CONTENTS 64 WRITERS’ NEWS Your essential monthly roundup of competitions, paying markers, opportunities to get into print and publishing industry news INTERVIEWS AND PROFILES 14 Star interview: How Gill Hornby brings Jane Austen’s world to life 22 My path to publication: Neurodivergent novelist Sunyi Dean’s strategies for writing 32 Shelf Life: Acclaimed author Benjamin Myers picks his top five reads 39 Subscriber news: WM readers share their success stories 56 Author profile: Award-winning author Norma Curtis keeps markets in mind 81 My writing day: Australian thriller author Allie Reynolds shares her writing routine CREATIVE WRITING 12 Creative writing: Overcome common short story problems 18 The first five pages: Phoebe Wynne introduces her new novel 30 Beginners: How many people does your story need? 34 Under the microscope: A reader’s first 300 words critiqued 42 Writing for children: Avoiding common picture book errors 48 Masterclass: What role can silence play in fiction 50 Fantastic realms: Explore extraterrestrial life in your SF 52 Fiction focus: Rediscover your abandoned manuscripts WRITING LIFE 10 Writing life: Bestselling author Mark Edwards on his long road to overnight success 24 Writing life: Are pitching contests a recipe for success? 58 The business of writing: How to avoid creative exhaustion 82 Under the covers: Is the grass always greener on the other side? ASK THE EXPERTS 9 From the other side of the desk: Agent aggro 21 Ask a literary consultant: Should unpublished writers concentrate on getting a deal? 60 Research tips: Keep your finger on the pulse of medical research 61 Behind the tape: Get the details right in your crime fiction POETRY 54 Poetry workshop: Exploring a poem with a message COMPETITIONS AND EXERCISES 26 Free-range writing: Exchange-themed writing exercises 27 & 45 Short story competition launches 28 & 46 Short story winners 36 Get the write idea: Creative writing exercises and prompts 38 Writers’ circles: Writing group exercises REGULARS 4 Miscellany 6 Letters 69 Going to market 71 Novel ideas 75 Travel writing know-how WELCOME 14 48 1414 Success in writing comes in many forms. From having a novel on the shelves to just getting some words onto the page, the shape of your success is however you define it, and we’ll celebrate every victory with you. Most of us would be very happy to have a series of novels selling millions of copies, but headline-grabbing tales of overnight success often mask the years of hard work behind them. Such is the case with Mark Edwards, whose status as a hybrid bestseller was hard-won though years of false starts and big victories that seemed to vanish just as they appeared. He shares his story with us on p10, highlighting all the qualities we always emphasise in WM, perseverance, persistence and a willingness to try something different. But more than anything else it illustrates the importance of sticking with it and building on your success. Each victory, however big, is a stepping stone to your next. Good luck! Jonathan Telfer Editor BESTSELLINGWRITINGMAGAZINE HELPING YOU BECOME A BETTER WRITER SEPTEMBER 2022 O YOUCAN DOIT! How to navigate the long road to success £4.99 09 > 916280 770964 9 What’s wrong with your story? How to identify, and overcome, common short story problems BEAT THE BURNOUT Top tops to help avoid creative exhaustion Writing for children Make your picture book shine Opportunities to get published 54 WIN £84,875IN WRITING PRIZES STARINTERVIEW How Gill Hornby was inspired to bring Jane Austen’s world to life WM Reader success stories 10 35Competitions for you to enter 19/07/2022 12:07 dd 1 Never miss an issue of Writing Magazine SUBSCRIBE NOW see p83 Get FREE access to our app GET THE WM DIGITAL EDITION Direct to your device ORDER A COPY DIRECT, with free postage https://writ.rs/wmissues SIGN UP FOR OUR REGULAR NEWSLETTERS at http://writ.rs/signupnow GET THE WRITER’S APP For daily prompts and opportunities http://writ.rs/writersapp SEPTEMBER 2022 3