Welcome
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A word from the editor
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ur featured author, Rachel Abbott, is an inspiration for those looking to self-publish, having sold over 1.7 million copies of her four thrillers so far. She was lucky that she’d had a previous career in marketing, but she has worked incredibly hard to apply this knowledge to sales of her books, putting in 14-hour days on publicity and building a social media presence from scratch. And we are lucky that she is willing to share her hard-earned tips! This month, The Mentor helps a writer who is disheartened by the accomplishments of published authors. Emily points out that we should learn from their success but forge our own paths. We each have different skills that we can bring to writing, but one we all need is determination. If you need help to keep yourself motivated, then Robin Dynes’ Writing Code series continues on page 14 with more exercises to help you work out what your goals are and how to achieve them. It’s just one of the articles designed to keep you on track. Write soon, Carl
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Don’t miss issue #175 on sale from 14 April Writers’ Forum Select Publisher Services Ltd PO Box 6337 Bournemouth BH1 9EH Tel 01202 586848 Publisher Tim Harris Editor Carl Styants Chief SUB Wendy Reed
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headlines Newsfront The latest in the world of writing AUTHOR EXPERIENCE Tips from a bestseller 1.7 million self-published copies and counting: Rachel Abbott tells Susie Kearley how she did it Writers’ Circle Your letters plus First Draft FIRST STEPS Stay humble Why you need to put your readers before yourself – Douglas McPherson shares more tips for writers starting out MOTIVATION The Writer Code Staying motivated – Robin Dynes has practical ideas to keep you on track with your writing WRITING EXERCISE Show or tell? Barbara Dynes takes a fresh look at the quintessential author technique – and sets a task Fiction markets Inside story Douglas McPherson shows how a surefire winner of a short story proved anything but… INDUSTRY INSIGHT How to break into… cosy crime Phil Barrington talks to two authors in this surprisingly open genre EXPERT Insight Technophobia Blogging in 2016 – Keir Thomas takes you step by step through customising your WordPress FREELANCE MARKETS The Magazine Scene Adam Carpenter presents news and freelance ops – and a focus on fRoots magazine plus Diary of a freelance hack FLASH COMP Our contest is FREE to subscribers plus The £100 winner of our ‘Show not Tell’ competition AGONY AUNT Dear Della Della Galton answers your queries on writing routine, book sales and story endings
31 INSPIRATION Ideas Store Three cheers for Paula Williams! 33 TALES oF MY GURU Hugh Scott’s mystery mentor speaks up for beginners 34 ACHIEVEmENT CALENDAR April Time to set your month’s writing targets 37 story competition This month’s winners of £550 in cash prizes 46 FICTION WORKSHOP Put the devil in the detail Fiction editor Lorraine Mace shows how to craft a really scary story, using a reader’s own work 48 MARKETING Get professional In the next part of her practical series, Sally Jenkins evaluates paid-for publicity services 50 POETRY WORKSHOP Beyond the five senses Poetry editor Sue Butler introduces new angles to explore in your writing – and sets her regular challenge plus In Your Own Words 52 Poetry competition This month’s winner of £100 and a dictionary 54 Writers’ Directory This month’s events, writing courses and helpful books 58 MOTIVATION The Mentor Emily Cunningham of The Write Factor coaches a despondent writer overwhelmed by the published competition 60 Writing know-how Research secrets Toby Clements sampled 15th century life – and hose – for background to his Wars of the Roses novel, he tells Anita Loughrey plus Writing Outlets with Janet Cameron 62 competition calendar Helen M Walters talks to writer and comp judge Wendy Clarke plus comp news and tips 66 Where I write Phil Barrington talks to Christopher Currie about his Brisbane café offices
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