What it's like writing about sex for over 60s
stuff.co.nz – Monday August 21, 2017
I haven't lost my libido. Mislaid it at times, perhaps, but not completely lost it. Possession of a SuperGold Card doesn't swipe away the sensual senses and sensations of a good old burst of lust, or so they tell me.
But when you're a woman over 60, sex becomes a standing joke in stand-up comedy repertoire. It's OK for guys over 60 to talk about it, just not women. And especially not in front of the children, even though they've got their own offspring now and clearly know what it's all about.
Imagine the horror then, having a mother who writes about it.
Writing fiction takes quite a bit of courage – exposing aspects of yourself, your fantasies, your innermost thoughts. Writing sex scenes takes even more courage. And writing sex scenes for over 60s requires an extra layer of tact.
Can you teach someone to write a bestseller? Judging by the Faber Academy’s record, the answer is yes
standard.co.uk – Thursday August 17, 2017
With 62 publishing deals and a glittering roll call of alumni, it’s rapidly earning a reputation as the book world’s fame school. Patricia Nicol finds out its secrets.
New Magazine Listing
firstwriter.com – Thursday August 17, 2017
Publishes: Poetry;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred styles: Literary
For poems by women. Submit up to four poems, up to 200 lines total, by post only. Poems must be unpublished and not out for submission elsewhere. See website for full guidelines.
My fellow authors are too busy chasing prizes to write about what matters
theguardian.com – Wednesday August 16, 2017
There are at least two reasons why almost every anglophone novelist feels compelled to get as near the Booker prize as they can. The first is because it looms over them and follows them around in the way Guy de Maupassant said the Eiffel Tower follows you everywhere when you’re in Paris. “To escape the Eiffel Tower,” Maupassant suggested, “you have to go inside it.” Similarly, the main reason for a novelist wanting to win the Booker prize is to no longer be under any obligation to win it, and to be able to get on with their job: writing, and thinking about writing.
Poetry anthology for Grenfell Tower
firstwriter.com – Wednesday August 16, 2017
An anthology of poems is being compiled which respond to the Grenfell Tower tragedy:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenfell_Tower_fire
The collection will be published by Eyewear in December 2017.
'Lazy and sloppy': historical novelist Philippa Gregory's bizarre take on genre writing
theguardian.com – Monday August 14, 2017
In a bizarre miscalculation, the historical novelist Philippa Gregory took a sideswipe at the authors of genre novels in an interview with the New York Times yesterday. “Choosing to write a genre novel is like fencing the universe because you are afraid of space,” said Gregory, loftily. “Why does anyone write lazy, sloppy genre novels? The typing alone is so exhausting — surely if you’re going to undertake 150,000 words, you might as well have something interesting to say?”
Magazines: How print is surviving the digital age
bbc.co.uk – Sunday August 13, 2017
Print sales have been declining for several years as readers find their content online - but now, something unusual is happening.
When was the last time you bought a magazine?
The answer is likely to depend on whether you prefer reading about Theresa May or Taylor Swift.
Magazine sales have generally been falling since the day the inventor of the internet said: "Hey, why don't I invent the internet?"
But the latest ABC figures, released this week, show that sales of certain titles are actually going up.
New Publisher Listing
firstwriter.com – Thursday August 10, 2017
Publishes: Fiction;
Areas include: Fantasy; Romance; Sci-Fi;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred styles: Experimental; Niche; Progressive
Publisher launched in 2017, specialising in inclusive speculative fiction and romance.
We plan to release our first book in late 2017 and are accepting manuscripts.
New Literary Agency Listing
firstwriter.com – Thursday August 10, 2017
Handles: Fiction; Nonfiction
Areas: Autobiography; Culture; Historical; Humour; Military; Mystery; Nature; Science; Sport
Markets: Adult
Treatments: Commercial; Contemporary; Literary
New York agency, representing narrative nonfiction and fiction. No science fiction, romance, supernatural or young adult. Send query by email, specifically addressing an agent by name. For fiction, include the first few pages. See website for full guidelines.
New Magazine Listing
firstwriter.com – Wednesday August 9, 2017
Publishes: Essays; Fiction; Nonfiction; Poetry;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred styles: Experimental; Literary
Literary journal founded in 1987, publishing online only as of 2013. Publishes poetry and prose by authors from Hawai'i, the mainland, and around the world, on a rolling basis. Accepts poetry, short fiction, and personal essays. Encourages experimental narrative techniques and poetic styles. Send up to three poems or fiction or nonfiction up to 4,000 words, via online submission system.
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