Our new review section deals specifically with magazines
for writers. These are not those which feature writers’ work, but the ones
that are directed at writers themselves, to help them improve their writing
and get published. We hope this series might help you decide which one might
suit you, before you opt for a year’s subscription.The magazine
reviews start with Writers’ Forum, with which we
have worked closely over the years. John Jenkins
Editor’s Letter, which we reprint at the beginning of every month, comes
from Writers’ Forum and gives a little taste of what is in the
magazine.
Writers’ Forum is full of information for writers. The
first section concentrates on offering a series of features, which might
range from ‘Inside a Literary Agency’ to ‘Advice from a successful novelist’
from an agent-turned-novelist. Recently the magazine has been serialising
The Writing Game by Rosemary Friedman, an interesting and
reflective look at a writing life which provides a good change of pace from
the how-to articles. Readers’ letters are generously featured and often
raise important issues.
Throughout the magazine the advice from a series of experts is
practical, clear and helpful. Often there are features which give
specific advice, such as 'Make a Profit from your Holiday', 'Grow your
Talent in a Writers’ Circle' or 'Keep up-to-date to Sell your Short
Stories'. There is often a great deal of specific information, such as
detailed lists of festivals or writers’ courses.
Then there are the special sections, which might include fiction, poetry
and a guide to competitions. There are often chances to submit your own work
to a series of competitions and to have it reprinted in Writers’
Forum, which is a genuinely thrilling prospect for the unpublished
or novice writer.
Because this is a British magazine, it will be of most specific relevance
to British writers, but there is also a mass of information which could
help any writer. American writers might prefer a writers’ magazine which
is published in the US, but for everyone else Writers’ Forum
has much to recommend it. The tone throughout is friendly and inclusive.
It’s pretty middlebrow, in that it primarily addresses writers who are
writing in the commercial area, but it doesn’t dumb down either and has
something of the tone of voice of a well-informed friend.
Writers Forum
Review of Writer's Digest
Review of Writers' News
Review of Mslexia
Review of
ScriptWriter
Magazine review index
