What’s a book of paintings got to do with the writing process?
Read MoreBeing inspired by art
Reviews
Tom Watson and Giles Watling, MPs, speaking at the Awards. Photo by Terry Freedman
The 2018 Educational Writers' Awards
in Events, News & views, Reviews
Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and their books! There were some great-looking books on display. Here is some information about the winning entry, and a couple of the others.
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What I'm reading: Dictator Literature
in Bad writing, Bookshelf, Reviews
So you think you've read some atrocious writing in your life? Well, you ain't seen nothing yet.
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What I've been reading: Something nasty in the slush pile (updated)
in Bookshelf, How to, Reviews, Bad writing, Reference
How should you pitch a publisher with your book proposal? Or, to look at this another way, how should you not do so? This book answers that question.
Read MoreWhat I'm reading: Why we Sleep
A well-written and, frankly, frightening book about the benefits we get from sleep. frightening? Yes, because of the costs we pay when we skimp on (good quality) sleep.
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New books bulletin launched
Read on for news about my new books-related newsletter. Reviews of books and bookshops, new book announcements, writerly tips, and news about my own works.
Read MoreWhat I've been reading: Waterhouse on newspaper style
This book may be thirty years old, but its advice is still pertinent. If you want to have a blitz or crackdown against, or shake-up of, bad writing (all examples of 'tabloidese'), then this is the book for you.
Read MoreReview of Baking with Kafka, by Tom Gauld
Baking with Kaka is a great book, especially if you're a writer and an avid reader.
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High Street Kensington: more than just a station. Come out of the station, turn left, and it's a nice walk or short bus ride to Olympia, where #LBF17 was held. Photo by Terry Freedman 2017
London Book Fair 2017 Bulletin #3
What I learnt on the last day of the London Book Fair 2017.
Read MoreWhat I use for writing: a review of the Kindle Fire
I recently purchased a KIndle Fire so I could write while travelling and in cafes. So what I do I think of it?
Read MoreWriting and maps: some ideas
How might writers make use of maps to convey information (besides geographical information)?
Read MoreA universal URL for your Amazon books
Booklinker is a brilliant url shortener for your Amazon books and Amazon author page.
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Photo by Alan
A brief review of the Electric Speed newsletter
A quick heads-up about a newsletter I find quite useful, and mention of a couple of books.
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So many books, so little time...
5 types of book review
When it comes to writing book reviews books, I've found that a one-size fits all approach not to be very useful. Here are the 5 types of review I write, ranging from the full length, everything but the kitchen sink version, to zero words except to say "This book exists"!
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What I'm reading: Write Tight
Thumbnail sketch of a very useful book I came across recently. If you want to tighten up your prose, this is the book for you.
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What I've been reading: Killing Hope
OK, so this is a review of a fiction book -- but I think we can learn a lot about great use of language, convincing research and pace from reading it.
Read MoreWhat I've been reading: Something nasty in the slush pile
How should you pitch a publisher with your book proposal? Or, to look at this another way, how should you not do so? This book answers that question.
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What I've been reading: Borges
It goes without saying that in order to write well you have to read well. This slim volume of Borges' essays is perfect for the creative non-fiction writer.
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A resource base for writers.
A resource base and more for writers
A specialised writer's search engine, and a free novel organiser.
Read MoreQuick look: Publishing 101 by Jane Friedman
My thoughts on this book for would-be published authors, having read around a third of it up till now. Executive summary: so far so good.
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