September 2005 - Writers Magazine

News Review

• The Authors Guild of America, with four authors, has taken the extraordinary step of filing a class action suit against Google over its unauthorised scanning and copying of books through its Google Library programme. News Review has the story.
• 46,000 unpublished writers entered Richard and Judy's How To Get Published competition - but seven authors 'won' a contract. News Review reports.
• 'Enter the big bad wolf, in the form of major competitor Waterstone’s, with an offer of 440p ($8.09), pitched 40p ($.735) higher than the MBO offer.' News Review looks at the battle for Ottakar's.
• Worldwide publishing deals have been achieved for an author who is still only sixteen and for a redundant globe-trotting graphic designer.  News Review looks at the latest breakthroughs on the children's front.

Comment

• 'We need to broaden, not narrow, the gates through which new books, new authors and new ideas must pass before readers can find them.'  Anthony Cheetham in the Bookselller on why we need an independent Ottakar's

• 'Though twice as many women as men are writing, they are 50 per cent less likely to send off their manuscripts to publishers or agents, or to apply for writing grants.' Debbie Taylor, Editor, in MslexiaStylish and lively site for quarterly UK literary magazine read by 12,000 'committed' women writers. Good range of quality writing, information and advice with news, reviews, competitions and interviews, all presented in a friendly fashion. Praised by Helen Dunmore as 'astute, invigorating and above all an excellent read.' www.mslexia.co.uk
• 'With perseverance, you can do anything you want. Just don't give up - you've got to stick with it. When I started writing I sold my first book very quickly. But after that, no one bought my next five books...'    Danielle Steel
• 'We who earn our living by the pen hold the poets in especial awe. We know that in a hundred years’ time, when students of literature are saying "Eh? Martin Who? A N Who? Salman What Did You Say?, they will be reading Geoffrey Hill.'                  A N Wilson

Writers' Quote

• ‘Show me a man or woman who cannot stand mysteries and I will show you a fool, a clever fool – perhaps – but a fool just the same.’
  Raymond Chandler

Review of Mslexia magazine

The fourth in our series of magazine reviews.

This month the focus is on Mslexia magazine:

'for women writers who take their writing quite seriously and are aiming at the more literary end of the spectrum but who want good practical advice, offered in an accessible and friendly way, Mslexia is perfect. '

For reviews of Writers' ForumBritish writers' magazine which is highly recommended for all writers. It features wide range of news and articles which help writers to improve their work and get published: www.writers-forum.com, Writer's Digest and Writers' News, see our writers' magazine review section.