This month we have expert advice from Esther Newton on how to create sizzling story ideas, Ten Top Tips covers those pesky query letters and useful websites helps you read more, find useful organisations and carry out research.

• Editor's News
• Successes
• Expert Advice
• Top Tips
• Useful Sites
• Inspiration

Hello Dear Readers,

Well, I’ve had a lovely break – I booked the three days in between Easter and the Royal Wedding/May Day weekend off – and I’m back feeling refreshed and ready to tackle anything!

Thanks for all the entries to the Royal Wedding Sonnet Competition. The winning entries can be viewed here.

I know I go on about this time and again, but seriously, I cannot believe we are already into the fifth month of the year. There must be a time thief about somewhere! Hmm... sounds like the seedling of a good story to me!

Okay, onto this month’s business. Our expert opinion comes from tutor and ex-student Esther Newton, she helps you find inspiration for short stories. Ten Top Tips covers the dreaded first contact with an editor – the query letter – and our Student Stories are again from our forums as there are just so many to choose from. But, please do feel free to email me direct if you have a success story you want me to share – I do love to hear about how well you are doing. Useful Websites aims to get you reading more, highlights some useful writers’ organisations and gives you another valuable research tool.

If you are a keen script writer you’ll love this screen writing workshop – Get Your Script Noticed! Can’t say it better myself, so here’s what the organisers, Spread the Word, have to say about this event.

“What are the secrets of getting your script noticed, how do you make it shine so bright that it can’t be ignored? Paul Ashton of the BBC Writersroom shares his top ten tips on how to make your script stand out. With practical exercises and an informative Q&A, writers will leave with concrete ideas and useful information. For writers of all levels and writers looking to break into script-writing.”

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!