This is an indoor-based holiday with the opportunity to gain hints and tips on how to write for magazines and get published. It is aimed at anyone interested in writing for magazines but don’t know where to start, and also those who have started out and want to improve their skills.
Proposed Programme
First day of arrival
Arrive in the afternoon and meet your Leaders and fellow guests.
After dinner, in the evening, we’ll meet for about an hour for a light-hearted look at one of the easiest ways to break into print, through letters and fillers. We guarantee a laugh from the beginning!
The first full day
In the morning, we shall learn how to analyse magazines to identify who you are writing for. Whether you want to write articles or short stories, you need to know who the reader is and who the editor is trying to please. We’ll also look at house style, how to identify regular contributors and which pages of a magazine are more accessible to freelance writers.
We shall break at lunchtime for about three hours to give you some free time to stretch your legs and explore the local area.
In the late afternoon, we’ll discover where to find ideas and how to structure an article.
After dinner there is no formal learning, however, both of us will be available to answer any questions you may have, or provide feedback on any writing you may have brought with you. Alternatively, you may wish to join in with any other evening options taking place in the house.
The second full day
In the morning, we’ll examine the short story market, to discover what type of stories the magazines are looking for. We’ll also identify what a short story is, and even have a go at producing an opening, a basic outline for the middle and a draft ending, and examine whether you’ve written this for the market that you’ve identified!
We shall break again at lunchtime for about three hours.
In the afternoon, we’ll show you how to submit your work professionally (both for articles and short stories), the layout to use and how to approach editors.
On our last evening, it’s your final opportunity to question us on any burning issues you may have. We’ll be happy to discuss any work that you may have started whilst on this holiday or work you’ve brought with you, and give advice on how to develop it and markets to consider. Alternatively you may wish to join in other evening options.
Day of Departure
Depart after breakfast.
What To Bring
We will provide a wide range of magazines for you to look at during the break. However, if there’s a magazine that you are keen to write for, please bring a copy with you. You may wish to bring pens and notebooks with you to make notes or jot down ideas, and possibly start writing an article or short story! You may bring a laptop computer if you wish, although please note that power points may be limited in the room we shall be using.