Newspaper Fillers

I don’t read many newspapers but they are often a good source of writing ideas and market opportunities. The Telegraph was brought to my attention by a writing colleague whose article won the weekly competition. The second one I found by accident when I bought the Guardian one Saturday.

There may well be many more such opportunities in newspapers; I just haven’t come across them yet!

The Telegraph

This an online competition to email a travel related piece of no more than 500 words. The prize is £200 in the currency of your choice from the Post Office. The site has a good list of previous winning articles so you can get a feel for the kind of thing they like.

Full entry details, terms and conditions can be found here.


The Guardian

The Saturday edition has a Family Life section, where there is the opportunity to send in your favourite Snapshot, recipe for We Love to Eat, or song for their Playlist, all revolving around family life or memories. They pay £25 for each one they publish (it’s gone down from what it used to be!).

Full details from the newspaper. Read some of those published on their website to get an idea of what they want.

Good luck,
Rosemary

Publishing with Lulu: Ann Burnett and Loving Mother

Perhaps it's not surprising that many novelists are turning away from conventional publishers, given the depressing stories we hear about the whole business.

One alternative publishing route is Lulu.com, the online publisher of a great variety of books. With Lulu, the author retains complete control of all aspects of their publication, from cover to text and the book is sold on the site. Authors also have the option to buy an ISBN number and promote their books through online sites such as Amazon. They may also buy editing services.

One author who took the Lulu option is Ann Burnett, who published her first novel, Loving Mother, with Lulu during 2008. The title is cleverly ambiguous and suits the theme of the mother and daughter relationship, which is very well portrayed.

It is an uneasy relationship, when the formerly married daughter, Janis, returns to live with her difficult mother. The situation is made even more fraught when someone from the mother’s past turns up and causes irrevocable change to their lives. Most mothers and daughters will identify with some of the emotions and fears the women experience.
I asked Ann about her publishing experience with Lulu.com

What made you decide to publish your book through Lulu?

I had written a book as part of my M.Phil course in Creative Writing and I felt it was a shame to have it mouldering away in a drawer in the filing cabinet. I had sent it out to a few publishers but with no success. Then I read a couple of articles in The Author and UK Writer (magazines for members of the Society of Authors and the Writers' Guild) about writers who had used Lulu. One made it sound so easy I thought that surely I could do that. So I did - except it took me far longer than I anticipated and along the way I had to learn an awful lot about the business of publishing.

Are you happy with the result?

Yes, on the whole. It's nice to see all my work in the form of a book instead of a pile of paper. I had to design the covers myself and as I am in no way artistic, it wouldn't pass muster by professionals. But I feel the cover photo represents an important aspect of my book and as such, I'm pleased.

How easy did you find the marketing of the novel?

I didn't. I had no idea about how to go about marketing it. I had postcards made giving details of the book and sent them out to libraries and in all my Christmas cards and I achieved some sales that way. But really, I can't say I've tried very hard to get it sold. In a way, I didn't aim for that; I only really wanted to see what my manuscript would be like in book form.

Would you do it this way again?

Yes. And this time I'd make sure I knew more about marketing.

Any tips for writers on using Lulu?

Proof read, proof read and proof read. Get as many people as you can to read it over and spot any typos etc. You'll be amazed at the number that are found. I read my book out loud, I read it from the back to the front, I checked and checked and still I've missed a couple of things. And do all this before you even think of putting it up on Lulu. If you can convert your files to pdf (which is what Lulu does when you upload your ms) then you can check what the layout will be like before it goes on Lulu.

As Ann added:
"Lulu has lots of possibilities. You don't need to write a book to use it. You can make albums of special family events, make books of bedtime stories you make up for your kids, publish your poetry, recipes, whatever you like. And it's not expensive."

Thanks a lot for that great insight into publishing with Lulu, Ann. Good luck to all who give it a go.
Rosemary

Children's Book Publishers

For those who are writing children’s books, there are two publishers I know of who are accepting unsolicited submissions. There are no doubt others but I don’t have up-to-date details for anyone else at the moment. A good book on children's writing is Linda Strachan's Writing for Children.

Little Tiger Press

Little Tiger Press is a publisher of picture books. Their website is lovely to look at and they have a good selection of books to explore. The age range is from 0-7 years and stories should be no more than 750 words. They must be sent as hard copy, rather than email. They seem to be keen on animal stories but have a look at their online catalogue to get an idea of what they publish.

Writers don't have to illustrate their own books when sending a picture book story to a publisher. However, Little Tiger Press also accepts unsolicited illustrations from those working in that field.

Piccadilly Press

Piccadilly Press accepts different types of children’s books. Picture books are for 2-5 years and should be from 500 to 1000 words. They mention that the books are 32 pages, which is quite normal in children’s books.

They also publish books for the 8-12 age range, with a variety of subject matter, especially everyday issues with humour. Teenage books should be for the 11-15 age range and are 25,000 to 35,000 words.

Piccadilly Press also publishes a range of non-fiction books for teenagers, mainly light-hearted in tone. They accept submissions by post or email.

Might be worth a try, especially when they are actively accepting new submissions. But remember to study their requirements first!
Good luck,
Rosemary

Shortbread Short Stories

The Shortbread Short Story website began a couple of years ago when bookseller William Thomson and Robin Pilcher, son of Rosamunde, wanted to showcase the short story. Some people might remember hearing about it at the SAW one year.

It has grown immeasurably over the last year, with well over 600 stories now online. You have to join the site to be able to submit stories or to read them. It’s easy and free to join, and well worth doing if you enjoy writing stories and have yet to find a market for them. I’ve only posted one so far but I’ll be considering it again. I know most of us want to be paid for our published stories, but sometimes a story just won't fit any print publication.

There is no payment, but there is the exposure of having your fiction published online, in some good company. Many of the stories have been selected and downloaded as an audio version. All kinds of short stories are welcome, including children’s stories. The author chooses which category their individual stories best suit.

There is a short piece by Rosamunde Pilcher on the website, about writing short stories. It might be a good site on which to gain some confidence in publishing short stories and, of course, you can read the other stories already there.

Like many other online sites, Shortbread is constantly growing and evolving, so this might be a good time to become involved.
Rosemary

Sweetwater Creek by Anne Rivers Siddons

It is good for writers to read different types of novel, as it stretches the imagination and shows the variety of styles used in published work.


Sweetwater Creek is a novel I read during a cruise holiday last year. I love picking a random book from the ship’s library and seeing where it takes me. I choose which one to try by reading the blurb on the inside or back cover. If the plot and setting sound enticing enough, then I start reading.

I rarely go by the first paragraph or page as I’m willing to give any novel a chance, if it sounds appealing enough! Occasionally, I have to give up if the story doesn’t hold me once I’m several pages in, but I’ve found some wonderful books this way which I otherwise wouldn’t have known.

Sweetwater Creek is one of the best novels I've read, yet it doesn’t have a very exciting plot, or big adventure or thriller elements. But the characterisation and descriptive setting are stunning. Although I knew nothing about the area, the Low Country near Charleston, I felt as though I'd been there by the end.

The story is quite gripping in an understated way. Twelve year old Emily is a lonely child whose mother has disappeared. Her favourite, book-loving, brother has died, leaving another huge gap in her life. Left on an ageing plantation with her distant father and two other hunting-mad brothers, where they raise and train the legendary Boykin hunting spaniels, Emily finds her own space accompanied by her constant companion, her own spaniel Elvis.

It is a magically descriptive setting and Emily has an almost mystical connection with the dogs, Elvis in particular with whom she mentally communicates. One of Emily’s favourite places is where the dolphins come in at certain times of the year, to Sweetwater Creek, and there is some lovely lyrical writing here.

But things are about to change. When older, more sophisticated, but troubled, Lulu Foxworth arrives on the plantation, from her own much grander estate, Emily’s father is bewitched into thinking she is a way into Charleston society. Lulu’s stay on the plantation both alarms and intrigues Emily and her sheltered life will never be the same again. Her magical world is about to become entwined with real life.

With a compelling story and beautiful writing, Anne Rivers Siddons brings twelve year old Emily to life and gives the reader a coming-of-age story that is emotional and memorable.

Flash Fiction Markets

There has been a huge increase in flash fiction opportunities over the last few years, and it’s a genre that seems to be getting ever more popular. As the name suggests, it is quick, short fiction. This can be anything from 50 words to a surprising 1000 words.

I’ve come across several markets - some paying, some regular competitions, and some just for fun. I’m posting as many as I can think of at the moment!

Txtlit: Text a story from your mobile phone in no more than 160 characters, including title, spaces and punctuation. There is a monthly theme on their website. It costs £1 entry, plus standard call charge (taken from your mobile) and the prize is £50.

CBA: An annual fiction competition for all Commonwealth countries. Maximum 600 words. Closing date for 2010 is 31st March. Free entry.

ReadingWriters: Regular competitions – the current one is for a story of no more than 500 words and the theme is ‘snow’. Hurry with this one as the closing date is 15th January. Free entry online.

Paragraph Planet: Just for fun. Email a 75-word paragraph which, if accepted, will be published online (I’ve had one on it).

Mslexia (women only): Regular flash fiction section, no more than 150 words. Current theme is ‘harness’, to be in by 12th February.

Leaf Books: Regular competitions on various themes. Current ‘Mini-memoir’ comp of up to 1000 words to be in by 15th January. Also ‘Writing about Writing’ comp for up to750 words (can be any genre on the subject of writing) – to be in by 31st January.

Art-inspired comp: Sponsored by the National Galleries of Scotland and ES Union etc. Up to 1000 words (or poetry) to be sent in by 22nd January. See website.

Good luck,
Rosemary

Crime Writer & Dundee International Prize Winner Chris Longmuir

I’m always inspired by writers who’ve won a major competition, or who have published their first novel. So, it is even better to speak to an author, Chris Longmuir, whose first crime novel was published after winning the prestigious Dundee International Book Prize 2009.

Dead Wood, published by Polygon during 2009, is an excellent novel by any standards. It was inspired by a real life murder case in 1970s Dundee, but it is a contemporary story with completely fictional characters.

A strong female protagonist, Kara is a memorable character who unwittingly becomes embroiled in a police investigation after she stumbles across the bodies of some murdered women in a wood. To add to the thriller element, Kara is also wanted by the local gangster, to whom she owes money, and her life is in danger from all sides. And with the gangster’s daughter being one of the murder victims, he is all out for revenge.

One of the strengths of the book, apart from its cracking story, is the characterisation of the gangsters which adds an interesting element to this crime novel.

Like many of the best actors, Chris Longmuir was hardly an ‘overnight success’, having written and published short stories and articles for many years. Not to mention the other unpublished novels hoping to see the light of day. So was her greatest success, so far, worth the wait? I asked Chris the following questions.

What has it meant to you, winning the award and seeing your first novel published?

“It was absolutely marvellous winning the Dundee International Book Prize. It was totally unexpected because I had assumed they would be looking for a more literary entry, and I don’t consider my work to be literary. What I want to achieve is a really good story, a page turner, and they don’t usually hit the literary button. All the feedback I’ve had from readers so far is that I have succeeded in my aim, which pleases me immensely. The money prize, although very nice, was not the main reason I entered the competition. It was the lure of publication, the thing that most unpublished novel writers want, to see their book in the bookstores. There is nothing quite like seeing your book smiling out at you from the shelves of bookshops. It’s like giving birth to a new baby after multiple miscarriages.”

Are you now looking for an agent? Or do you have one?

“I thought that finding an agent would be easy after winning such a prestigious award, and with a fast selling book that went through its first print run in less than 6 months. But it hasn’t worked out like that and I am still looking for someone to represent me.”

Any advice for other first time novelists?

“My main advice to other first time novelists is: a) take expert advice from relevant people, other writers or editors rather than friends and family, or even a literary consultant; b) believe in yourself and your ability; c) above all – persevere, don’t give up.”

Thanks to Chris for taking time to give such great answers to the questions. Dead Wood is well worth the read and certainly deserves to have won this major prize. I’m looking forward to her next novel.

Scottish Woman Magazine & Story Competition

I finally bought a copy of glossy 'Scottish Woman' magazine this month as I noticed there was an article on writing a best seller (if only it were that simple!) and I've been wanting to check the magazine out for a while.

Like many glossies, it has sections on fashion, beauty and health, food, travel and features - and a lot of adverts. I haven't read it in depth yet, but it looks quite a nice publication.

The 'writing a best seller' article includes tips from Jenny Colgan, Cathy Cassidy, JK Rowling and Lin Anderson. Then I noticed they are running a short story competition.

You need the entry coupon from the magazine (December 2009/January 2010 issue) and the closing date is February 26th 2010. The theme is 'Summer in Scotland', maximum 2000 words. Full details are in the magazine.

The prize includes a literary crawl of Edinburgh and 2 nights in an Edinburgh Town House. Sounds very good! You'll find the magazine in most newsagents and large supermarkets.

Good luck if you decide to enter,
Rosemary

Opportunities at Bridge House Publishing

Bridge House is a fairly new independent small publishing company which is specialising in good quality story anthologies. From children's stories, to teenage fiction, to adult short stories, there is an anthology collection to suit all kinds of fiction writers.

Gill James, the owner and editor, is very approachable and is particularly encouraging to new writers. Most of the anthologies contain a good mixture of professional writers and those at the beginning of their career. Gill is, however, very strict about the method of submission, which should be made by email. Her full instructions are on the Bridge House website.

One of their new ventures is the publication later this year of their first anthology for a charitable organisation. This will be a collection of animal stories for the Born Free Foundation, with a foreword by Virginia McKenna and a new story by Richard Adams. Unfortunately, it is now closed for submmissions but will be worth reading.

I'd suggest this is a good time to become involved with the company as the profile will most likely be raised considerably with the 'Born Free' publication.

For anyone writing short stories of any kind, and who hasn't yet been published, you could do worse than try submitting a story to Bridge House. Royalties are paid to all authors and the books are usually available from Amazon, WHSmith online and Waterstone's online.

I've had good feedback from the readers who have read the three children's anthologies my stories are in - so why not give Bridge House a try.

Good luck!
Rosemary

Writing for Online Sites

I've been reading a lot on different sites about how more and more print publications are folding, on both sides of the Atlantic. Whether or not it has been exaggerated, there is no doubt that online writing has taken off in a big way.

It seems to be the way forward, with new online sites appearing regularly. I took the jump to web writing back in May 2009, when I decided to join one of the best online sites, Suite101. This is a Canadian online magazine of many years standing which has a very good reputation. They now have opened up in Germany, France and Spain.

It has been a huge learning curve! Writing for the web has a whole new set of rules. But it's been one of the most rewarding things I've done for my writing career. Now, my Suite101 articles go straight on to Google and are accessed all over the world.

But first, it was necessary to learn about things like Keywords and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) when I became a contributing writer. Plus, I had to forget about long-winded sentences and paragraphs (not a good idea anyway). The layout for Web writing is usually in several short paragraphs, and article titles are straight forward rather than creative. The whole point is that people can find the articles by using search engines like Google.

It's not a 'get rich quick' way of writing - in fact some other online sites might pay per article. But Suite101 offers a residual type of income that accumulates each year. There are professional editors for each subject section so that grammar and punctuation are kept to a high standard. And we can write on any subject within their categories. Above all else, it's regarded as one of the friendliest, most helpful sites online.

If you like to write and want a place to publish your work, check it out at Suite101 - just be prepared to write at least ten articles in every 3 months, which is compulsory. It's quite addictive once you get started!

Maybe I'll see you there,
Rosemary

New Year, New Blog!

It's good to have a new challenge for a new year and this is one of mine. A new blog about reading and writing, my twin passions.

It seems to be generally accepted that to be a writer, it first helps to be a reader. I'd say it's almost compulsory. How can we write and try to be published without reading what's already out there, whether it's novels or magazine stories and articles?

So this is where I'm aiming to talk about books and freelance writing, whenever I get the urge. I love keeping up to date with market opportunities, so I'll include information when possible, or links to interesting sites.

The photo above is some of the old Agatha Christie books I have in my study - she was the first crime writer whose books I devoured one after the other as soon as I was able to use the adult section of the library. Still one of my favourites!

Happy reading and writing in 2010!
Rosemary