Authors and agents giving life on social media & my unexpected trip
Plus, news, events and opportunities incl. Regional Press Awards shortlist, Ed Book Fest, 2024 National Book Critics Circle Awards & Writers' & Artists' Short Story Comp
My dear wordsmiths,
This is your weekly accountability check-in - did you write? Pitch? Get that vital work experience? If you needed a sign, consider this it, as you have been seen. Let me know how you get on..
How are you? It remains chaotic here in the damp north of England with trees blown everywhere and random trampolines turning up in the garden - but I see it as an excuse to stay in. It’s great writing weather. However I will have to pull myself together next week as I’m unexpectedly going skiing, something I haven’t done for years, so I’m quite nervous. But I’m also seeing it as a chance to get inspiration - a skiing themed novel perhaps? Worth mentioning that next week, as I glide gracefully down the slopes (on my backside), the wonderful author and lovely person Trisha Ashley will be taking the proverbial microphone and featuring as guest - do not miss it as she is the OG.(Google it)
Years ago the nearest aspiring writers got to insights into the day to day life of published authors, agents, or the realities of publishing, was through - ironically - the pages of fiction or occasional book signings.
Now most are dropping pithy asides and welcome advice via the channels of writer distraction i.e on social media. It’s surprising what life-giving information - both random and useful - you can pick on the channel formerly know as Twitter and also Threads. This is useful for doom scrollers like me and clearly as entertainment for prevaricating writers. I’ve seen some absolute classics this week so I thought I’d share.. All of these individuals are worth a follow!
The funniest (and also the wisest) life-giving quotes by writers and agents on social
Pam Pho (NerdyPam) via X
Literary Agent and Founder at StevenLiterary
When I was a baby agent an editor from penguin sent me a very nice rejection on a sub and I decided to walk away before responding. My cat somehow walks over the keyboard and sends a reply to the editor. It said “ u aSs”. I’ve never mentally recovered. It was 11 years ago.
Kerry Chaput (KerryWrites) via Threads
Award-winning historical fiction author devoted to badass women from history
I’d like to acknowledge that most authors don’t have the privilege of writing full-time. Most have day jobs, finding pockets of time in the early morning hours or at their kid’s sports practices to type a few hundred words. Most juggle paying the bills with raising a family (or fur babies) and constantly fighting fatigue, financial stress, and massive imposter syndrome.” Most of us have to keep creative reserves for the hours that aren’t already given to everyone else.
Nikki Rodwell (NikkiRodwellauthor) via Threads
Author
“Another social platform !🤪 I’ll never get any writing done !! #writingcommunity #writerthreads”
JWC Maher (jimivere) via Threads
Writer. Dad. Genetically predisposed to mild IBS.
Moment of bragging, not even remotely humble. Day 3 of my writing streak, done. 500 words, in the bank. SMUG DANCE!
Maren Jenner (marenjenner) via Threads
Writes contemporary & fantasy romance.
Anyone want to guess how many times I tried to spell fluorescent before I gave up? 😂
Jonathan C Lewis (offcourse.ofcourse) via Threads
Author & Artist.
Rereading my thread posts is a reminder that copy editors are gods to me. If I had any more typos in my posts, I think the keyboard police would swing by my studio and take mine away. #WriterThreads
Aimee Horton (aimeehortonwrites) via Threads
💻Author 📙’Bad Influence' out now
#WriterThreads what is your go-to writing snack? I feel like I should mix it up a bit, so no alphabites or percy pigs or crisps...Well...not as many! That's assuming it's not just me who gets hungry while I write?! 😳
Emily Blackwood (authoremilyblackwood) via Threads
I write books with bad boys and magic. Amazon top 30 bestseller 🖤
If you’re writing your first book right now, PLEASE know that I’m on book 11 and I still hit a “everything sucks and I should give up” moment in every draft. The difference between a published author and someone who never finished their draft is the ability to push through when everything is screaming at you to give up. YOU GOT THIS. ONE SENTENCE AT A TIME. (It’s not as bad as you think, that’s your brain playing tricks on you)
and finally..
Matt Haig (Mattzhaig) via Threads
Dad. Married to Andrea. The Midnight Library. The Humans. How to Stop Time. Reasons to Stay Alive.
I went away for 3 years. Said no to all media offers. Podcasts, TV, radio, events. Even turned down an award and I don’t have many of them. I was burned out. Completely. Back into very serious depression. For much of that time I have been in therapy and recovery. But now I am sober, now I know I am neurodiverse, now I don’t need the world to like me, now I am ready. I have a new book out soon and am proud of it so have started to say yes to some things. On my terms. See you out in the world.
News, events and opportunities for writers and journalists:
2024 National Book Critics Circle Awards: Each year, the National Book Critics Circle presents awards for the finest books published in English in six categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Poetry, and Criticism. The finalists have been announced - 30 finalists in the six categories—recognising books from the publishing year 2023. Details are linked.
Edinburgh Book Festival: It claims to be the ‘the largest public celebration of the written word in the world’ . Every August it brings around 500 writers and thinkers together between the 10th and 25th of the month. The full programme will be launched in June but many details already on website. Make room in your diary.
Regional Press Awards (UK) : The shortlist is out for the Regional Press awards with multiple categories, you can check them all via the website. Can confirm the Yorkshire Evening Post is shortlisted for large titles of the year (Yes, I’m biased)
Writers' & Artists' Short Story Competition 2024: This free annual short story competition gives you a chance to win a place on the Arvon Residential Writing Week (worth £850) as well as seeing your story published on the site. To enter, all you have to do is submit a short story (for adults) of no more than 2,000 words on the theme of risk via the online competition form (linked above). The closing date for entries is midnight 12th February 2024.
Thanks so much for reading and thanks so much for your support. Please encourage everyone to subscribe (it’s free!) and share this post. Have a lovely week, make sure to check out Trisha Ashley’s wisdom next week!
Nicola x