Writing Magazine

The saying goes that “everyone has a story in them” and it’s the mission of Writing Magazine to help you get yours out. Brought to you by real experts who know what it takes to improve your writing or get published, this monthly magazine is a must-have for all writers. Whether you write fiction, poetry, drama, children’s books, non-fiction or anything else, each issue features tips, practical exercises and real-life advice, that will not only help you get all that creativity onto the paper but also, get your name and profile out into the industry. With writing masterclasses from professionals, industry news, events listings, competitions where you can submit your work for fantastic prizes and real paid writing opportunities, Writing Magazine has everything you need to hone and improve your talents.

WELCOME

Christmas can be murder • December is the perfect time for sitting in the dark and dreaming up seasonal crime scenarios. Here are tips for writing festive mysteries from bestselling Christmas mystery author Alexandra Benedict

STAR LETTER

Creative convalesence • Cornerstones’ Assistant Editor Sarah Conkerton discusses returning to writing after a long break, and how to get back into that creative mindset with the same enthusiasm

Stellar eclipse • Mega-bucks mega-authors and their powerful agents have tipped the balance of the royalty scales so far in their favour that there’s slim pickings for everyone else. Literary agent Piers Blofeld sets a case for redressing an unfair imbalance

How to get discovered • Find out how an idea evolves into a manuscript with appeal to agents and editors, with help from the judges of this year’s Discoveries Prize

LUCKY SEVEN • It’s all very well dreaming of your writing getting discovered, but what can you do to help ace it? Read on for our seven top tips for writers who believe in making their own luck happen.

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JOHN • John Irving, the author of much-loved 20th-century classics including The World According to Garp and A Prayer for Owen Meany, is back after a seven-year pause with the longest novel of his career. He talks to Tina Jackson about creating alternative families, being haunted by ghost stories, and the importance of taking the time a book requires to write.

TACKLING the TOUGH TIMES • Matt Hill speaks to Miki Berenyi, former singer with indie band Lush, and discovers how she drew on her second career as a sub-editor to craft a memoir that conveys the traumas in her life with eloquent emotional honesty

The twelve gifts of Christmas • Rosalind Moody reco mmends a gift for writers in each zo diac, but only if they’re on the nice list. Find the full list with links, at www.writers-online.co .uk/ how-to-write/gifts-for-writers

ANNIE KIRBY • The debut author’s breakthrough came when she understood that childlessness was the theme at the heart of her novel

Football Crazy

A date with destiny • Apply positive thinking to make 2023 a decisive year for your writing, says Adrian Magson

SHELF LIFE • Australian author Chloe Hooper outlines the five books that helped her understand her way as she wrote Bedtime Story, a book that is part memoir and part exploration of how children’s literature can prepare its readers to come to terms with grief and loss

CHLOE HOOPER

Your writing critiqued

Get the write idea • Explore changing dynamics in these creative writing prompts and exercises to try right now

Dream OR SCREAM? • Bring the world of dreams into your writing group’s practice in these exercises from Julie Phillips

CIRCLES’ ROUNDUP • If your writing group would like to feature here, whether you need new members, have an event to publicise or to suggest tips for other groups, email Tina Jackson,...