If you have an article about writing, or a short humorous piece that you would like considered for inclusion, please send it to us. We will get back to you as soon as we can. If we decide to include your work, we may ask for a brief biography to accompany it.

 The copyright of the writing on this site remains with the authors. The articles are included here with their permission, which may be withdrawn at any time. Please respect their copyright and do not make copies.

Presenting your Manuscript
Gwyneth Box
What sort of impression does your manuscript create when it reaches the editor?

Increasing your Acceptance Rate
Gwyneth Box
A few pointers to help you increase your rate of acceptances by providing the type of material that editors want.

The Internet Guide for Writers
(Reviewed by Jean Currie)

Writing Short Stories and Articles
(Reviewed by Jean Currie)

Where do I begin?
Gwyneth Box
So you want to be a writer but don't know where or how to begin? Here you'll find a few ideas to help you get started.

The Internet Writer's Handbook
(Reviewed by Jean Currie)

Internet and the Poet
Gwyneth Box
How to exploit the Internet at all stages of your poetry writing.
(This article appeared in the June-July 2001 issue of Writers' Forum)

Getting Published
(Reviewed by Jean Currie)

Critiquing Poetry
Gwyneth Box
Do you find it hard to step back from your writing and assess it objectively? Here are some pointers to help you.
(Previously published on Moira Anderson's Writing-World website)

What's in it for You?
Jean Currie
When was the last time you stopped to think about why you are writing?
(Previously published in BuzzWords Magazine)

When I Have Time
Jean Currie
How often do you complain that you'd write more if you only had more time?
(Previously published in Acorn Magazine)

Is your Journey Really Necessary?
Jean Currie
A look at adjectives and adverbs and why we should think before using too many.

Advice for Writers
Well, maybe you shouldn't take this advice too seriously!

What Price fame?
Gwyneth Box
How much are you prepared to pay to finance your writing activities?

Braving Scotland
Gwyneth Box
An account of the awards ceremony of the Scottish International Open Poetry Competition.

The Magazine Writer's Handbook
(Reviewed by Jean Currie)

In the Beginning
Jean Currie
There is no action, no plot, no story without characters. Jean Currie shows us how by starting with our characters, the rest of the story takes form around them.
(First published in Writers' Forum Magazine.)

Working from Home
Gwyneth Box
Working from home isn't all it's cracked up to be.
(First published on poewar.com Writers' Resource Website.)

Freelance working
Gwyneth Box
Have you ever thought you'd like to give up the day job and freelance? Do you really know what this involves?
(First published on poewar.com Writers' Resource Website.)

Tetractys
Ray Stebbing
An explanantion of this this new form of syllabic poetry.
(Ray died earlier this year, and Quantum Leap editor Alan Carter is running an annual tetractys competition in his memory. Details on the diary page, closing date 31st December.)

Getting Your Poetry Published
Norman Bissett
In this piece (originally presented at Edinburgh Writers' Club, Oct 2000) Norman gives us some pointers about how to go about getting our poetry published.

The Crime Writer's Handbook
(Reviewed by Jean Currie)

Writing for Radio
(Reviewed by Jean Currie)

The Craft of Novel Writing
(Reviewed by Jean Currie)

Check Please!
A couple of ways to make your proofreading more effective. (First appeared on the Inscriptions Magazine Website, Nov. 2000.)

Scandal in Spain Gwyneth Box
A report on the plagiarism scandal in Spain.

What is a Poem? Alan J Carter
The editor of a small press poetry magazine tells us what he thinks a poem is, and gives us some hints for making successful submissions. (A version of this article first appeared in Quantum Leap 2, 1998 and a later version in Writers' Forum in 1999)

Midland Exposure Interview Themselves Lesley Gleeson & Cari Crook
The two partners of the Midland Exposure Magazine Fiction Agency tell us about themselves, the agency and what they're looking for in submissions for women's magazine fiction. (This article first appeared in The New Writer)

Poetry Translation Gwyneth Box
An introduction to the problems involved in translating poetry, based on a consideration of the translation of an original Spanish poem. (A version of this article appeared in Lateral Moves No. 30, 2000)

Published Poet or Paid Poet? Gwyneth Box
A lighthearted look at what being a Published Poet really means. (An abridged version of this article appeared in Writers' Forum Dec. 1999 - Jan. 2000)

Spell Cheque
Do you rely on your computer to correct your work for you? Beware!

To Have and Have Got
A few thoughts on these structures and the differences between British and US English.

Stout Heroes
Thoughts on the herd instinct of English words. (First appeared in Writers' Forum June/July 2000)

Rhyme & Reason Gwyneth Box
On the use of rhyme and rhythm in poetry.

Query Letter From Hell
Can you spot the deliberate errors? (First appeared on the Inscriptions Magazine Website, Aug. 2000.)

Literary Competitions: Pros & Cons
Gwyneth Box
Can you actually lose if you enter writing competitions?