Latest posts
How to Create Your Own DIY Writing Retreat on a Budget
/ 2026-01-02The words ‘writing retreat’ might summon up images of a week in a lakeside cabin with a posh notebook, a pot of coffee, and birdsong for company. But for many of us, work, family and budgets such images are pure fantasy. But there are ways to create your own retreat... Read More
The Subject Line Secret: How to Win Readers Before They Even Open Your Email
/ 2025-12-26You've spent hours crafting the perfect newsletter. Every paragraph sparkles, the call-to-action is clear, and the design looks sharp. You hit "send," then wait. And wait. But the results are flat. Your open rates are terrible. The problem isn't your content. It's your subject line. In publishing, the real battle... Read More
What Does Ready Mean?
/ 2025-12-26We attempt to polish to perfection. The funny thing to me is that we dare think of being able to achieve perfection. Nobody does nor should they think they can. Weekly I write two editorials: the opening thought, then later the editor's thoughts. One is more personal than the other.... Read More
How to Spot a Dodgy Litmag
/ 2025-12-19The submissions database Chill Subs lists over 3000 magazines and 1200 writing contests, many of the contests affiliated with litmags. Most of these are run by passionate writers and editors who work hard to champion great work, often for little monetary reward. But given the size of the market there will inevitably... Read More
AI and Perfection
/ 2025-12-19“Have no fear of perfection—you’ll never reach it.” ~Salvador Dalí All of us seek perfection, though none of us reaches it. Improving ourselves, however, is the real goal and quite admirable. We should never stop in that effort. But all too often, we feel we cannot seek perfection so we find... Read More
Rudolph and Writing
/ 2025-12-19In listening to a podcast this week, I almost teared up at the story of a Christmas song. It is a secular song, but then, it is not. I will never hear it the same again. In 1939, Montgomery Ward wanted to publish something Christmassy with an animal protagonist... Read More
How to Fake It Till You Make It When Pitching Article/Content Ideas
/ 2025-12-12Having worked as a features editor for numerous magazines, head of copy for a content agency and MS/slush reader for various literary agents, I've looked at 1000s of pitches and submissions. One of the things that always stands out is what I call ‘quiet confidence’. The opposite also stands out,... Read More
The AI Forecast
/ 2025-12-12Recently Jane Friedman, guru of all things publishing in the US if not the world, spoke of AI in her email "The Bottom Line." Some books were disqualified from a national award in New Zealand because they discovered AI was used on the covers. A lot of people think this is appropriate. Others... Read More
Half Asleep
/ 2025-12-12For a long time, I've learned to go to bed with a chapter running in my head. First, it helps me go to sleep. Secondly, it makes my mind work, and in the morning, especially if I go right into the shower, ideas bubble to the surface for what I... Read More
The Way to Seeing Better Search Results
/ 2025-12-12Search engines are an integral part of writing research, and often the way authors find new magazines, writing markets, or submission guidelines. However, search engines can be repetitive or biased and easily trap searchers in a scrolling loop. Here’s key advice on how to find your way around search engines.... Read More
