londondwritingworkshops.com

Archive for the ‘Places to Publish’ Category

I’m pleased to say that this lively and informative website is currently running a news item about the 2-year anniversary of London Writing Workshops.

Essential Writers offers heaps of practical information for those who write – whether for love or money – as well as a free author blog for subscribers, but what I like best are the reviews of writers’ websites (under the menu heading Resources/Websites). From glossy, highly commercial sites like David Almond’s to the more home-made efforts of sci-fi writer Ian Watson, it’s fascinating to see the different ways that writers choose to present themselves, and reviewer Judy Darley gives a clear-headed analysis. A site well worth book-marking. Here’s the link: Essential Writers

A  nice surprise this week when a little box turned up in the post from the University of Maine at Machias, USA. It was the latest edition of work from the Ultra-Short Short Story competition run by the university’s literary magazine, The Binnacle. Each 150-word story is printed on a matchbox-sized card with the author’s bio on the back. The whole collection of cards is encased in a nice blue box – a lovely little object.

At the other end of the scale, the Story website has news of  a new e-publishing venture called Ether Books which aims bring short fiction to people’s mobile phones. Two very different forms of publishing, although both ‘products’ can be held in the palm of the hand.

The People’s Book Prize looks like a worthwhile project. It aims to cut out the middlemen (and women) by offering readers a chance to promote the books they love. Each month there’s a vote, and the overall winning book will be declared in July 2010. Beryl Bainbridge is a patron.

Interesting to see their list of participating publishers – small  independent presses like Tindal Street and Legend rubbing shoulders with the likes of HarperCollins and Orion:

http://www.peoplesbookprize.com/publisher.php

The  Literary quarterly Ambit is celebrating its 200th issue with a 200  word poetry or prose competition –  £500 goes to the winner. See their site for more details:

http://www.ambitmagazine.co.uk/