Writing Industries Conference 2010
Saturday 6th March 2010, Loughborough University
A Literature Network, Writing East Midlands
and Loughborough University project.
http://writingindustries.com
Twitter #wic2010
The Writing Industries Conference brings together writers from across the East Midlands and beyond with professionals from the writing industries to share knowledge, develop skills and make new contacts. The conference is open to anyone with an interest in writing, from unpublished writers who want to learn more to bestselling novelists.
The full programme for WIC 2010 is available online here:
http://writingindustries.com/programme/
A theme of this year’s conference is the many changes taking place in the writing industries. …

by Jacqui Lofthouse
There are many stages of the editing process – which may be one reason why many writers find editing a confusing and occasionally frustrating process.  So often, we enjoy the first rush of enthusiasm that seizes us when we begin writing a book, but it is more difficult to keep that verve alive when we have to take our words to the next stage.  We are obliged to return to material that spilled from our right brain almost effortlessly and engage that more rational left brain if we’re …

“I think that some writers can get too comfortable and complacent in their success and it shows in their work. But you do have to have deep oceans of self-belief if you want to do serious art, because a lot of people – sometimes some of those close to you as well as those in the business and complete strangers – will try to bring you down.”
Suhayl Saadi talks about his journey as a writer and gives us a deeper insight of his latest work, Joseph’s Box.

The Asian Writer catches up with emerging talent, Nikesh Shukla to find out what he’s planning on in 2010.

BRIXTON BEACH by Sri Lankan author Roma Tearne has been picked for the new TV Book Club which started on More 4 Sunday, 17th January.
ROMA TEARNE is the only South Asian author chosen by Amanda Ross for the new show taking over from Richard & Judy’s book club.
The programme is produced by Amanda Ross at Cactus TV, creators of the original Book Club on Richard and Judy, The TV Book Club will review the most compelling reads for 2010, presented by stars Jo Brand, Gok Wan, Laila Rouass, Dave Spikey …

London, 19.30pm 4th January 2010
Former scooter salesman Raphael Selbourne scoops the Costa First Novel Award for Beauty.
Beauty – in name and appearance – is a twenty-year-old Bangladeshi, back in England having disgraced her family by fleeing an abusive arranged marriage. Placed on the jobseekers’ treadmill and under continuing domestic pressure, in desperation she runs away. Her fractious encounters with officialdom, fellow claimants and passers-by in the city streets, exacerbated by the restrictions (and comfort) of her language and culture, place her at the mercy of such unlikely helpers as Mark, …