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S B O O K S Specials

AGENDA

8

Reading Matters YA author and journalist Lili Wilkinson argues the importance of reading for the young, whatever the format. INTERVIEW 13 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie FEATURES 16 Public Displays… Urban Words director Sarah Butler examines writing’s intrinsic and developing role within the area of public art. The Insider: Grainne Reidy Can You Judge… …a book by its cover? Novelist Amanda Craig explains why, ultimately, this can be a make-or-break aspect of publishing.

‘I didn’t want to be black in America because I realised that to be black there was a bad thing.’

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Interview, page 13

Regulars Contents: issue 42

STARTERS

Contributors, Letters, News and Views

4

INSPIRATIONS

Including: Bernardine Evaristo Sarah Waters’ first draft making a poem: Jen Hadfield talks to Colette Bryce Lesley Lokko’s bottom drawer, writing your self with Roselle Angwin, keep going with Bekki Hill

22

NEW WRITING

Ruth Padel introduces her winning selections from the 6th Mslexia Poetry Competition

31

BOOKS

Including: How to write a bestseller: When Will There Be…? Literary landmarks: White Teeth Independent press profile: Catnip Publishing Writers’ bookshelf by Rebecca Lenkiewicz

49

GUIDELINES

The lowdown on online magazines The joy of…writing poetry for children

57

DIRECTORY

Opportunities: competitions, submissions, retreats, grants Out and About: events and workshops

61

AND FINALLY

Jane Bussmann’s bedside table

74

Our summer reign

O ur summer issue is always an exciting celebration of Mslexia’s annual Poetry Competition, going from strength to strength in this, our 6th year. Judge Ruth Padel weighs in on her selections in her essay (see p. 31), and we introduce our winners on the pages following as well as – in greater detail and in living colour – on our website.

In this issue, we welcome a new contributor, Lisa Matthews, and her column on women lyricists. Also inside the magazine, Lili Wilkinson argues for new ways to embrace reading, especially when it comes to younger readers. In

other features, Sarah Butler explores happy marriages of public art and words, and Amanda Craig discusses that most critical element of a book – its cover.

Chock full of interviews and writing/ reading recommendations, this issue showcases Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in our author interview. Comedy writer Jane Bussmann shows off her bedside table and shares her favourite reads; bonkbuster author Lesley Lokko discusses the contents of her Bottom Drawer; Debbie Taylor puts Kate Atkinson’s fabulous When Will There Be Good News? under the spotlight; children’s books writer Julie Larios shares

the joy of writing poetry for kids; and, from our Writer’s Bookshelf, Rebecca Lenkiewicz recommends the wonderful Shoulder To Shoulder.

As we go to press with the magazine, we are also gearing up to put the final touches on next year’s Diary (where does the time go?!); start looking out for more information about it this autumn.

In the meantime, whet your appetite with our New Writing exercises, and check out the digital version of Mslexia, now available via www.mslexia.co.uk. It’s the perfect gift for overseas loved ones!

Daneet Steffens, Editor