THE WRITERS BUREAU
STUDENT STORIES
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"I started The Writers Bureau course with little clear direction. I knew I could string words together and people seemed to like to read them, but I was not sure what I would eventually do with the training.
I really like to interview people and find that people like to talk to me, so I am now writing in-depth interviews for newspapers and magazines in addition to articles and features on a range of subjects. The fact that I also take photographs has stood me in good stead with editors, as I have been able to sell photographs with my articles.
I have a regular fortnightly column in The Anguillian newspaper and I also write articles and news items for this paper and many other publications. I have earned over £1600 in less than a year of writing. Without The Writers Bureau I would not have done any of this. The books are clear and well written, the tuition is excellent and I count my tutor, Simon Whaley, as my greatest crutch. All of this is worth every penny of the course fee.
Taking The Writers Bureau course was the best thing I could have done. It has given me the confidence to go out into the world and write."
Penny Legg, Anguilla |
If you would like a prospectus for the Comprehensive course that Penny is studying, then email us here with your full name and postal address.
Or, to share your success stories with others, just send an email to ezeewriter@writersbureau.com with 'Success Story' in the subject line.
FREELANCE MARKET NEWS
an essential guide for freelance writers
For up-to-date market information, Freelance Market News is invaluable.
Issued 11 times a year it's packed with information on markets in Britain and around the globe, plus you get all the latest news and views on the publishing world.
Every subscription comes with FREE membership of The Association of Freelance Writers. Your membership also entitles you to discounts on books and competitions, a free appraisal worth over £30 and a Membership Card which confirms your status as a Freelance Writer.
FREE sample markets are available to view at the website, along with more details about the magazine and how you can subscribe.
www.freelancemarketnews.com
IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE OF FMN:
FOLLOWING THE WRITE-WAY CODE
A Niche In Time
by Lorraine Mace
Imagine how it would feel, knowing your work is going to be published in a magazine every month. Wouldn't it be better to have the certain knowledge that your article is going to appear in print, instead of writing in hope of eventual publication? For most beginner writers, and even many established ones, this would be a dream come true. In fact, it is a dream that each and every one of us can make come true. By pitching for, and writing, a regular column, your by-line could be appearing in local and national publications.
It isn't as difficult or unattainable as it might seem. The steps which follow could help to turn your dreams into reality.
Identifying a Market
You don't have to be an expert to write on a particular subject, but you must have an interest and a degree of knowledge. The first thing to decide is where your particular forte (be it expertise or ineptitude) lies. I mention ineptitude because writing regularly on a subject doesn't have to be a serious treatise, or even a how-to type article. For example, writing for a gardening magazine isn't confined to horticultural experts. Many magazines welcome humour and, for instance, a column about the disasters of a black-fingered, but enthusiastic, gardener could be a winner.
I write a regular column for Living France Magazine, mainly about life as an expatriate living in a small French town, but much of my column is devoted to the humorous situations that arise as a result of my appalling grasp of the French language.
Regardless of whether it's children, computers, dogs, trains, boats or planes, everyone has areas of interest that could form the basis of a column. The trick is in getting an editor to see the benefits to his readership.
Building a Relationship
It's very rare that an editor will give a column to someone who has never previously written for the title. The most important phase, therefore, is forming a good relationship with the editor of your chosen publication. Getting to know his taste and mindset is essential. By submitting lots of queries which eventually lead to writing a few articles for the title you will be able to familiarise yourself with the magazine's style and content needs. You will also be bringing your name and work into continual contact with the editor. When the time comes for you to pitch for a column, he or she will already know who you are and, more importantly, the quality of your work.
What's Your Angle?
Research is vital. You need to decide on an angle that isn't yet being used in your target publication – but that may be a successful feature of a rival title – or perhaps identify a new section or a different slant that hasn't yet been used anywhere else. The history of local landmarks, easily accessible country walks, language pieces, an agony aunt column, pets corner - all of these are old ideas which could be changed to fit your particular writing style. The secret is in adapting the idea so that it reflects your personality. When I took over the Dernier Mot column it had previously contained much political commentary, which is not my forte at all. I proposed writing from a humorous slant with interesting facts included where appropriate. This not only suited my style, but it also gave something fresh to the readership.
Pitching for a Column
Once you've decided on an angle, you will have to sell it in such a way that the editor is happy that not only is your idea sound, but that you've given sufficient thought to the entire process. To pitch for a column you need to convince the editor that her magazine would benefit from having the column you've suggested. She needs to know who would read your work on a regular basis and why. What is it about your idea that is different and fresh?
He or she will also want to know that you can produce the copy week after week or month after month. The idea might be brilliant, but that means nothing if you can't provide the work as required. To convince her you will need to send in at least three completed pieces, outlines for six more and a list of topics to cover another six. This way the editor knows that there will be a continuous supply of articles. A professional approach will reassure her that you will operate in a professional manner.
Never Miss a Deadline
Keeping deadlines, or even better beating them, is the best way to stay at the top of the editor's love list. Working at least one month ahead of your deadline means you'll be able to present your copy on time even if something unforeseen prevents you from writing for a week or two. It's a good idea to keep at least one or two back-up pieces, to use in case of illness and/or holidays. If at all possible, plan your work so that you have a clear idea of your subject matter, not just for the next month, but for the next three months.
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Once you have one column to your name, why not look at other areas of your life. What else could you write about on a regular basis? As long as the titles are not in competition (in my case other Country-themed magazines) there is no reason why you shouldn't write for more than one publication each month.
Don't forget local newspapers might be interested in a weekly column on the same subject, but perhaps with a different slant, as your monthly column if you can show the editor your idea would suit his readership. Do first check that the newspaper pays freelance writers.
Apart from the financial aspect, there is something immensely satisfying in being able to say I have my own column and, of course, it looks good on a covering letter when submitting queries.
So, what's your angle?
AUTHOR'S BIO
Lorraine Mace was a columnist for Living France until a two-year sojourn in Spain, where she wrote a humour column for Spanish Magazine. Winner of the Petra Kenney Poetry Award (comic verse category), she also writes fiction for women’s magazines. She is the co-author of The ABC Checklist for New Writers. www.lorrainemace.com
TOP TIPS...
on writing your memoirs
More and more people are deciding that they want to write their life story. So here are some tips on approaching this genre.
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Unless you are famous, notorious or have lived a particularly unusual life it is unlikely that a mainstream publisher will agree to take on your book. So, be prepared to approach a small publisher or even publish the book yourself - in conventional format or as an e-book. But if you are considering these latter options make sure you don't find yourself in the clutches of a vanity publisher.
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Before you start, think carefully whether you really have enough material for a book without padding it out. Most books are 50-60,000 words plus.
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Even though you are writing about yourself there will still be a great deal of research to undertake - gathering information, talking to people to get their recollections and anecdotes, checking dates etc. It helps considerably if you keep a diary.
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Careful planning is essential. Make a list of the key events in your life and then decide if you're going to write a chronological book (one that goes from your childhood to the present day - in order) or if it's going to be a 'pot pourri' book (one that looks at your life under various assorted topic headings). Both approaches have their merits.
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Be selective, ruthless and objective. What is fascinating to you might not be as interesting to your readers. Don't feel you need to put your entire life into the book. Some facts will be less riveting than others - so stick with the interesting incidents!
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Tell your story crisply. Keep it tight and don't waffle.
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We are always interested in ourselves! But if anyone else is to enjoy your book it must have interest and drama. It may be non-fiction, but use some of the novelist's tools. Start with a bang! Make sure you have hooks at the end of chapters that will pull your reader on through the story. And don't forget how useful dialogue can be in revealing character and events, and in pushing your 'plot' forward.
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Think carefully about how much you want to reveal - both about yourself and those close to you. Will your revelations alter how they view you? Or, will what you tell about them risk opening a rift? Not everyone will be happy to see themselves in print.
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Be alert to the traps of nostalgia. It's easy - when looking back - to be over-sentimental and view everything through rose-tinted spectacles.
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And finally, don't let yourself come across as being priggish. If your writing is opinionated you will alienate your reader. If you are continually patting yourself on the back for being right or justifying your actions you will soon seem insufferable. As in a novel, the reader only really gets involved with the central character if they can empathise with them. So don't make yourself seem too good to be true!
There are lots of opportunities for writers at this site, including details of competitions and jobs: www.placesforwriters.com
Here's an online rhyming dictionary in case you find yourself stuck in a poetic corner!
www.rhymer.com
This is a site where you can "explore and develop your creative writing skills, get support from editors, publish your short stories and poems online, get feedback and writing tips and meet fellow writers, all for free."
www.abctales.com
This site is like a theasaurus but it finds complete phrases rather than just words: www.phrasefinder.co.uk
That brings us to the end of this month's issue. Next month, Heather Cooke tells you how to Rock On to generate ideas for your writing!
As usual, if you've any suggestions or would like to comment on content then please contact Shelley at:
ezeewriter@writersbureau.com
And don't forget – if you've enjoyed this issue of E-zee Writer and found it useful, tell your friends about it so that they can subscribe too!
www.writersbureau.com/resources/ezewriter.htm
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