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

ONCE UPON A TIME...

The world of writing • A sad loss, a treasure rediscovered, maximising returns and punishing reviews – traversing the highs and lows of the wide world of writing

GIANT SLAYED

TEXTBOOK PUBLISHERS PLAN TECH TO CONTROL SECONDHAND MARKET

LETTERS

Contracted out (of cash) • Publishers prioritising their own interests can have massive financial impacts on authors, says Piers Blofeld

IDEA-ZAPPING • Maria Joannou offers strategies for going with your flow and coping with distractions that have helped her as a writer with ADHD

Get reeled into bookstagram • Award-wining bookstagrammer Julia Mitchell explores the advantages of creating content on Instagram in 2022

IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE DARK WOODS TODAY... • Acclaimed gothic novelist Lauren Owen talks to Tina Jackson about folk horror, Victorian vampires and the comforting nature of supernatural tales

COMMA chameleon • Comma abuse is one of the most frequent errors made by rookie writers. Author and grammar guru James McCreet provides a guide to correct usage.

Setting out your synopsis • A lot of writers fear putting their synopsis together, but Cornerstones’ Sarah Conkerton has sound advice on how to craft this crucial part of a submission package

GENRE SHIFTING • Just because you’re a non-fic author doesn’t mean you can’t also be a novelist, right? Why can’t we be both, argues Rosalind Moody.

SAARA EL-ARIFI • The debut epic fantasy writer describes how she fulfilled her childhood dream of creating magic by subverting genre tropes

Historical fiction

Always In Memory

Work experience • There’s only one way to find out if you can write something worth reading, and it’s learning on the job, says Adrian Magson

Shelf life • Thriller author Ruth Ware describes the five books that drew her into the world of dark academia that she explores in her latest novel, The It Girl

RUTH WARE

Your writing critiqued • James McCreet applies his forensic criticism to the first 300 words of a reader’s dark fantasy manuscript

Get the write idea • Get under the skin of your characters with these prompts and exercises to try right now

Get inventive • Be inspired by the innovative ideas of inventors in these writing group 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, tjackson@warnersgroup.co.uk

Phoenix Writing Group

SUBSCRIBERS’ NEWS • SHARE YOUR NEWS To feature in subscribers’ news contact: tjackson@warnersgroup.co.uk

EYES ON THE PRIZE • Amy Sparkes introduces the revamped Writing Magazine Children’s Book Prize

In the post • Think about the impact of receiving letters and cards in these creative writing exercises from Jenny Alexander

NEED PROMPTING? • Anything can work as...