Firstly - Happy St George's Day!
I haven't been lazy, honest - I have been buried in my novel. But, because of this fact, I am afraid I have allowed the short story writing to stagnate. In an attempt to rejuvenate it, I have been trawling some writerly blogs to relight my fire, as it were.
I have had success in Candis (a long while ago) and Take A Break's Fiction Feast but have yet to have a bite of Woman's Weekly or The People's Friend. I want to rectify this! My aim therefore is to get at least one story published in each this year. With the wealth of advice to be found, it shouldn't be too difficult...should it?
I think particularly for The People's Friend there is a lot of guidance. I was thrilled to see a new website - very smart, modern and with a blog by the fiction editor Shirley Blair - ideal for getting inside info! You can find it HERE
In addition, the lovely Samantha Tonge who is a regular People's Friend writer has a whole host of tips and advice on her Blog aimed specifically at gaining a better chance of publication in The Friend.
For Woman's Weekly advice, you can look to the fab, very successful Della Galton who has just taught a workshop with WW's fiction editor Gaynor Davies. Della has some great 'hot tips' - check them out in her latest blog post, plus there is a link to further workshops being held in London in August and September this year (wish I was closer!) Fellow blogger and short story writer Jan Baynham attended this latest workshop - I can't wait to read her next blog post to find out more.
So, with 30,469 words down on my novel - I am going to get my short story hat on and get writing!
Any further advice from seasoned womag writers extremely gratefully received... :)
The People's Friend fiction ed is 'Shirley'.
ReplyDeleteMust have been thinking of you! Thanks Wendy :)
DeleteHa ha - what a lovely job that would be! Glad you're getting on well with the novel.
DeleteIndeed! And thank you - although I have actually had a couple of days off from it (tut tut).
DeleteA great post, Sam, and like you, I would love to get a story accepted in the magazines you mention. Well done for having two published already! Yes, my blog post is up now so I hope you'll enjoy it. I'm glad you recommended Della's blog about the day too as it's good to get the other perspective form the tutor herself. :-) Her earlier post on Feb 25th is about what happens to our submitted stories at WW and is an excellent read. So pleased to hear that you are making real progress on your novel!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jan, and your blog post is brilliant - thanks so much for sharing the day with everyone. I read Della's post about what happens to the stories - I long to be able to have mine in the cupboard! Good luck with your future submissions to WW, I look forward to reading one shortly :)
DeleteLovely post! And so far into your novel - impressed. You will have a first draft before you know it:) Jane Isaac
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for leaving a comment Jane!
DeleteI hope you're right - I mustn't lose steam ;)