary life that straddle Amy Sackville.
melancholy and humour. Submit poetry up to 60 lines, and prose up to 3,500 words.
Poets entering the contest may submit up to three poems for £6. 10% The entry fee is £3 per poem, £8 for three and £4 per story, £10 for three.
of the entry fees will be given to Poetic Voice, a Brixton-based charity The closing date is 31 August. Website: https://saveaswriters.co.uk/
that uses poetry as a tool to empower young people across the UK.
The closing date is 1 September.
Website: www.monofiction.org/poetrycompetition
Mass appeal
En Bloc is a British magazine publishing fiction,
poetry, art and photography. The editorial team A new Twist
enjoy a wide range of styles and subject matter
and are willing to consider almost anything. They The Charles Dickens Museum, located in the author’s house at
have a mission: ‘to challenge the traditional praxis 48 Doughty Street, London, has a new exhibition celebrating the
of literary magazines and their unreasonable writer’s most popular novel, Oliver Twist. The exhibition promises
demands, hoop-jumping and exploitative lack of to delve deeper into the world of Oliver Twist than ever before,
compensation’. They want to ‘provide a platform and ‘through a wonderful selection of letters and illustrations,
to writers, poets, artists and photographers across the world in which postcards and photos – including a provocative artwork by artist
the sole arbiter of acceptance is the quality of their work, and not Cold War Steve … look[s] at the inspirations behind this incredible
how much they can pay in submission fees.’ tale.’ There will also be a new self-guided walking tour with
Submit online using their system. Works of art and photography are accompanying audio. The exhibition runs until 17 October. Find
sold on, with the creator’s permission, from the website and the creators out more at https://dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-events/more-
keep the profit. Response time is ‘slow’. Payment is ‘£35 per side’. oliver-twist-dickens-and-stories-of-the-city
Website: https://enbloc.co.uk
WRITERS’ NEWS
UK MAGAZINE MARKET
FLASHES
Consciously writing
The Indigo
International Wild Gary Dalkin
Nature Poetry
Award 2021 invites
poems about the
Conscious Being is a new UK-based digital quarterly fall outside of the 30–50
natural world, magazine and Medium publication for disabled women. age group please feel free
the environment, The digital magazine debuted in May and featured to submit as well, we will
wildlife and cruel ‘exclusive interviews with disabled women change makers, still consider your work
sports, up to 48 Tara Moss, Amy Kavanagh, Kate Stanforth and Hortense if we feel it is relevant
lines. Julienne,’ as well as ‘articles on the judicial issues and appropriate to the
Prizes are £200, surrounding survivors of domestic violence and what publication.’ Wanted are
£100, £75 and positives, if any, have come out of the pandemic.’ The stories, personal essays,
anthology issue had columns on accessible beauty, fashion, culture, reviews, advice blogs, and
publication. Writers
who are members
sex and relationships, travel and finance. You can preview interviews covering life, relationships, sexuality, fashion/
of League Against the first few pages here: https://writ.rs/conscious or buy beauty, art/culture, and TV/Movies.
Cruel Sports will a copy for £4. To pitch for the digital magazine version of Conscious
be eligible for the Editor-in-chief Elizabeth Wright writes that Conscious Being use the form at https://writ.rs/conpitch
£75 League Prize, Being is a ‘platform from which disabled women As well as your pitch include other examples of your
a League goodie can write about their experiences, contribute to the written work. Payment is reported to be £100 per article.
bag and anthology discussion around representation and ally-ship, and aid For the Medium publication follow the guidelines at
publication. in changing the narrative that limits and restrains our https://writ.rs/conmedium
The entry fee is £5; potential… Our values stem from a desire to create If you are already a Medium writer you can just write
closing date, 30
solid, sustainable change.’ your story and submit it in the usual way. Otherwise
September.
Website: www.
She is looking for contributors, disabled woman, as a first step email Elizabeth Wright at elizabeth@
indigodreams.co.uk primarily between the ages of 30 and 50, noting, ‘if you elizabethwright.net
Guy Kennaway
won the 2021 UK CHILDREN’S MARKET
Bollinger Everyman
Wodehouse
Prize for Comic
Maverick Books for children
Fiction for his
art world satire, Jenny Roche
The Accidental
Collector. He
receives a pig, Feeling it is ‘important for children to spend time with
a jeroboam and adults sharing and engaging over books’ Maverick Arts words. Anything with series potential will be a bonus.
case of Bollinger Publishing Ltd, based in West Sussex, publishes early When submitting, include a cover letter with
Champagne, and a readers, graphic reluctant readers, junior fiction and information about yourself and a synopsis which
complete set of the middle grade books. They also publish picture books but includes the ending. Send these together with either a
Everyman’s Library at the time of writing were closed to submissions of these. full manuscript or the first three chapters. If submitting
PG Wodehouse Check website for any changes. the latter you should mention whether you have finished
collection.
This publisher is looking for ‘something a little bit the manuscript. If it is not yet finished, submit a more
Also shortlisted
were: Ghosts, quirky… Sweet stories about fluffy kittens and lost detailed synopsis.
Dolly Alderton; puppies are just not our thing,’ say guidelines. The kind Format your manuscript as a pdf, doc or rtf document.
Between Beirut of writers they are looking for will be proactive and want Submissions will only be accepted by email. Include
and the Moon, Naji to go out to events and the like and will ‘write lots and your name and the title of the text in the subject line. If
Bakhti; Temporary, really, really, really want to be an author’. submitting more than one manuscript include them all
Hilary Leichter; If this is you… junior fiction submissions should be in the same email. You should receive a response within
Fake Accounts, aimed at a 7-10 year old age group and the word count six months.
Lauren Oyler; should be 6,000-18,000 words. Middle grade fiction is Email to [email protected]
and Destination
for 8-12 year olds and the word count is 18,000-55,000 Website: https://maverickbooks.co.uk/submissions/
Wedding, Diksha
Basu.
‘I was a voracious Positive steps for poetry

reader, but I never
saw the word A ‘Poems for Positivity’ interactive PossAbilities. a smartphone or tablet to access
autistic written in walking trail has been launched in With an aim of encouraging the animations and accompanying
a book, or autistic Heywood, Greater Manchester by people to ‘get moving in a more poems. A QR code can be scanned
girls. We had [Mark PossAbilities, a community interest positive way’ the idea originated at seven locations where you
Haddon’s] The company supporting people with when performance poet Tommy will find the address and the
Curious Incident
learning difficulties. Not only will Calderbank opened a drawer of what3words tag of all the poems.
of the Dog in the
Night-time, but the poetry be of benefit in what poems his mother had left him. He There is more explanation of these
we never saw has recently been very difficult reads six of these poems together terms on the website.
neurodivergent times when you have completed with a seventh written by William The trail is supported by GM
girls.’ the trail ‘you will have walked five George Scrivens who receives Walking and more information
Elle McNicoll kilometres, or 6,250 steps, and support from PossAbilities. can be found here: https://
burned off one and a half Mars The Trail is available via the gmwalking.co.uk/our-resources/
Bars,’ says Rachel Law, CEO of what3words app and you will need poems-for-positivity

WRITERS’ NEWS
INTRODUCTIONS
Writing Magazine presents a selection of current submission calls from hobby publishers.
We strongly recommend that you read back issues, familiarise yourself with their guidelines
before submitting and check websites for submission details.
have a HEA or HFN ending. Writers accepted issues (author interviews and reviews $25) and
for the anthology are paid royalties. The $5 per page for print.
closing date is 15 November. Website: https://splitlipthemag.com/
Details: email: [email protected];
website: https://violetgazepress.com/ New UK Bizarro fiction
publisher Ex-Parrot Press
Folkways Press is inviting essay submissions is inviting submissions for
for an anthology about mental ill health. its first publication His
The anthology is intended as a platform for New bi-monthly science fiction literary Soul’s Still Dancing – an
people living with mental illness, working magazine Sciencefictionery is open for anthology of work inspired
in the field of mental health and people submissions of fiction, poetry and articles. by Nicolas Cage. Send
affected to mental illness. Essays should be Submit original, unpublished short fiction original, unpublished short
discussions of mental illness, mental health between 300 and 5,000 in any subgenre of stories between 2,000 and
and circumstances and experiences related science fiction, poetry up to 40 lines and 3,000 words. Each accepted
to that. Writers of all ages and backgrounds articles up to 2,500 words. Payment is 3p per author will receive £25 and a copy of the
are invited to submit. Submit essays between word for fiction and £30 per poem. anthology. The closing date is 31 October.
2,500 and 3,500 words. Payment is $50 per Website: https://sciencefictionery.com/ Website: https://twitter.com/press_parrot
essay. Submissions close of 31 August. submissions
Website: https://folkwayspress.com/ Bath-based indie publisher
Split Lip Journal We Disturb invites
UK diverse romance has free submission submissions of stories that
publisher Violet Gaze windows in August will make readers uneasy
Press is inviting story and September, and for the next volume of Do
submissions for its next loves voice-driven Not Read This. The editors
Trope anthology, Fake writing, pop culture and honesty. Submit aren’t concerned about
Relationship. Submit memoir up to 2,000 words, flash fiction up stories that are trendy
stories on the ‘Fake to 1,000, fiction between 1,000 and 3,000 and not looking for content that involves
Relationship’ theme words, author interviews and reviews, and ‘politics, crassness, porn or stupid monsters.’
between 15,000 and 20,000 words, all steam poems. Only one submission per writer will Details: email: [email protected];
levels and all pairings welcome. Stories should be accepted. Payment for is $50 for online website: www.wedisturb.com
GLOBAL NON-FICTION MARKET

Chicken calls
PDR Lindsay-Salmon
The team at Chicken Soup anthologies need submissions for several The editorial team think the pandemic and various disasters in
anthologies. Take a look at the lists at the anthology page on the 2020 and 2021 mean the world needs more genuine humour, which
website. In urgent need of submissions are Chicken Soup for the inspired their ‘Humorous Stories’ anthology. Again the stories should
Soul: Grieving, Loss and Recovery: 101 Comforting Stories of Hope and be personal, perhaps about a humorous episode in a relationship with
Healing and Kindness Matters: 101 Stories of Compassion and Paying It a partner or spouse, a parent or child, a family member or friend,
Forward. Also the team want to make us laugh with humorous stories at work or at home that made everyone ‘laugh out loud’. For this
for an anthology. anthology only you may ask for the story to be published under ‘a pen
The grieving anthology wants uplifting non-fiction stories or poems name and/or change the names of the people in the story to protect
to help readers ‘grieve in their own ways and on their own schedule,’ the innocent (or guilty) and the writer’s identity.’
because there is ‘no right or wrong way’. They want ‘emotional and For all three anthologies remember that the story must be fact not
inspirational stories and poems to provide comfort, guidance, support fiction, no more than 1,200 words and written in the first person.
and peace to those who have lost someone close to them.’ There’s a ‘Every part of the story needs to be true.’ Check the format guidelines
useful list of questions to answer at the website. at the website and note that the editors want stories from as diverse a
The kindness title wants writers to think about: Compassion. group of writers as possible, including the LGBTQ community and
Decency. Humanity. Generosity. Understanding. Inclusion. The team people of all ethnicities, nationalities, and religions. This is important
believe that ‘if more people showed kindness and goodwill towards to the whole Chicken Soup ethos.
others, this world would be a better place. Kindness matters.’ They The deadline for story and poem submissions is 31 August.
seek heart-warming stories and poems about ‘people who have gone Response time is slow and the payment is $200 and 10 free copies.
out of their way to do something nice for someone else, even random Details: Chicken Soup for the Soul, PO Box 700, Cos Cob, CT
acts of kindness for strangers without being asked.’ 06807-0700, USA; website: www.chickensoupforthesoul.com
SEPTEMBER 2021 73
WRITERS’ NEWS
FLASHES GLOBAL BOOK MARKET

Team work
This year’s
Beechmore Books Jenny Roche
contest is for
creative writing Unsolicited non fiction book proposals commissioning editor establishes
on the theme ‘on every aspect of Irish life’ are invited personal contact and works closely
of ‘Perspective’, by Gill Books. They publish quite with authors to discuss publication,
whether fiction, a range of topics and are looking project ideas, proposal viability
non-fiction or for ‘stories that entertain, inspire, and manuscript development. The
poetry. illuminate, challenge, move and production, editorial, marketing,
The winner will motivate’. sales and distribution departments
receive £200 and
Proposals should consist of a then bring their teams into the
a year’s supply
of Beechmore
maximum 500 word synopsis, a publication arena and beyond.
Journals (12 contents table or chapter outline and Email submissions are preferred
books). The runner two sample chapters. Include also a although postal proposals will be
up will receive brief biography with your contact considered. If posting, include
£100 and six details, your qualification for writing a SAE if you would like your
months supply the book and the intended audience. work returned. The response time to
of Beechmore This publisher prides itself on the submissions is within three months.
Journals. publishing process being a team activity Details: General Submissions, Gill
Entry is free. The and aims to co-ordinate and optimise Books, Hume Avenue, Park West,
closing date is 25
the talents of both authors, editors and Dublin D12 YV96, Republic of
September.
Website: https:// all others involved in the production, Ireland; email: [email protected];
writ.rs/beechmore distribution and support services. The website: www.gillbooks.ie/write-for-us
Ali Smith has

won the inaugural
Pleasure of US MAGAZINE MARKET
Reading Prize, in
recognition of her
body of work. The Laughter is the best medicine
prize, sponsored
by Bloomsbury PDR Lindsay-Salmon
Publishing, was
launched to The American Bystander is put together by an editorial magazine. The team accept essays, first-person accounts,
mark the tenth team who believe that ‘in a dumbness-forward era,’ there memoir, and premise-driven humour pieces, for those
anniversary of is a need for ‘if not an antidote, at least an alternative’. slots and the main feature.
charity Give a Book. They want the magazine to be ‘therapy on a species-wide Simultaneous submissions are welcome with the
The £10,000 prize scale’. They publish material in the tradition of the great usual proviso, but not reprints or multiple subs. Submit
money will be split humour magazines like National Lampoon, SPY, The online to the correct section and all submissions should
equally between Ali Realist, MAD, Punch, Private Eye, etc and want writer include a brief cover letter plus a short bio. Save work
and a Give a Book
and cartoonists to work in those veins. as doc, docx, or pdf files.
charitable project
of her choosing. The team accept submissions year-round on a rolling Response time is ‘slow to reasonable’ depending on
basis and so are seeking work now in the form of short the time of the submission. Payment ‘varies with size/
Sri Lankan writer prose, for the front-of-book section called Gallimaufry, type of material’ plus three print copies.
Kanya D’Almeida and for the one-pagers at the front and back of the Website: www.americanbystander.org
is the overall
winner of the
Commonwealth
Short Story Prize,
for a “captivating”
Let’s get digital
tale set in a
‘sanctuary for
The 2021 New Media Writing Prize is inviting entries stories, poems, narrative games, or transmedia work using
the forsaken’, I of storytelling written specifically for digital delivery words, images film or animation. Work might be created
Cleaned The—. She and reading. via word processing, social networking tools, the web,
received £5,000 for The 2021 New Media Writing Prize categories are: augmented reality software, mobile phones, or any other
the overall prize, • if:book UK New Media Writing Prize: £1,000 way that enables digital storytelling.
along with her • The Writing Magazine Student Award: The winner Entries should not consist of text-based work that
£2,500 as regional receives a year’s free subscription to Writing Magazine or has been uploaded to a web page or disc without any
winner. a free WM Creative Writing Course. WM editor Jonathan interactive elements, or slideshows of images uploaded to
Telfer is on the judging panel. Flickr, or videos uploaded to YouTube.
‘Publishing is
• The FIPP Digital Journalism Award: Prize TBC. Each entry should include an active URL or clear
such a rich, easily
spoofable world.’ • The Opening Up Award (chosen through public instructions on how to view (ie download instructions,
Zakiya Dalila Harris, voting): £500 app access code) and a brief bio.
whose debut Enter digital storytelling where interactivity is a key The closing date is 26 November for all categories
novel The Other part of the experience. Entries should be written for except the Writing Magazine Student Award, which is
Black Girl satirises delivery and reading/viewing via Mac, PC, the web, 17 December.
workplace diversity tablet or smartphone, and may consist of novels, short Website: https://newmediawritingprize.co.uk/
efforts

UK BOOK MARKET
Diversity matters
Tina Jackson
Headed by author, broadcaster and diversity activist June Sarpong, HQ Creative Inclusion
Lab is a new HarperCollins imprint for underrepresented voices.
‘We’re excited to publish fiction and non-fiction from new writers from
underrepresented backgrounds and can’t wait to nurture them in their writing careers,’ said
June. ‘Our mission is to increase representation and inclusivity.’ Novel
Ideas
HQ at HarperCollins has long been an advocate of inclusion and all forms of diversity.
It has published three books by June, who is a champion of creative diversity in the
media and beyond: Diversify, The Power of Women and The Power of Privilege. ‘It was only
Small moments
a matter of time for us to come together and create what we believe will be a huge step
forward in publishing,’ she said.
HQ CIL hopes to publish up to six titles in the first year. ‘We are open for submissions
matter
all year round and want to encourage writers to submit their work as and when they can.’
Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything HQ CIL do. ‘We want to see
writers from underrepresented backgrounds grow and thrive in their publishing careers,’
said June. ‘This includes working with each writer we agree to publish to recommend
suitable literary agents for their future publishing. We will also work together with writers Why yearn for another writer’s
to identify potential film and TV agents. Added to that we hope to increase representation
behind the scenes with our team, our partners and our freelancers.’ life, says Lynne Hackles
Submissions are warmly welcomed. HQCIL is open to receiving submissions across
many genres, though it doesn’t publish cookery books, children’s books, graphic novels, For the last three years, Christen
poetry, fantasy, young adult fiction, and science fiction. Mandracchia has taught a course at the
‘We want to receive work that has commercial potential both in fiction and non-fiction,’ University of Maryland called Business
said June. ‘We will read every submission, and submissions are judged by the HQ Editorial of the Business, a course founded by her
team and me on their potential for success.’ co-teacher, Mitchell Herbert. ‘This teaches
HQ CIL has a mission to support new writing across commercial genres. ‘HQ CIL is a home theatre students how to have a career in the
for writing talent, creativity, and boldness. We see this as an incredible opportunity for writers who arts,’ Christen says. ‘Part of this class has
have perhaps felt overlooked or ignored,’ said June. ‘We seek new works previously unpublished in always been to research someone they admire
any format. Also, diversity and inclusion do not need to be the subject of the submitted materials. and do a presentation on that person’s life,
If underrepresented writers have a story to tell, are unpublished, unagented, and have always had a the obstacles they faced, and the ways that
passion for writing and publishing, we want to hear from them.’ they identify with that person’s strategies for
To submit, send a single document including name, contact details, the title of the work, a success. There’s certainly a benefit to reading
brief synopsis, a short biography, and three chapters from the manuscript up to 10,000 words other people’s stories, except for one thing
HQ CIL will publish in various formats, and offers an industry-standart contract with that I’ve noticed in the last year or so – my
an advance. students are measuring their success against
Details: email: [email protected]; website: https:// celebrities. They are waiting to make it big
harpercollins.co.uk/pages/hqcil or get discovered.’
Christen and I agree that there’s nothing
wrong with wanting to be famous, but
Christen asks: ‘What if there was a book
where a person just has a steady career in
the arts? What if this person accomplishes
this, despite professional and personal
obstacles? What if, instead of students
thinking that they have to move to
London or New York to have a career in
theatre (where they often go bankrupt
whilst waiting) they learn how to create
opportunities for themselves? They learn
Advice for an alien that there is epic-ness and wonder in
Oliver Jeffers announced the winners of Transform Trust’s children’s writing competition. small moments of artistic and personal
More than 6,000 pupils from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire took part in the competition transformation? Would they become more
The theme came from Oliver’s book Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, which he patient? More tenacious? More confident
wrote during lockdown to make sense of it all for his new baby. In response, Transform Trust in their own trajectories and timelines? I
created a Transform alien called Tralis, and invited school children to write letters of advice if think so.’
he decided to visit Earth. In many ways writing is like acting. Many
The four winners were Chloe (Early Years), Janita (KS1), Maisie (LKS2) and Mohammed wannabe writers want fame and fortune. They
Siraaj (UKS2). want to win awards and write best-sellers.
‘The first thing that impressed me is that our Trust values – Respect, Kindness, Equality They want to be the next JK Rowling or
and Creativity - are evident across ever entry we received,’ said Transform Trust CEO Stephen King. If they mention to me that
Rebecca Meredith. ‘That is truly remarkable and just goes to show how exceptional our they want to be like, or write like, someone
young people are today and how aware they are of the issues we face as a community and else I always tell them to be themselves and
further afield. I am so proud of the lengths our staff go to provide such wonderful learning use their own voices. Be happy with what you
opportunities for the children.’ are doing and achieving. Relish every small
moment. They add up.
www.writers-online.co.uk SEPTEMBER
DECEMBER 2021
2020 75
WRITERS’ NEWS
FLASHES GLOBAL AGENCY MARKET

Find the right group
Periscope Literary
is holding a Flash Jenny Roche
Fiction Competition
on the theme of A New York based literary agency and publisher, The Book Group produces a
‘Genius’ with a first range of books for all readers and has a commitment to ‘fostering the careers
prize of £800 and of writers from a diverse range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences’.
a second prize of Amongst its publications are ‘book club favourites, best selling thrillers, fantasy,
£200. Enter 400- horror and young adult classics, inspiring memoirs and beloved cookbooks’.
word stories. The
To begin this journey to publication email a query letter along with ten sample
entry fee is £6. The
closing date is 30
pages of your proposed book. Include everything in the body of the email as
August. attachments will not be opened.
Website: https:// It is important you pitch to the right agent and it is advised you visit the ‘Our
periscopeliterary. Staff‘ section of the website to find the best one for your book. You may submit to
wordpress.com more than one agent but mention this in your query letter.
Submit your proposal with the name of the agent you are approaching in the subject line. After
Maggie O’Farrell’s a bounce back response you will be contacted within three months but only if your book is to be
highly acclaimed developed further. Email to: [email protected]
most recent novel Website: www.thebookgroup.com
Hamnet, about
Shakespeare’s son,
is to be turned
into a film with
the screenplay
GLOBAL LITERARY
being written by
Chiara Atik, who
MARKET
previously co-
wrote the script Coffee time Help for writers
for the currently
in production big
PDR Lindsay-Salmon If you have had at least two works commercially published and are
screen adaptation
of Jess Walter’s
suffering financial or personal problems which are preventing you
Beautiful Ruins. writing the Royal Literary Fund (RLF) may be able to offer support.
Sam Mendes, who To be eligible for help you will need to complete an application
directed the screen form and provide details of your income and expenditure. As you will
adaptations of need to pass a criteria of literary merit you will also need to provide
Road To Perdition copies of published work. This should not be self published works or
and Revolutionary ‘books stemming from a parallel career as an academic or practitioner’.
Road, will serve as Examples of who and how the RLF has previously helped writers can
a producer. be found on the website.
Hilary Mantel has
When an application is received arrangements will be made to discuss
won her second your application and your circumstances with you. A Committee
£25,000 Walter meeting, held eleven times a year, will then make a decision and you
Scott Prize for will be informed immediately of that decision.
Historical Fiction Better Than Starbucks started life as an For an application form email a comprehensive list of your
for The Mirror & international poetry journal, a monthly publication credits to: [email protected]
the Light, eleven magazine which also produced a print edition For more information on the Royal Literary Fund, its grants and
years after Wolf as well as digital e-book versions. This year pensions, fellowships and other resources see: www.rlf.org.uk/helping-
Hall took the the journal became a quarterly, publishing on writers/applying-for-help
inaugural award.
the first of each of February, May, August,
Also shortlisted
were: The Tolstoy
and November and the editorial team aim to
Estate, Steven publish longer works. A very big win
Conte; A Room Currently the editorial team are seeking
Made of Leaves, full length poetry or fiction manuscript US author Susan Choi has won the
Kate Grenville; submissions, 90-110 pages, including front £30,000 Sunday Times Audible Short
Hamnet, Maggie and back matter, like TOC, a forward or Story Award, the world’s richest short
O’Farrell; The introduction, credit pages, etc. Read the work story prize, for Flashlight.
Dictionary of at the website to see what the team prefer and ‘I’m truly stunned to have won this
Lost Words, Pip check the guidelines. award,’ said Susan. ‘The short story is my first love and first
Williams.
Submit a completed doc or docx manuscript heartbreak – I started writing novels because I could never get
‘The primary duty by email: [email protected] a short story right. So to have these judges I admire so much
of literature is to Response time is ‘up to 90 days.’ Payment suggest that I got this one right, and to be in the company of
tell us the truth is by royalties ‘paid quarterly, via Paypal. The these fourteen extraordinary authors on the longlist, and part
about ourselves by amount of royalties ‘to be determined based of the history of this remarkable prize, is an honor I never
telling us lies about on the length and associated cost of the book, could have imagined. No disrespect to the integrity of Andrew
people who never retail price agreed on, etc.’ All this is discussed Holgate, but when he told me I’d won I thought he might be
existed.’ with the contract. pranking me.’
Stephen King Website: www.betterthanstarbucks.org

WRITERS’ NEWS
INTERNATIONAL
ZINE SCENE by PDR
Lindsay-Salmon
Pipe Wrench is a unrestricted by literary conventions.’ They are

thought-provoking neither genre nor literary specific. Writers are
bimonthly, encouraged to sign up for the zine, which is
publishing ‘one core free, and read work before submitting. There
longform story and are no hard and fast word counts. the strangeness, reading what is published,
a constellation of other pieces interpreting Submit a pdf or doc file by email: and enjoying the satire. The sole editor offers
or reacting or spring-boarding off it.’ [email protected] no submission guidelines, does not want a
The lead article is 4,000 to 7,000 words, Response time is ‘after two months’. Payment cover letter, and claims to accept ‘anything
preferably on ‘an idea most readers have never is $20 for ‘exclusive rights for three months.’ - Art, Writing, Photography, Sculpture,
thought about before,’ accompanied by ‘a Website: www.mccoysmonthly.com ANYTHING.’
piece of short fiction, a musician’s playlist, Submissions are always open, he’s not
and an essayist telling a personal story…. Three Crows Magazine is fussy about formats and he promises to reply
plus ‘An interpretation from a visual artist.’ a quarterly science fiction ‘within two weeks’. Issue themes are entirely
Submissions are open year round for the and fantasy magazine optional but are announced on Twitter, @
‘core longform story and a constellation of published in the Ukraine. bcgazette. ‘Just go be strange and have fun.’
conversation pieces’. Work should be ‘in It publishes short stories of email subs to: [email protected];
a range of styles and media that interpret, no more than 4,000 words, Website: www.welcometobearcreek.com
react to, or springboard off the core story.’ book, film, and video game
The team want ‘Longform nonfiction with reviews, plus interviews Tangled Locks
a strong narrative and a critical lens, 4,000 with writers, editors, and influencers in the Journal is a new online
words plus, that take readers on a journey world of SFF. They believe that ‘literary literary journal with
beyond the ‘Who-What-When-Where, and fantasy and science-fiction give a chance to an editorial team
that dig deep into the Why.’ reflect on real life, to analyse it, and propose a committed to ‘sharing
There’s a form at the website for writers to way to solve the conflicts.’ complex, well rounded
suggest a conversation piece. Response time is Submit stories of ‘dark and weird fantasy, stories, poetry and
‘within thirty days’. Payment for conversation horror, and sci-fi, with complex characters essays that define the
pieces start at $150, payment for core stories making morally ambiguous decisions.’ They experience and lives of women’. The team feel
start at $1,500. Pitch core subs to: pitches@ like hard SF and ‘wonderfully poetic SF’, that ‘Too often, women in stories are a plot
pipewrenchmag.com, otherwise online at fantasy as well as ‘magical realism…horror device designed to move the male protagonist
https://pipewrenchmag.com and New Weird stories that would challenge along on his journey.’
our preconceived notions and perception of The team plan on four full issues a year
FunctionallyDead is reality.’ Submit through the website: http:// and intend to provide feedback on work
a US humour website threecrowsmagazine.com and pay their writers. They also intend to
magazine. The editorial Response time is ‘up to 45 days’. Payment create visibility for works published through
team have a definite is 1¢ per word for ‘first world-exclusive serial social media. Video readings and Instagram
slant and are ‘interested and electronic rights, translation rights, non- carousels may be created with suitable works.
in publishing short left- exclusive world anthology and audio rights for Submit online ‘complex stories, poems
leaning political satire’, a year. and essays with a strong female point of
as well as ‘non-political view.’ They prefer literary work and love
comedy that speaks to the current moment’. Garden is a brand new zine with an editor ‘unexpected poetic language and a bit of
They also like ‘earnest non-comedic essays determined ‘to cultivate a safe space for all magic realism’. Prose, no more than 2,000
from a Leftist perspective.’ forms of literature, art, and writers, and to words, is welcomed in any form.
Pitch by email in the first instance, just act as a supportive patron’. They ‘believe in The team also produce monthly MoonBites.
a ‘brief summary and a title’. They read cultivating a diverse environment of content, MoonBites are short works of poetry or prose,
pitches ‘every other Wednesday’ and respond genres, forms, styles, and experiments’. no more than 300 words, which combine
on the Thursday. Be prepared to send the For poetry, submit 1-5 poems within one graphics and text. Work is produced in
completed piece by Saturday. Email pitches document. For fiction, keep work under response to a visual prompt. The author of the
to: [email protected] 10,000 words. Work is posted digitally and selected work for the month ‘will work with
Payment is US$50 per piece. ‘shared through social media.’ Once a year the the team ‘to design an Instagram deck’ and
Website: www.functionallydead.com stories are published in a special print issue. together promote the work on social media.
Contributors will receive two free copies of Up to eight original slides will be created
this issue. and provided for the writer to use. The team
Response time is ‘within one month’. always ‘publish and promote work on their
Payment is 2¢ per word for fiction, minimum website and social media accounts.
McCoy’s Monthly is a zine of the old school $25, and $25 per poem. Response time is ‘within four weeks of
where the editorial team encourage writers Submit through the website: https:// submission.’ Payment is $15 per published
to submit, read the work published and gardenliteraryreview.com piece and for MoonBites payment is ‘a
comment on it. Helpful and friendly complimentary consult on social media
comments are passed on to the author. Bear Creek Gazette is weird, wacky and fun. marketing.’
The team seek ‘original, unique writing Spend time at the website getting the feel for Website: https://tangledlocksjournal.com

WRITERS’ NEWS
FLASHES GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL MARKET

The environment for all
The Wild Atlantic
Writing Award has Jenny Roche
a €1,000 in prizes
for flash fiction Publishing fiction, poetry, essays and Fiction pieces should be a 250 words and
or creative non- non fiction including creative non- maximum 4,000 words and further Departments
fiction up to 500 fiction The Bear Deluxe Magazine the magazine’s aim of bringing which is a mix
words. The theme is a paying magazine published in new and diverse readers. Not of shorter pieces including news
is open and the annually and distributed across generally published are sci-fi, horror, updates, brief interviews and factoids.
only stipulation
America and abroad romance or crime/action stories. For Essays and creative non-fiction
is that the title
must contain
The magazine is a flagship project poetry there is a fifty-line limit and should be 750-4,000 words long and
three words. Each of Orlo, a non profit organisation 3-5 poems should be submitted there is more interest in pieces that
winner will get which supports a ‘dynamic and For non-fiction it is suggested go further than ‘walks in the park’
€500. The entry fee diverse dialogue about how we you first approach with a detailed or ‘relationship stories’. Personal
is €10 per story. relate to our environment’ bringing query letter, writing samples and narrative essays will be considered
The closing date is together writers, artists, designers, suggestions for artwork. The especially if they respond to a
30 September. scientists, entrepreneurs, readers, magazine contains several non-fiction specific theme in the magazine.
Website: www. observers and experimenters who are sections – Features , usually timely, Submissions should be made
irelandwriting ‘curious, critical and engaged with of 750-4,000 words, Reviews of 100- by email. You will only gain a
retreat.com
the people and places around them’. 1,000 words, Interviews of 1,500- response if your piece is to be
Bonnier Books has It is advised you have a look at 4,000 words, a Resource Page with selected for publication.
launched a new back issues of the magazine before opportunities for readers, 500-650 Email to: [email protected]
music imprint, making a submissions. Selected words, Stockroom with updates of Website: https://orlo.org/
Nine Eight Books, content can be read online. recently published material, 100- participate/
headed by Pete
Selby, for music
titles from artists
and writers with
GLOBAL HORROR MARKET
good access –
‘memoirs, social Things that go bump
histories, genre
explorations and
first-person oral
PDR Lindsay-Salmon
narratives’. Early
titles include an Creepy is a horror podcast and Reprints are allowed but no multiple
A-Z of Queen in the editor and his team want or sim subs.
November and a to be scared. They want to ‘see Submit one well edited story in
cultural analysis of what kind of darkness you have a docx file. Attach the story and
Britney Spears, in at your fingertips’ and want include the following information
2022, followed by
subs of various length stories for in the body of the email. The
memoirs by World
of Twist’s Gordon regular podcasts, and ‘31 Days story title, author name, exact
King and Lush’s of Horror’ in October, for which someone would actually say? word count, number of speaking
Miki Berenyi and a stories need to be 3,000 words Patreon stories should be 1,000 roles and if the narrator is male,
Bee Gees profile by and Halloween-themed. They also to 3,000 words, and the team need female, ambiguous, or gender fluid.
Bob Stanley. want longer horror stories for four stories each week which can be No cover letters or CV necessary.
Sunday production consideration. read in under 25 minutes. Sunday If you’re submitting a story for
New research Stories should be easy for one narrations are longer stories, 3,500 a special event or holiday like
from the National narrator to tell. There can be to 7,000 words. Remember that Christmas, or the October 31 days,
Literacy Trust
multiple speaking characters, but the something dark and horrible, which put that in the email subject line, to:
supported by
Audible has shown
whole story should ‘be consistent scares the listeners , will make a email subs to: creepysubmissions@
that one in four with how one person would tell a better story. ‘Feel free to push the gmail.com
children and young story with minimal back and forth boundaries of gore and horror, but Response time is ‘at least 1 to 2
people listen to dialogue.’ Always read the story out remember this is audio. Think about weeks’.
audiobooks. One loud. Does it sound like something the listener when you are writing it.’ Website: www.creepypod.com
in five children
and young people
said that listening
to an audiobook
Another Interview with the Vampire
or podcast gor
Formerly the basis of a 1994 sequels, the reported plan is to develop an expanded
them interested in
reading books. blockbuster cinema film starring Vampire Chronicles universe spanning many seasons
Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, now akin to the same network’s The Walking Dead and its
‘All the world’s a Anne Rice’s Interview With The spin-offs. Rice and her son Christopher will serve as
stage and most Vampire is about to become a TV executive producers, while the showrunner will be
of us are woefully show, debuting next year in the Rolin Jones, who most recently oversaw the current
unrehearsed.’ US on the AMC network. Given adaptation of Erle Stanley Gardner’s classic Perry
Sean O’Casey the novel spawned numerous Mason character for TV.

E L W RI
V T
IN
TR
GLOBAL SPECFIC MARKET
G
Find the right blend
Gary Dalkin
W
Fusion Fragment is a Canadian bimonthly speculative
N
K
fiction magazine launched in March 2020 in print and
electronic formats. Now on a bimonthly schedule, the title
O W-H O
is currently up to issue #6. The print edition is available
for purchase, but by default the electronic version is free to
download, though readers can make a voluntary payment
of any sum to help support the title. Download issue 6
here to get an idea of the sort of stories required: www.
Widen view
fusionfragment.com/issue-6/
The editorial team are looking for science fiction or Don’t be fixated on writing about future
SF-tinged literary fiction anywhere from 2,000 to 15,000 travel, suggests Patrick Forsyth
words. Any subgenre of SF will be considered, although
there is a preference for works that ‘lean towards slipstream,
cyberpunk, post-apocalypse, and anything with a little taste of the bizarre.’ ver these past Covid months travel has
O
Fusion Fragment also favours stories that are character-driven, and is more been in the news a lot; mostly for negative
likely to opt for a quiet, reflective piece than high adventure or comedy. reasons. Most travel writing is for travellers
Both previously unpublished work and reprints pay Can3.5¢ per word, and if people are not travelling then some
up to a maximum of $300 per story. Only one reprint will be accepted per of the traditional topics of travel – typically
issue. The editors are always interested in seeing work from marginalised the ‘this place is wonderful let me tell you why you
voices, so if that’s you and you feel comfortable doing so mention it in your should go there’ kind – may have less appeal. There
cover letter. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but be sure to withdraw your are real problems of timing too: a couple of days after
submission if accepted elsewhere. Germany announced that no one from the UK could
The next submission period is in September, but the dates hadn’t been visit, a feature in The Sunday Times travel supplement
confirmed at the time of writing, so check the full guidelines at www. recommended a visit to Berlin. Currently such
fusionfragment.com/submissions/ for exact timings and online submissions mismatches may be difficult to avoid.
in rtf. doc, docx or odt formats The opportunity of writing about difficulties and
For enquiries contact [email protected] potential solutions has been mentioned here before,
but recent coverage about travel may suggest other,
and even new, potential topics. The same edition of
Storytellers crossing formats The Sunday Times had a main feature about Portugal,
which is on the green list (or was at that time). It also
The Storyteller Series is a podcast with a print version mentioned: the ‘assault course’ of form filling and
of the stories too. The editorial team want to bring procedure necessary to visit a green zone county, the
back classic radio theatre and want ‘Engaging stories. joy of mask wearing on the beach, the labyrinthine
Real people writ large on the page. Anything that reads process of selecting suitable insurance, defining ‘extreme
with tension and excitement, though we have a strong circumstances’ (what is supposed to apply if going to an
preference for stories with a climax of some sort. Fiction, amber country), and the delights (and some difficulties)
non-fiction, memoir; it’s all okay.’ Read what’s published at the website and of travel within the UK, this coupled with coverage of
listen to the podcasts to see what the team like. a list of particular places from Skegness to Blackpool.
Subs are open 21st-28th of August, November, February and March. Most Perhaps the latter is a comparatively safe route to a topic
genres and styles are welcome; just remember the story has to work read if you hope to get published sooner rather than later.
out loud. Simultaneous submissions and reprints are accepted, but multiple Advertising seems to continue, albeit with phrases
submissions are not. like ‘book now and change later’, ‘we’re ready when
Submit in doc or docx, stories of 7,000-10,000 words. In your cover letter you are’ or ‘it’s time to cruise again’. Maybe the best
include a brief CV with any expertise that is pertinent to the story. Response route for many a travel writer is to look further ahead
time is ‘within three weeks’. Payment for the Full Cast Audiobook is $50 for or avoid current problems altogether. For example,
audio rights and non-exclusive print rights. Work chosen for print only piece a good deal of travel writing features the history of
pays $25 for exclusive worldwide electronic rights for 120 days. places, which can involve the place, the people and go
Website: www.storytellerseriespodcast.com right through to individual buildings. Looking back
can, of course, also involving writing about past events;
yours or other people’s.
WM writers give freely Check your past writing. For instance, an article,
When This Is All Over, a charity anthology in aid of Rennie perhaps limited to 1,000 words or whatever, might
Grove Hospice Care edited by WM Creative Writing Courses prompt memories of additional events that space
tutor Jan Moran Neil with Adrian Spalding, has been published. prevented from being included, and that could form the
When This Is All Over includes poems and prose narratives from basis of something new.
the experience of lockdown and the pandemic, and features The physicist Niels Bohr said ‘Prediction is always
contributions from WM staff, contributors and tutors. More difficult, especially if it’s about the future’. True. As ‘non-
than half of the 220 writers included in the anthology are WM readers who normal’ times continue perhaps one answer is just to
responded to the call for submissions after reading about it in the magazine think more broadly, not to get exclusively hung up about
and online. All the services have been given free of charge and Creative Ink current problems and maybe use this time to widen the
Publishing paid the printing costs as part of its donation to Rennie Grove. kinds of thing that fall into your travel writing category.
Copies of When This Is All Over are available from Amazon, with all If writing is a creative process, and surely it is, now is a
profits going to Rennie Grove Hospice Care. good moment to put that to the test.
SEPTEMBER 2021 79
WRITERS’ NEWS
FLASHES
The Lancaster One

Minute Monologue
competition invites
entries of original
monologues
that can be read
aloud in one
minute or less.
The best entries
will be performed UK LITERARY MARKET
in November
in Lancaster
Library (date tbc).
Eyes on the flies
Each writer may Tina Jackson
submit up to four
monologues. Entry
is free. The closing Fly on the Wall Press is a socially conscious independent writing groups and literary festivals.’
date is 31 August. publisher based in Manchester. Fly on the Wall Press titles should be thought-
Website: www. provoking. ‘I love a book to start discussions about class,
‘We publish socially conscious novels, short story
atticusbooks.
co.uk/monologue-
collections, poetry collections and anthologies which gender, power dynamics and political structures. If the
competition.html predominantly fundraise for charity,’ said managing book doesn’t make me think, and analyse the character
director Isabelle Kenyon. ‘Each title has a politically- relationships long into the night, it’s probably not a Fly
The Romantic engaged message to communicate and so we champion on the Wall Press title.’
Novelists international diversity and powerful voices!’ Fly on the Wall’s annual reading period for novels
Association is to Fly on the Wall set up in 2018 when they published (up to 75,000 words), novellas (up to 40,000 words),
hold a members’ their first anthology, Please Hear What I’m Not Saying – a poetry chapbooks (up to 32 pages) and collections (up
vote about poetry anthology of 116 voices, fundraising for Mind. to 70 pages) and short story collections (up to 40,000
organisational ‘This was my first publishing enterprise, wanting to words) is open until 9 October. ‘We do expect writers
restructure. A
work with poets internationally on a common cause, to have read at least one of our books in the calendar
statement from
the RNA notes in order to develop relationships with the writing year in which they are submitting. I have heard people
that chair Imogen community,’ said Isabelle. ‘However, I didn’t realise that say to me in the past that they don’t want to purchase a
Howson and vice- this community would want further titles and to be book from us in order to submit, and that’s absolutely
chair Jean Fullerton involved with what became Fly on the Wall Press going fine, but unfortunately that does mean that I personally
‘are no longer forward. That year, we published another anthology, don’t want to invest my time and money in them for
willing to stand for Persona Non Grata, fundraising for Shelter and Crisis the next two years, if they don’t want to even invest in
re-election owing Aid UK. The way I approached this project was much an ebook for the price of a coffee, which would give
to the extreme, more sophisticated, having set up proper distribution them invaluable insight into the styles that we actually
unreasonable publish. I can’t stress enough that it is the writers who
and established relationships with printers and designers.
and unrelenting
pressures of the
In 2019, I set out to publish individual writers, having have previously read and digested one of our titles who
job’. Both roles taught myself book design and tonnes about the truly understand the works which we want to publish
are unpaid and publishing industry through trial and error.’ and see in our inboxes. There are writers who submit the
voluntary. The Since then, Fly on the Wall Press has been twice manuscript and then buy a book, which is great, they
options members shortlisted in the British Book Awards for Small Press then have a book to read, but they likely find that their
will be voting for of the year 2020 and 2021. ‘We have a reputation as own manuscript could have done with some tweaking
in August are a an accessible and ethical publisher,’ said Isabelle. ‘I now and that the opposite order may have been preferable.’
root-and-branch work more or less full-time in the publishing press, so Fly on the Wall Press has a unique identity and
restructure or the the journey has been everything people ever dream about Isabelle is looking for like-minded authors.
RNA ceasing to
in terms of building up their own business.’ ‘Make sure you want to be part of the family,’ she
continue in its
current form. In 2021, Fly on the Wall is publishing eighteen titles. advises. ‘As a small press, you’re predominantly going to
‘Realistically, in 2022 I would like to scale this back to be working with me and so you should go about your
‘One of the many twelve so that I can focus on vast PR campaigns and submission with that in mind. For example, naturally
gifts that book hopefully, Covid-willing, in-person events,’ said Isabelle. I hate an email that begins “Dear Sirs”, and equally, I
give readers is ‘2022 would be the first year of us publishing novels and don’t want to read a submission cover letter which tells
a connection novellas, so a big push for the publishing press in terms me why I should be honoured to publish said writer.
to each other. of being visible in bookshops and libraries with these, The publishing process at Fly on the wall Press is based
When we share and very much making physical events happen again, around positive communication and mutual respect for
an affection for a the other’s opinion. You could even talk to some of our
engaging with the local communities in Manchester and
writer, an author
or a story, we
further afield.’ authors via social media to get some advice or even some
also have a better In terms of submissions, Isabelle is looking marketing tips.’
understanding for unique, engaged voices. ‘A distinctive voice Fly on the Wall Press publishes in paperback and
of people unlike is important – we are not interested in people ebook. Authors receive free copies of the book and 30%
ourselves. Books attempting to emulate styles or topics which we have in royalties. ‘Three times the recommended royalty rate
cultivate empathy.’ already published – and a sense of confidence in their from the Society of Authors. We are sometimes able to
Sarah Jessica writing, having been involved in writing communities. provide advances when funded by Arts Council England,
Parker The most engaged and knowledgeable authors are such as in 2020.’
almost always those who attend open mics, feedback Website: www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk

M Y W R I T I N G D AY
Rebecca Schiller
The author tells Lynne Hackles about writing her
memoir during lockdown and through a breakdown
R
ebecca Schiller’s plan was to write her permission so I might as well be brave. The pandemic
memoir, Earthed, steadily over the first six made it all harder but I hope the end result is better for
months of 2020 but life on a smallholding, it and know that the creative process has been hugely
lockdown and a diagnosis of ADHD meant rewarding for me.
her plans had to change. ‘The ADHD tendencies are a help and hindrance. It’s
‘My natural process is to spend a lot of time thinking, the ADHD drive, energy and dogged pursuit of a shiny
procrastinating, researching and concentrating before writing new idea that helps me move from spark to book proposal.
most of a book in an intense burst during the six weeks Divergent thinkers are often very creative and see the world
before the deadline,’ she says. ‘For this one I’d organised differently. However, I also have the procrastination issue,
everything in order to be able to do three days a week on the emotional dysregulation which makes these intense and
the book. However, with a focus on the mental health personal projects stressful. The other double-edged sword is
diagnosis and lockdown starting in March, the landscape the ADHD tendency to hyper-focus which can be incredibly
was very different from what I’d hoped. Much of my other useful in getting things done and being thoroughly absorbed
work was cancelled so I was pitching frantically to editors in them. If I try hard enough I feel like I can see the whole
as a journalist, trying to postpone the Mothers Who Write book like a living organism from beginning to end.
retreats I run and picking up more individual writing ‘I’ve now written five books though one, a children’s non-
coaching work too. fiction book, isn’t out until spring 2022. My first, All That
‘My husband and I shared the home-schooling duties. I Matters, was part of a series of ebooks for the Guardian and
wrote in the mornings and in the afternoons I’d have the before Earthed I wrote Why Human Rights in Childbirth
children and do smallholding tasks. My desk was moved Matter (Pinter and Martin) and Your No Guilt Pregnancy Plan
into the bedroom, the quietest part of the house during (Penguin Life).
lockdown. I bought noise cancelling headphones and trained ‘Earthed tells a personal story of our move to a smallholding
the kids that a purple ribbon on the door handle meant to make life better and, instead, having a destructive
“Only disturb Mummy if something is on fire.” breakdown that led to my diagnosis. There are layers of
‘The ADHD diagnosis I received in February 2020, and history and fiction as I turn to the women of my plot’s past
the medication and understanding that followed, helped to understand the human impulse to have a patch of earth
me work in a more methodical way. I plugged away at the to grow things on and to understand myself. I wrestle with
book regularly, and did a huge amount more research than some the of the brutal legacies of the land’s past whilst taking
planned. Yet, once again, it was the last six weeks where it all comfort in the beauty and organised chaos of the natural
came together. For the last month I worked for 12-18 hours world. It’s a book about living through a time when the world
a day, almost every day, which was only possible thanks to outside and inside your head feels volatile and the complex
my husband and parents. tangle of good and bad that can lead to.’
‘I can work flexibly around the smallholding commitments.
Ideas arrive and tricky writing problems get solved when I’m Website: www.rebeccaschiller.co.uk
outside working. The repetitious movements of sowing and
growing, the physical exertion and time spent with animals WRITING PLACE
occupies enough of my thoughts to let my creative brain run
off happily and unchecked. ‘I’m looking forward to having a beautiful writing space
‘I’m glad I included the first seven months of 2020 in the looking out at my old oak trees when time and funds allow.
book but it wasn’t easy trying to process life as a person and I’ve written in our bedroom, the kitchen and at the dining
as an author at the same time. Early readers’ most common table. There’s a messy desk in a dark corner upstairs but
response was how honest the book was. I feel sure that this there’s a view of tree branches through the tiny window and
is connected in part to writing alongside the experience as it I get to see the garden birds hopping and flying. I always
happened rather than through the lens of time passing. make sure I can see a slice of the outside world. Sometimes
‘I made choices to bring in fiction, poetry and other it’s our newborn goat kids or a glimpse of my cut flower
imaginative sections that I’m not sure I’d have made in garden or frosty oak trees in winter.’
more normal circumstances. It felt as if I’d been given

NOTES FROM THE MARGIN
THE
EGO-BUSTERS
Lorraine Mace finds she’s not the only
writer whose friends and family seem
determined to prick her balloon
W
ow! When I suggested readers write to won a local competition, her sister asked if she had been
me about their experiences of weird the only entrant. Her mother said she would never be a
and wonderful things said to them poet. With the many successes she’s had, she’s proving her
because they write (Sour Grapes, WM mother wrong.
July) I expected a few emails. What I Kim, who shares my surname, but isn’t a relation, says: ‘I
hadn’t anticipated was the deluge of anecdotes – some funny, wrote short stories to escape a difficult childhood situation
some sad and some straddling both. If I haven’t used your and my English teacher suggested writing should be my
experience in this column, fear not. I will be writing another future career, unlike friends and family who told me
one on this subject in the not too distant future and your what a waste of my time it would be as I am not a writer.
turn will come. Fortunately, I now have a supportive husband who has
Ann Palmer was told all artists are selfish by a new encouraged me to write.’
neighbour when she learned Ann was a writer. An instant Dvora Waysman, an Australian-born, Israeli author of
conversation-stopper. fourteen books, now aged ninety, had an amusing phone call
David Hough was at the Swanwick Writers’ Summer after her last novel, Searching for Sarah, was published. The
School, waiting to meet friends prior to lunch, when a lady lady gushed: ‘I am so glad to see that you have a new book.
approached who’d recognised him from a talk he’d given. I thought you were dead years ago.’
‘Have you actually had books published?’ she asked. ‘Yes,’ Roy Brazier, who writes as Tommy Ellis, is also a
he said. ‘I’ve had thirty novels published by independent musician, so regularly gets a double dose of (as he puts
presses.’ ‘Really?’ She took a step back, looking amazed. ‘But it) properjobitis. Apparently, nobody buys CDs at gigs
I thought you were a NORMAL person.’ anymore, so he starting selling his books. He is often
Patrick Forsyth says: ‘I was never able to persuade asked: ‘What’s your day job?’ His answers vary between
my (late) wife how much time it takes to get back into ‘What’s a day job?’ and ‘The same day job as popstar/
things following the simple words: Can you pause for a famous author of choice.’ However, the weirdest thing
moment? And, rather different, I once arrived at a large that happened to him wasn’t something anyone said,
chain bookshop to give a short talk and sign books bought but what they did. He played at a nudist camp and sold
afterwards (hopefully), introduced myself at the counter and books afterwards. ‘Where did they keep their money?’ he
was told: Oh yes, Patrick, you’re history. Actually the spot I wondered. ‘They didn’t have any pockets!’
was to speak from was set up in front of the history section Stephen Jansen told a close friend that he was changing
and it all went well.’ the ending to his novel. The friend (who needs enemies?)
Amelia Pasch, like me, has a problem sister when it comes said: ‘Whatever, it’s not as if anyone is going to read it.’
to believing we’ve researched thoroughly before writing. ‘My It seems Stephen needs to rethink his friendships because
novel Murder in Mind is set in renaissance Florence,’ she when another friend suggested the title for his first-ever
said. ‘In it, I wrote about a football match of the time. My published short story (which earned him £2 pounds in
sister told me there was no football in those days. She was a zine) on publication, he demanded 50% of the fee.
wrong, but I could not persuade her of that.’ Stephen says: ‘I did the typing, paid for the envelope and
Gill Hawkins loves writing poetry, but has had to put stamp and used my printer.’ (Apparently the friend can
up with some very patronising comments, such as, I walk again now, but children are out of the question.)
used to write little rhymes with my dad or I won a poetry I’ll leave you with something Anne Wilson has been asked
competition once, when I was about eleven. She tries to far too frequently (as have so many of us): ‘Are you writing a
laugh these off, but it isn’t always possible. After Gill bestseller?’ Her response is ‘Errr…’ Mine is: ‘If only!’

Mslexia
Fiction
Competition
2021
‘Is this my life, or my neighbour’s conflated with mine, or
a life I have dreamed and prayed for; is this my essence,
twisting into a taper’s flame, or have I slipped the limits of
myself – slipped into eternity like honey from a spoon?’
Hilary Mantel, The Mirror and the Light, 2020
Your passport to publication

Novel winners and finalists go on to be
published at the highest level – visit
mslexia.co.uk/submit-your-work/reader-
success-stories for recent achievements
Winners and three finalists of both Short Story
and Flash Fiction categories will be published
in Mslexia magazine
24 Short Story and Flash Fiction finalists will
be published in the inaugural Mslexia anthology
Best Women’s Short Fiction 2021
mslexia.co.uk/competitions
[email protected]
(+44) 191 204 8860
NOVEL SHORT FLASH

For novels of at least 50,000 words by
women who are not yet published as
novelists
STORY
For complete short fiction of
FICTION
For complete short fiction of
1st Prize: £5,000 up to 3,000 words up to 300 words
1st Prize: £3,000 1st Prize: £500
JUDGES
HILARY MANTEL JUDGE JUDGE
MARIANNE TATEPO A L KENNEDY JUDE HIGGINS
JO UNWIN
www.writers-online.co.uk
CLOSING DATE FOR ALL CATEGORIES: 20 SEPTEMBER 2021
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Writers
Bureau 32 Years of
Success
Members of
ITOL and NAWE
published by Peoples Friend Pocket and to write about subjects, and for www.facebook.com/thewritersbureau
Novels with Could It Be Murder? and Ulverscroft Large markets, that I would never have considered. www.twitter.com/writersbureau
Print with Second Chance with a Playboy, Could It Be Although it’s only been nine months since I started email: [email protected]
Murder? and Murder in Castle Cove. Plus, I’ve had a the course, I have earned £500 from writing and
short story printed in Woman’s Weekly. So far, I’ve I’m awaiting further payments.”

earned £1,200.” Charlotte McFall

Mike Smith EE921
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G HELPING YOU BECOME A BETTER WRITER

QUEEN Lisa 09>

Jewell 9 770964 916273

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ASK THE EXPERTS BESING

60 Research tips: Recording research findings

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The world of writing

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Which linguistic abuses or mispronounciations (yes, we

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Postcard from the edge The pleasure of a pen

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November 1921: 100 years ago November 1931: 90 years ago

• US manufactuer Dupont launched

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• Singer Natasha Bedingfield was born.

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November 2001: 20 years ago

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