Help for Writers

Do you write? ✍

Are you looking to get published in any form? 📑📖📘

In this blog I'll share my experience of the kind of help that I have availed of.

Firstly, I have lead or attended a local writers group for many, many years. It is a safe space to practice writing from prompts, reading out your work and receiving encouragement, praise and constructive criticism. Friendships form and connections are made. My local group, Tamworth Tap Writers, have inspired me - Debbie Murphy with her book 'An Unfashionable Cancer,' Patricia Pitt with numerous romance novels and Wanda Pierpoint and Anne Parsons with their children's books. Without the Tamworth Tap Writers I would not have a Children's book published, I would not have beautiful art work by Rosa Brown, and would not have the help of an independent publisher, Andrew Sparke.

Having said that I have put in years of working on my writing via other ways too. For eight years I have attended Swanwick Writers Summer School - a week staying at The Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire where one can choose workshops to attend and meet lots of other writers and well known authors. I must thank Sue Moorcroft, Della Galton, Hazel Prior, Julia Patterson, Pam Keevil, Leonie Martin and many others I meet there for their friendship, guidance, inspiration and encouragement.

I have accessed on-line/zoom workshops too with Joanna Barnard and Leonie Martin, both Authors.

I am a member of the Society of Authors and Society of Women Writers & Journalists. Both of these organisations have been a great help. SoA helped me with the wording of my publisher's contract and their zoom workshops are excellent. SWWJ have a zoom meeting which I attend where we book a slot to share our work and get constructive feedback. I have recently been co-opted to attend their Council meetings and am looking forward to learn more about the organisation and welcoming new members - particularly those who write for children. Both organisations produce magazines and I have had one or two book reviews published in the SWWJ Journal.

I can recommend Jericho Writers too. 

Then there are magazines and books that are particularly helpful: The www.writersandartists.co.uk handbooks are a writer's handbook/bible. They help you apply to publishers or agents and have helpful tips too. Ideal birthday or Christmas presents for a writer or illustrator.

'Writing' Magazine has many useful articles available at good newsagents, delivered by subscription or on-line.

Reading books in the genre you like to write about is key. Enjoy escaping into the pages of your favourite authors and connect with them on social media platforms - tell them you enjoyed the book, like the cover, have their book on your 'to be read/TBR' pile. Do a review for them on Goodreads, Amazon or your blog, Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram etc.  Here, other than the authors I have already mentioned above, I have to thank Kim Nash, who has championed so many other authors in such lovely ways, through social media and in person. She introduced me to Carole Matthews, Cathy Bramley, Milly Johnson, Tilly Tennant, Erin Green and so many other novelists through events in person or by promoting their books on-line. I occasionally read books outside of my normal genre too, and autobiographies. 

Notebooks and pens are in great supply around my home - always have one by the bed for those 'middle of the night/last thing at night/first thing in the morning' thoughts about your writing, or anything else for that matter. 

Don't be shy. We are our own worse critic and usually work is well received by the listener or reader if published. Be proud of your craft, your skill. Be brave, have confidence, go for it. You will never know what you can achieve if you don't step out of your comfort zone.

Oscar the Owl
Wise Words for Children 3-8 yrs
Available on https://amzn.eu/d/bqy7S7x