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7 January 2013 - What's new

7 January 2013
  • 'As we enter this New Year, it's a good time to reflect on the work of one of our key book charities, Book Aid InternationalSupplies much-needed books to developing countries, raising funds from publishers and general public; 'Reverse Book Club' is masterly idea-for just £5 ($10) month you can provide 48 books to go to where they're most needed. WritersServices is a long-term supporter of this organisation, which has done so much to bring books to third world countries, especially in Africa...' News Review on the work of the charity.
  • A new addition to the Services we offer is the Poetry Critique. Are you ready to show your poetry to magazines and publishers, but worried about rejection, as you haven't had any knowledgeable comment on it? Would it help to have a skilled editor critiquing it?
  • 'I never write the books with films in mind. I always write them as books. I don't think one should write a book with a mind on a film version. I was a screenwriter before I was a novelist and I learn to write screenplays on the job. Working in television, you pay particular attention to story. You have to structure your stories properly. You have to work out what to include and what to leave out...' David Nicholls, author of One Day, quoted in our Comment column.
  • The Historical Writers' Association was set up last year by novelist Manda Scott as a forum for writers and to promote the genre. The internet-based group already boasts around 100 members including authors, agents and editors, and is open to writers of historical fiction and non-fiction.
  • Our checklist on Entering competitions helps you to review how you approach competitions and to make sure you give yourself the best possible chance of winning.
  • 'In writing biography, fact and fiction shouldn't be mixed. and if they are, the fiction parts should be printed in red ink, the fact parts in black ink.' Catherine Drinker Bowen in our Writers' Quotes.