Issue 59 (Sep/Oct/Nov 2013)

Special

Agenda
Survival of the fittest: Melissa Benn pays tribute to the difficulties that can occur in the life of the writer

Interview
Sophie Hannah talks to Debbie Taylor

Features
Serious fun: Maggie Gee explains how burning political questions are best explored with a cool literary touch
Stranger than fiction: Caroline Sanderson waves a flag for the woefully under-celebrated art of nonfiction
The generation game: Barney Bardsley investigates what our daughters are reading

Regulars

New writing
Women’s Poetry Competition 2013: winning poems selected by Kathleen Jamie

Making a poem
Ioana Ieronim talks to Fiona Sampson

What went horribly wrong
for Lesley Thomson

Bedside table
What Harriet Harman likes to read

Plus…

Writing life
Big Question, Synopsis Surgery, Scamwatch, How I Keep Going, Make a difference, Make a splash

Inspirations
Nonfiction: the basics with Caroline Sanderson
Fiction masterclass, E-booking, Pen portrait, The creative mix, Making a poem

Books
Books to look out for, Book group, What’s new, How to write a bestseller, Independent press profile

Directory
Everything a writer needs to know: competitions, calls for submissions, grants, courses, events, contacts, venues