Giving Up On A Book
Sally Jenkins gives up on a book after reading half of it.
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Sally Jenkins gives up on a book after reading half of it.
Sally Jenkins is very impressed by the modern, hi-tech new Library of Birmingham.-
Sally Jenkins alerts writers to the forthcoming centenary of the start of the First World War.
Sally Jenkins launches the second instalment in The Museum of Fractured Lives series.
Sally Jenkins has won a major literary competition prize - for the second time!
Sally Jenkins tells of a way to earn $100.
...how would I feel if anyone discovered that I had written some of my own reviews?...
Sally Jenkins takes an ethical decision.
Sally Jenkins's book A Writer On Writing - Advice To Make You A Success has received a five-star review.
"Are easier domestic and childcare arrangements part of the attraction of being a full-time writer?'' asks Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins highlights a support group for women writers/
Sally Jenkins has just launched another book, the first in a series entitled The Museum Of Fractured Lives - and here's what a professional critic thought of it: “A thoroughly compelling read, which flows effectively from start to finish. I don’t see how you could improve it.”
Sally Jenkins hears the best possible advice at a writer's workshop.
Sally Jenkins brings sound advice from successful short story writer Ian Pattison.
Sally Jenkins designs a cover for her forthcoming book.
"I am pleased to announce that the First Impressions Critique Service is now open for business,'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins recommends a good read.
Sally Jenkins is planning to open a critiquing service, offering a fresh pair of eyes and advice on stories.
"Today I’d like to introduce you to psychological thriller writer, Jordanna East,'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins tells of an opportunity to send your words to Mars.
Author Sally Jenkins considers the value of enrolling in the Kindle Direct Publishing Select program.
Sally Jenkins has been turning an honest hand to crime writing.
To find out more about Sally's books and award-winning stories please click on http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Day-Me-Award-Winning-ebook/dp/B00B4XCYJC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361177650&sr=1-1
The best way to support self-published authors is to give them a review.writes Sally Jenkins.
Continue reading "Reviewing ‘Indie’ E-books And Goodreads" »
"Take note, e-publishing is not a get rich quick scheme!''says Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins has just published anoher e-book that could be of great help to YOU!
To see and buy Sally's new book - and two moe books she has already e-published - click here http://sallyjenkins.wordpress.com/books/
...like another writer.
"Everyone knows that writing is a lonely business, a solitary pursuit that is not for those who need other people around them,'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins finds many benefits from dipping her toe into e-publishing.
Continue reading "Publishing an E-Anthology – Is It Worth It?" »
"So what do the rest of you do to combat the sedentary life of a writer?'' asks author and columnist Sally Jenkins.
Author Sally Jenkins has brought out another anthology of her deliciously readable short stories.
Author Sally Jenkins is experimenting with morning pages.
Sally's book One Day For Me, a collection of eight superb award-winning stories, can be bought from Kindle
http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Day-Me-Award-Winning-ebook/dp/B00B4XCYJC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361177650&sr=1-1
Sally Jenkins, whose words appear weekly in Open Writing, has just laucjed her first book - One Day For Me. It contains some of her writing successes from recent years – eight stories that have either won or been shortlisted in UK national writing competitions.
(Open Writing editor's note: Sally's book as a good read. Buy, buy, buy! http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Day-Me-Award-Winning-ebook/dp/B00B4XCYJC/ref=sr_1_11?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1359016237&sr=1-11)
Sally Jenkins brings another report on self-publishing.
Sally Jenkins tells of an opportunity to win £1,000 by writing about your dream holiday.
Sally Jenkins takes her first steps into e-publishing.
Sally Jenkins brings a clutch of useful hints and suggestions.
"Here are a couple of competitions for you to mull over whilst you finish the Quality Streets and prepare for whatever 2013 might bring,'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Continue reading "Short Story And Flash Fiction Competitions" »
Sally Jenkins reads about a building full of writing prompts for a wealth of relationship stories.
Sally Jenkins plunges into Pride and Prejudice in preparation for a Writers' News competition.
"Writing a round robin letter is like trying to have a one-sided conversation in the dark,'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Continue reading "Christmas Round Robin Letters - And A Competition" »
Sally Jenkins brings news of the market demand for erotic e-books.
Sally Jenkins visits the home of the Bronte sisters.
Sally Jenkins brings news of a short story competition being run by Hampshire County Council.
Continue reading "Celebrating Charlotte – A Writing Competition" »
Sally Jenkins faces a reading decision.
Sally Jenkins passes on tips from an author on writing crime fiction.
"If you’ve got something languishing in a bottom drawer – why not get it out and search for a market? If you don’t submit then you’ll never get published. But if you do submit…who knows what might happen!'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins tells of a new device to bring fiction to the eager reader.
Sally Jenkins brings news of a magazine which offers prizes for historical short stories.
Continue reading "Snapshots Of History - Stories From The Past" »
Sally Jenkins sets herself some writing targets.
Sally Jenkins plunges into sci-fi.
Sally Jenkins brings news of two writing competitions.
"Fellow Midlands-based writer, Lorraine Hellier has asked me to tell you about her latest book. It is the fourth in her children’s Serendipity series and is called The Boy Who Tricked Trolls,'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins considers a number of story ideas - and presents a memorable poem.
Sally Jenkins tells of an opportunity to have tea a the Ritz with sports commentator Claire Balding.
Continue reading "Win An Afternoon Tea With Clare Balding" »
“'When you write poetry, imagine looking through a small window. Focus on just one aspect of the scene,' advised Alison Riley on a recent ’Poetry Stroll and Write’ which I stumbled upon whilst on holiday in Castleton, in the Peak District.'' writes Sally Jenkins.
"Eddie Walsh from the sadly defunct Emerald Writing Workshops competitions has refunded entry fees for his competitions that would have closed later in the year. So now I’ve got £3.60 to use as the entry fee in another contest. So I’ve been looking around to see what there is with a £3 to £4 entry fee and discovered the following selection of short story competitions,'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins has some bad-language advice for writers of historical fiction.
Sally Jenkins tells of a fruitful mother-daughter writing partnership.
Sally Jenkins tells of a guide to writing paranormal novels.
"No, not the spongy, creamy, totally bad for you kind – CAKE is a project to help unpublished writers get their work in front of the public,'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins spotlights a new way of getting books published.
"When I go away I like to cut all links with ‘reality’ and the fast pace of electronic communication so I send postcards. I like to receive them too,'' writes Sally Jenkins.
"So next time you’re dreaming up a female character think about her marital status and the surname and title she’s chosen to use – it might make you think about her in a whole new way,'' Sally Jenkins advises.
...I write a half page synopsis for my publisher but then my writing is like driving in the dark. My view forward of what’s going to happen is limited like the distance illuminated by a car’s headlights...
Sally Jenkins hears a surprising confession from a novelist.
Sally Jenkins brings news of extra prize money on offer in a short story competitioon.
Sally Jenkins draws attention to books offering advice to writers which are available free on Kindle.
Sally Jenkins brings news of writing competitions.
Continue reading "As Soon As You've Finished One Story, Start Another" »
"The first National Flash Fiction Day will be taking place on May 16th 2012 and if you want to be part of it you need to get your thinking caps on now,'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins receives wise words from novelist and short story writer Patsy Collins.
Sally Jenkins receives sound advice on writing a novel.
Sally Jenkins is frustrated when she tries to write in a coffee shop.
"Long ago I learned that it’s virtually impossible to make any sort of living from the written word so I suppose I must write because I enjoy it,'' confesses Sally Jenkins.
"Writing can be a lonely and frustrating business, so if you get the chance to go to a workshop, class or other gathering of writers – grab it with both hands!,'' says Sally Jenkins.
Continue reading "Romantic Novelists’ Association – Birmingham Chapter" »
"How do you make the people in your fiction (longer fiction especially) well-rounded, believable individuals that the reader might care about?'' asks Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins has been reading a book which explains the techniques required to write full length fiction.
Sally Jenkins brings news pf a short story competition which will raise money for charities.
Sally Jenkins says that persistence pays in getting stories publsihed.
Writer Sally Jenkins joins the Kindle clan.
Sally Jenkins tells of another writing competition.
"Does anyone else have experience of Cloud backup,? asks Sally Jenkins. "Am I the only one that struggled with it?''
Sally Jenkins tells of a book that is sure to keep you awake.
"So don’t let that unknown black hole of hard work frighten you off attempting a longer piece of writing,'' advises Sally Jenkins, prompted by a short stay in hospital to bring this sound advice to would-be authors.
‘Write often, to a deadline and with an audience in mind. Have something of the marketer about you.’
Sally Jenkins highlights advice to writers given by author and broadcaster Stuart Maconie.
Sally Jenkins suggests a market for stories set in the past.
Sally Jenkins spend a far-from-tragic day at a collunity lecture on tragedy.
"What is the allure of secondhand books? Why do so many of us enjoy sorting through other people’s discarded reading material?'' muses Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins picks up further tips on writing a novel.
"Remember there are many, many more markets for articles than fiction or poetry – so why not give it a go?'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins brings news of an exciting travel writing competition.
Continue reading "The Guardian Travel Writing Competition" »
Have you ever heard of the haibun?
Sally Jenkins brings news of two competitions organised by the British Haiku Society.
"In my quest for success I’ve started reading ‘Writing Competitions – the way to win’ by Iain Pattison and Alison Chisholm. It covers short story, poetry and article writing contests,'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins brings details of a new magazine aimed at freelance, self-employed and entrepreneurial mums.
Sally Jenkins dips into an American writing magazine.
"Emerald Writing Workshops 2012 Competition Calendar is out now!'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Continue reading "Emerald Writing Workshops Competitions 2012" »
Sally Jenkins suggests that in creating characters it may be OK for an author to go OTT once in a while.
Yours is a fortnightly lifestyle magazine targeting women aged 55+ and offers several slots for getting into print, says Sally Jenkins.
"Whenever we write we are creating evidence for the historians of the future. Whether our work is published or not someone may stumble upon it in the years to come and marvel at how primitive our lives were at the start of the 21st century!'' says Sally Jenkins.
"If you fancy a visit to Bath next April, have a go at one (or both) of these annual competitions run by the West Country Writers’ Association,'' Sally Jenkins suggests.
Continue reading "West Country Writers’ Association Competitions 2011" »
Sally Jenkins introduces us to a new quarterly writing magazine.
Sally Jenkins brings news of a worthwhile competition.
"Next time you’re struggling to find the right word or trying to decide whether an apostrophe is required, be thankful that you can easily browse the thesaurus or check in your grammar textbook. Some people aren’t so lucky but still battle through to make a success of writing,'' says Sally Jenkins.
"Beak Books is a new, independent publishing company looking for talented writers. An agent isn’t necessary but original ideas plus a willingness to promote your work is essential,'' announces Sally Jenkins.
Continue reading "Beak Books Novel Writing Competition plus a Mini Saga" »
"When pitching to publishers and agents, would-be novelists are often advised to state where their book sits in relation to other authors, i.e. whose novels are similar to theirs. Publishers like a novel that fits neatly into a specific genre so that it can be easily marketed,'' writes Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins suggests that looking at old photographs can set the literary creative juices flowing.
Sally Jenkins brings details of two novel-writing competitions.
Sally Jenkins comments on a novel by Lionel Shriver.
Sally Jenkins brings details of three poetry competitions.
Sally Jenkins advises writers to rework some of their old matrial which failed to make it into print.
"How much are you prepared to pay to enter a writing competition?'' asks writer Sally Jenkins.
Sally Jenkins tells of opoortunities to write for the monthly women's magazine, Prima.
Sally Jenkins brings literary news which is both encouraging and sobering.
Sally Jenkins spotlights opportunies to write about royal weddings.
"Over the last few months I’ve been submitting stuff into a big black hole with every editor ignoring me. However, patience and perseverance has paid off and in the last couple of weeks I’ve had a handful of positive responses,'' reports Sally Jenkins.
Are you a fan of the Kindle and similar e-book readers or do you like to turn real pages and enjoy the smell of a new book?
Sally Jenkins would welcome your views.
Sally Jenkins tells of the opportunity to receive a telephone life coaching session.
Ronnie Bray tells how he became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Sally Jenkins informs us of a golden opportunity for anyone with a creative leaning to get involved in the 2012 London Olympics.
Sally Jenkins brings details of a web site which offers help to women's magazine fiction writers who would like someone to cast en eye over their work.
Continue reading "Fiction Addiction – An Online Womag Writers’ Circle" »
Sally Jenkins brings news of competitions for places on creative writing courses.
Sally Jenkins celebrated World Book Night at a special event in Birmingham.
Do visit Sally's Web site http://sallyjenkins.wordpress.com/
"Technology is making life easier today but will we be leaving anything of our lives behind us when we are gone?,'' muses Sally Jenkins after being entertained by a self-published Christine Coleman novel.
Sally Jenkins brings news of a writing course to be held in Derby next month.
Do visit Sally's informative Web site http://sallyjenkins.wordpress.com
"Don't wait for inspiration to strike,'' Sally Jenkins advises writers, providing sources to generate ideas.
...the prospect of writing anything longer than about 3,000 words terrifying!...
But Sally Jenkins now thinks that writing a novel may be possible.
Sally Jenkins tells of two markets for short stories on the other side of the Big Pond.
...The terrible events in this book haunt the reader because they are probably happening to someone, somewhere, right now. I’d love to tell you more about the story itself but the blurb on the back of the book reads, “once you have read it, you’ll want to tell your friends about it. When you do please don’t tell them what happens. The magic is in how it unfolds.”...
Sally Jenkins enjoys a novel by Chris Cleave.
Sally Jenkins offers more tips to budding writers on getting into print.
Do please visit Sally's Web site http://sallyjenkins.wordpress.com
Sally Jenkins suggests a good market to aim at for those wanting to have a go at non-fiction writing.
Columnist Sally Jenkins wonders whether a man can describe the emotional roller coaster women travel when they think they have found "the one''.
Sally Jenkins brings news of a Reader's Digest story competition - and concerns regarding the copyright of competition entgries.
Do visit Sally's Web site which is of interest to both readers and writers http://sallyjenkins.wordpress.com
Sally Jenkins relays the message that it may be possible to earn a living as a writer without being picked up by a major publisher.
Do visit Sally's Web site http://sallyjenkins.wordpress.com
...In those lazy days between Christmas and New Year, push the Quality Streets to one side, turn off the television and write a couple of stories or articles. It will be much easier to do it now whilst the tree is still up, the weather is cold and the radio is playing Slade...
Sally Jenkins suggests that you should write about Christmas while still in a Christmassy mood,
Sally Jenkins suggests that you should consider submitting articles to Writers' News.
Do visit Sally's Web site http://sallyjenkins.wordpress.com
Giving up the day job and writing full time may not be the best option, says Sally Jenkins.
Do visit Sally's Web site http://sallyjenkins.wordpress.com
...I found it a great relief to know that I am not the only one who puts off working on my ideas because I’m scared that they’ll crumble into nothing when I start trying to put them into words...
Sally Jenkins is reassured by words from crime writer Iain McDowall.
Do please visit Sally's Web site http://sallyjenkins.wordpress.com
New columnist Sally Jenkins tells of a scheme which provides unpublished authors with a comprehensive report on a full-length romance novel.
Continue reading "Romantic Novelists' Association - New Writer's Scheme" »