Writers Forum #99 January 2010

WELCOME
#99 JANUARY 2010
Writers
FORUM
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
4 HEADLINES 39 TALES OF MY GURU
Newsfront The latest in Hugh Scott’s mystery mentor
the world of writing want us to expand our
T
here’s a bit of a love theme to this issue with a feature
on the Romantic Novelists’ Association from Sue
7 AUTHOR MASTERCLASS vocabulary
The long and the short 40 RNA SPECIAL
Moorcroft; several other RNA members turn up in an
of it Debut author Cally The RNA strikes gold
article on using pen names by romantic novelist Sheila Taylor talks to Helen Hunt Member Sue Moorcroft
Norton, and our cover star is new author Cally Taylor who
about moving from short looks at the scope of the
was helped by the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme. Cally
stories to novels Romantic Novelists’
describes how useful she found her background in short
10 WRITERS’ CIRCLE Association in its 50th year
Your letters plus 42 NOVEL WRITING
stories and that’s the basis for Della Galton’s new series on
First Draft Book deal or bust! In a
making the move from short fiction to novels. 12 GETTING STARTED new column for the new
We’re launching a couple of other series for the new year.
Contact, contrast and year, reader Hazell Evans
Canny freelance Douglas McPherson brings his years of
conﬂ ict Barbara Dynes takes up our challenge
experience and sense of humour to a new feature-writing
shows us three con tricks 44 MOTIVATION
that will improve our stories Name games
column, kicking off with tips on pitching to editors. And
14 STORY WORKSHOP Romantic novelist Sheila
reader Hazell Evans takes over our Book Deal or Bust Penny Deacon helps a reader Norton on using a pen name
column. She emailed to say the column should continue
with her ﬁ rst story plus Word up!
– and then offered to write it. We’ll see how she gets on,
plus Quick Fix 46 KIDS’ BOOK WORKSHOP
but it’s encouraging that Hazell knows when to grab an
16 AUTHOR MASTERCLASS Baby steps into a
Research secrets Simon digital age Louise Jordan
opportunity. Here’s to a happy and prosperous 2010!
Beckett tells Anita Loughrey looks at the exciting
how he was inspired by a recent developments in
Write soon, Carl
visit to the Body Farm children’s publishing
18 FREELANCE MARKET 48 YOUTH COMPETITION
Writing for wine This month’s winners of
DON’T MISS THE NEXT ISSUE
magazines Adam £30 plus dictionaries
ON SALE THURSDAY 7 JANUARY
Carpenter talks to top 50 WRITING COURSE
Writers’ Forum welcomes articles from both new and established editors in the market Novel writing tool shed
writers. To receive a full set of our current guidelines, send a blank plus Diary of a Della Galton’s new series
email to guidelines@writers-forum.com for an automatic freelance hack helps you step from short
reply. We reserve the right to edit any article or letter received. 20 THIS WRITING LIFE stories to novels
Please note that Writers’ Forum does not carry book reviews. Short story success plus Writing Outlet
with Linda Lewis Janet Cameron looks at
Writers’ Forum ADVERTISING SALES
Select Publisher Services Ltd
HOW TO FREELANCE First Time poetry magazine
AD SALES MANAGER Wendy O’Brien
PO Box 6337 EMAIL advertising@writers-forum.com
Pitching to an editor 52 BOOK MARKETING
Bournemouth BH1 9EH TEL 01392 873270 Douglas McPherson launches Push it Alison Baverstock
TEL 01202 586848
a new series with a look at on preparing for festivals
PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION
how to sell feature ideas 54 POETRY WORKSHOP
PUBLISHER Tim Harris CIRCULATION MANAGER Tim Harris
EDITOR Carl Styants PRODUCTION MANAGER John Beare
22 AGONY UNCLE On course for poetry
CHIEF SUB Wendy Reed IT MANAGER Vince Jones Dear Writers’ Forum success with Sarah Willans
The Editor – and readers – plus Poetry news
Photography and artwork SUBSCRIPTIONS
With thanks to Shutterstock Subscription rates (11 issues)
answer your writing queries 56 POETRY COMPETITION
COVER PHOTO Nicky Johnstone UK £33, EUROPE/ROW £46
plus The Quiz This month’s winners of
SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Chris Wigg How editable are you? £100 and dictionaries
© Select Publisher Services Ltd. No part of EMAIL chris@selectps.com
25 SELF-PUBLISHING TODAY 58 WRITERS’ DIRECTORY
this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a
The awkward bitch This month’s events, writing
retrieval system or transmitted by any means PRINTED BY
without the written permission of the publisher. Precision Colour Printing
guide to self-publishing courses and helpful books
Writers’ Forum cannot accept responsibility for Haldane, Halesﬁ eld 1 Siobhan Curham meets 62 COMPETITION CALENDAR
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30 INSPIRATION with Sally Quilford
are recognised. Every effort has been made to Writers’ Idea Store with 65 SUBSCRIPTIONS
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This month’s winners 66 WHERE I WRITE
featured within the magazine. British Library. ISSN 1467-2529 of £550 in cash prizes Glynis Scrivens invites us in
Writers
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