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1 July 2019 - What's new

1 July 2019
  • ‘There's been a great democratisation of the world of poetry, In the past, it was seen as only certain kinds of people wrote poems, but now there isn't that same divide. There's all sorts of different forms: spoken-word poetry, Instagram poetry... Poets like Hollie McNish have taken off and are selling lots. But the average poet is not selling lots, that's a bit of a press distortion...' Jackie Kay, Scottish Makar (Poet Laureate) and author of nine books of poetry, including Fiere and The Empathetic Store, as well as fiction and memoirs, in the Observer. Our Comment.
  • Getting Your Poetry Published has some suggestions on how to get started with this. 'Don't even try to approach publishers until you have a collection-length amount of material to offer. Your chances will be much better even then if you can point to publication of your poems in magazines. Don't waste any time trying to get a literary agent to represent you...'
  • The Caterpillar Story Prize 2019 for the best story of no more than 1,500 words written by an adult for children aged 7-11 is open to all writers over 16. The entry fee is €12. The First Prize is €1,000 and Second Prize a week's retreat at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Co. Monaghan, Ireland. Closing on 30 September.
  • Other live Opportunities include the Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award 2020 and The Booklife Prize 2019.
  • An essential read for children's authors is Suzy Jenvey's special series for WritersServices, the four-part Essential Guide to Writing for Children. The first article looks at the all-important question of age groups and what you should be aware of in writing for each one. The second part is - Before You Write: What is My Story Going to be? The third part deals with Starting to Write and the fourth part is about Submitting Your Work to Agents and Editors. This series by a hugely experienced children's editorial director and agent helps you get started on your own story or develop what you're already working on.
  • Are you writing for children? Our Children's Editorial Services can help you get your work ready for publication or self-publishing. Have you found it difficult to get expert editorial input on your work ? Do you want to know if it has real commercial potential? Or are you planning to self-publish? Three reports and copy editing are available from our highly-skilled children's editors, including essential advice on age groups and vocabulary.
  • Our links: 'We are not in the publishing industry. We are in the entertainment industry.' A challenging view, Business Musings: Rethinking The Writing Business (Part One) - Kristine Kathryn Rusch; underneath the froth, these were books written by women who not only understood the ways in which women's lives were changing but who were eager to capture those changes on the page, Bonkbusters are about so much more than sex and shopping | Books | The Guardian; and why are strong, attention-getting titles so important for indie authors? (in fact all authors), The Indie Authors' Guide to Book Titles.
  • As well as our highly-regarded Copy editing service, which will help you prepare your manuscript for submission or self-publishing, we have Manuscript Polishing, which provides a higher-level polishing service, English Language Editing for those for whom English is not a native language, our new Writer's edit, providing line-editing, and Proof-reading. Get the right level of editorial support for your needs. Our low-cost services represent exceptionally good value - contact us to discuss what you want.
  • More links: the latest big book-to-screen news, Neil Gaiman's 'Sandman' Coming to Netflix; 130 submissions from 21 African countries - chair of the judges Dr Peter Kimani discusses what the prize has meant to African writing, 'Like placing a palm on the continent's pulse' - Dr Peter Kimani on judging the Caine Prize for African Writing; and I didn't try for an agent with my second novel, The Year of Dan Palace, because I'd been disillusioned about the traditional publishing business, Why Pursue Traditional Publishing? (Are There Enough Good Reasons?)
  • 'When I sit down to write a book, I do not say to myself, ‘I am going to produce a work of art.' I write it because there is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing.' George Orwell in our Writers' Quotes.