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Talent
search scoops the cream of crime writers
A unique hunt for exciting new
crime writers has netted a clutch of dazzling stars.
 Crème
de la Crime – who describe themselves as Britain’s newest
and most innovative crime publishers – put out a call for
master story-tellers to submit the synopsis and 10,000-word
opening for a gripping crime novel. The Search for the Crème de
la Crime attracted hundreds of submissions from all over the
globe.
Adrian Magson |
Linda Regan |
Maureen Carter |
Penny Deacon |
And amongst the 20 who’ve been
offered development places are writers from Australia and Hong Kong,
Writers' News columnist Adrian Magson, campaigning
newspaper editor Don Hale, actress Linda Regan, former BBC
Newsnight presenter Maureen Carter and Mills and Boon
best-seller Penny Deacon.
"The response to our Search
was amazing, far beyond anything we could have imagined,"
said Iain Pattison, Crème de la Crime managing director.
"Our reading panel had to work flat out to cope! We
didn’t realise there was so much talent out there. And to
attract writers with such high profiles is a wonderful boost for
us."
During the coming months the
company’s Top 20 will have the opportunity to work with an
editor to hone and polish their manuscript to a razor’s edge.
Those who succeed in producing a thrilling, edge-of-the-seat
novel will be published. The first three Crème de la Crime
novels will hit the shops this autumn, with a further three
coming out next spring.
"We all have a lot of hard
work ahead," said editorial director Lynne Patrick,
"but with such brilliant raw material, the finished
products are going to be sensational."
Full details of the company’s
development writers are on the web-site at www.cremedelacrime.com.
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Just
Do It: a pep talk for writers
By Alyice Edrich Okay, here is the low
down on writing and making a career of it. You have
to go through several rejection letters in order to get a
"Yes". And even when you receive a "Yes", you still have to go through rejections before you
get your next resounding "Yes". Rejections hurt and sometimes they can suck the creativity right out from
under you, but you have to remember that everyone receives a rejection
letter at one time or another – even the best authors in the world still
receive rejection letters. The only way you will ever succeed is to write,
edit, submit, wait, and start all over again the next day, and the next day,
and the next day. If you really hate rejection slips and feel querying publications is a
waste of both your time and your energy get out of the writing business,
because, truth-be-told, there is no way around it. Whether you bid on a
writing project for a small or corporate business or send a query letter to
a small or large publication, you'll have to endure both rejections and the
waiting game. You'll have to wait to hear whether your article was accepted or rejected.
You'll wait to hear if any edits need to be done. You'll wait to find out
when your payment has been sent, and you'll wait to hear when your article
will be published. The only way you (or I) will ever become the accomplished, well-respected
authors we hope to be is by getting out there and "just doing
it". And to help you psych yourself up for reaching freelance writer success, I've
included the following "Just Do It" tips:
- When doubt creeps in as it often will, Just Do It!
- Make yourself a daily (or weekly) goal sheet and find someone to keep
you accountable. Just Do It!
- Write one query letter a week. Just Do It!
- Tailor each your query letter towards a minimum of five publications.
Just Do It!
- Don't have postage stamps this week? Send your query letter via
email [as long as email queries are accepted – Ed]. Just Do It!
- Write something every day. It doesn't matter if you're writing a goal
sheet, a letter to an editor, a letter to a friend, an apology note, an
entry in your journal, a sentence in hopes of turning it into an article, or
a paragraph for the book you're working on. Just Do It!
- Never give up. No matter how many rejection letters you receive, don't
give up. It's at the moment you're ready to throw in the towel that a break
with come through and some editor will want to publish your article. Just
Do It!
- Turn rejections into learning lessons. Did you receive a rejection
letter in the mail? Read between the lines. Is there anything useful that
can be used to help better your writing? Was there an invitation to send
another article idea? Take the time to write something this week. Just Do
It!
- Take the hint. Find yourself receiving far too many rejection letters
with notes about improving your quality of writing? Improve your craft of
writing. Get yourself to a writing class, writer's conference, or critique
group today. Just Do It!
- Break writer's block. If you find yourself experiencing a major writer's
block get out of the house. Find something fun and creative to do, and
don't forget to bring along a notepad and pen (in case something pops into
your mind). Just Do It!
- Believe in yourself. Don't second guess yourself, and don't wait until
your query letter is 100 per cent perfect. Just Do It!
No matter how many times you find yourself frustrated enough to walk away
from your dream of becoming a successful freelance writer, remind yourself
that every accomplished writer had to start at the bottom at one time or
another. Then pull out your "Just Do It" tip sheet and give yourself a pep
talk.
Alyice Edrich is the author of several work from home e-books, and the
editor-in-chief of a national publication for BUSY parents. Subscribe to
her free e-newsletter at http://thedabblingmum.com/joinezine.htm
to win a free book!
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