Scribbling at Sea
By Lesley Middleton
firstwriter.com – Monday May 29, 2017
Successful author, Diane Janes is interviewed by novice writer, Lesley Middleton
Most people boarding a cruise ship are looking forward to sightseeing, socialising and, perhaps most of all, relaxing on deck soaking up the sun. Not author Diane Janes though – at least not whilst she's on board as a guest speaker. When she's not enthralling passengers with talks about famous authors and real-life crime mysteries, she uses her time on the ship to write her own books. There are few interruptions and plenty of food and drink readily available so maybe more writers should follow her example.
As a novice writer, I was thrilled to meet Diane on a recent cruise on P&O's Oriana. Diane is generous in her encouragement to new writers. She will happily chat to cruise passengers with ambitions to see themselves in print and has tutored several courses for would-be authors, despite never having had any ambitions to become a teacher. She very graciously agreed to being interviewed by me.
20 Writing Prompts To Jumpstart Your Summer Writing
bustle.com – Monday May 29, 2017
Summer is prime time for creative writing. With school on break and the sun shining, it's the perfect opportunity to get outside and put pen to paper. Maybe this summer you can finally buckle down on a big project, or perhaps you want to take it easy with some fun experiments.
When I was in school, I would always kick off every summer vacation by heading to my favorite coffee shop for a blissful night of writing for me. Summer means you can really have some freedom with your writing. This summer, challenge yourself not to hold anything back.
But even as exciting as summer writing is, I know that sometimes writing can seem impossible. We all have those days when nothing can come out. With hope, these writing prompts will get your pen moving and spark some ideas for your summer projects. And remember, just getting something (anything!) down on the page is already a huge accomplishment.
Poetry? Short stories? Maybe even a novel? No matter what kind of writing you prefer to do, these writing prompts are sure to get your creative juices flowing. Of course, feel free to adapt them in whatever way best springboards your creativity. Happy writing!
How Eleanor Oliphant changed a writer's life, and set the publishing world ablaze: an interview with Gail Honeyman
heraldscotland.com – Saturday May 27, 2017
GAIL Honeyman shakes her head, as if to shrug off the shades of a dazzling but unbelievable dream.
We are meeting in a cafe bar in the west end of Glasgow, where her debut novel, the source of that sense of slight but delighted bewilderment, is also largely set. Her book is entitled Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. It is a moving, funny, and by the end, devastating novel, and also a rare thing: a debut novel from Scotland which pitched the literary world into a kind of delirium. Ms Honeyman, 45, wrote the novel while she worked at Glasgow University - she created it, as many aspiring writers do, in snatched parcels of precious time - in the morning, in the evening, on holiday. But when it was complete, and in the hands of her agent, it ignited the publishing world. "It was a massive shock," she says.
Are Books A Bad Bet? Why Small Publishers Think They're A Winner
forbes.com – Saturday May 27, 2017
The book publishing industry has suffered more its share of hits in the past few years. But savvy entrepreneurs are taking advantage of quickly changing technology to start their own small publishing houses that are turning a profit.
5 ways publishers can (and should) influence the rise of AI
thebookseller.com – Wednesday May 24, 2017
The book industry has a key role to play in the development of artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence is about to eat the world, decimate all our jobs, hack our brains and eradicate the human race... according to many commentators. Fortunately we have time to avert this potential technical apocalypse, and book publishers and authors are in a good position to step up and play an important role.
Here are the top five areas where publishers can take a part in this key moment of technological and human evolution.
New Magazine Listing
firstwriter.com – Wednesday May 24, 2017
Publishes: Articles; Essays; Features; Fiction; Interviews; News; Nonfiction; Poetry; Reference; Reviews; Scripts;
Areas include: Adventure; Biography; Crime; Design; Drama; Entertainment; Gothic; Historical; Hobbies; How-to; Humour; Leisure; Literature; Photography; Politics; Psychology; Romance; Self-Help; Short Stories; Sociology; Spiritual; Theatre; Travel;
Markets: Adult; Family; Youth
We publish only unpublished pieces of art. Work published on personal blogs are however considered.
A new startup to introduce new poets and authors with an online journal published monthly. We are currently running an online journal. With time we have plans to switch to the print journal. However, the copyright stays with the author of the text. We have no problems with simultaneous submissions, so long as we are informed about the use elsewhere. And naturally, we shall inform you if and when your contribution goes to the press.
New Publisher Listing
firstwriter.com – Tuesday May 23, 2017
Publishes: Fiction;
Areas include: Short Stories;
Markets: Adult
Short story publisher aiming to put the short story at the heart of contemporary narrative culture. Stories should be between 1,500 and 8,000 words. No micro-fiction or novellas. See website for full submission guidelines.
Horowitz's UK publisher says it did not warn author off creating black character
thebookseller.com – Monday May 22, 2017
Anthony Horowitz's children's publisher, Walker, has said it would not instruct authors on whether or not to include characters of a different race or background in their books. Walker's assertion follows Horowitz's claim he was "warned off" by publishers from writing a black character in an upcoming book out of concern it would be "inappropriate" for him as a white writer.
Fast, Cheap, and Good: What Publishing Compromises Are You Making?
publishersweekly.com – Saturday May 20, 2017
When I worked in publishing in the late 1990s, my boss often repeated the business maxim, “Fast, cheap, and good—pick two.” This is the belief that it’s impossible to produce something of high quality very quickly and at low cost. Companies have to prioritize two of these and sacrifice the third.
New Magazine Listing
firstwriter.com – Thursday May 18, 2017
Publishes: Essays; Fiction; Interviews; Nonfiction; Poetry; Reviews;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred styles: Literary
Online LGBTQA journal publishing fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Subject matter need not be LGBTQA-specific, and writers from all backgrounds are welcomed. Submit fiction or creative nonfiction up to 3,000 words, or up to five poems (no line limit, but under 40 lines preferred), via online submission system. For book reviews and interviews, email editor with proposal. See website for full guidelines.
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