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SERVICES FOR MEMBERS AND READERS.

FIONA JOHNSTON. provides a Freelance Research Assistant Service for authors who may not always have the time or luxury they would like, to complete all of their research and would appreciate a helping hand.

Fiona offers this unique service to authors who have a busy schedule and would love the time between visiting schools and giving talks and book signings, to research a new script they are working on.

She has worked for various small Newspapers, Trusts and the like as Administrative personnel, and consultant for the Countryside Directory. She also has a BA (Hons) Social Services/International Studies from the Open University.

To Contact Fiona: email: fionajohnston@btinternet.com

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A Critique service is available from Writers New and Old, carried out by published writers. We are available to take short story or full manuscripts for critiques, editing and proof reading. Example of cost: Full critique - £10. Manuscript of 50,000 words - £50.
Editing and proof reading will be costed according to the number of words and requirements.
We hope we can help you, please contact us: info@writersnewandold.com.

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Scams.

Just before Christmas 2011 we, Writers New and Old received some emails from our members stating that they had their passport, cards,money and all personal details stolen on a holiday in Spain.

Asking for over £1,000 to help them get back to the UK.

Fortunately we do not respond to this kind of begging letter, but some people may have been taken in. Always check that the mail is not a forgery, as these obviously were, not all of them had gone to Spain and got robbed, quite beyond the law of averages. Indeed why would they write to us for money. We are not a charity, and we do not condone this sort of scam.

Those people that are responsible – get a life – get a job – don’t try to get money from the vulnerable. You are lower than a worm’s belly.

I hope that the people who’s email addresses were used have got it sorted.

Report any bogus emails you receive to the Police. Show no mercy.

Editor.


	Snippets, I read somewhere that there is a call for more childrens books to be about boys. Funny thing my daughter said the same thing the other day. The lack of boys books is quite serious, we are not inhabited by girls only, there will always be a difference between the sexes, even though there are those women that will argue they are better. Being a woman myself makes we wonder as to the sexuality of these ‘others’. Women will always need men, as men will always need women. Without the two sexes, we will be unable to breed, the species will die out. So everyone has a place, a function, a job. Albeit that women are filling the workplace and doing men’s jobs. I did that too in a previous life. But today is it really necessary for women to be submariners, just to mention one job that has been in the news recently. What are they trying to prove, and what the heck are the powers that be trying to prove. That this is a good thing to be seen to be doing? If I was the wife of a submariner I too would have my doubts. Women Police officers, shown on T.V as something tough, fighting like men, whoops, this is surely not real life. Where have all the ladies gone, the well brought up young women, with manners, always polite, never looking for a fight. No not doing the relegated housework and cooking, but sharing their lives with men. I don’t think this new generation have the slightest idea what being a woman is, all too many of them expect their husbands to come home after a hard days work and cook tea/dinner, clean up and change baby whilst ‘she’ sits on her backside complaining about her hard day. This is reflecting in the stories that are being churned out by writers and publishers these days. Where has Billy Bunter gone, all those lovely stories about boys doing things, discovering things, making adventures. I have written a story about boys discovering things and going on an adventure, but so far it has been met with a blank stare, a rejection. I suppose if it had been about girls it would be in print by now. KM. editor. TYPES OF NOVELS. The main categories are; whodunit/crime; thriller/psychological thriller: adventure; western; contemporary romance; historical; gothic/romantic suspense; science fiction/ fantasy; family saga; contemporary women’s saga or Aga saga; woman/child in jeopardy; the last two are newer than the rest. In USA the historical and gothic seem still to be popular. Word lengths. These are usually specified: Contemporary romance - 50.000 – 55.000 Historical Romance - 85.000 - 95.000 Sagas – Family/regional/period - 120.000 - 150.000 Mystery/whodunit: - 75,000 - 95,000 Science fiction: - 75,000 - 95,000 Fantasy: - 120,000 - 150,000 Erotic fiction: - 60,000 - 85,000 (Different Imprints may have different word counts. So check) Woman in jeopardy/psychological thrillers: - 100,000 - 120,000 Because bookselling and publishing are much more market orientated that they used to be. Books are displayed in labeled sections making it easier for the purchaser to choose. Books are also bought in specific categories from the distributors. A new writer trying to break into print will improve his chances of success if his novel fits readily into a category. Never try to write a story into one of the categories if it isn’t right for you. This could spoil a really potentially good novel. New writers should have a specific category that they are writing for at the start. Erotic fiction. I have specifically itemized this genre, because it is becoming more popular. It is mainly written by women; and would be termed to be soft porn. Anyone who feels uncomfortable writing mainly about sex should not try to do so, but leave it alone, and find another genre that suits you. Just because it’s a popular fiction genre, may not mean it’s for you. There is no need to put specific sex scenes into an erotic novel, not unless it is absolutely vital to the plot. Young Adult Novels. This is more restricted than for adults, because teenagers usually progress straight into adult fiction from children’s fiction. It deals specifically with problems young people can relate to; family break up. Experimenting with drugs, running away to the big city, being pressured into sex at an early age. Believing that romance, marriage, or having a baby is the solution to their emotional problems and so on. To succeed in this genre the writer must be able to sympathise and empathise with young people experiencing all the difficulties of growing up in a complex world. Having said that there are some excellent stories that are entirely based on fiction, without the doom and gloom of marriage break ups, pregnancy, drugs and so on. If parents were to consider getting these books for children instead. Fact/Fiction SERVICES FOR MEMBERS AND READERS. FIONA JOHNSTON. provides a Freelance Research Assistant Service for authors who may not always have the time or luxury they would like, to complete all of their research and would appreciate a helping hand. Fiona offers this unique service to authors who have a busy schedule and would love the time between visiting schools and giving talks and book signings, to research a new script they are working on. She has worked for various small Newspapers, Trusts and the like as Administrative personnel, and consultant for the Countryside Directory. She also has a BA (Hons) Social Services/International Studies from the Open University. To Contact Fiona: email: fionajohnston@btinternet.com ****************************************************************************************** A Critique service is available from Writers New and Old, carried out by published writers. We are available to take short story or full manuscripts for critiques, editing and proof reading. Example of cost: Full critique - £10. Manuscript of 50,000 words - £50. Editing and proof reading will be costed according to the number of words and requirements. We hope we can help you, please contact us: info@writersnewandold.com. *************************************************************************************** Scams. Just before Christmas 2011 we, Writers New and Old received some emails from our members stating that they had their passport, cards,money and all personal details stolen on a holiday in Spain. Asking for over £1,000 to help them get back to the UK. Fortunately we do not respond to this kind of begging letter, but some people may have been taken in. Always check that the mail is not a forgery, as these obviously were, not all of them had gone to Spain and got robbed, quite beyond the law of averages. Indeed why would they write to us for money. We are not a charity, and we do not condone this sort of scam. Those people that are responsible – get a life – get a job – don’t try to get money from the vulnerable. You are lower than a worm’s belly. I hope that the people who’s email addresses were used have got it sorted. Report any bogus emails you receive to the Police. Show no mercy. Editor. \| Return Home \| Competitions \| Submissions Fee \| Members Page** \| books \| Helpful Tips for Writers \|