It’s that time of year again when I have to cough up for a writing market yearbook. I started buying these books six years ago with The Writer's Handbook being my tome of choice. But in those days I was focused on fiction writing and writing for magazines. About three years ago I switched to the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook when I broadened my writing to include stage, screen and radio. I felt that it offered more for scriptwriters than the Writers’ Handbook. As I also write for and teach writing for children, I started buying the Children's Writers' and Artists' Yearbook as well - all tax deductable, of course! This year, I’ve been asked to review the Writer's Market UK. Continue reading ‘Writer’s Market UK 2009 - Review’
Archive for the 'Resources' Category
As a British-based writer I’m aware that the majority of my posts to this site are a bit Anglocentric. So whenever I come across something of benefit to my North American readers I get excited. I’ve just started subscribing to a market listing www.absolutemarkets.com which gives an up-to-date overview of some of the more unusual US and international markets. There is a subscription fee, but in my opinion it’s worth it. However, be warned, many market listings out there are not worth the cyber-paper they’re written on. Only sign up to ones that other people recommend and never have a rolling stop order.
I’m really chuffed that my first screenplay, Enemy Lines, is going to be made into a film. And thanks to Peter Dillon, my tutor, for helping me on my way. Enemy Lines is a five-minute film short about a British soldier returning from Iraq to face a barrage of anti-war protestors. It has been selected to be filmed for Northern Film and Media’s Stingers 6 programme and will be screened in September 2008.
Continue reading ‘Screenplay success’
Without wanting to get the year off to a depressing start, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to post this link about authors’ earnings from The Times.
In summary:
- The majority of authors aged 24 - 35 earn an average of £5000 a year from their writing.
- The majority of all authors earn less than a third of the UK national average wage (£28,000)
- The majority of authors have to take on extra work to make ends meet
- It may take up to 10 years before an author starts earning significant money from their writing.
In this final session in the Crafty Writer’s Introduction to Creative Writing course, I would like to leave you with some advice on how to develop your writing further. If you’re so inclined, you can join a writers’ group (for UK groups; for US and international groups) or an online critiquing group (for poetry and short stories). Be warned though, you may have to ’shop around’ as many of these groups are filled with people who will just nod and smile and not give you constructive advice. Sometimes, you may have to pay for a critique to ensure you get a truly objective and constructive perspective. Continue reading ‘Creative Writing - markets, competitions and opportunities’
My stage play, The Idol of Sarajevo, has been shortlisted for the People’s Play Award. Winner to be announced at the end of December. If I win, I shall be blogging about my experiences in the run-up to the staging of the play in May 2008. So wish me well and watch this space! I developed this play on my MA in Creative Writing at Northumbria University.
For more free resources on writing for theatre visit:
- Writernet - free information and subsidised critiquing for UK-based writers
- Open University - free course on approaching plays plus excellent, value-for-money short courses for everyone.
- New Dramatists - resources for US-based writers.
Books I can reccommend include:
- Val Taylor’s Stage Writing
- Alan Ayckbourn’s The Crafty Art of Playmaking
- Stuart Spencer’s The Playwright's Guidebook
- Jeffrey Hatcher’s The Art and Craft of Playwriting
It’s not everyday you get something for nothing. For all those classic books you always wished you’d read, Abacci books is a fantastic resource for free e-books. Everything from Louisa May Alcott to Martin Luther King and thousands of others are available for download. I’ve just added it to my favourites.
I’ve just come across these FREE writing courses from Email College, Birmingham, UK. There are courses on dozens of writing topics including horror, romance, memoir, comedy, poetry, magazine writing, children’s writing, Science Fiction, e-book publishing and many, many more. They are open to people worldwide. http://www.emailcollege.co.uk/category.php?id=14
You may also want to check out their Creative Pathway website which gives advice and services to artists, film makers, writers and publishers.
I’ve never written SF myself, but I’ve always seen something ’spiritual’ in its exploration of mankind’s inner and outer worlds. In fact, SF and fantasy are one of the last realms open to Christian writers to present an ‘alternative’ world view. Continue reading ‘Science Fiction, fantasy and Faith’
Hello everyone. Whether you’re a CLL student or an online visitor, welcome to the first session of Introduction to Creative Writing. Over the next eight weeks we will be looking at different aspects of creative writing and trying our hand at various forms. I’d strongly encourage you to have a go at the exercises along the way, and please feel free to leave comments or ask questions at the end. And now, without further ado… Continue reading ‘Releasing your creativity’
Welcome to The Crafty Writer, published by Fiona Veitch Smith, a freelance journalist, author, playwright and writing teacher. This site is full of information and resources to help you on your journey to become a better writer. 
