‘I thought getting older would be boring, but no! It’s the opposite, isn’t it?’ Helen Simpson, page 46

Special features

AGENDA 9 Behind the Iran Curtain Heather Falconer on the recent flowering – and subsequent stifling – of writing by Iranian women.

FEATURES 16 Mentor ‘Gold’ Writing mentor Jill Dawson weighs in on the pluses, productivity and delights of one-to-one mentoring. 19 How to promote your book Published author and self-promoter extraordinaire Marion Husband on getting your book noticed. 22 Like daughter, like mother Keris Stainton looks at the rise and rise of the Young Adult novel – and at the writers who are embracing it.

INTERVIEW 46 Helen Simpson Short-story writer Helen Simpson talks to Daneet Steffens.

contents

ISSUE 35 OCTNOVDEC 2007

Winds of change

Please join us in welcoming two new columnists for the newly-renamed Inspirations section: Bernardine Evaristo will be combining her experiences as an author and teacher to bring us a series of articles with her unique take on writing; and poet, journalist and creative writing teacher

Roselle Angwin is taking over the Writing Your Self slot. As you can see from their inaugural efforts, we can look forward to exciting and wise words from them both. Our Agenda takes a peek behind the writing scenes in Iran where a period of flowering has been rapidly followed by a government crackdown. Heather Falconer describes the circumstances – and introduces us to Iranian women writers we should know about. Closer to home, Young Adult novels are all the rage: Keris Stainton examines the shifting market, speaking with authors, agents and publishers to get a sense of the thinking behind the change. Elsewhere, novelist Charlotte Mendelson describes the writing choices she made with When We Were Bad – one of interviewee and short story writer Helen Simpson’s current favourite reads – and Forwardshortlisted poet Jean Sprackland dissects her nominated poem. For a lingering taste of Summer ’07, musical It Girl of the Moment Kate Nash discusses her reading habits. Finally, we are proud to be a media partner of New Writing North, collaborating with them on their mentoring campaign. Jill Dawson’s feature on writing mentorships is both passionate and practical – and we have several copies of The Write Guide: Mentoring to give away! Turn to our News pages for more information. Keep writing, submitting your work and looking forward: our Mslexia Writer’s Diary 2008 is available now! Daneet Steffens, Editor

In every issue 4 STARTERS Letters, Curious Incidents, Submission Guidelines, News 13 GUIDELINES Diary of a literary agent The joy of…writing a sex column The lowdown on writing for soaps 10 top tips: How to enjoy those lit fests Money matters: freelance fees 25 INSPIRATIONS Bernardine Evaristo: Mslexia’s peripatetic writing tutor on Keeping it real: sensory detail Charlotte Mendelson’s first draft Making a poem: Jean Sprackland talks to Kate Clanchy Jenny Colgan’s bottom drawer Write your self with Roselle Angwin; Keep going with Bekki Hill 31 NEW WRITING Guest Editor Gillian Allnutt introduces her selection of prose and poetry on the theme ‘Mirror, mirror.’ 49 BOOKS Book reviews including: How to write a bestseller: The House at Riverton Literary landmarks: Beloved Independent press profile: Zed Books Writers’ bookshelf by Julia Bell 55 INFO Opportunities: competitions, submissions, retreats, grants Out and About: events and workshops 66 AND FINALLY Kate Nash’s bedside table

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