Vermont author says writing what you know isn’t always the best practice
mvtimes.com – Wednesday July 12, 2017
Jeffrey Lent takes a hammer to the popular advice for young writers, “Write what you know,” and shatters it. In his new book, “Before We Sleep,” 17-year-old Katey Snow goes on a journey of self-discovery. The story follows Katey, her mother Ruth, and her father Oliver in a tiny Vermont town in the 1960s as they grapple with the aftereffects of World War II.
Lent, who, to maintain transparency, is my uncle, has written numerous historical fiction books including “In the Fall” and “A Slant of Light.” He will be on a panel at “Islanders Write” on August 14, talking about how to write believable characters from a different gender. I sat down with him recently to talk about gender in literature, and why it’s important to go beyond what you know.
Got a great book idea but not a clue what to do? Here's a brilliant scheme to apply for
chroniclelive.co.uk – Wednesday July 12, 2017
The country’s biggest book publisher, Penguin Random House, is focusing on the North East as part of a nationwide search for untapped writing talent.
Newcastle is one of the three cities – along with Bristol and London – chosen for the second year of its WriteNow initiative.
This will result in 10 writers being chosen for a year of professional mentoring with the aim of getting their book published.
New Literary Agency Listing
firstwriter.com – Tuesday July 11, 2017
Handles: Fiction; Nonfiction
Areas: Business; Crime; Fantasy; Historical; Horror; Mystery; Science; Sci-Fi; Thrillers
Markets: Adult; Youth
Treatments: Commercial; Literary
Agency based in Colorado, representing fiction and nonfiction for adults and young adults. No romance, poetry, children's picture books or screenplays. Send query by email with first five pages of your novel (if sending fiction) in the body of the email. For nonfiction, a proposal must be available before querying. No attachments. See website for full guidelines.
Want to know the secret to writing a great crime novel?
irishtimes.com – Saturday July 8, 2017
Can You Keep a Secret? is the name of Karen Perry’s forthcoming novel. It is applicable to the content and action of the narrative of the novel but not to how it was written, or any other novel for that matter. Because there is no secret. No formula, no magic potion, and no short cut to what goes into the writing of a novel. And it doesn’t matter what genre we are talking about. It doesn’t matter whether the novel is a thriller, a mystery or a literary novel. Yes, that’s right, the literary novel is a genre, too. Each genre comes with its own codes and conventions, but that does not mean there is a formula.
5 Apps That Will Help You Finish Writing Your Book
inc.com – Saturday July 8, 2017
Authors are not immune to procrastination, nor to distraction. To write a book requires dedication and a consistent writing schedule, but any author will tell you that the kind of focus needed to finish something as long as a book doesn't come naturally. It's a skill that they have developed over time through continued practice.
Flipside launches green writing competition
ipswichstar.co.uk – Friday July 7, 2017
FlipSide, East Anglia’s leading literary and arts festival based at the Snape Maltings, has launched an enviromentally-themed competition aimed at writers of all ages.
10 Writing Strategies Any Aspiring Author Can Use To Win Camp NaNoWriMo
bustle.com – Thursday July 6, 2017
Tackling NaNoWriMo, but feel as though you need all the help you can get? I've got 10 winning NaNoWriMo strategies that any writer can use to make it to their 50,000-word goal. Even if you've never even heard of NaNoWriMo until right at this moment, I've got you covered.
When does a writer become a professional?
thebookseller.com – Wednesday July 5, 2017
At what point does a writer earn the right to declare they are A Writer without a self-deprecating smirk? When does a website of online fan fiction, run as a passion project, become part of The Publishing Industry? How many copies of your ebook do you have to sell before your mate, who sorted the cover, is A Bona Fide Book Designer?
New Magazine Listing
firstwriter.com – Wednesday July 5, 2017
Publishes: Essays; Fiction; Interviews; Nonfiction; Poetry; Reviews;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred styles: Literary
Submit up to five poems, or fiction or essays up to 7,000 words, by post or via online submission manager. For other material, send query by email to address on website. $2.50 submission fee. Accepts material September 1 to March 1, annually.
New Literary Agency Listing
firstwriter.com – Tuesday July 4, 2017
Handles: Fiction; Nonfiction
Areas: Fantasy; Sci-Fi
Markets: Adult; Youth
Treatments: Commercial; Literary
Specialises in the international and domestic representation of literary works in both fiction and nonfiction, including commercial fiction, literary, science fiction, fantasy, young adult and more. Send query by post or by email with a few sample chapters. Taking on very few authors as at July 2017. Check website for current situation.
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