Fiction and poetry submissions invited for new issue of magazine
firstwriter.com – Monday January 23, 2017
firstwriter.com has just announced the launch of the latest issue of its long-running literary journal, firstwriter.magazine.
firstwriter.magazine has been published twice a year since 2002, making it probably one of the longest-running online journals on the internet. This 30th issue features the usual mix of quality fiction and poetry from around the world, plus the first chance to see not just the winning story from the Twelfth International Short Story Contest, but also all ten Special Commendations. You can view the magazine by clicking here. If you'd like to enter your work in the Thirteenth International Short Story Contest, click here.
San Francisco Writers Conference: Offers Nine Free Events in 2017
expertclick.com – Tuesday January 17, 2017
The San Francisco Writers Conference is an annual gathering that draws 110+ bestselling authors, literary agents, publishers, editors, and publishing industry professionals to the Bay Area. These presenters, from the West Coast, New York City, and beyond, come to the event looking for new talent, to share their expertise with the attendees, and do some quality networking themselves. At the SFWC attendees rub shoulders with the very people who help build writing careers.
Aphelion celebrates its 20th birthday
firstwriter.com – Saturday January 14, 2017
Aphelion: The Webzine of Science Fiction and Fantasy began it's run as a non-profit, free webzine promoting new and upcoming writers in February, 1997. On February 5th, 2017, Aphelion will celebrate the publication's 20th birthday. The magazine is still provided for free, and without ads or subscriptions. To mark this anniversary, the magazine will feature "Best Of" selections from throughout it's long history in each issue during the year, in addition to its usual fiction offerings.
Crowdfunded small-press prize announces inaugural shortlist
theguardian.com – Thursday January 12, 2017
A prize designed to reward “brave, bold and brilliant” literature from small presses that raised its purse from crowdfunding has announced its inaugural shortlist of eight titles.
The Republic of Consciousness prize was set up by award-winning novelist Neil Griffiths with a personal donation of £2,000. Open to imprints based in the UK, Commonwealth and Ireland, short-form and long-form fiction is eligible for the award, which splits the prize money between the winning authors and their publishers.
What to look out for in 2017 from independent publishers
irishtimes.com – Tuesday January 10, 2017
This time last year Sarah Davis-Goff of Irish publisher Tramp Press wrote an Irish Times article predicting success for independent publishers in 2016. She was right. Oneworld had a second Man Booker Prize winner in a row with Paul Beatty’s The Sellout, following their 2015 success, A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James. Two-man publisher Contraband had a Man Booker shortlisted bestseller in Graham Macrae Burnet’s His Bloody Project while Salt’s Belfast author Paul McVeigh won the Polari Prize for The Good Son. Independent publishing now has a reputation for being at the forefront of scouting out new literary talent.
Revealed: The line-up for Aberdeen’s new crime writing festival, Granite Noir
pressandjournal.co.uk – Sunday January 8, 2017
Some of the most celebrated talent from the Nordic Noir scene will join Scotland’s own Tartan Noir authors for Granite Noir, which takes place in the city from February 24-26.
Among the names from the Nordic Noir genre will be Norway’s Gunnar Staalesen, Sweden’s Kristina Ohlsson and Thomas Rydahl from Denmark.
Already announced as headliners are renowned crime writers Denise Mina and Christopher Brookmyre – as well as the north-east’s very own crime fiction stalwart Stuart MacBride.
Beaumont seeks 'under-represented' voices after move to Marjacq
thebookseller.com – Saturday January 7, 2017
Diana Beaumont is keen to seek voices currently “under-represented” in the literary community in her new role at the Marjacq Scripts literary agency.
Beaumont joined the Holborn-based firm this week from United Talent Agency (UTA), bringing her client list with her.
She told The Bookseller she was “thrilled” to be joining Marjacq at a time the agency was expanding, with her addition bringing the company’s number of agents to five.
Diana Beaumont leaves UTA as it winds down UK literary operation
thebookseller.com – Friday January 6, 2017
Literary agent Diana Beaumont is leaving the United Talent Agency (UTA) to join Marjacq Scripts Ltd, bringing her clients with her.
The move, which follows the departure of Juliet Mushens to set up her own agency with Robert Caskie and Sarah Manning's shift to the Bent Agency this week, has coincided with UTA's decision to wind down its literary operation in the UK, The Bookseller can confirm.
Rights Agent
jobs.thebookseller.com – Wednesday January 4, 2017
A wonderful opportunity to be a key player in a vibrant literary agency with a reputation for launching the careers of debut writers on a global level.
Madeleine Milburn Ltd is looking for a highly organised, proactive and dynamic Rights Agent to join the agency's Mayfair office. The successful applicant will be an avid reader, have excellent attention to detail, strong pitching skills and a willingness to get involved with everything at this boutique yet highly successful, expanding agency.
AllRomance.com's sudden closure hits authors hard
theguardian.com – Wednesday January 4, 2017
One of the biggest genre ebook distributors in the US has closed suddenly, leaving thousands of authors in the UK and US out of pocket. AllRomance.com and its sister company OmniLit are the latest casualties of the downturn in the market for digital books.
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