Interview with Writer's Digest Editor, Jane Friedman

Jane Friedman is a vegetarian, bourbon-drinking editor, who claims to be at least mostly sane. Obsessed with writing, reading, editing, teaching and speaking, she also happens to be the publisher and editorial director of Writer’s Digest. In our June issue, she gives us an insight into how she sees the writing industry, both from the point of view of a writer and also that of an editor.

The London Book Fair

Mark Robberts' overview of The London Book Fair in the June issue of Words with JAM ...

One of the first things that strikes one is the vastness of easy-to-get-to Earl’s Court. Okay, the façade is impressive, but inside – it is immense. Tardis like; the ideal place for getting lost – for days. I am sure Wembley stadium could fit in here with room to spare. I was here last year so basically knew what to expect but for first-timers it really is an eye-opener. The cream (or almost all) of the publishing world, all gathered under one roof ...

First Annual Short Story Competition 2010 - NOW OPEN

It's here! The Words with JAM Short Story Competition 2010

Let's keep it simple. We're looking for the best short story of up to 2,500 words. Please note that we are looking for the best short story, not bribes! If you wish to send vast sums of money, tickets for sell-out concerts, rare signed first edtitions, feel free, but as the stories will be judged anonymously, it won't help you much.

Prizes
1st Prize - £300
2nd Prize - £100
3rd Prize - £50

Closing Date 
31st August 2010, 12pm GMT

Results
All three winning entries will be published in the December issue of Words with JAM.

Judge
Sue Moorcroft will be selecting our three winners from this year's shortlist. Sue writes short stories, serials and novels – her third novel, Starting Over, was published in November 2009, with All That Mullarkey to follow on 1 June 2010. She’s both editor of and contributor to Loves Me, Loves Me Not, a short story anthology celebrating the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s 50th Anniversary.

Also a creative writing tutor, Sue’s first ‘how to’ book, Love Writing – How to Make Money Writing Romantic or Erotic Fiction, was published in January.

www.suemoorcroft.com
http://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com for news and writing tips 

To Enter
For more details, please visit out main webpage at www.wordswithjam.co.uk and click on 'competition'.

 

Good Luck!

The Countdown Has Begun ...

Saturday 17th April 2010 will see the launch of the Words with JAM First Annual Short Story Competition. We will be searching for the best Short Story of under 2,500 words.

Look out for details on our website. Subscribers will receive automatic email notification.

IT'S OUT!!!

The April issue of Words with JAM is out now. Subscribers will receive their copy by email any time now. Non-subscribers only have themselves to blame for missing out.

60 Seconds with Toby Litt

Toby Litt will feature alongside Tracy Chevalier in one of our 60 Second Interviews in the next issue of Words with JAM ...

Toby published his first book, a collection of short stories entitled Adventures in Capitalism, in 1996.
He is the author of the novels: Beatniks: An English Road Movie (1997), a modern On the Road transposed to middle-England; Corpsing (2000), a thriller set in London's Soho; and Deadkidsongs (2001), a dark tale of childhood. Exhibitionism (2002), is a collection of short stories that explore the boundaries of sex and sexuality. Finding Myself (2003) is the story of what happens when budding author Victoria About gathers together ten friends for a holiday in Southwold in order to write up the ensuing events. His latest novels are Hospital (2007) and Journey into Space (2009).

In 2003 Toby was nominated by Granta magazine as one of the 20 'Best of Young British Novelists'. A new collection of short stories, I Play the Drums in a Band Called Okay, was published in 2008. He lives in London.

http://www.tobylitt.com

Fourteen Years of Mild Irritation

Pets. What’s the fucking point, eh? The dog, for example. Fourteen years of mild irritation terminated by an ephemeral burst of sorrow. I mean, come on, you could simply gouge yourself on the thigh with a steak knife every day and get the same result without having to go out walking in the rain or clean liquid faeces from the sofa. And it’d be cheaper, too. Put it this way, if they ever re-make Ring of Bright Water, I’ll be the guy with the spade for only a minimal fee.

Because look what we spend on the buggers. We spend more pampering our pets than the combined GNPs of the world’s forty poorest countries (Figures from guilttrip.com, correct at the time of going to press). Do we contribute to a charity that will provide a fresh, renewable supply of water for eighteen million fly-blown Africans, or do we pop down to Pets-R-Us for some hamster-bedding?

Again, what’s the point? Fuck it, they’re going to die in the end anyway. Pets, I mean, obviously ...

Read Perry Iles' full rant in his column Feeble Excuses, Procrastination and Displacement Activities in the next April issue of Words with JAM.