Photo from pexels.com Licence: CC0

A seminar day for educational writers

May 22, 2018

Coming up in June: a useful conference for those who write educational materials and books.

I'll probably regret this, but...

May 18, 2018

Next week I’ll be reading an article of mine. It’s memoir, not education. Read on for details of the event, which features a reading by author Jane Lythell.

What I'm reading: Dictator Literature

April 20, 2018

So you think you've read some atrocious writing in your life? Well, you ain't seen nothing yet.

Please! No more awful pitches! Photo by Mintchipdesigns. Licence: CC0

It starts with a pitch

April 16, 2018

If your initial pitch to an editor is not well-researched or well-written, you won't even make it to square one with that publication or publisher. What are the common errors, and where can you find examples of bad practice?

The London Book Fair 2018: the first day. Photo by Terry Freedman

The London Book Fair 2018: initial thoughts

April 13, 2018

Here's a quick round-up of the things I'll be discussing in my next newsletter, including censorship, publishing myths and a marketing website.

What I've been reading: Something nasty in the slush pile (updated)

April 13, 2018

How should you pitch a publisher with your book proposal? Or, to look at this another way, how should you not do so? This book answers that question.

What I've been reading: How not to write a novel

April 10, 2018

Even if you are a non-fiction writer, this book is worth reading.

Photo from Stencil. Licence: CC0

7 features of bad writing

April 9, 2018

Another article in the 'bad writing' series, 7 Features of Bad Writing suggests some common characteristics of poor prose. Any one of these 'sins' would serve as an indicator, especially if they occur more than once or twice.

What I'm reading: Why we Sleep

March 16, 2018

A well-written and, frankly, frightening book about the benefits we get from sleep. frightening? Yes, because of the costs we pay when we skimp on (good quality) sleep.

Avoiding all-encompassing words

March 9, 2018

You cannot assume that every reader will know what words like 'etc' will refer to or included.

The Brick Lane Bookshop -- Photo by Terry Freedman

Bookshops I like: The Brick Lane Bookshop

March 2, 2018

If you can get to Shoreditch in London, be sure to visit the Brick Lane Bookshop. Thiis article tells you why.

New books bulletin launched

March 1, 2018

Read on for news about my new books-related newsletter. Reviews of books and bookshops, new book announcements, writerly tips, and news about my own works.

The London Book Fair -- photo by Terry Freedman

The London Book Fair 2018 Seminar Programme

February 23, 2018

The London Book Fair website now has seminar listings in place. This article lists my top 11 sessions so far.

What I've been reading: Waterhouse on newspaper style

February 21, 2018

This book may be thirty years old, but its advice is still pertinent. If you want to have a blitz or crackdown against, or shake-up of, bad writing (all examples of 'tabloidese'), then this is the book for you.