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Return to E-zee Writer back issues
This month we have expert advice from Vanessa Couchman on when and how to follow up query letters. You can also earn your share of the Readers’ Tips market by following our Ten Top Tips. Sue Steel’s success story is a cracker and useful websites are as useful as ever.
Hello Dear Readers,
Summer is here! I know that not because of the beautiful warm sunny weather we’ve been having, because we haven’t. I know it because the swifts, swallow and martins have arrived back in the UK after a 5000 mile journey from southern Africa. That’s some feat for such little birds. Now they’ll spend their time building nests and raising little baby birdies.
On to business! This month we have Vanessa Couchman’s very useful advice on contacting publishers to chase up query letters, Ten Top Tips helps you increase your share of the lucrative Readers’ Tips market and Useful Websites has one to help you organise your information, one to help you research and one to get you thinking.
If you like playwriting this is a great opportunity. Trinity College London have just launched an International Playwriting Competition, here’s what they say about it:
“Plays for children and young people can excite and inspire writers, performers and audiences. Now in its second year, the International Playwriting Competition encourages new writing in this field, recognising the very best with cash prizes, performances on the London stage and publication with international distribution.”
And here’s what you win and the other details:
“Prize winners in each category will receive £1,000 + publication of their play + an inaugural performance at a central London Theatre + travel and accommodation to the performance and prize giving. Runners up £500. Entry fee £10 or £20 for feedback.”Could be a great springboard to bigger and better things so get entering and good luck!
If you are looking for a retreat I have just the thing. Chichester Creative network are offering a Creative Writers’ Retreat Weekend details below:
“Who: Budding wordsmiths and all those interested in writing. Want to brush up on your penmanship? Want some peace and quiet to get those chapters finished? Want to meet some likeminded creatives? This is your cup of tea!
What: A Writers’ Retreat with a difference. Take in the stunning coastal and countryside surroundings, enjoy the fresh air, get stuck in to some outdoor activities (if you wish) and get that pen to paper.
Where: Cobnor, Chidham, nr Chichester, West Sussex. Cobnor is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within Chichester Harbour. See Cobnor Activities Centre for details on the accommodation and see: Chichester Harbour Conservancy for details on the area.
When: Friday August 26th- Sunday August 28th. A bit of work and a lot of fun; what better way is there to spend the August Bank Holiday?”
Tickets are £200-250 for the weekend hence the advance warning, but should be great. Oh and let me know what you thought of it if you attend.
Happy writing!
Shelley
P.S Don’t forget our Short Story Writing Competition is accepting entries and they are coming in thick and fast so get yours in if you want to be in with a chance of winning!
