BBC Writersroom Newsletter

The new edition of the BBC writersroom newsletter is now available online.

The BBC writersroom website champions new writing talent in film, television, radio and theatre and runs schemes to promote new writing alongside providing resources to help writers hone their craft. For more information, visit the website at www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom

Highlights from the current newsletter include:

Continuing Drama Series
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We've launched a new section on the website to talk about the BBC's Continuing Drama Series and how the process of finding writers for them works.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/continuingdrama.shtml

John Yorke
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Interview with the Controller of BBC Drama Production and New Talent.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/john_yorke.shtml

Tony Marchant
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Read our interview with Tony Marchant, the writer of Holding On and Garrow's Law.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/tony_marchant.shtml

Jimmy McGovern
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Interview with the writer of Cracker, The Street, The Lakes, Brookside, and many more...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/jimmy_mcgovern1.shtml

James Parriott
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Interview with the showrunner of new SF Drama Defying Gravity.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/james_parriott.shtml

John Collee
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Interview with the writer of Creation, Happy Feet, and Master and Commander.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/john_collee.shtml

Dean Craig
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The writer of Off The Hook and Death at a Funeral tells us about his career.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/dean_craig.shtml

Simon Maxwell
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Interview with the producer of new drama Off The Hook.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/simon_maxwell.shtml



New Scripts
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Our scripts are in PDF format - if you can't read them, download Adobe Reader from http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/categories/plug/acrobat/acrobat.shtml?intro

Holby City: Just A Perfect Day by Dan Sefton
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/downloads/scripts/holby_city_s11e32.pdf

Holby City: Out of the Woods by Rob Williams
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/downloads/scripts/holby_city_s11e48.pdf

Don't forget you can browse through all of the scripts in our script archive.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/script_archive.shtml

Submitting your script to BBC writersroom
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Want to write for the BBC? Find out what to send us on our script submissions page.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/submissions_writersroom.shtml

Arkham Tales #5 now available!

From their website:

"Issue #5 of Arkham Tales — the final issue, sorry to say — is now available for free download! This issue features a cover by Christophe Desaigne, and contains fiction by Robert J. Santa, Doug Goodman, Anne M. Pillsworth, Lawrence Barker, Sunder Cameron Addams, James S. Dorr, Maggie Flynn, and J.C. Tabler.

Go to http://www.arkhamtales.com/archives/184 to download your copy!

Thanks to the effects of the economic downturn (oh, how I’ve grown to hate that phrase), this will be the final issue of Arkham Tales."
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Writing for Children and Young Adults

Children's literature is one of the most enjoyable forms of writing. It allows you to tap into a magical world filled with adventurous plots and whimsical characters. Most of us have fond memories of the books we used to read when we were younger. The stories we read awakened our imagination, encouraging us to exapnd our minds and learn more about the world around us.
The demand for good children's writers is growing streadily, and we can show you how to make a name in this market. Our course shows you how to make the most of your talent, interests and childhood memories and turn them into marketable stories for young readers. You'll also learn how to approach the growing fields of radio, theatre and television for young audiences.

The course is offered by The Writing School. Full details here. It's expensive, so think carefully before spending your money.
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Firstwriter competitions

firstwriter.com's fully searchable database of writing competitions contains details and contact information for writing contests from around the English-speaking world, including dozens which are free to enter.

Please let me have any comments about this, and other, links.

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Waterstones -- new online store

From The Bookseller:

Waterstone's has become the latest online bookseller to begin selling secondhand books with the launch of Waterstone's Marketplace. Read more here.
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Drollerie Press

The Drollerie Press is currently soliciting submissions. For details, visit their website. Tales are required for the following: Trafficking in Magic/ Magicking in Traffic and Greek Mythology/ Urban Fantasy

At the Theatre

Writing plays is just one aspect of creative writing. To inspire the playwrite in you, check out the Stoke-on-Trent's Rep website for its schedule.
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Zombie Zoology Anthology: Stories Wanted

Severed Press seeks short stories for its new anthology, Zombie Zoology. Stories must include themes revolving around living-dead animals, beasts, creatures, or anything of the sort. We are looking for variety in both animals and the locations in which the story is set. Stories involving local myths, legends and superstitions will be well regarded as will the use of science. Stories can be set in the past or present.

Payment: Payment will be $0.01 per word based on the final edited version plus one Author copy.

Stories should be between 2000-8000 words and be submitted with a brief synopsis and bio in standard form as an attachment to zombiezoology@gmail.com. Closing date is the 30th January 2010 and replies will go out after this date.

Abaddon Competition

Alright, here it is! Our first ever Abaddon Competition!

Everyone knows it’s coming. You just gotta see the signs. And I see you all preparing – maybe getting some training in with simulations like L4D or House of the Dead, maybe going to see instructive films like 28 Days Later or Zombieland – but how ready are you, really? When the Zs start clawing at your door, what are you going to do? How will you fight them? Where will you take shelter?

Read more here.
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Writers Beware!

These websites offer information for writers:

Preditors and Editors, provides information about publishing for, it says, serious writers.

SFWA's Writer Beware website includes a lot of information to help writers.

As usual, inclusion in this blog is not an endorsement -- always evaluate information before acting on it.
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