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Look up postcode NE1 7RU Open www.adventuresinfiction.co.uk Open www.ncl.ac.uk/elll/creative Call +441912227619 Call +442073542598 Send email to melanie.birch@ncl.ac.uk Send email to marion@adventuresinfiction.co.uk Go to page 46 Go to page 46 Go to page 4 Go to page 55 Go to page 16 Go to page 31 Go to page 25 Go to page 13 Go to page 66 Go to page 9 Go to page 19 Go to page 22 Go to page 49
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adventures infiction Mentoring and manuscript appraisal

“… to work with

published authors of

this calibre, and with

this level of input,

is a priceless step in

the right direction

towards publication.”

Laura Longrigg MBA Literary Agency

for more information visit:

www.adventuresinfiction.co.uk

email: marion@adventuresinfiction.co.uk

tel: 020 7354 2598

Making Theatre conference @ Northern Stage, February 2007. Erica Whyman and Soutra Gilmore. Photo: Keith Pattinson

Creative Writing @ School of English Newcastle University

Learn in the country’s creative powerhouse, the North East. More writers, more readings and events, more publishers – more opportunity.

Develop your writing on our MA, PhD and Postgraduate Certificate courses. We teach poetry, prose, drama and screenwriting. Study the written and spoken word, discuss your own and other people’s work, and learn about getting published. There are new optional courses in writing for television and radio, plus opportunities to have work read by agents, and for rehearsed readings of scripts at Northern Stage. The Postgraduate Certificate can be taken via distance learning.

Tutors include David Almond, Linda Anderson, Colette Bryce, Andrew Cr umey, Linda France, Cynthia Fuller, Tina Gharavi, W.N. Herbert, Jackie Kay, Denis MacEoin, Jack Mapanje, Sean O’Brien, Peter Reynolds, Jo Shapcott, Colin Teevan and Margaret Wilkinson.

For details, or to receive news about our short courses and events, contact Melanie Birch at School of English, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU; 0191 222 7619; melanie.birch@ncl.ac.uk.

Visit our website: www.ncl.ac.uk/elll/creative ‘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

OCTNOVDEC 2007 03