Hilary Mantel on How to Learn to Trust Yourself as a Writer

Hilary Mantel

Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies, gives loads of great advice in this article.  

She reflects on: 

   - how to read or re-read your own work    

   - what to do if you can’t bear to;
   -  how to make the most of your time;  
   - whether to write for your audience or for yourself; 

 

and more.  

Go here to read this article.  

For more on how to develop, and market, your book, go here to download my FREE ebook, Book Marketing Genius.  

 

 

Does Publishing Short Stories Matter?

This article examines whether short stories are worth writing from a financial/commercial point of view, as well as from a creative/artistic perspective. 

What can short story writing offer in terms of finding one's voice?   What can it tell us about the writing process? 

The short story is often considered to be much more challenging to write than a novel.  It requires specific discipline.  Does the short story matter?  Please leave your comments below.  

My writing group is compiling an anthology of short stories on the theme of "Summer".  If you would like more details, please contact us via this website.  

 See also:  

How to Write a Short Story

15 Tips for Writing Better Short Stories

30 + Places to Submit Short Stories

 

Please comment below and please share this with your networks.  Thanks.  

 

 

The Costa Short Story Award

If you live in the UK, one place you can submit your short story is the Costa Short Story Award.  The most recent winners are listed on this page, and you can download their stories there, too.  For more information, contact them at CSSA@booksellers.org.uk. 

Plus go here for a list of 30+ places to submit short stories.  

I am posting lots of short story resources at the moment, so in order to keep seeing them,   please 

•  subscribe to this blog; 

•  join my Book Marketing and Financing group; and 

• "like" my FB page, Writers' Secrets.  
  

What's your best short story resource?  Please comment below, and share this with your networks.  Thanks!  

My writing group is looking for short stories for a forthcoming anthology on the theme of "Summer".  If you would like more information and/or to submit your story, please contact us via this website. 

15 Tips for Writing Better Short Stories! | Writing Tips

This video is a great follow-up to How to Write a Short Story.  She goes into a lot more detail about how to write a good short story.  This short video contains loads of tips - things to think about and experiment with.  She covers theme, and has unique takes on setting, POV and story structure.  And, as she says, there are no rules. 

The short story is an art form in itself.  It must be concise, precise and to the point.  

We are looking for short stories for a forthcoming anthology on the theme of "Summer".  Please contact us here for more information or message me on the same site.   

See also:  Where to Submit Short Stories.  

What are your best tips for short story writing?  Please leave your comments below and share this with your networks.  Thanks.  

How to Write a Short Story | Writing Tips

I have recently discovered this author, ShaelinWrites, and I am really enjoying her videos.  

I am a little in awe of people who can describe the process of writing a story, as I struggle with this.  She is absolutely right, everything in a short story must be directly relevant to the character and/or the story.  No room for any excess weight here. 

We are looking for short stories for a forthcoming anthology on the theme of "Summer".  Please contact us here for more information.  

See also:  Where to Submit Short Stories. 

What are your best tips for short story writing?  Please leave your comments below and share this with your networks.  Thanks.  

Where to Submit Short Stories

If you write short stories and are looking for places to submit them, check out this article: Where to Submit Short Stories:  30 Magazines and Websites that Want Your Work.  

I think you will enjoy this great resource.  I have not vetted this list, so can't give any personal recommendations as to any of the websites or magazines listed here. 

In the comments section, readers have listed lots more resources.  

I have to declare an interest as my writing group is looking for short stories for a forthcoming anthology on the theme of "Summer".  If you would like more information and/or to submit your story, please contact us via this website.  

Have you submitted to any of these sites and publications?  If so, what was your experience?  Please comment below and please share this with your networks.  Thanks.  .  

Facebook Groups for Writers, Authors and Indy Publishers

FB Groups for Writers

Facebook can be one of the most effective ways to promote your work, either for free or with paid ads.  

I have listed over 40 Facebook groups and pages for writers, authors and readers, and I am constantly added more.  

To download this FREE list, go here to join my group, Book Marketing and Financing.  We also have loads of other methods for you to market your book for FREE.  

Plus, podcasts are the fastest-growing way to market your books.  Go here for my list of podcasts for writers, authors and readers.  If your favourite is not listed, please add it.  

See also:  "The Power of Podcasts".  

What is your favourite way to promote your books?  Please leave your comments below and please share this with your networks.  Thanks.