Every picture...

Did I say last week that summer was exhausting? Well, it isn't over yet. Since I've been back from hols and festival frolicking I've been working with the wonderfully creative EU community in Southampton, mostly Polish but also Hungarian, English... and Geordie! They're all excellent photographers, taking part in the EU Welcome Photographic Exhibition in St. James' Park.

So far we've had a wine, canapé and Mayor attended preview on Friday night and a first gloriously sunny day of showing off the community's work to park visitors on Saturday - only another 13 to go!

Back in April we called for submissions and in July sifted through 150 plus images for the 60 we could print. For me, the best pictures have depth, not only visually but also narratively. There's a sense of what led to that moment, and a hint of what followed. They have mood, atmosphere and insight. They are all moments and the best tell stories.

I can't yet show you any of the individual photographs but I can show you this wonderful promotional video made by Peter Feher who arrived in the UK from Hungary just two months ago...



Our Words & Pictures week of moments have been equally inspiring from Philippa's writing oomph injections to this week's Ask an Agent tips on honing your pitch from Gemma and Molly and Jane Heinrich's excellent advice for presenting your portfolio - if you're having a portfolio review at the conference this is invaluable.

Regular contributor Celia Anderson stepped in for Nick as his Nick Clone 2 on the blog break and former SCBWI British Isles ARA, Benjamin Scott gave us a great report on the recent Norwich Writers' and Illustrators' Day.

Steph Williams reviewed what looks like an indispensable craft book for any soon to be published or soon to publish themselves authors and if you have something you want to shout about use our blow your own trumpet opportunity on this week's celebrations. Organising the EU Photographic exhibition has yet again confirmed to me that so many creative people have confidence levels inversely proportionate to their talent so if blowing your own trumpet is a bit too scary just whisper something you can be proud of in the comments.

Being September 1st, today also brings a new monthly theme and we're going for Everything Editorial. Holidays are over it's back to business so this coming week we have proofreadng tips from Catriona Tippin, our second Agent Confidential and Anne-Marie Perks will be reporting on the annual Illustration Showcase Exhibition, to be launched at the conference  in November.

Have a great week!

Jan Carr

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Jan Carr is the editor of Words & Pictures. Her fiction is older middle grade, she blogs occasionally and loves to write in magenta. You can contact her at editor@britishscbwi.org.

Blow Your Own Trumpet!

...or trombone!

In a recent post Nick said.... 

"We do have the Celebrations column on Words & Pictures, but what about a celebrations forum for lesser achievements – finishing a book say, or even a particularly difficult chapter?" 

So here it is!

Writers and illustrators please tell us in the comments about anything that during the last month has made you go 'yippee!' or 'I'm really pleased with myself' or 'aahh I feel good about that'.

For this post, relaxing our self promotion guideline a little, we want you to shout about your achievements that may not yet have the external affirmation we all long for but nevertheless are achievements and should be commended.

So go on, Blow Your Own Trumpet and we'll be all smiles for you!

Over to you....

Tips for Surviving an Illustration Portfolio Review

Today Jane Heinrichs, one of our recent Featured Illustrators, offers some guidelines on the challenge of organised Portfolio Reviews





One of the common experiences of any illustrator in SCBWI is attending portfolio reviews. 

We print out our precious illustrations.  We collate them in a folio. Butterflies breed in our stomach, so that we can hardly breathe.  What will the editor/agent/art director say?  Will this be my lucky day? Or will I feel overwhelmed by all their comments? 

No matter how experienced we are as illustrators, a portfolio review will always be an emotional event.  But, that’s ok.  Emotions are all part of the creative process. 

One thing we can do to make the experience as positive as possible is to be prepared.

Here are a few tips…

Preparation:

1. Dress to impress.  Most portfolio reviews are face to face, and while your illustrations are the most important factor, the reviewers will also be seeing you for the first time.  Make an effort to look good! I always make sure I’m wearing something smart, fresh and professional.

2. We love paper.  For years I bought cardstock from the local stationery store and printed my portfolio at home.  The prints were adequate, but not outstanding.  Then, I invested in getting my best illustrations printed professionally on real water colour paper. The reviewers noticed!  Some even ran their fingers across the pages, simply appreciating the gorgeous quality. (After all, don’t all illustrators and publishers love pretty paper?) It may seem like a big investment, but it’s probably the one thing I did that made the biggest difference. 

Detail of my printed watercolour paper

3. The little black binder. First impressions count. Get a really amazing PRAT or Panodia leather bound portfolio book to house your work.  They are expensive, but they last forever. If you show the reviewer that you value your illustrations, they will value them too! 

PRAT portfolio's from the excellent London Graphic Centre

Quirky business cards or postcards.  Make sure you have lots, and give them freely.
  

illustrator business cards I've collected

Just before the critique: 

1. Talking points. Make a list of a few things you want to mention to the reviewer.  Previous accolades.  Projects that went really well.  Future plans. Unique working methods.  If you have them ready in your head, you won’t run the risk of forgetting all the important stuff because of nerves.
2. Take a deep breath. It’s ok. They want to help.  Don’t be nervous. 

Communicate your passion for your art form.

 

During the critique: 

1. Make eye contact.  This may seem basic, but sometimes critiques can be so nerve-wracking that you spend the whole time staring at your trembling fingers. If you make eye contact and connect with the reviewer, they’ll take more interest in your work.
2. Explain your methods and motivations. (See above) As the reviewer looks at certain illustrations – and especially if they show interest – explain how you created the artwork, or describe the project it relates to.  Be enthusiastic! Communicate your passion for your art form.
3. Accept compliments.  If the reviewer likes a piece, say thank-you. Take credit for your talent; you’ve worked hard.
4. Ask questions.  You want to learn from this experience.  Here are a few of my favourite questions:   

• Which illustration do you think is the most successful?
• What should I focus on for future illustrations?
• What do you think I need to work on? (This is a humbling question to ask, but be brave!  You need to know in order to improve.)
• Make a list of your own questions based on what you think you need to work on most.
• Don’t be discouraged if each reviewer gives a different answer to the same questions.  Art is subjective after all! 

5. Say thank-you.  No matter what they said, make sure you shake their hand and say thank-you at the end.  
6. Keep the door open. Give them your business card and ask for theirs in return. Ask if they would be open to receiving some samples of your new (improved, amazing) work in a few months. Keep the communication lines open. 

Right after the critique:

1. Write it down. Take a few minutes to sit in a quiet place and make notes of everything they said while it’s still fresh. Even if it hurts. Even if tears are streaming down your cheeks.  Even if it’s amazing and you want to jump on the ceiling and giggle hysterically. Write it down for future reference.  
2. Save their details. Put their business card in a safe place. You don’t want to lose it!

 

Later…. Much later…

1. Review your notes.  Go over the notes from all your critiques.  Are the opinions wildly divergent?  Can you see any patterns?  Is there anything you can implement, even in a small way? 
2. Make a list of the opinions.  If you showed your portfolio to 100 people, you might receive 100 different opinions – perhaps not absolutely different, but lots of variations. Make a list of the positive comments and the negative comments.  Take in what they said; then make your own decision. It’s your artwork and your voice.  What you do has to feel true to your vision.
3. Try one small change. Make a small illustration with one of the comments in mind. Try to really push yourself.  Does it feel like you’re going in the right direction? If not, keep experimenting.  What’s the use of going to critiques if you’re not actively trying to improve?
4. Make an action plan. Keep making good art.  Actually, keep making fantastic art.  Send your new illustrations to your new contacts. Keep asking for feedback. And keep going to portfolio reviews. 

Finally…

Creating good art is a journey.  Each portfolio review adds light to the map that will lead you to artistic fulfillment.  When you’re making art, you never know where you are, or where you’re going; you can only see how far you’ve come. So, keep attending portfolio reviews, keep making notes, and keep experimenting; you’ll be surprised by your progress! I promise.

______________________________________________________



 

Jane Heinrichs is a Canadian born illustrator now based in London.
www.janeheinrichs.com
http://janeheinrichs.blogspot.com
Twitter: @janeheinrichs
https://www.facebook.com/JaneHeinrichsStudios

Illustrators Duel it out in Norwich: Central East SCBWI Day!

Benjamin Scott

Writers and Illustrators took over the Norwich and Norfolk Millennium Library for a day to celebrate the opening of the SCBWI BI Illustrator Exhibition in Norwich, organised by Central East Network Coordinator John Shelley. On Saturday 27th July, with the Pride Weekend in full swing outside, 5 illustrators and 4 authors flew the flag for SCBWI British Isles and the Central East Network with sessions aimed at a range of audiences, from children to adults.


Norwich got its first taste of sketch-duelling with two quick-draw matches. Paeony Lewis gave the audience a sneak preview of a work-in-progress picture book, while John Shelley and Mike Brownlow sketched against the clock to illustrate the story. Despite their protests about struggling to draw horses, they created a series of entertaining and expressive spreads of father’s struggle to bring the perfect gift to his daughter. 

First Sketch Duel: John versus....

...Mike

Later in the day, Annie Neild took us into the world of a young panda trying to find his special talent in her picture book work-in-progress with three illustrators (Bridget Strevens, Mike Brownlow and John Shelley) bringing it to life before our eyes. It was revealing how hearing the book aloud and seeing the illustrators tackle the texts gave both the authors and the audience a new perspective on their work. Both Annie and Paeony talked about what they might change from their experience. 

Second Sketch Duel with Mike, Annie, John and Bridget

Although we were hoping for more children to attend the event, there was plenty to keep the curious adults who had come along. John Shelley talked about his career in Japan and the processes involved in researching and creating his forthcoming non-fiction picture book, Stone Giant - Michelangelo's David and how he came to be. 

John with proofs of his new book

Benjamin Scott shared his involvement in space based adventures as a ghostwriter for the Star Fighters series with a talk about book packaging, school visits and an interactive space-based quiz with tasty prizes at the end!

Benjamin tackling alien monsters!

Bridget Strevens-Marzo revealed how she brought pre-schoolers into the world of her book Mini-Racer using cut-outs and a clever road tape, and discussed how each illustrator has their own unique voice. 

Bridget and Mini-Racer

Mike Brownlow shared the journey of how Little Robots was developed and became a popular children’s television programme – he also treated the audience to a reading from his new picture book, Ten Little Pirates. 

Mike Brownlow

YA wasn’t forgotten as Alex Ivey read a gripping extract from her current WIP, sharing teenage girls first visit to an old people’s home.  

Alex Ivey

There were plenty of hands-on workshops for the artistically inclined with Julia Groves taking participants through her journey as an artist to find her voice in her work. Emma Graham led a group to discover their character designs.

Emma's character workshop

Throughout the day, there was a book stand offering work from all the participating members, including books, postcards and prints – with special thanks to Paeony’s daughter who helped out! 

Paeony at the book table, with part of the Illustrator's show behind

Everyone who attended had a great time, especially experience a blend of disciplines, as one of the audience remarked, “I am mostly interested in writing but it was very interesting seeing the illustrators at work. I feel so privileged to be given the opportunity to attend events such as this.”

With lots of positive feedback, John Shelley is determined to hold more events in Norwich soon, as well as support other members in the Central East network to do more on their doorstep. John wanted to thank everyone for taking part and helping with the event and the fabulous display cases – and everyone who took part wanted to thank John for all the effort in making such a great day in Norwich!

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Benjamin Scott is a writer and a former SCBWI-BI Assistant Regional Advisor. He loves talking to audiences of all ages about writing, reading and books. 

Craft Book Review: Booklife by Jeff Vandermeer

Reviewed by Stephanie Williams

Booklife by Jeff Vandermeer
ISBN: 978-1-4081-2913-5
A&C Black Publishers Limited – 2009

Booklife is not your usual guide to writing – instead of teaching plots and structures it covers how to market yourself as a writer and how to survive within the dizzy maze of social media available. Despite its publication four years ago the book is still up to date and relevant.




One of the biggest threats to a writer is social media. We can waste hours a day updating our Twitter, Facebook, Blogs and with only so many hours in a day when do we fit in the actual writing. Well Vandermeer looks at each platform, reviewing its ability to assist in our careers and dismissing those that are just simply a waste of time. Of course wasting time isn’t the only threat that social media poses – we all know that sometimes the content can be just as destructive to our careers. How many times have you read articles about a celebrity tweeting something inappropriate or downright stupid?

...even if you only read the chapter on writing Blogs this book is worthwhile.

 This book talks about the temperament of your posts, and whether or not you should ‘release your inner evil monkey’ in your blog posts. On reading an Agent’s blog last year I saw an article on how before signing up a new author they read their blogs and anything on-line they can find, if the author always seems angry or ungrateful then they are less likely to sign them. Nobody wants a difficult client after all, so even if you only read the chapter on writing Blogs this book is worthwhile.

Networking can be a dirty word to a writer, someone used to squirrelling themselves away while they work can be terrified by the idea of stepping outside their comfort zone and plugging their work to complete strangers. Booklife looks at everything from overcoming fear of contacting people to dealing with editors and publicists. It looks at the various PR opportunities that are available and how to create your own PR plan so your book doesn’t get lost on the shelf. Writers need to push themselves and Vandermeer helps to make this prospect a little less daunting.

Booklife is more than just a practical guide to finding your way around marketing though, it is also a private guide to surviving all the things that come along with publication. The book covers how to deal with bad reviews and how to revitalise your creativity when it hits a low. There is a chapter on finding inspiration and revising your work, offering practical tips on writing because everyone knows that while you’re waiting for a book to be published your busily working on your next one.

Vandermeer’s suggestions for the actual construction of blog posts will never lose its pertinence in my opinion.

The downside of the book is that at some point it will become dated. Social media is organic and always changing, new ideas come up all the time and so inevitably this book will be in need of a revision. However, platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are unlikely to ever lose their popularity or relevance. Blogs will always be an excellent vehicle for writers to speak to the wider world and even if the technical side changes, Vandermeer’s suggestions for the actual construction of blog posts will never lose its pertinence in my opinion.

The back of the book offers examples of PR Marketing Summaries and some short essays by other writers on various challenges they have faced.

All in all Booklife is well worth checking out, especially for debut authors who have never been published and are baffled by everything that comes next.

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Stephanie has been the North West Regional Co-ordinator for the SCBWI for the past four years (I think) and writes young adult novels. She sub edits for Words & Pictures and is also a past Editor.

Ask an Agent - with Gemma Cooper and Molly Ker Hawn, from the Bent Agency

 

Are you looking for a query critique from those in the know? Or do you have a question you've always wanted to ask an agent? Each month, agents Gemma Cooper and Molly Ker Hawn from The Bent Agency are offering just that.

This month they answer some more of our readers' burning questions, and critique a query.

How long should someone wait before chasing for a reply to a full manuscript request?

Gemma and I always confirm receipt of a full manuscript and give an idea of our response time, if you haven’t heard from us within that timeframe, then it’s all right to nudge us. If the agent you’ve sent your full to doesn’t give you a timeframe, then I suggest you check in with her after three months or so.

Do you brainstorm ideas for new projects with your clients?

Absolutely – if the client wants that. We love brainstorming! We’re out meeting with editors all the time, so we can help clients develop commercial ideas with particular editors in mind, or play with ideas based on trends we’re seeing in requests from editors. Some clients prefer not to brainstorm ideas first, and that’s okay also. As I’ve said before, every client is different and we have different relationships with each one.

I'm in Australia for the next year. Would UK agents consider submissions from writers who are temporarily overseas? 

Yes, but then we represent clients living all over the world. Ideally, if we’re selling to a UK publisher, it would be good if you are in the country when your book is published so you can promote your book and do school visits to get word of mouth out on the playground. Most of the pre-publication process is done by email, although it is always nice to get to meet your editor.

I'm writing a contemporary witch school story and would love to occasionally reference some Harry Potter words as in, 'Where's the Hogwarts feast?' or 'I'm no muggle, I'm just normal.' Is it OK to do that? I've seen references to other material, celebrities, tv programmes etc in books but people keep warning me not to do it. 

Tricky one. It probably wouldn’t require permission from J.K. Rowling’s publisher, but doing this might date your book and make it a target of comparison to Harry Potter. I think it’s better to do your own world-building rather than using someone else’s. 

Query : 

Izzy Fryer, a thirteen-year-old Londoner, unleashes an ancient power when she finds a silver locket in an isolated Peak District village. Following the discovery, she notices that the locket bears a mark associated with a local resurrection legend, but it’s only after a break-in and a vicious attack that she starts to realise its potential. Cuts and bruises disappear overnight, a broken leg heals miraculously. Drawing upon her urban instincts, she must decide who to trust with the secret before someone forces it from her. But it’s not so easy to choose when everyone’s a potential suspect - including her own family. 

Here's what Gemma and Molly said:

Izzy Fryer, a thirteen-year-old Londoner Why is the fact she is from London important if the story is set in the Peak District?, unleashes an ancient power when she finds a silver locket in an isolated Peak District village. Is she on holiday? You could reword this: When on holiday in an isolated Peak District village, thirteen year old Izzy Fryer discovers a silver locket that unleashes an ancient power. 

Following the discovery, she notices that the locket bears a mark associated with a local resurrection legend, but it’s only after a break-in and a vicious attack On who? that she starts to realise its potential. Cuts and bruises disappear overnight, a broken leg heals miraculously. Whose leg? 

Drawing upon her urban instincts, she must decide who to trust What has the fact that she’s a Londoner got to do with her ability to work out who to trust? with the secret the secret of what? That the locket heals, or is it something bigger? before someone forces it from her. But it’s not so easy to choose when everyone’s a potential suspect Suspect of what? The attack or the break-in? Or something else?- including her own family. 

We love short and to-the-point queries, but this is a little too short and vague to really give us an understanding of the world and who the players are. There’s room here to tell us a bit more of the story. What is this ancient power? Who gets hurt? What are people suspected of? 

This pitch part of your query can be one or two paragraphs. Introduce your main character: What does she want? What’s preventing her from achieving those goals? And what are the stakes if she doesn’t achieve them? Don’t let brevity prevent you from telling us what we need to know to get hooked on your story! 

Gemma says: Molly and I are both away next month, but we have organised an exciting guest agent to take over the feature - Penny Holroyde from the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency . Please send over questions for Penny as soon as possible, and make them good ones! Questions can be sent to writers@britishscbwi.org or post them in the comments below. Molly and I will be back to answer questions or critique queries in October.

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@gemma_cooper 

@mollykh

Gemma Cooper and Molly Ker Hawn represent authors of books for children and young adults. For more information about Gemma and Molly see The Bent Agency website and blog. 



Ten-Minute Blog Break - 27th August

I’m delighted to be given the chance to deputise for Nick Cross on the blog while he does whatever talented and imaginative writers do on their holidays. He’s probably sitting somewhere with a notebook, pen and an ice cream (substitute beer if you’re reading this slightly later in the day) just oozing with ideas for his next book. It’s a hard job to fill his shoes (substitute trainers or flip flops if you really want to get into the spirit of Nick’s holiday), but here goes.

These four blogs caught my eye this week and made me want to read more. As a relatively new individual blogger - having hidden behind the skirts of the Romaniacs’ blog for a couple of years before recently branching out solo –the way these lovely people keeping turning out the ideas is amazing: 

In praise of curiosity... by Keren David is the latest post from the The Edge - Cutting Edge Fiction for Teens.  Keren recently combined her passion for the seaside with her journalistic experience and opened her eyes to new ideas at the Turner Contemporary Gallery in Margate. Curiosity: Art and the Pleasures of Knowing caught Keren’s imagination and fired up her ever-present search for new quirks and foibles. Her blog gives us an insight into the way that experiences can build up in the novelist’s head to produce something new and inspiring. And the seaside thrown in – can’t be bad... 

I Hear Adventure Calling with Jane Heinrich has a large chilled glass of wine, a paperback that looks well-loved and some sunglasses to keep the holiday theme going, which is good enough for me. Jane gives an update on what she’s currently reading (anything interesting as long as it’s in the shade), working on (something so secret even the blog doesn’t know yet), eating (gooey cookies; am making envious whimpering noises here). Join Jane to read some excellent reviews of children’s literature and to think about wine o’clock, which has to be soon.

Space On The Bookshelf, the creation of Sally Poyton, Jo Wyton and Nicki Thornton, provides great ideas for keeping any bored children in your household busy. Book cover designing or write your own blurb – great ways to amuse the troops. And there are prizes! 

And finally...on Who Ate My Brain Nick Cross leaves us with food for thought. I guess he can’t feature his own blog so I’ll do it for him this week. Read all about his automatic and amazing Rejectomatic. Are you tired of waiting for your submissions to bear fruit. Who needs those tiresome agents and publishers? All those weeks of tension and ambushing the postman are now over. Cut out the middle man and get your rejection form instantly. What a fantastic idea. All the more letters to paper the downstairs toilet walls with. Thanks Nick - I did larf. 

 Celia J Anderson

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@CeliaAnderson1

When she’s not marking children’s work, or writing stories involving pants, Celia spends far too much time on Facebook (Celia Joy Anderson) and does a lot of walking to counteract the cooking, eating and drinking which form another of her hobbies. She blogs as part of the Romaniacs online writers’ group, and can also be found on Twitter. Her own website is now nearly ready to be launched.

Celia’s first novel, Sweet Proposal, a contemporary romance involving chocolate, a jacuzzi and a bespoke bookshop, was published by Piatkus Entice on August 1^st. Her ultimate dream is to have her children’s books published too.

Usually sea-starved in the depths of the Midlands, she can often be found wandering happily around Brighton visiting her two daughters pretending to collect ideas for her next book.

Festival: An Approach to Writing

K. M. Lockwood (Philippa Francis)

You perch a red felt topper on your head. You assault your tongue with raging chillies; remind your nose about the earthiness of patchouli, let your ears be beguiled by a hurdy-gurdy and the squelch of juicy mud. It’s festival time.



You go large on everything. It’s your turn to belt out sea-shanties in the bay, put the world to rights until the dawn interrupts, take in other ways of being.

Let your imagination walk on stilts and juggle with flaming poi. 

Here’s glamour in every sense of the word. A cross between the raggle-taggle-gypsies-oh and the thrill of the circus. Yes, you’re allowed to stop up, eat too many messy vegan tacos with your fingers and get very, very drunk. Engage deeply with others you may never see again. Weep and dance and lie down like a child when you’re knackered. No wonder there’s a festival called Latitude.

 Let’s get the ostrich feathers, the glossy satin and the bogs in.

What if that spirit infused your writing? If on the inside you were the purple velvet gown-wearing witch or steampunk samurai prince you always wanted to be? Go on – get some out-there material into your story. Push every sense. Stuff the stinks and the scents in there. Diesel and musk roses. Let’s get the ostrich feathers, the glossy satin and the bogs in. Lemonade and miso soup can go in the mix too.

If you can blend Balkan beats with Bluegrass musically, you can mash-up Star Trek and Chaucer.

And what about genres? If you can blend Balkan beats with Bluegrass musically, you can mash-up Star Trek and Chaucer. Let your imagination walk on stilts and juggle with flaming poi. Try something new: make a foray into hardboiled crime, high fantasy or teen romance. Be warned: it might just refresh you – or it might lead you in a whole new direction.

Look! They are rolling up the painted yurts. Will you follow them?

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K. M. Lockwood is a writing name of Philippa R. Francis. As well as being a regular contributor, Philippa (@lockwoodwriter) also tweets as @Words8Pictures helping to maintain our 'Industry news' feed.

Critique

Philippa R. Francis who writes as K. M. Lockwood  

You may well have been to the Night-before Conference Critique Meet. It’s a brilliant, supportive way of getting feedback on your work. You might have done something similarly helpful by e-critique, or on a course.

Well forget that.


Instead, give your main character the critique from Hell. Show how they react when their precious work-of-art/ skill at parkour/Lego model is figuratively pulled apart. Are they apologetic, angry, defensive or disbelieving? Do they become bitter, withdrawn, vengeful or assertive? Are there deeper emotions – maybe the critique giver has hit a raw nerve, maybe they have a point?

I know it’s cruel – but it will show the true mettle of your characters – both giver and receiver.

Try this: show your protagonist suffering a sequence of uncomfortable critiques. Her incantations are too long-winded; their team’s ball-handling is useless; he kisses like a goldfish. Do it again - another failure, another harsh response.

Then and only then, when they have been knocked back at least twice, show success. The orphanage mistress, stern teacher or previously unimpressed uncle grudgingly acknowledges they did well.

How will they feel then? How will you show it? Blushes, cartwheels or a shrug?

In our critiques of each other’s work as illustrators or writers we are rightly exhorted ‘first do no harm’.

But when it comes to your characters, spare no feelings.

The motive of the critique giver is down to you. Is it unjust criticism by a snobby antagonist he will outwit, or is it a brutally honest commentary by the champion archer our heroine is desperate to emulate? Remember that the critique giver is the lead in the film of their life. Perhaps the seemingly pitiless shaman is just testing her acolyte. Then you get a great revelation later in the story.

We all love an underdog who triumphs – but we must see, and feel for them, being the underdog first. Be cruel to be kind.

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@lockwoodwriter

K. M. Lockwood is a writing name of Philippa R. Francis. Once a primary school teacher, she became a graduate of the MA in Creative Writing at West Dean College in 2011. Her story The Selkies of Scoresby Nab was short-listed for the Mslexia Children’s Novel Competition and long-listed for the Times Chicken House in 2012/13. She was born in Yorkshire but now lives by the coast in Sussex. Her writing shows her deep fascination with British folklore and the sea. Her interests include reading, scuba diving and belly dancing, though not at the same time. She also blogs at the-wedding-ghost.blogspot.co.uk

Getting away from it all...

Summer is exhausting.

My ideal holiday would be in the house on my own for at least a week having been hypnotised not to think about anything I have to do, only what I want to do. Obviously, that would be to travel to my own land of make believe, which I could explore from the comfort of the sofa, without the guilt of I really should be doing something about tea now. It would be a more proactive version of Total Recall,  the classic sci fi film based on the Philip K. Dick story where people in the future have virtual holidays by having the memory of that experience implanted.


Here and now however, virtual holidays still have to be of our own making and they need an empty house. My house is not empty. I'm inundated with vacationing students, my own plus hangers on. It's like living in a hall of residence... again.

So, again, I'm off for the weekend and again the destination is yet to catch up with the present let alone the future - there's no wi fi at the Purbeck Folk festival.  So here I am on Wednesday evening...

...feeling fairly confident that the track down to the Dorset depths
won't  be quite as muddy as last year.

Now for a look into the recent W&P past... 

• On Monday, I enjoyed Annie Neild's feature on critique groups, how they're not just lets turn up and chat about our work but  places, real and virtual, where good relationships and trust are essential, both of which take time to develop.
• Do you have thoughts about what you can and can't say to industry professionals on Twitter? Join the conversation with Social Sheila. 
• Tuesday's  Blog Break this week went from Breaking Bad to an Anne Shirleyish breath of Canada to very practical tips on how to be #amwriting. 
• We also had a taste of the  recent SCBWI Picture Book Masterclass with Egmont from Heather Kilgour.
• I was delighted to have the very hard working and wonderfully organised, Mel and Katrina in the spotlight on Wednesday.
• On Thursday it was lovely to see Lincoln back in the News again, to be able revisit Duck & Bear with the Making of Duck & Bear on Friday and to celebrate with Marie-Claire Imam-Gutierrez's success with Northern Writers on Saturday.

...and a glimpse of the future:

Next week among the delights are... a double helping of inspiration from K.M. Lockwood on Monday,  another craft book review, this time from Steph Williams and some great photos and reporting form The Norwich Illustrators' and Writers' Day.

Wishing you all a lazy and stress free bank holiday weekend,

Jan Carr

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Jan Carr is the editor of Words & Pictures. Her fiction is older middle grade, she blogs occasionally and loves to write in magenta. You can contact her at editor@britishscbwi.org.

Undiscovered Voices is not the only competition for new writers

 If anyone needs a pick-me-up after the stress of getting in their UV entry, here's a great excuse to crack open the champers. Today we're celebrating with Marie-Claire Imam-Gutierrez, who's just won a new writer's award. I recently met Marie-Claire while trying to shove a Words & Pictures flyer into her hands at the Verulam Writers' Conference, so I was extra excited for her!


Undiscovered Voices has been on everyone's mind recently, but don't forget there are other writing competitions that can also give your writing career a boost. Congrats to Marie-Claire who won a New Fiction Bursary from the Northern Writers Awards. Her prize... a manuscript assessment with The Literacy Consultancy. If you live up North, take extra special note, as the awards, established in 2000 by New Writing North, are the North’s premiere talent development programme for writers. Over the last 12 years, the awards have been open to writers in the north east of England and have supported over 120 writers, 70 per cent of whom have gone on to publish their work. They are now open to writers in the whole of the north of England and next year's awards are open to entries from October 2013.

Marie-Claire says "I'm the one in the cowboy boots!" @mcimam

"I am also entering Undiscovered Voices this year" 

A couple of weeks ago, Marie-Claire told us: "I was amazed and delighted that I won this bursary and I hope that it's a step towards getting published. I am also entering Undiscovered Voices this year and am frantically editing right now!" She'll have sent her entry in by now, so good luck Marie-Claire!

Marie-Claire is a primary school teacher in Newcastle who has been writing her YA sci-fi/fantasy for six years. She actually first entered the Northern Writers’ Awards last year. Although she didn’t get a prize, the small amount of feedback gave her encouragement to keep writing. She then joined SCBWI and the brilliant crit group which meets monthly in the Seven Stories in Newcastle. When she entered the awards again this year… bingo! 

 So if you live up north and haven’t already, do check out the Northern Writers Awards. Maybe you could also win some support to help you on the road to publication. Hmmm… I once lived in Manchester for a year - does that count?

Please join me with a Hip Hip Hooray! for Marie-Claire and let's drink a toast to her future literary success!

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Tania Tay is an ex-advertising copywriter and has been published in Sable LitMag. She is writing MG and YA fiction, and is on the editorial team at Words & Pictures.