Wrtten for writers (Writing Magazine)

Member Name: Mioliere

Product:	Writing Magazine
Date:	26/11/08 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Many useful articles and tips

Disadvantages: Could be cheaper

Writing magazine costs £3.60 from most large newsagents; I haven't seen it in the smaller paper shops but it could be ordered. You can subscribe to the magazine at £10.99 for three months by direct debit, or £44.90 a year by cheque or credit card. For this you get two magazines a month and save over £40 a year. I would, however, recommend buying a couple of issues before deciding to take this option.

Looking at September's issue, it looks quite packed. Tucked inside is a flyer inviting writers to enter the Cardiff International Poetry Competition for which the closing date is January next year. However, on studying the entry form I see that you have to pay £6 for each entry so I don't think I'll be entering! In the magazine itself, you are invited to submit entries to a short story competition and these are subject to a £4 charge.

Apart from that, the magazine carries many useful articles including advice on getting your work noticed, studying the market, the legal side to getting your work published and even hints on how to name the protagonists in your stories or novels. There is a very interesting article explaining that, every time you leave your home, you are in the midst of inspiration. We do sometimes walk with our minds preoccupied, not taking any notice of our surroundings, so I will try and open my mind a bit when I am out and look for ideas for stories.

There are stories and poems from previous competition winners which gives you some faith that the competitions are winnable, and articles about the correct use of grammar, our usage of the English language and whether or not to avoid clichés in your own work.

Towards the back of the magazine is the Writers' Bookshelf, with ideas on books to help budding writers make a start on their hoped-for career. This month's issue suggests sixteen different titles.

There is a regular feature, called Working Web, to which you can submit technical queries on using your PC and another regular feature, where a particular writer's favourite books are reviewed. An article called 'Insider Know How' gives you practical advice on writing as a career.

Refreshingly, there aren't too many adverts in this issue, unlike most magazines.

I would not subscribe to Writing Magazine nor buy it on a regular basis but will probably pick one up every three months or so.

Summary: Recommended for an occasional read