You are entering a writing contest, and you are asked to provide a cover letter, and a bio. You do your best, and submit something great. Yet, there is a lingering doubt in your mind. Will someone else’s cover letter and bio stand out more? Will they gain an advantage? Am I letting myself down, … Read more
Getting started can be the hardest part of writing fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Making a plan, and setting off confidently in the right direction sounds easy, but too often we find ourselves staring at the blank page in terror (or simply wandering away to find a less daunting task). In this article we share some … Read more
Hello poets. Poetry contests. Exciting. Enticing. So many questions. Which contest should I enter? How do I win one? In this article we’ll run you through all the best advice we’ve ever given to help you place first in a competition, as well as answer all the most frequent questions poets ask us on the … Read more
Hi Community, Writing contests. There’s a lot of them. First of all: Why do we enter them? To win prize money of course. But also, more importantly, to advance our writing careers. To gain recognition, publication, and to connect with a reading audience. Before we embark on any endeavor we want as much info as … Read more
Literary theory or literary criticism can be hard to understand at the best of times. It’s frequently written in complex language, and addresses some of the most complex and challenging ideas around. So how do you even get started with this field? The best place to begin with literary theory is with glossaries, introductions to … Read more
It’s a brave writer who sets out to write a long novel, and chances are if you’ve sought out this article, you have the courage required to pen a lengthy story of your own. It can be difficult to sustain the interest of a reader over hundreds of pages. It can also be difficult to … Read more
As an aspiring author, or simply as someone who wonders how writers earn their keep, you might wonder whether writers are paid for attending book signings and book tours. Is that glamorous time spent sitting in a leather chair while people queue up for a brief chat, an autograph and a selfie time on the … Read more
You have been putting off starting your novel, play, poetry collection, or screenplay for years, and now you are ready to take the plunge. You have a great idea, and you are sure it will sell. You’ve done your research, and you are ready to write, but just where do you start? Writing is not … Read more
These sixteen literary devices are must know tips that every writer should learn early in their career. Feel your story could be better? Try engaging with this checklist to make sure you are using the techniques and devices the pros are. Our favourite literary devices are foreshadowing, rising tension, strong protagonist, compelling antagonist, strong thematic … Read more
You will know if your novel is good or bad by making sure that it has a compelling plot, sympathetic characters, a great setting, rising tension, comes to a climax, and has great dialogue. If your story features these elements you are well on the way to writing a classic! It Features a Compelling Plot … Read more