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: Number-one political thriller writer Robert Harris 22 My path to publication: How Māori author and screenwriter Michael Te Arawa Bennett’s debut novel came into being 32 Shelf life: Bestselling author Emma Cooper chooses her top five books 39 Circles’ roundup: Writing groups share their interests and activities 40 Subscriber news: WM subscribers’ publishing success stories 56 New author profile: Crime and mystery author Graham Smith’s two writing identities 81 My writing day: Writer and journalist Jemma Wayne shares her writing routines CREATIVE WRITING 8 Creative writing: How to write micro fiction 10 Writing for children: Cressida Cowell on writing magical children’s books 18 The first five pages: Bobby Palmer explains the opening of his genre- blurring Isaac and the Egg 30 Beginners: Could the characters you create return in another book? 34 Under the microscope: The beginning of a reader’s manuscript 42 Writing for children: Writing chapter book baddies 48 Masterclass: The effects of language in a ghostly story by Virginia Woolf 50 Fantastic realms: How to create the politics of your fantasy world 52 Fiction focus: Writing literary fiction, and how it crosses genre boundaries WRITING LIFE 20 The witching hour: Get ready for Halloween with our spooky reads 58 The business of writing: Cut the cost of creativity with these suggested solutions 82 Under the covers: Author IRL ASK THE EXPERTS 13 From the other side of the desk: agents and publishers know what they’re talking about 26 Ask a literary consultant: Find the right balance between writing and editing 60 Research tips: Weather and climate 61 Behind the tape: Get the details right in your crime fiction POETRY 54 Poetry workshop: A poem about a war-time tragedy COMPETITIONS AND 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: Sky-themed writing group exercises 44 Free-range writing: Test your road safety awareness in these creative writing exercises REGULARS 4 Miscellany 6 Letters 69 Going to market 71 Novel ideas 75 Travel writing know-how WELCOME 60 14 With belts tightening and the threat of recession, nearly all of us are looking for ways to save money or generate new income. The impact on the publishing world has yet to be fully felt, although increases in production costs are starting to be shown in major publishers’ returns. As in lockdown, the companies which will be least able to weather the storm are the indies – small press publishers and indie bookshops – so if you are buying books or feel able to support the wider community, make sure to put your money where it will make the biggest difference. Jonathan Telfer Editor Our writing lives, thankfully, need not be that affected. It doesn’t cost anything to dream up storylines or polish a manuscript. Even the overheads of paper and pencil or PC power are relatively small (although we suggest some ways to save on software on p58). So take refuge in your creativity. Escape into your fictional world. Perhaps even write a better future for us all. And do let us know how you’re getting on, or if you have creative money-saving tips. We’d love to share them with other readers. COMPETITION SPECIAL BESTSELLINGWRITINGMAGAZINE HELPING YOU BECOME A BETTER WRITER OCTOBER 2022 NOVEMBER 2022 FREE Competition supplement Creative ACCOUNTING Yourchancetogetpublished Fight the cost-of-living crisis and stay creative on a budget andwinbigprizes Get set for halloween GET ON WITH IT! TOP TIPS TO GO WITH YOUR FLOW AND with our spellbinding must-reads FIGHT DISTRACTIONS Shortandsweet How to write flash and micro fiction £5.25 11 > £5.99 916297 770964 9 Cressida Cowell Advice for writing magical books for children STARINTERVIEW ROBERTHARRIS INSTA SUCCESS How Instagram can help you reach new readers The king of political thrillers explains how he writes ??????????????? ?????????? 54 opportunities to get published 67 STARINTERVIEW Lauren Owen explains how she writes modern gothic fiction 35????????????? ???????????? 15 ideas to try right now 10 12 WM reader success stories ????? ??????? 20/09/2022 11:18 ndd 1 Never miss an issue of Writing Magazine SUBSCRIBE NOW see p24 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 NOVEMBER 2022 3