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Special features

AGENDA 9 The road less travelled Poet Melanie Challenger, this year’s British Antarctic Survey’s Artist In Residence, takes us on her journey.

FEATURES 16 A passionate habit Literary nonfiction tutor Julie Wheelwright on researching and writing your project. 19 La vie en rose en Les Cévennes France-based novelist and magazine columnist Samantha David reveals her trade secrets. 22 New artistry, unveiled Young Muslim women artists are very much the scene in London. Journalist Sara Wajid introduces us.

INTERVIEW 46 Posy Simmonds Cartoonist, children’s book writer and graphic novelist Posy Simmonds talks to Daneet Steffens.

contents

ISSUE 37 APRMAYJUN 2008

(Not) The wasteland

As winter tries desperately to melt into spring, Mslexia revels in snow and ice just a little bit longer: poet Melanie Challenger’s meditation on her recent experience as the British Antarctic Survey’s Artist In Residence is printed here – along with new work from

the poet – in an article exclusive to Mslexia.In other features, columnist Samantha David unmasks herself while describing the trials and tribulations of writing a regular column under cover, and Julie Wheelwright gives us an overview of writing creative nonfiction. As always, Mslexia’s current issue offers a lively mix of writing, reading and commentary: we have a quick catch-up with long-time New Yorker poetry editor Alice Quinn; Debbie Taylor puts bestseller Faith under her astute, assessing microscope; and cartoonist, graphic novelist and children’s book writer Posy Simmonds invites us into her inner sanctum for a peek at her work-in-progress pages. In the New Writing section, poet Fleur Adcock explains her top choices for the poetry and prose submitted under the Zoo theme. Elsewhere, Wendy Holden opens up her Bottom Drawer, while Kelley Armstrong tells us what’s on her Writer’s Bookshelf. Spring heralds new weather, new blooms, new births: we at Mslexia have been working hard to ensure that the magazine is as enjoyable, accessible and readable as possible, and you’ll see some of the fruits of our labours – and your feedback via our recent focus group and readers’ survey questions – in the next issue. Enjoy your Mslexia, and keep letting us know what you think! Daneet Steffens, Editor

In every issue 4 STARTERS Letters, Curious Incidents, Submission Guidelines, News 13 GUIDELINES Diary of a literary agent The joy of…medical writing The lowdown on proofreading 10 top tips: Finding the plot Money matters: Funding findings 25 INSPIRATIONS Bernardine Evaristo: Mslexia’s peripatetic writing tutor on Characters Tahmima Anam’s first draft Making a poem: Siân Hughes talks to Kate Clanchy Wendy Holden’s bottom drawer Write your self with Roselle Angwin; Keep going with Bekki Hill 31 NEW WRITING Guest Editor Fleur Adcock introduces her selection of prose and poetry on the theme ‘Zoo’ 49 BOOKS Book reviews including: How to write a bestseller: Faith Literary landmarks: Women Who Run with the Wolves Independent press profile: Luath Press Writer’s bookshelf by Kelley Armstrong 55 INFO Opportunities: competitions, submissions, retreats, grants Out and About: events and workshops 66 AND FINALLY Bonnie Greer’s bedside table

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