The results are in for the children's fiction/poetry competition...Please see our competition page for more details...
February 2011: The Artillery interview this month is with fabulous writer Jo Woodthorpe Smith. Here is her Q & A session that contains many must-read tips and advice for all new writers...
1. Artillery: As a writer, what advice would you give a new writer trying to break into the literary world?
Jo: I'm not sure about publishing outside of mags/websites really but I do know that mags/papers are a good place for budding novel writers to cut their teeth, learn different styles and make contacts.
Especially in this climate, if you're trying to get work on a mag/website, you should be prepared to work for free at various places to boost your cv and get yourself known in the industry. If you time it right and impress someone enough, your lucky break could come sooner rather than later. It's also worth getting some photoshop/html/subbing skills under your belt, all of which make you far more employable.
2. Artillery: What magazines/writing/companies have you worked for?
Jo: Popworld mag and website (as in the old TV show), new!, Hello!, The Sun, Mizz, Top of the Pops, SpongeBob SquarePants, Angelina Ballerina, more, Daily Mail, Woman. Currently work for digital content agency called Zone where I was a senior writer but am now a sub-editor for BT Vision website and magazine - I also work on Coca-Cola website and C4 Paralympics website.
3. Artillery: If you could have written any book, what would it be?
Jo: Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel
4. Artillery: What do you think common mistakes that new writers make tend to be?
Jo: Assuming work will be easy to come by - it's not. It's hard getting a role on a mag or website and you need to approach dozens and dozens to get that first break. Be persistent and if you really want it, it will happen. I imagine it's the same in the literary publishing world.
5. Artillery: Editors must read loads of new writing each day, what do you think would make a piece of work really stand out to them?
Jo: Something punchy, that grabs you in the first page/paragraph/even sentence. Something free from waffle or pretension.
6. Artillery: Have you ever read a book that you have really hated and why?
Jo: A few, most recently, Water For Elephants - lame chick lit pretending to be exciting period circus romp. Dreadful dialogue, no credibility, wooden characters.
7. Artillery: What writing styles/genres are popular at the moment?
Jo: Crime - loads of Girl With Dragon Tattoo rip-offs; period dramas always popular. These require lots of research which is why I reckon loads of wannabe writers start with chick lit - research lite.
8. Artillery: Do you think new writers have more hope getting published with short stories or full length books?
Jo: My literary writer friend was recently advised to start with short stories which is what she's done.
9. Artillery: Which writer do you admire the most and why?
Jo: David Mitchell. I met him at a signing, loved him. Such a normal, happy existence in Ireland and yet he understands the darkest parts of people's hearts and minds. And he has so many voices and is so convincing in whatever period/genre/narrator he chooses. Total genius.
10. Artillery: Do you think that paper books are on the way out, soon to be replaced everywhere by elecrtonic books, or will they happily coexist side by side?
Jo: Happily co-exist. Have seen lots of people with Kindle recently but people are passionate about books and love the way that look and feel and love buying them in stores. It's not as if books on tape or CD did any real harm.
11. Artillery: What exactly do you send to a publisher, the entire manuscript or just the first part?
Jo: Never send a full manuscript to a publishers unless they've asked for it. The 'done thing' is to always send a synopsis of your novel which actually says what happens in the novel as opposed to sounding mysterious like the blurb on the back of a novel. And the three first chapters. But the better idea is to send this first to agents. Once you have an agent they can do the hard work of looking for publishers, and it's more likely that publishers will read it and then request the full manuscript.
Jo: I'm not sure about publishing outside of mags/websites really but I do know that mags/papers are a good place for budding novel writers to cut their teeth, learn different styles and make contacts.
Especially in this climate, if you're trying to get work on a mag/website, you should be prepared to work for free at various places to boost your cv and get yourself known in the industry. If you time it right and impress someone enough, your lucky break could come sooner rather than later. It's also worth getting some photoshop/html/subbing skills under your belt, all of which make you far more employable.
2. Artillery: What magazines/writing/companies have you worked for?
Jo: Popworld mag and website (as in the old TV show), new!, Hello!, The Sun, Mizz, Top of the Pops, SpongeBob SquarePants, Angelina Ballerina, more, Daily Mail, Woman. Currently work for digital content agency called Zone where I was a senior writer but am now a sub-editor for BT Vision website and magazine - I also work on Coca-Cola website and C4 Paralympics website.
3. Artillery: If you could have written any book, what would it be?
Jo: Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel
4. Artillery: What do you think common mistakes that new writers make tend to be?
Jo: Assuming work will be easy to come by - it's not. It's hard getting a role on a mag or website and you need to approach dozens and dozens to get that first break. Be persistent and if you really want it, it will happen. I imagine it's the same in the literary publishing world.
5. Artillery: Editors must read loads of new writing each day, what do you think would make a piece of work really stand out to them?
Jo: Something punchy, that grabs you in the first page/paragraph/even sentence. Something free from waffle or pretension.
6. Artillery: Have you ever read a book that you have really hated and why?
Jo: A few, most recently, Water For Elephants - lame chick lit pretending to be exciting period circus romp. Dreadful dialogue, no credibility, wooden characters.
7. Artillery: What writing styles/genres are popular at the moment?
Jo: Crime - loads of Girl With Dragon Tattoo rip-offs; period dramas always popular. These require lots of research which is why I reckon loads of wannabe writers start with chick lit - research lite.
8. Artillery: Do you think new writers have more hope getting published with short stories or full length books?
Jo: My literary writer friend was recently advised to start with short stories which is what she's done.
9. Artillery: Which writer do you admire the most and why?
Jo: David Mitchell. I met him at a signing, loved him. Such a normal, happy existence in Ireland and yet he understands the darkest parts of people's hearts and minds. And he has so many voices and is so convincing in whatever period/genre/narrator he chooses. Total genius.
10. Artillery: Do you think that paper books are on the way out, soon to be replaced everywhere by elecrtonic books, or will they happily coexist side by side?
Jo: Happily co-exist. Have seen lots of people with Kindle recently but people are passionate about books and love the way that look and feel and love buying them in stores. It's not as if books on tape or CD did any real harm.
11. Artillery: What exactly do you send to a publisher, the entire manuscript or just the first part?
Jo: Never send a full manuscript to a publishers unless they've asked for it. The 'done thing' is to always send a synopsis of your novel which actually says what happens in the novel as opposed to sounding mysterious like the blurb on the back of a novel. And the three first chapters. But the better idea is to send this first to agents. Once you have an agent they can do the hard work of looking for publishers, and it's more likely that publishers will read it and then request the full manuscript.
January 2011: Here is the full Q & A session with top literary agent Cathryn Summerhayes from William Morris. This interview is packed with info and advice for budding writers (and can also to be found on our Facebook pages):
Artillery: As a literary agent for William Morris you must read lots of manuscripts, what makes a book really stand out to you?
Cathryn: I think above everything a unique voice is what really makes something stand out - yes a plot, setting etc is all important but I need to be hooked from the first sentence if I'm going to keep reading.
Artillery:What are your three favourite books of all time?
Cathryn: Never Let Me Go by Kasuo Ishiguro, The Time Travellers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and The House of Sleep by Jonathan Coe.
Artillery: Is it important for new writers to include a covering letter and a synopsis when submitting a manuscript to an agency or publishers?
Cathryn: A covering letter is very important, but keep it shortish and to the point - no more than a page. A brief synopsis is always welcome but not pages and pages of description - think along the lines of writing something like the blurbs you see on the back of books - couple of hundred words should suffice.
Artillery: Would you suggest that new writers stick to major publishing houses or try the smaller independent ones as well?
Cathryn: I am a big fan of smaller independents and interestingly now a lot of the imprints in major publishing houses run like smaller houses anyway (4th Estate, Harvil etc). I think the most important thing is finding an editor who really gets your writing and is willing to represent you/your book in an aquisitions meeting and really sell it to the rest of the team, sales, marketing etc. Some authors prefer being published by smaller houses as they feel part of a family and know everyone from the receptionist to the MD but there's no denying the sales clout of the bigger publishing companies. Keeping an open mind would always be my view. I have relationships with all the major and smaller publishers and it really is a case of matching the right book to the right editor.
Artillery: What common mistakes do new writers tend to make?
Cathryn: Over writing is certainly my biggest bugbear. New writers have a tendency to use three words when they could just use one...over description, mixing metaphors, making sweeping statements...you see a lot of it. I think writers are afraid to cut but in my view less is definitely more - you can always develop something and add words but I find it really difficult to pull out the quality writing from a manuscript that runs to hundreds of thousands of words. Don't be afraid to be your own editor - if you don't hack it apart someone else will. During the editorial process, cut cut cut would always be my mantra for new writers.
Artillery: Have you ever read a book that you have absolutely hated and if so which is it and why?!
Cathryn: I hate quite a lot of books...for different reasons. Laziness is a biggie for me - I hate it when a writer becomes so established that their agents sell substandard books simply because they know their editor will buy...I am not going to name any names but they know who they are. More recently I have to admit that I really didn't like Room by Emma Donahue which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. It was much hyped and pretty much everyone except me seems to love it but I found it sensationalistic.
Artillery: How long does it usually take from when a publisher accepts your book to when it is lining bookshop shelves for all the world to see?
Cathryn: I guess that's a case of how long is a piece of string really. I'd say on average a year to eighteen months but I sold a book two years ago that won't be published until June this year because the editor who bought it did so much work with the author and really made it a much better book. And then you have the rush books - if there's something very topical then a book can be turned around in less than six months - particularly trashy celebrity memoirs etc...sometimes it's a real race against time. When Michael Jackson died it was all about who could be the first to get a new MJ book in the shops - obviously the quality of writing and production can really be affected by this rush...
Artillery: Do you think the 'short story' is making a comeback?
Cathryn: Everyone keeps talking about the revival of the short story and I guess my take on it is that it never really went away - I am lucky enough to work with writers such as Alice Munro, Amy Bloom and Clare Wigfall who are all successful short story writers. I guess the hope is that with all the new fangled electronic readers, IPads etc people will be looking for a quick fix read for their journey to work or something, so short stories may fit the bill. Short story collections are a tough sell full stop and the writing does have to be absolutely exceptional but there is certainly room for them on any bookshelf and I hope that in the future they will be awarded as many prizes as full length literary novels.
Artillery: Do you think it is true that everyone has the potential to write at least one novel?
Cathryn:I certainly don't think I ever will! I think a lot of people think they can write a novel because basically everyone has the wherewithal to do it - all you need is a bit of imagination, a piece of paper and a pen...I don't think this is necessarily a good thing. Quality writing is a very tough thing to do and sometimes I think people assume it is easy - you know how to spell, you've read a few books, you can do it...! Like any artwork a good novel needs to be written by a skilled artist and it may take years for them to hone their craft. I wouldn't dissuade anyone who said they wanted to write a novel but I would point out that it is not an easy thing to do and is highly unlikely to bring them instant wealth and fame!
Artillery: What genres are the most popular at the moment?
Cathryn: Crime and thrillers are as popular as ever, filling up most of the top fifty. There is a trend for nostalgia, particularly anything 1950s or wartime related. Chicklit is on the decline but glamorous fiction ie bonkbusters seems to be on the up again. In non fiction celebrity memoirs are still riding high and if this Christmas is anything to go by meercats seem to be the most popular animals!! It has been a good year for literary fiction thanks to books like Freedom by Jonathan Franzen which really got the mass market talking about clever books again...
Artillery: Is it very hard to get young children's books published, there seems to be enormous competition for books for this age group?
Cathryn: There is huge competition for all bookslots, adult, children, fiction, non fiction. Sadly the market is over-crowded so it is very tough to find a publishing deal these days – but if your material is unique and innovative and well written then you stand as good a chance as the next man…
Next month, writer Jo Woodthorpe-Smith answers our questions, so please email any to artilleryofwords@hotmail.co.uk...
Happy New Year! We will run the December 2010 and January 2011 issues together into one impressive, bumper magazine, which will be available to buy in early Feb 2011. We are still accepting submissions for this bumper edition and are particularly keen to read and publish festive and topical poetry and fiction.
Please email submissions to artilleryofwords@hotmail.co.uk or fill in the contact form on our website. Thank you.
Mulled Words: A Winter Anthology
A perfect stocking filler for those who love reading. Mulled Words: A Winter Anthology is a collection of prize-winning poems and winter themed stories from our competition winners, that journey through life in all its various forms; from birth to childhood, from adolescence to marriage, from divorce to old age and from death to rebirth. Each stage is celebrated; some are joyful, others are sad and many fill the range of emotions and experiences in between. Edited by Sarah Thomas, Nicole Williams and Kate Bond. To order your copy please click on the button below:
The Artillery of Words is proud to announce that it now has a monthly readership of 5000!! (Including both online and paper pages) Top literary agencies such as WME2 William Morris Endeavor Entertainment are now subscribing to our magazine in order to take a look at the hottest new writing talent on the market...
New Book: MULLED WORDS: A WINTER ANTHOLOGY by The Artillery of Words will be available to buy from Amazon and from our site soon...It will contain a collection of poems and short stories by the winners of our two competitions. THE RESULTS ARE NOW IN! PLEASE GO TO THE COMPETITIONS PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION...
FREE TO ENTER PUBLISHER'S CONTEST...
EVANGELINE’S FIRST CONTEST Posted on July 7, 2011 by Evangeline Egg| 12 Comments GIVE BEA’S AUNT A NEW NAME BEGINNING WITH AN “A” AND CREATE A TITLE WITH ALL A’S IN IT.
Below is the cover of our latest anthology, available to buy from all good online bookstores soon...
PUBLISHER SEEKING SUBMISSION...
Calling all writers...the new yet brilliant publisher Shelfstealers is actively seeking polished and finished manuscripts, so if you have one that is ready to go, why not submit it? You never know, amazing things can happen. See www.shelfstealers.com for more details, and remember to follow the submission guidelines...
SPRING/SUMMER BUMPER ISSUE!!
We have decided to produce an enormous and impressive Spring/Summer bumper issue that will contain all the talented and brilliant writing included on those pages on this site. Please keep the submissions coming in...
The December 2010/January 2011 edition is now ready to order...
All writing published on the website's December/ January pages will be printed in this edition of the magazine, as well as Cathryn Summerhayes interview and a list of publishers and agents who are currently accepting submissions - a definite must have for all of you budding writers! (Price includes postage and packaging)
We will be including a list of UK agencies and publishers who are currently accepting submissions in our December/January issue...
We are running two new competitions - please see our competition page for more details...
Writer Jo Woodthorpe-Smith and agent Andrew Lownie will be answering Artillery's questions over the next two months, so please continue to email in any you would like to put to them, to artilleryofwords@hotmail.co.uk. You can subscribe to the Andrew Lownie Literary Agency's newsletter for more writing info and advice at www.andrewlownie.co.uk
The November issues are at the printers and will be winging their way to all the people who've ordered one over the next few days. Apologies for the slight delay, 'tis such a busy time of year for all! Thank you for your patience. Meanwhile, we are accepting submissions for the December/January issue. Furthermore, and very excitingly, top literary agent Cathryn Summerhayes from William Morris will be answering our questions in the December/January issue, so please email us with any questions you have for her, artilleryofwords@hotmail.co.uk
Feedback from different writers about The Artillery of Words:
"I am very proud to be part of it".
"Delighted that my story is on your website".
"You have made me feel much more positive about my writing now".
"Thanks for the encouragement".
"I am really proud to be part of your magazine and will be thinking about articles I can send to you".
THE ARTILLERY OF WORDS: WHAT'S THAT ALL ABOUT THEN?
We thought a new online magazine was needed to showcase budding writers offerings, one that was inclusive of diverse talents and topics. It is free to submit your work, and all submissions are welcome. We are interested in reading anything from poems to short stories and fiction to non-fiction. Plays and children's literature are also welcome, just remember the word limit is 1,500.
All of us at The Artillery of Words are published writers who are interested in getting more raw talent out there on the world wide web. You never know, your work might be spotted...
Remember, all successful submissions will be published in our bi-annual anthology.
The Editor
All of us at The Artillery of Words are published writers who are interested in getting more raw talent out there on the world wide web. You never know, your work might be spotted...
Remember, all successful submissions will be published in our bi-annual anthology.
The Editor
To order a copy of our latest and most packed magazine to date, please click on the link below. In this edition we have much talented new writing from around the globe, the interview with agent Cathryn Summerhayes and a list of publishers and literary agencies who are currently accepting submissions. Definately a must have read for all you budding writers out there!
